"If you are a single professional, the news that you are being relocated can strike a variety of chords ranging from panic to elation. Relocation can be a great opportunity professionally, but what do you know about the city and its communities, or the rental market, or the ease of meeting other singles?

You are going to feel pretty positive if the destination city is Austin, TX; San Francisco, CA; Portland, OR; Jersey City, NJ; or Seattle, WA, the top five "Best Cities for Relocating Singles," as ranked by Worldwide ERC® and Primacy Relocation. The survey measures statistics from the largest 100 U.S. metro areas that can affect typical relocating singles. ERC® and Primacy released a related survey this past May, rating the "Best Cities for Relocating Families."

"Now that the economy is bouncing back and businesses are hiring, young professionals have more choices in terms of not only careers, but where they want to take those careers," said Primacy CEO Matt Spinolo. "But most singles don't want to be single forever."

Unique among numerous quality-of-life city rankings, ERC©/ Primacy Best Cities surveys measure factors that impact a newcomer's experience during the months immediately after a transfer.

The criteria for the rankings incorporated population statistics on singles aged 24-35, including how many of them are recent arrivals. Typically, a city with many single newcomers will be a more welcoming destination, according to Margaret Malewski, who authored the upcoming "GenXPat- The Young Professional's Guide to Making a Successful Life Abroad."

The survey tracked economic statistics that included apartment rental costs, vehicle taxes, recent job growth, and unemployment, factors of interest to the solid population of single transferees. Like last spring's "Families" rankings, this survey also considers criteria often overlooked, such as utility customer service levels, residency guidelines affecting instate tuition, sprawl-related concerns, and volunteering opportunities.

The level of volunteerism in a city is a particularly important factor for singles, since non-profit work is a great way to meet new friends, according to Dr. Bernie Carducci, director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast.

10/28/04 22:09 MOBILITY Online - Rating the Best Cities for Relocating Singles

"Fully 95 percent of the population experiences 'transitional shyness' at different times in their lives, especially when they move," Carducci said. "Volunteering provides shy people with a low-threat environment where they may become involved with an organization at their own pace."

Other measured criteria include climate, the variety of restaurants, coffee shops (broken down by independents and Starbucks), bars, health clubs, concerts, and even bowling alleys. "When we consider that one-third of all relocations involve a single professional-and that most of them don't have children-this information helps a single individual see where they might best assimilate into a community," said Cris Collie, CAE, executive vice president of Worldwide ERC©.
The Results:

Last May, ERC© and Primacy Relocation ranked the Texas capital first among large metro areas in the first annual "Best Cities for Relocating Families." Now it seems that Austin also is the best city for transferees with or without a family. High rental costs were offset by a massive influx of singles in the 24-35 age range, cultural and entertainment amenities, and a high rate of volunteerism.

Similar profiles put youth-magnets San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle high on the list, with Jersey City a pleasant surprise at fourth place. The survey has identified the top 100 cities for relocating singles, viewable at and , but here is a preview of the top 20:

1. Austin/San Marcos, TX

2. San Francisco, CA

3. Portland/ Vancouver, OR-WA

4. Jersey City, NJ

5. Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, WA

6. New York, NY

7. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV

8. Atlanta, GA

9. Orlando, FL

10. Jacksonville, FL

11. Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC

12. Indianapolis, IN