Think you know the best places for recent college graduates? I give you a hint — it isn’t New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. The exorbitant price of housing in large cities is causing grads to seek opportunities elsewhere. If you are a fourth-year and you are not in the Engineering School, you are probably wondering where you will be after graduation. You just know you want your new stomping grounds to be affordable, fun and full of opportunities. Check out this list of locations you might choose after you snag your diploma!
1. Your mom’s basement
Engage in the time-honored tradition of moving into your mom’s basement after graduation. Is it dark down there? Yes. Is it full of crickets? Sure. Will your mom keep stomping downstairs with her open laptop to show you job postings on Craigslist? Absolutely. Just remember — the basement has a private entrance. You can enjoy the financial security of living with your mom without constantly seeing her. Of course, you will still have to see her every time she uses the washing machine. That’s okay! Otherwise, you have complete privacy. You can invite your hookups over without fear that any family members will find out. Just be mindful that your bed is right under your little brother’s room. Also, your prom date may “super like” you on Tinder and tell you he’s “kinda lonely :/” when you politely ask how he is doing.
2. Your sister’s bedroom
Your sister doesn’t need her old bedroom. She moved to New York City three years ago, immediately after she graduated from UPenn. She is working for Ernst & Young and making so much money she doesn’t know what to do with it! Good for her!
You know what is just as good as the view of Central Park from the 32nd floor of your sister’s new apartment? The view of your backyard from your sister’s old bedroom. Just turn down those photos of the favorite child delivering her valedictory speech and settle in. Consider this a victory! You finally have the bigger closet and you get the bathroom all to yourself. Your sister, on the other hand, has to share her bathroom with her incredibly hot, loving boyfriend. Yikes!
3. Your old bedroom
Why not just move right back into your old bedroom? Recent graduates are loving this bold move. It’s comfortable, familiar and decorated to suit your taste. Well, your taste changed five years ago, but you can take down the makeshift collage wall.
Think of all the memories you made in your childhood bedroom. Remember the time you spilled nail polish on the carpet while painting your Hot Wheels? The stain from that very gender-neutral mistake is still there! Remember the Obama sticker you put on your door in 2008? It’s still up there, and it still makes your dad super angry. And how could you forget the hamburger phone you bought after you saw “Juno”? It’s right where you left it — thrown into the back of your closet because it is a stupid thing to own.
Don’t mind the treadmill and a dumbbell rack your mom put next to your old desk. Use this as an opportunity to get in shape while you apply for jobs. You have no skills and few contacts, but at least you can have sick biceps.
4. The guest room
Living in the guest room is a good way to live at home without feeling like you’re at home. The bed is uncomfortable, there are two pieces of furniture and the room is decorated like a hotel room from the 90’s. This is a good way to tell your parents, “I do not want to be here for more than three months.” Just note that they are still going to ask you how long you plan on staying.
The guest room will also remind you that you are just that — a guest! You are not actually moving back in with your parents. You’re just staying with them until you find the right job. Don’t even unpack! Don’t tell people you’re in town! Do NOT make yourself at home! This is so, so temporary.
5. Austin, Texas
It’s the next Silicon Valley!
Nancy-Wren Bradshaw is a Humor editor for The Cavalier Daily. She can be reached at n.bradshaw@cavalierdaily.com.
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