The Livability Index: The 35 Best U.S. Cities For People 35 and Under  Our semi-exhaustive, largely scientific guide to America’s most livable cities, updated for 2014

“To reach our top 35, we started with the 100 most populous cities in America and used open-source Internet data to measure vital stats like salary and employment rates, and the cost of rent and utilities, as well as everyday concerns like public transportation, weather and crime. We also considered lifestyle metrics such as the price of dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and an ounce of high-quality weed—you know, the important stuff—as well as access to live music and sports. After all the number crunching, a few surprises emerged. You’ll see a lot of Texas on this list—the Lone Star State has cheap rent, gas and Wi-Fi, a ton of young people and a booming economy—while some of the country’s biggest cities, like Miami, New Orleans and Philly, missed the cut entirely. Last year’s top town, Portland, Oregon, fell all the way to No. 10, dethroned by New York. How did NYC come out on top? It’s home to the country’s best public transportation system, has umpteen takeout options for every taste and offers a racial diversity that rivals the U.N. OK, #TheRentIsTooDamnHigh, but that just means you’ll have to grab at least two more friends to share your studio in Brooklyn.”