Not so long ago the trend was to move away from the city and towards the suburbs, but now that trend may be reversing. The city’s cultural allure is driving more people back to urban centers across the US. Here are ten cities that occupy the top spot as moving destinations.
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Atlanta, GA
Based on Zillow, Atlanta home values have gone up 12% over the past year. It has a robust economy with a GDP of $270 billion. Atlanta’s charm and facilities have kept it top of the list for the past four years.
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Tampa/Sarasota, FL
More and more people are leaving the freezing winter for this humid city on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s home to a thriving technology and healthcare industry. Sarasota is a smaller community (pop. 54,000+) just an hour south. Tampa home values rose 11.4%.
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Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
It is the 5th largest metropolitan area in the US with a population of 676,000 as of 2010. It is a thriving employment center with developing technology and traditional industries, with a GDP in Dallas alone of over $500 billion. Home values have gone up 12.6% over the past year.
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Orlando, FL
Orlando has a population of over 262,000 in 2014. It is known as a tourist mecca worldwide with Universal Studios, Disneyworld and SeaWorld nearby. It’s also a robust economy with a $13.4 billion a year tech industry. Home values rose 12.1% last year.
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Phoenix, AZ
With a population of 1,563,025 people in 2015, this metropolitan area is known as the “Valley of the Sun”. The city has had an average population growth of 4% yearly since the 1960s. Despite the average high of 106 degrees in July, more companies are looking to Phoenix and its charming desert scenery. Its GDP was $215 million last year. Overall home values rose 10%.
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Houston, TX
With a population of over 2.2 million, it’s the 4th largest in the US. It has been ranked by Kiplinger’s, Forbes, and the Fortune 500 as one of America’s top business cities. Also known as “Space City” as home to the NASA Space Center, the city continues to attract newcomers with its superior transit system. Home values rose 4.6% last year.
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Seattle, WA
Known for its misty weather, iconic Space Needle and great coffee, this city is home to more than 684,000 residents and has become one of the fastest growing cities in America with an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The city’s $240 billion GDP comes from a thriving economy that’s a favourite of choice for tech startups. Home values rose a whopping 15.1% last year.
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Chicago, IL
It is the 3rd largest city in the US with 2.7 million residents, and has at all times been a major economic and cultural center in the Midwest. The population peaked in the 1950s but in last few years the colourful “Big Shoulder Town” has made a comeback. As a major financial center, its GDP is over half a trillion dollars, and home values are up 9.8%.
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Denver, CO
The friendly Mile-High City continues to be a favourite destination for both scenery and culture. It is Colorado’s largest city with an annual growth rate of 2.8%. It’s become a major trading point with a GDP of around $160 billion and the hometown of familiar national companies such as Russell Stover’s, Quiznos, Village Inn and lots of more. Home values rose 13.6% last year.
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LasVegas,N.V
Famous for gambling and entertainment, Las Vegas is a city of over 603,000 people. It’s one of the world’s top tourist destinations, driving an economy that also supports the downtown arts district and 68 parks. Las Vegas is an thrilling city that continues to attract new residents. Home values increased by 9.4% last year.
If you are like one of the 1 million Americans who leave NY every year, you might want to choose another city on this list. Once you are hooked on the thrill and energy of the city, it is hard to agree to anything less. But there are major cities across America that offer unique experiences. If you set your sights on one of these as the next chapter of your life, NYC’s best movers can take you there.