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Gen Z's Top Cities: Where Socializing Beats the Bar Scene
Time Out's survey of 18-29 year olds reveals Gen Z prioritizes day-to-day socializing over weekend nightlife. Cape Town, Kuala Lumpur, and Mexico City offer the lowest costs. Tokyo and Shanghai rank high for third spaces.
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Gen Z socializes plenty. The difference from past generations is where and how they do it. A new Time Out survey of residents aged 18 to 29 across 20 global cities found that younger adults prioritize day-to-day experiences over weekend nightlife. They want "third spaces" – places to gather that are not home or work – and cities that offer those ranked high.
Time Out travel writer Liv Kelly told Business Insider that the survey shows a shift toward face-to-face interaction. "In Tokyo, there are spaces which offer game nights where you can engage in sports with friends without having to drink," Kelly said. "In Shanghai, there are no-phone socials."
The cost of living factored into the rankings. Monthly expenses for a single person, excluding housing, range from about $618 in the cheapest city to over $1,680 in the most expensive. Average rent for a one-bedroom in the city center runs from $704 to $4,408. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant costs as little as $29.61 and as much as $140.