Top 10 cities attracting millennial homebuyers

It would be a no-brainer to think that millennials would want to flock to the Big City — NYC or LA — or some other large hip and happening city like Austin, Texas or Denver, Colorado. But when they want to start settling down, many are opting for the quieter life — but where there are still plenty of career opportunities. At least that's one of the main take-aways from Ellie Mae's most recent list of the cities where millennial borrowers represented the highest percentage of homebuyers, shown on its Millennial Tracker. Related: Update on homeowners' insurance market The list is based on the percentage of closed home loans by millennial borrowers born between the years 1980 and 1999, which were initiated by Ellie Mae's Encompass all-in-one mortgage management solution. The most recent list draws upon the latest data available, from July 1 through September 30 (new data is updated on the first Monday of every month for two months prior). Aboe are the top 10 cities on Ellie Mae's list, with a little insight as to why these cities might appeal to young adults, such as major employers and attractions that can enhance the quality of life in these locales. Related: Thinking millennial: How to woo the largest generation Katie Kuehner-Hebert (katie.hebert78@gmail.com) is an award-winning freelance journalist.