Although not immune to the "real estate slow-down" epidemic sweeping the U.S., Austin, Tx., continues to trudge along with only a slight headache. It continues to be the bright spot in the state, and is currently ranked as the 6th brightest real estate location in the nation. A relatively-speaking strong economy, the University of Texas, good schools, and simply a great place to live are only a few of the reasons why.
Top 25 Real Estate Markets
|
|
Rank
|
Market Areas
|
Forecast 2008
|
|
|
|
1.
|
Biloxi, MS
|
4.9%
|
|
|
|
2.
|
Salem, OR
|
4.7%
|
|
|
|
3.
|
Bismarck, ND
|
4.6%
|
|
|
|
4.
|
Spokane, WA
|
4.4%
|
|
|
|
5.
|
Yakima, WA
|
4.1%
|
|
|
|
6.
|
Austin, TX
|
4.0%
|
|
|
|
7.
|
Grand Junction, CO
|
4.0%
|
|
|
|
8.
|
Fargo, ND
|
4.0%
|
|
|
|
9.
|
Mobile, AL
|
3.9%
|
|
|
|
10.
|
Idaho Falls, ID
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
11.
|
New York, NY
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
12.
|
Glen Falls,NY
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
13.
|
Salt Lake City, UT
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
14.
|
Grand Forks,ND
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
15.
|
Pascagoula, MS
|
3.8%
|
|
|
|
16.
|
Hattiesburg, MS
|
3.7%
|
|
|
|
17.
|
Albuquerque, NM
|
3.5%
|
|
|
|
18.
|
Kellogg, ID
|
3.5%
|
|
|
|
19.
|
Boise, ID
|
3.5%
|
|
|
|
20.
|
Provo, UT
|
3.1%
|
|
|
|
21.
|
Ogden, UT
|
2.7%
|
|
|
|
22.
|
Edmond, OK
|
2.6%
|
|
|
|
23.
|
Oklahoma City, OK
|
2.5%
|
|
|
|
24.
|
Amarillo, TX
|
2.4%
|
|
|
|
25.
|
Lubbock, TX
|
2.3%
|
|
|
|
Other Austin accolades include:
* Forbes magazine named Austin the 3rd city on a list of "recession-proof" cities due to its strong housing market, low unemployment rates, and growth in agriculture, energy and manufacturing, May ‘08
* Austin ranks 3rd Best City for Jobs in 2008 by Forbes.com, Jan. ‘08
* Popular Science names Austin as one of the top 10 green cities in the US, Feb. ‘08
* Austin ranks 1st in Fastest Growing Metros in 2008 by Forbes.com, March ‘08
* Round Rock ranked the 7th Best Places to Live in America by Money Magazine, July ‘08
* Orbitz.com lists Austin as one of the Country's top 6 movie landmark destinations, March ‘08
* Austin ranks as the 4th Best City in Overall Standard of Living by Expansion Management
* Austin ranks 2nd among the 50 Best Places to Live comparing the combinations of adventure, attractiveness, and affordability by Men's Journal
Contact me, Phil Hutson, Austin REALTOR, for a free 350-page Relocation Guide - a comprehensive resource for everything in Austin! Table of contents include: Business and Economy (cost of living, top 25 employers, etc.), Education (schools), Healthcare Resources (hospitals/healthcare facilities), Housing (area map, communities), Leisure (museums, theatres, wine tasting, etc.), Lake Living (all about the lakes), Shopping and Dining, and Getting Settled (moving resources, religion, etc.)
;)
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