There are still deals to be found in those markets, too.You have all the benefits of Detroit - large metro, restaurants, stores, major airport hub, but without the risks of crime and city dysfunction. 

Largest Medical center in the world#1 Cancer Research center in the worldIf the med center was its own city it would be the 16th largest in the USEvery pro sports team except Hockey is here2nd largest exporting port in the country.2 international airlines have Hub operations based in HoustonAverage home price is 21% below the national average Rent is 28% above the national average

Its the shopping hub for the all those little towns between Sacramento and Redding. 

., but the economy is always resilient and sometimes thrives in downturns, so for that it'll always be a hub.

Succesful investors are EXTREMELY busy people; I have yet to find one here that is successful that will let someone into their world without significant face time and relationship building.Here's some resources where you can start (Google them)Baltimore Washington Investors Meetup (Linthicum, formerly Columbia)The Real Deal Meetup (Arbutus)Baltimore REIA (Towson)MAREIA (Owings Mills)Hub City REIA (Hagerstown)

@Daniel Umstead Columbus, OH is becoming a industrial/tech hub.

Austin’s status as a technology hub along with its high concentration of venture capital, warm climate and vibrant cultural offerings lead to frequent comparisons with the Bay Area – and in fact, high-profile Silicon Valley companies, including Amazon, Google, Oracle and Tesla, have recently expanded their operations in Austin," the report reads in part.Articles below detail the economic growth of major metroplexes in the US and Austin comes in at number 2 on the list.  

I vote for DFW too as a true diverse economic hub.

(Main Corporate Hub)2.

@John Semioli REI Hub.