Living Proximity Post-Grad

I'm just curious, is it normal for folks to stay in the same area or city as their college after graduation or do they tend to move away? It's causing me some serious thinking about where I want to apply.

Well, the answer is it depends on multiple factors including the individual's career needs, personal preferences, and geography of the school.

In general, some students do stay in their college's city post-graduation, as they have likely made connections and set up a life there during their degree. This can be particularly true in urban settings or college towns with thriving economies where there are more job opportunities. Schools located in major metropolitan areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, or San Francisco could see a portion of their graduates stay in the area due to the abundance of job opportunities in diverse fields.

On the other hand, some students move away after graduation, often back home or to a city where they have job offers, family, or other connections. For instance, students who went to college cross-country or in a different state might move back closer to their hometown after graduation. Also, students attending college in rural or smaller towns might move to larger cities after graduation for job opportunities and a change of lifestyle.

It's important to remember that where you attend college does not dictate where you need to live post-graduation. Your career opportunities, family ties, and personal preferences should and will play a more decisive role in where you choose to reside after graduation.

So, don't worry too much about this when applying. The key is to focus on the academic opportunities, campus culture, and overall fit of the university to your goals and personality. The rest tends to fall into place afterward.