Lubbock Bragging Rights In an Oct. 14, 2008, BusinessWeek Article, Lubbock was ranked among one of the safest cities to live in a recession due to our top industries being agriculture, medical and education. (Visit the Chamber website for the complete article.) Veros Real Estate Solutions announced its latest 12 month forecast for the nation’s strongest residential real estate markets from Sept. 1, 2008 to Sept. 1, 2009, in which Lubbock ranked second. (Visit the Chamber website for a link to the complete article.) 1. The cost of living in Lubbock compares more than favorably with other cities in Texas and across the nation. In fact, Lubbock is the country’s 6th least expensive city according to the ACCRA First Quarter 2008 Cost of Living Index. Lubbock has an index of 85.9 – well below the average index of 100 for the nationwide sampling of 311 cities. 2. A search of Money Magazine’s 2007 online “Find Your Best Places” tool ranks Lubbock 3rd in the U.S. based on criteria including the affordability of housing, plentitude of leisure activities (sports, concerts, family and arts events), cultural options, commute times, job growth, healthcare access and sunny weather. Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, First Quarter 2008, and Money Magazine 􀂙 In the past four years, Men’s Health magazine has ranked Lubbock among the ten U.S. cities with the lowest stress, the best air quality, and the least aggravating roads (Lubbock ranks second in that category). 3. Lubbock is home to the state’s first Level One Trauma Center and the only one in the region. Lubbock has more doctors per capita than Dallas, Phoenix, Denver, or Albuquerque. 4. Texas Tech School of Law holds the best record over the past decade on the state bar exam. Lubbock Independent School District had 68 students named National Merit finalists in the last five years. 5. Overton Park is the largest private redevelopment project in the nation. 6. Lubbock Lake Landmark is one of the world’s most important archaeology sites. 7. Business Wire ranks Lubbock #2 on their 12 month forecast for the nation's strongest residential real estate markets. 8. Local Market Monitor ranks Lubbock among the top ten markets for best expected performance in home price, with prices expected to increase by at least 2% in 2009.