The Metros Where Millennials Have the Most Opportunities

Millennials who've come of age during the Great Recession are "adjusting [their] expectations," writes Aronowitz. "We’re realizing that those big, bustling cities have become unaffordable for those of us just starting out. And the house in the suburbs, with its long commutes and high gas bills, doesn’t fare much better. So where does a Millennial turn?"

"I traveled across the country for six weeks in search of the best, most affordable places for twentysomethings to achieve their goals nowadays—whether it’s to start a business, live off their art, have kids earlier, or just finally find a fulltime job. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing what I found."

Aronowitz plans to look at nine promising cities, which, she explains, fall into four general categories: 

• Small Ponds for Big Fish
• The Gems Next Door
• Towns Luring Back Their Townies
• Budget Boom Towns