Life is not meant to be spent at a single place. As George Bernard Shaw put it, “Life is a book and those who don’t travel, read only a page.” Present youths seem to live by this quote.

With advanced means of transport and wide variety of information channels, it’s very easy to know about places and actually go there, of course if you’ve got the resolve and a few dollars.

In the past, people would normally work all their life in their hometowns and move out to see places only when they retired.

But nowadays, the trend of settling in exotic foreign destinations to make living has grown a lot. However, youths don’t want to settle just anywhere. They’re demanding like always in this case as well.

Here below is the list of 25 of the most appealing metropolitan cities for youth. We’re primarily focusing on their appeal as a new place to settle in but they appeal equally as a traveler’s destination.

25. Helsinki

The largest city in Finland, Helsinki is the Finnish capital. The environment is very comfortable as the climate is mostly temperate. Employment opportunities are varied.

Helsinki is guaranteed to be a paradise for youths, especially if they are familiar with European languages.

It is Finland’s major political, financial, educational and cultural center. There are plenty of sight-seeing opportunities available as well.

24. Zurich

Zurich is one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. As such, it might be somewhat frightening to live in this city if you’re of rather limited means.

However, the aesthetic beauty and excellent atmosphere of this Swiss city make it one of the finest places to live on Earth.

Frequently ranked atop the list of cities with best quality of life indexes, young peoples will surely have so much to do in this city.

23. Prague

The economic and political center of Central Europe, the Czech capital of Prague is home to ten major museums and numerous theaters, galleries, cinemas and other historical exhibits.

Fortunate to survive amidst of the destruction of 20th century Europe, the city is one of the most visited tourist destinations of the world.

Prague was even ranked 5th by Tripadvisor on its list of best destinations of the world. It’s the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome.

22. Vancouver

Canadian city Vancouver has unfailingly ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world over the years of the past decade. And, this should apply to youths as well.

The city is culturally diverse with a mix of Europeans, Asians and Hispanics alike. Youths longing for cross-cultural experience should have a great time in this city.

Vancouver, however, is a rather expensive city to live in. So if you’re thinking of moving in, you ought to prepare yourself accordingly.

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21. Edinburgh

This capital city of Scotland is known as the “Athens of the North” and has a high proportion of schools, colleges and universities. So if you are thinking of pursuing higher studies abroad, Edinburgh is surely the place to be.

The city hosts the biggest international arts festival of the world annually in every August and other such festivals are also held throughout the year.

The city has rich literary heritage and literary activities go on throughout the year. So youths who aspire to be writers ought to move to this city, which became the first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004.

20. Rome

Often referred to as “The Eternal City”, the Italian capital of Rome is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world, with abundance of historical and cultural heritages.

One of the most visited cities of the world, this first of the major centers of Italian Renaissance, is home to historic monuments like Vatican Museums and Colosseum.

This city will surely appeal to younger generation with longing for the past and art as the city is full of ancient and enigmatic artistic things.

19. Cape Town

Cape Town is the sole African city in our list and one of the most balanced cities of the world. For many youths, it should be the most ideal city.

Geographical diversity of this city is second to none as one can find several mountain peaks within a few kilometers of equally amazing beaches.

The population of the city is also diverse and young people who want to live in temperate weather will revel in the composed climate of this city.

18. Geneva

Geneva is the second Swiss city in our list. This city is often called the “Peace Capital” of the world, because the city has almost remained in peace forever and also houses the leading organizations working for world peace, such as the United Nations and the Red Cross.

The city is one of the most expensive cities in the world but it is understandable with high standards of living offered by the city.

Youthful minds, who want to work in humanitarian sectors and in leading non-governmental organizations at international level, should have opportunities galore in this city.

17. Seattle

Located in the U.S. state of Washington, Seattle is a major harbor city and an entryway for trade with Asia. It’s also known as the “Emerald City”.

This city should be an absolute delight for coffee aficionados, as it is home to three of the most famous coffee companies in the world: Starbucks, Tully’s Coffee and Caffé Vita Coffee Roasting Company.

The economy of the city is sound and as such, youths should have no problem finding employment opportunities suiting their skill-sets. There are plenty of places to visit for sightseers as well with abundance of art galleries, museums, natural parks and community centers.

16. Barcelona

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Barcelona, a major economic and cultural center in the South West of Europe, is home to Sagrada Familia, which is also the international symbol of the city.

There is an abundance of such historical and cultural artifacts in the city. Leading smart city since 2011, youths should have plenty of opportunities in this city if they want to make a name for themselves in technology sector.

15. Oslo

Oslo is an essential center for marine knowledge. One ought to find plenty of opportunities in this sector in this Norwegian city, which houses world’s largest shipping companies and brokers.

Although it’s a city for young people with the strongest of incomes, there are plenty of employment opportunities that can be found in this city and the city’s environs are also of excellent aesthetics.

14. Salvador

The nation’s prominent port and international trading point, Brazilian city of Salvador is the only South American city to make into our list.

Noted in Brazil for its exotic cuisine, music and architecture, this city should offer the best form of Brazilian experience to youths from all over the world.

Salvador is also home to the third best beach in the world, Porto da Barra, as judged by the Guardian in 2007. There are plenty of other beaches as well in this coastal city.

