Thursday, June 5, 2003

Forbes Magazine says that something is definitely going on deep in the heart of Texas. After topping Forbes annual list of the Best Places For Business And Careers last month, Austin has edged out much larger metros like Boston, Denver and New York as the best city for singles this year. The Texas capital can thank its terrific job market, its low cost of living and an environment that draws the young, unattached and artistic in droves.

Forbes Best Cities For Singles list ranks America's 40 largest metropolitan areas in six different areas: nightlife, culture, job growth, number of other singles, cost of living alone and coolness.

AASP editorial note:  The list focuses heavily on the lifestyles of singles in their 20s and does not consider the interests of older single people or unmarried adults with partners or who are raising children.  It also is geared to heterosexual single people, although 20% or more of single people are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.  The list does not consider whether the city has a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of marital status or whether it is located in a state which such a law.  Nor does it take into account the percentage of employers in the city who provide equal pay for equal work to single people by giving them equal job benefits.  Nor does the list consider whether private sexual conduct or cohabitation by unmarried adults is criminal or legal in that city. 

So with these omissions in mind, here's the Forbes list.