Salt Lake, St. George Make 'Best Cities' Lists

Utah's positive lifestyle is well know, and is often attributed to our outstanding recreational opportunities. But there are many reasons people enjoy living and playing in our state. Here's a sample of articles I noticed online today that show some of the perks of the Salt Lake and St. George areas.

10 Best Cities for New Graduates, as ranked by collegerecruiter.com:

1. Salt Lake City—Below-average living costs, above-average pay and a population teeming with twentysomethings make Salt Lake an excellent starting-out city. The overall unemployment rate, at 5% and far below the nation’s average, adds to the area’s appeal.

Best U.S. Hiking Cities, ranked by National Geographic:

Salt Lake City, Utah - With 10,000-foot peaks within 20 minutes, Salt Lake City may very well be the easiest major American city to get out of, which is why it attracts a large population of outdoor-minded folk.

Best Big Cities for Jobs for 2013:

Forbes magazine announced that Salt Lake City ranked No. 3 for “Best Big Cities for Jobs for 2013" with 4 percent employment growth last year. This year, the state’s capital city is ranked No. 16 overall economically.

The 10 Best Cities For Exercise:

Salt Lake City was named to the list of cities with the most gyms and fitness centers in America.

Top Cities For Job-Seeking College Grads, ranked by Forbes:

No. 1 St. George, Utah. Average Annual Salary: $60,781

Not bad, for one afternoon. Come see why for yourself.

- Dave Webb