That mix has historically produced steady in-migration, above-average income stability, and lower volatility compared to more speculative markets.Why job rankings matter for real estate investors:• Job growth fuels population growth• Population growth supports rental demand• Diverse, high-skill employment reduces downside risk• Stable employment bases tend to protect occupancy during slower cyclesThis doesn’t mean prices always go up or that every deal works.

The study looks at metrics like job growth consistency, wage gains, high-tech GDP concentration, and how well metros hold up when national momentum slows.From an investor lens, that matters more than boom-cycle spikes.Why Huntsville’s inclusion is notable:• High concentration of engineering, defense, and aerospace employment• Federal and long-term contract-driven job base reduces cycle risk• Continued in-migration even as other markets cool• Strong alignment between wage growth and housing demandThis isn’t a market built on tourism, speculative tech, or short-term capital inflows.

NC and SC consistently have some of the highest migration patters in the country for decades running, and many are coming from up North and are used to traveling to the mountains.

Even with appreciation happening you can still find properties that get close to or hit the 1% rule depending on how you buy, and there’s strong long term appreciation upside because of how much development and job migration is happening.

We purchased both around 2017 and, overall, the experience has been positive.Like many in this market, rents jumped meaningfully in 2021 due to COVID-driven migration to Florida.

This is a framework for evaluating markets based on real migration and economic drivers.Below is my working thesis on each region, what questions I’m trying to answer, and the specific data points I want the community to help validate or challenge.📍 1) Coeur d’Alene / Spokane (ID/WA)Thesis:The Inland Northwest is attracting in‑migration due to relative affordability, quality of life, and remote/portable employment.

Better ratios usually mean better cash flow. (2) Check population and job growth numbers - markets with employers and inbound migration are more resilient. (3) Validate actual in‑place rents with local property managers — advertised rents often overstate reality. (4) Know local landlord‑tenant laws, property taxes, insurance costs, and vacancy patterns as these materially affect returns.

1 - School ratings (8 or higher is a good sign)2 - Check Uhaul migration reports (is this city/state on the list)3 - Are companies moving into.out of that city 4 - Are people moving into/out of that city5 - What is the job market looking like6 - You can check out the city website to see any major projects coming to the area.7 - Join the facebook group for that city (what are the members saying)8 - You can look at the for sale listings on Zillow, realtor, redfin, etc.

We then had a period throughout the 90s and 2000s where urban centers were revived and the migration went in the opposite direction, but that does seem to have reversed again.

No way to know, but what I suspect is the lower costs associated with apartments will result in many migrating back to apartment living.