Best Cities For Job Growth

http://www.newgeography.com/best-cities-job-growth-2012

***************
"Ideas have a short shelf life. You must act on them before the expiration date." (John C. Maxwell)
***************

Correlating the data from this year's edition of Forbes' Best Cities For Jobs survey, compiled by Pepperdine University's Michael Shires, found that small midsized metropolitan areas, with populations of 1 million or less, accounted for 27 of the 30 urban regions in the U.S. that are adding jobs at the fastest rate.

According to Wendell Cox, metropolitan areas with less than 1 million people accounted for 60% of urban growth over the last 10 years. Essentially, more Americans are moving to smaller regions than to larger ones. The trend toward smaller communities is likely to continue for several reasons: for one thing, new telecommunications technology serves to even the playing field for companies in smaller cities. You can now operate a sophisticated global business from Fargo, N.D., or Shreveport, La., in ways not possible 20 years ago.

Another reason for the trend is the predilections of two key expanding demographic groups: boomers and their offspring, the millennials. Aging boomers are NOT, in large part, hoping for the dense city life, as is often claimed. If they choose to move, they tend toward less dense and even rural areas. Young families and many better-educated workers also show signs of moving to less dense and affordable places.

A recent McKinsey study found that "middleweight" cities, many of them well under a million, have already started taking a larger percentage of the world's urban growth. McKinsey suggests that the notion that megacities will dominate the urban future constitutes "a common misconception."

My advice has always been that best search for job opportunities is to start by "sectorizing:" looking at the best business areas that continue to grow right thru recessions (health care, medical insurance, etc.). Add to that the "best cities for job growth." Midland/Odessa, Texas. Corpus Christi, Texas. San Angelo, Texas. These are cities that are growing again because of technological innovations that make events like the "shale boom" possible.

Following trends like this is like following job opportunities.