While many young college graduates aim to launch their careers in the mega-cities like Washington, DC or Los Angeles, many may find it better for their financial well-being by looking beyond the larger urban centers. The five areas listed below all have a growing "under-30" population and solid job markets:

Athens

The University of Georgia is centered in this laid-back town and is responsible for its original founding and its subsequent growth. The city offers free wireless 'net access downtown, and the aforementioned school and two regional hospitals help ameliorate the citys unemployment rate.

Where: Downtown, West side, Five Points Cost: 650-750 dollars per month for a one-bedroom flat, or 750-850 dollars for a two-bedroom unit

Atlanta

Atlanta is the capital and Georgia's most well-known city, as well as being the center of the ninth biggest metropolitan area in the United States. It ranks fourth among U.S. cities for wireless Internet, and ranks third in the number of Fortune 500 companies located in its metropolitan area, after New York City and Houston.

Where: E. Atlanta, Midtown, Virginia Highlands Cost: 600-900 dollars per month for a one-bedroom unit, 800-1,350 dollars for a two-bedroom

Austin

The capital of Texas, Austin is the state's fourth-largest city and the 16th largest in the U.S.A. The city was chosen as the #2 Best Big City in "Best Places to Live" according to Money magazine in 2006. Thousands of graduates each year from the computer and science programs at The University of Texas at Austin provide a steady source of young, talented, and driven employees that help to fuel the city's technology and defense industry sectors.

Where: Downtown, S. Austin Cost: 500-800 dollars per month for a one-bedroom unit, 700-1,200 dollars for a two-bedroom

Denver

The Denver Metropolitan Area has more U.S. government workers than any other metropolitan area except for Washington, D.C. Among many attractions are a good light-rail system and a top-20 ranking for free wi-fi.

Where: W. Highland, LoDo, Highland Cost: 700-800 dollars per month for a one-bedroom apartment, 900-1,200 dollars for a two-bedroom

Minneapolis

The biggest city in Minnesota, Minneapolis sits next to Saint Paul, the state's capital. Availability of wi-fi, ease of transportation, medical trials, university research and development expenditures, advanced degrees held by the work force, and general conservation of energy are so far above the national average that in 2005, Popular Science named Minneapolis the "Top Tech City" in U.S.A.

Where: Uptown, Northeast, North Loop Cost: 600-700 dollars a month for a one-bedroom unit, 800-1,100 dollars for a two-bedroom