According to the Boston Globe, compared to all other major U.S
cities, Boston boasts the
highest number of people ages 20 to 34. The same thing can be said
of surrounding towns of close proximity including Cambridge and
Somerville who have
an even higher percentage of millennials. Employment opportunities,
nightclubs and bars coupled with the availability of public
transportation continues to make this hub alluring to the younger
working generation.
A trend of millennials expanding their territory not only in
Boston but to the surrounding areas has increased significantly.
The US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and a Globe
analysis of 158 cities and town in Greater Boston reported that 43%
of Somerville’s population arein the age range of 20-34. The report
also stated thatthe highest concentration of millennials are in
Waltham at 31% and
Medford and Brookline at 29%.
Meanwhile, to the South Quincy has the
highest concentration of these young adults who make up 27% of its
residents.
A University of Massachusetts Professor, Robert Forrant,
commented on young people and their train of thought by saying,
They look at where the jobs are and what the amenities are, and
theyre making good choices to where they want to end up. And at the
same time, a lot of communities are trying to revive their housing
markets and are recognizing that market potential.
Cities such as Medford and Melrose are adapting
to this demographic as new residential units are being developed in
these areas to service them better. Within the past 7 years,
Medford has seen an addition of 900 residential units while Melrose
has recently built three luxury apartment
complexes. Both of these areas are minutes to public
transportation. The vice president of a local property management
company responsible for one of the new luxury apartment complexes
in Melrose noted that they are getting more renters from Cambridge
and Somerville who are looking for a less urban, more outdoorsy
feel as well as a boutique building.
Boston remains to be a highly desirable area for the millennial
generation and forever will be. However, the surrounding areas that
have a suburban feel are increasingly becoming more and more
popular for this demographic because of thenumber ofopportunities
they are presented with.
Sources: Boston Herald,
Boston Globe