13. Melbourne

Known as “The Garden City” and also referred to as “Cultural Capital of Australia”, Melbourne was recognized as the fourth top university city of the world in 2008. This should be a great city for youths who want to pursue higher education.

Melbourne is a major international center for performing arts. Home to Australia’s oldest and most prominent cultural institutions, youths with a love for art will love this city.

A city with diverse populace, the city is quite affordable as living and fooding costs are lower comparable to other Australian cities.

12. Vienna

Austrian capital of Vienna is also known as “The City of Music” and “The City of Dreams”. This beautiful city is the most livable city in the world.

With rich history and culture and excellent economy and environment, the city offers almost everything that a young soul can yearn for.

Vienna is a regular destination for international conferences and seminars, and has been ranked as one of the most innovative cities of the world in several lists over the years of the past decade.

11. Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the second-largest metropolitan region in Germany and transportation and financial center of the whole European continent.

Frankfurt may not appeal youths who want to live a peaceful and serene life, but those who love the hustle and bustle of modern day city life will surely love this city.

The city has always exhibited excellent quality of life, having regularly been ranked high on various “Quality of Life” surveys over the years.

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10. Seoul

The South Korean capital of Seoul, with population little over 10 million, has invested considerable time and money into pursuing environmental sustainability.

It is a UNESCO City of Design and in 2010, was even named World Design Capital. Seoul’s Incheon International Airport was rated best international airport for nine years in a row

The per capita income of the city is almost 40,000 dollars and as such, young people with appropriate skills should be able to live a great life in this city.

9. Tokyo

One of the major economic centers of the world, Japanese capital of Tokyo will provide you with an excellent Asian experience.

The most populous metropolitan area in the world, Tokyo is certainly not the place to spend the years after retirement. In fact, it’s the place to bring the most out of yourself in the most productive years of your youth.

Tokyo is also a great place for travelers, evidenced by the fact that it was ranked first in the “Best Overall Category” for traveler’s experience by Tripadvisor.

8. Los Angeles

With over 800 startups, Californian city of Los Angeles will surely appeal to entrepreneurial youths and if you want to live your startup dreams and be a successful entrepreneur, it’s the place to be.

Los Angeles is the third largest metropolitan economy of the world and a global city in every sense. Nicknamed the ‘”City of Angels,” the city is home to global powerhouses in business, international trade, technology and education.

Los Angeles is surely the place to be if you want to be the best and make a name for yourself in the field of your interest.

7. London

London is officially the capital of Great Britain, but it’s the cultural capital of the world. It has always been the world’s center for arts, education, commerce and innovations.

With 43 universities, it’s the city with the largest number of universities in the world.

People from all over the world have gathered at London and the town is culturally very diverse and should be a great place to live for people from all sorts of cultures and backgrounds.

6. Chicago

The Windy City of Chicago is home to more than five hundred parks and thus, offers plenty of greenery and nature to revel in. It’s also known as “Second City”.

Chicago is a major international hub for commerce, finance, industry, telecommunications and technology. As such, youths should have no problem finding job opportunities.

The city is also culturally rich. The city’s culture tends to put art on high regards and over the years, the city has produced some of the biggest names in music, movies and theatres.

5. Paris

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The French capital of Paris is the dream destination for most of the fantasizing youths of the world. Almost every youth keeps this wonderful city in their wish list of cities to visit.

The city holds special appeal for writers, painters, fashion designers and architects, partly for the tales of how the city lodged so many brilliant minds around the turn of the 20th century.

Paris also houses Quai Branly Museum that displays art collections from all the distant corners of the world. Designed by Jean Nouvel, it is one of the most extravagant museum architectures of the world.

4. Dallas

With a rather small population of only around 1.2 million, the Texan city of Dallas is often seen as the city of cowboys and rodeos. But it offers much more than that.

A dream destination for the youths with love for westerns, the city is home to third largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in U.S. and you should have plenty of entrepreneurial motivation living in the city.

Although traditionally Dallas relied on farming as its primary source of income, the city has continuously grown in industrial and engineering sectors as well in modern times.

3. New York

New York City has plenty of opportunities for youths to be employed. Besides, with excellent education facilities, the city can enlighten and empower the youths in a fantastic way.

One of three commanding centers of the world economy, this city is famous as “The City that Never Sleeps.” With this, you have an idea what the city is like. There are a wide range of possibilities in all sorts of sectors as this city never stops working and creating.

The populace of the city speak more than 800 languages and the population is also culturally diverse. So you should not have to live with any alien feeling at all.

2. Berlin

Berlin is the capital of Germany, which has always had a great importance in the history of the world. The city has always proved to be a great inspiration for young minds, justified by the long list of composers, scientists, inventors and philosophers it has produced.

The city can offer high standard of living for youths as opportunities can be found in wide range of sectors, encompassing music, film, advertising, engineering, business and others.

1. Toronto

Lying on the shores of Lake Ontario, Canadian city of Toronto was deemed to be the most youthful city of the world in the inaugural YouthfulCities index of 2014.

The city is culturally diverse, financially strong and youth employment opportunities are aplenty. Toronto is also a great place for startups, evidenced by the fact that there are over 600 startups in the city, among which some have even made it to the global level.

There are all sorts of opportunities for youths to develop themselves and hone their skills. The city is quite affordable, as there are several programs targeted to make it easy for youths to live.

Featured photo credit: Paris via Huffington Post via i.huffpost.com