St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis proper is the second largest city in Missouri, with a population of about 354,000 - but the metro area has almost 3,000,000 and sprawls into Illinois. Known as the "Gateway to the West," St. Louis has been reinventing itself thanks to housing rehabilitation and new construction. The population here is fairly diverse, with about 47 percent white, 50 percent black and small populations of American Indian and Asian.

The job market here is also fairly positive, with more than 40 Fortune 1000 companies based in St. Louis. As with many places in the Midwest, the cost of living here is consistently at or below the national average, which means you can definitely find affordable housing. Those looking for a more urban flair should consider the loft-style condominiums that are sprinkled throughout downtown St. Louis.

If you live in St. Louis proper, you can take advantage of the city's light rail, which consists of two lines running through the city center. For those who drive, traffic here was ranked as being among the worst in the country, but the local government has been successful in easing that congestion.

St. Louis has a lot of local flavor that goes beyond the Arch. The City Museum is a popular destination for locals and tourists - it's basically a playground for adults. The city also has casinos if you're into gambling and an orchestra if you're into culture.

As far as neighborhoods, there are many from which to choose in St. Louis. Downtown is the newest hot spot, and would be a great place for recent college grads or singles. The Central West End/Midtown area is a hub of local culture, and this is where the Saint Louis University and the city symphony are located. South City is a diverse, charming part of the city where you can find a variety of eclectic cuisine.

St. Louis is also a great place for singles - it was ranked 23 in the country by Forbes in 2009.