1 / 11In 2025, Gen Z are gravitating towards cities that offer a blend of affordability, strong digital infrastructure, inclusive communities, and vibrant cultural scenes. Prioritising work-life balance, many are choosing urban centres that support remote or hybrid work opportunities, along with easy access to co-working spaces and good public transport. These cities often boast a high concentration of creative and tech-driven industries, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Gen Z are drawn to places that champion sustainability, diversity, and social equity, aligning with their values and lifestyle preferences. Take a look at 10 cities that Gen Z wish to live in 2025. (Image: Canva)
2 / 11No 1. Bangkok, Thailand: The Thai capital has emerged as the top choice for Gen Z. It balances affordability, vibrant culture, exciting nightlife, and a high standard of living. According to survey rankings from Time Out, topping the list for its affordability, is the Thai capital that was praised for being an easy city to meet friends. At least 84% of Gen Z residents reported being happy there, while 71% found it a budget-friendly city to live in. Mentioned below are the top cities for Gen Z to live in 2025. (Image: Canva)
3 / 11No 2. Melbourne, Australia: In second was the Australian cultural capital city for its inclusivity and diverse, thriving arts and culture scene. The city also received high rankings for quality of life, with 91% of twenty-somethings rating it as ‘good’ or ‘amazing’. (Image: Canva)
4 / 11No 3. Cape Town, South Africa: With a combination of natural beauty and budget-friendly nightlife, the coastal city comes in third. At least 82% of Gen Z inhabitants mentioned that they were happy in Cape Town, while 71% described it as beautiful, and 62% voted for it being an all-around exciting place.
5 / 11No 4. New York City, United States: Despite its high cost, NYC’s excitement, walkability and nightlife earned it a fourth spot. The Big Apple was chosen by Gen Z as the most “exciting” city, with 82% of individuals praising it for walkability, while 84% rated the city for its nightlife. (Image: Canva)
6 / 11No 5. Copenhagen, Denmark: Known for its high quality of life, nature and architecture, Copenhagen is also noted by many young residents for being an easy place to find love. About 64% of young people report being happy living in Copenhagen, and 54% of Gen Z said it is easy to find love. The Danish capital was recently crowned the most liveable city in the world. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 11No 6. Barcelona, Spain: Gen Z residents in Barcelona gave the city high scores for its diverse and inclusive environment. The cosmopolitan city received solid happiness ratings at 71%. The modern, cultural and artistic city is an ideal destination for tourism, famous for its brilliant museums, club scene and magnificent restaurants. (Image: Canva)
8 / 11No 7. Edinburgh, UK: Highly rated for its nature and green spaces, Edinburgh offers a blend of historical charm and natural beauty that appeals to many. Famous for its awe-inspiring architecture and vibrant art, the city topped several categories in the survey. It received 95% for nature and green spaces and 89% for walkability.
9 / 11No 8. Mexico City, Mexico: As the second most affordable city for Gen Z, Mexico City is renowned for its vibrant cultural and nightlife opportunities. The city is one of the top destinations for Gen Z, with high happiness levels (83%) and affordability (69%). (Image: Reuters)
10 / 11No 9. London, UK: While expensive, London scored highly for its culture and diverse food scene. Lauded for its free art and culture, it ranked highly for culture and food and received a low rating in affordability. Home to the Royals, the city is lauded for its iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, London Eye, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. (Image: Jason Alden/Bloomberg)
11 / 11No 10. Shanghai, China: Renowned for its modernity and efficient public transport, Shanghai earned high happiness scores from Gen Z locals. It was recognised as a top city for Gen Z due to high satisfaction with its public transport (96% rating) and overall happiness (84% rating), with its young residents also most likely to view it as a modern city. (Image: Andrea Verdelli/Bloomberg
