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cover story The Fastest Growing Cities A s a result of the unfortunate living conditions in the cities described on the previous page and others like it, those people who can find a way to move are doing so. They search for cities that have job opportunities, affordable housing, low taxes, and perhaps warmer weather. And so, where are the people who leave the declining cities going? To determine that, all we have to do is take a look at the fastest-growing cities in the country. Austin, Texas Portland, Oregon San Antonio, Texas Phoenix, Arizona Although the state of Texas is the largest employer, Austin's healthy job market is boosted by its many tech jobs. Dell Computer, IBM, and Apple are located there and employ thousands of workers. Healthcare and educational institutions are also major employers. Housing is affordable and winters are mild. In addition, Austin is the live music capital of the country. There are a variety of jobs available in technology, manufacturing, and forestry and wood products in Oregon. The city is located in the midst of great natural beauty and dense forests, while the ocean is not far away. Housing is affordable, and educational facilities and entertainment options are aplenty. Known as Military City, USA, because of all the armed forces facilities located there, San Antonio is a mixture of cultures. Jobs are available at some of the businesses that support the two Air Force bases, one army base and hospital, and other related military posts. San Antonio offers both cultural attractions and affordable housing. Evidently there are a lot of people who like hot weather because a lot are moving to Phoenix. Arizona winters are nice, but in the summer the temperature gets up to 110. However, jobs are plentiful and pay well, and housing is affordable. Seattle, Washington Raleigh, North Carolina Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas Washington state has the secondhighest unemployment rate in the nation. It's a beautiful place to live, but housing is expensive unless you live out from the city. There are lots of cultural things to enjoy and, of course, the great outdoors. You don't have to worry about getting overheated, as it rains frequently. Seattle is a prosperous city with many amenities. The cost of living in Raleigh is very reasonable, and expenses such as housing, transportation, and utilities are all below the national average. This area offers a lot of IT jobs that pay well. Raleigh saw a 42 percent growth from 2000–2009 with an addition of more than 230,000 new residents. There are lots of jobs in Dallas and surrounding areas. Nearby Fort Worth is the corporate home of American Airlines, and Dallas is home to many other national companies as well. Housing is available in various price ranges, and there are shopping, restaurants, and entertainment facilities in abundance. Educational institutions include Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Dallas. Houston has a large diversity of industries that provide many jobs. This is the home of NASA and many oil companies. There is affordable housing, and the city is blessed with mild weather. It's only a few miles from the Gulf and recreation areas along the coastline leading to Mexico. In addition, there are several universities including Rice University and the University of Houston. 18 | The M Report Report