This year’s list of appreciating housing markets holds surprises reminiscent of boom towns and gold rush days. This time it’s “black gold” that is causing the stir. Recent news stories have chronicled the massive oil reserves discovered in North and South Dakota which have transformed the Dakotas into America’s hottest spot for new jobs and homebuilding.
A recent CNN interview revealed that North Dakota has gone from 4,500 oil industry employees in 2005 to over 35,000 full time oil industry employees today. “There are 2,000 job openings on any given day” says Ron Ness of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. Governor Dalrymple reports that North Dakota’s unemployment rate of, 3.5% is the lowest in the nation. Housing is scarce and booming. Reportedly a two bedroom apartment, when available, rents for $2,500 per month.
This new development has landed the Dakotas seven out of 25 spots on the list of “Best Market Forecasts 2011-Update”. The update was published by Housing Predictor on Thursday, November 3, 2011.
Other Appreciating Housing Markets – A U.S. military realignment program and a robust border town economy landed El Paso, Texas in the #1 spot on this year’s list. Check out this year’s line up and tell us which cities or regions you think might be missing. Do you see a lot of movement in or out of your area based on job opportunities?
The 25 “Best Market Forecasts 2011” cities are:
- El Paso, TX
- Tri-Cities, WA
- Omaha, NE
- Fargo, ND
- Austin, TX
- New Orleans, LA
- Iowa, City, IA
- Bellevue, NE
- Bismarck, ND
- Bethesda, MD
- Silver Spring, MD
- Metairie, LA
- Des Moines, IA
- Rapid City, SD
- Davenport, IA
- Grand Forks, ND
- Sioux City, IA
- Black Hills, SD
- Sioux Falls, SD
- Manchester, NH
- Minot, ND
- Monroe, LA
- Cedar Rapids, IA
- Burlington, VT
- Rochester, NH
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