The nation’s population shifted dramatically to the Southern and Western regions of the US, in the years from 2000 to 2009. In a 2011 report published by US News and World Report, even after the economic downturn of 2008, the trend is continuing. One contributing factor is an increase of Hispanic immigrants moving to those areas. Also, thousands of Baby Boomers are moving to states like AZ, AL, CA, NM, NC , and TX in pursuit of an active lifestyle for their retirement years. The shift is also due to increasing employment opportunities in the fields of healthcare, hi-tech, and finance. Here’s a look at three of those rapidly growing metro areas.
- Austin, TX is seeing a large influx of college educated young adults, professionals, and families. Home to almost 2 million residents and growing, this capital city is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Intel, Google, and Samsung. In addition to diverse employment opportunities, Austin also boasts some of the highest rated schools in the nation, excellent recreational amenities, and a thriving music and cultural arts scene. Don’t let all that “cowboy culture” fool you! Austin is also a “Clean Air City”, because of its strict no smoking policy, has been designated “The Greenest City in America” and one of the country’s “Most Walkable Cities”.
-The Raleigh-Durham-Cary, NC area saw a 40% increase in population within the past decade. Known as the “Research Triangle”, this Old North State region is home to an amazing number of well-respected colleges, universities, medical facilities and high-tech firms, such as IBM, GlaxoSmithKline, Ericcson, and BASF. Along with the universities, the teaching hospitals at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill are among some of the largest employers in the state.
The capital city of Raleigh is steeped in Colonial and Civil War history and is home to several large museums, including the NC Museum of Art, and several historic districts. Durham is known as “The City of Medicine” and is a mecca for top medical professionals from around the globe. Nearby Cary is a major retail hub and was the third-fastest growing city of 100,000 people or more between 2008 and 2009. An article in Bizjournals predicts the Raleigh metro will be the fastest-growing one in the US through 2025.
- According to a US News and World Report article from April 2011, the Atlanta, GA metro area grew more than any other metro area during the last decade. From 2000 to 2009, the area’s population increased by 27.8%. Now home to upwards of 5.47 million residents, “The ATL” is also a popular choice for corporate headquarters. In addition to the likes of CNN, Home Depot, and Delta, one of “Peachtree City’s” largest employers is the federal Centers for Disease Control. Buckhead has long been a commercial and financial center for the southeast, and is now just one of many such complexes in the Atlanta metro area.
Low taxes, affordable real estate, mild climate, along with scores of recreational, cultural, and entertainment venues all add up to why Atlanta is booming. From its modern skyline to quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods, and rural family farms, Atlanta is also becoming a favorite spot for filming TV shows and feature length motion pictures.
American Financial Resources is pleased to offer home financing assistance in each of these great markets. We’re a mortgage lender that delivers competitive interest rates and closing costs for a variety of residential home loan programs including FHA loans, USDA rural housing loans, jumbo mortgages, and conventional conforming loan products. Give us a call today or request a quote using our online Quote Form on the right.
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