The city where you choose to live is one of the biggest decisions you will make. We looked at four important factors when picking a location – safety, neighborhoods, entertainment and employment – and created a list of six large American cities where a young woman can have fun, move ahead in her career, and feel safe.

Boston, Massachusetts

Safety: Tourism is big business, so public safety gets lots of attention. Boston was the first city in the country to offer a “Text a Tip” crime-line, and they were one of the first to use Twitter. There are 12 neighborhood police stations in the area, providing a visible presence of law enforcement.

Neighborhoods: Boston is a collection of small neighborhoods with a personality of their own. Allston/Brighton is where a lot of young people initially live. It is loaded with college students and young people starting their careers. Discovering Boston’s distinctive neighborhoods and selecting the right one for your lifestyle can be a lot of fun.

Entertainment: Boston’s nightlife is varied and plentiful. From the rooftop decks and bars to a seemingly endless parade of pub crawls. You’ll likely get caught up in one of Boston’s sports teams, if only for the social aspects.

Employment: As an educational and medical hub, Boston offers jobs in those particular areas. There are also opportunities in research, technology, and finance.

Chicago, Illinois

Safety: If numbers make you feel better, The Chicago Police Department has more than 13,000 officers. Chicago also has 25 police stations, so help, if needed, is nearby.

Neighborhoods: You start with two choices: city or suburbs. You can opt for Lakeshore East with its high rises, million dollar views and proximity to Michigan Avenue shopping, or a historic area like Oak Park, with older homes, festivals, and unique cafes.

Entertainment: Chicago has a lively theater district and is home to the famous Second City Comedy Club. Rush and Division Streets are well known for their pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Employment: Walgreens, Target and Sears are all based in Chicago, so if you’re looking for employment in retail you’ll have a good chance of success. The area also has a large number of employers in the insurance, medical and banking industries.

New York City, New York

Safety: America’s largest city actually has the 27th lowest crime rate. That is impressive for a city that never sleeps. With large crowds moving about day and night, you’ll feel amazingly safe.

Neighborhoods: Trendy to traditional, there are literally hundreds of neighborhoods and communities that are home to New York’s eight million residents. Many offer an international atmosphere of foods and festivals as well.

Entertainment: This is New York – theater, world-class night clubs, and an endless variety of restaurants are all at your fingertips. You may also want to catch the taping of David Letterman’s show or “Saturday Night Live.”

Employment: Financial services, health care, high-tech, education, and entertainment are just a few of the employment categories, where in spite of the recession, jobs remain available.

San Francisco, California

Safety: The San Francisco Police have teamed with an organization called SAFE to help make neighborhoods safer.   The SFPD is the 11th largest in the United States.

Neighborhoods: If you don’t want to own a car, San Francisco’s downtown SoMa neighborhood is for you. Market Street and BART are in walking distance. The cheapest rent may be in Outer Sunset, but even there, expect a two-bedroom to lease for close to $2,000 per month. Mission has the youngest populace with an average age of just 34.

Entertainment: A diverse population creates unique nightlife. From the electronic dance clubs and Hip-Hop in SoMa, to the rowdy clubs and hideaways in North Beach, San Francisco has a little…no, a LOT, of everything.

Employment: Young women will find opportunities in technology, health care, sales, accounting, and education. Positions are also available in the tourism and service industries.

Washington, D.C.

Safety: Washington, D.C. has one of the ten largest police agencies in the country. Combine that with a large presence of government security and military and you have a lot of folks in uniform.

Neighborhoods: One neighborhood popular with young professionals is Adams Morgan where nightclubs, coffee houses and bars are everywhere. Neighborhoods along the Anacostia and Potomac rivers are undergoing change and are now a growing area of employment and entertainment.

Entertainment: Besides Adams Morgan, there are also an abundance of dance clubs in Georgetown and Downtown D.C.

Employment: With government a major employer, employment in public administration is plentiful. Washington, D.C. is also a good place to get your career going in media and public relations.

San Diego, California

Safety: San Diego was ranked as the ninth safest city in the U.S. by Forbes magazine in 2010. The city also has a relatively low violent crime rate. San Diego is typically thought to be a safe place for young women and families to live.

Neighborhoods: Del Cerro is one of the safest neighborhoods in San Diego. Del Cerro also has great restaurants, cafes, and bars. Del Mar Heights, Del Mar Mesa, and downtown San Diego are all popular neighborhoods for young women to live because of their vibrant nightlife scenes.

Entertainment: San Diego has hundreds of restaurants, museums, and clubs. San Diego is also home to several professional sports teams including the Chargers and the Padres, making sporting events plentiful.

Employment:  The largest employers in San Diego are the U.S Navy, the University of California, San Diego, and the San Diego School District. There are also many employment opportunities in San Diego for young women in the healthcare and tourism industries.

Moving to a larger city can be as stressful as it is exciting. Remember, most big cities are just a series of small towns and neighborhoods. Find just the right one, and enjoy!

Author Bio:

Elli is a writer for Your Local Security, a top seller of home security services.  She enjoys blogging about family and child safety, home renovation and improvement, and simple home DIY projects.