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DON NUMBER 1

Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:35:44 AM

no money to move

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Jerry12345safawr

Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:39:44 AM

Is this a joke?

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Jeffredo

Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:40:41 AM

I count two places in there I would live (well, maybe three). The other dozen are unihabitable. TX, OK, LA, MS? Yuck. Rather live where the economy is **** than those states.

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longhorn1961

Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:45:31 AM

Good

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h118

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:01:30 PM

who ever is doing this survey needs to come live in Houston or Austin. I live in Houston. Earned 90k last year and haven't worked for the last 6 months due to layoff with the recession. Have been looking in both locations with no luck. 8% unemployment is not low!!!

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Swimmer79

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:01:45 PM

Has anyone noticed that most of these are in the South? No surprise! I'm sure these places have their virtues but sorry, the miserable weather in the South is reason enough for me to not want to move there!!!

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Swimmer79

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:03:20 PM

h118, did you know that LA county has a 12 percent unemployment rate? My sister lives there and has been having a terrible time finding work. I'm sure she'd move, but she has no money to relocate!

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SLW654

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:04:43 PM

OKC, Tulsa, Columbia, and Jackson have some of the worst economies and job markets in the US. The only reason they made this list is because they weren't booming (or even healthy) to begin with, so the effects of this past year don't seem as bad when you compare them to other cities. I have lived in OKC and Tulsa and moved because the job market sucked. My Dad lived in Jackson and my brother lived in Columbia and both of them moved for the same reasons. Sorry, but these cities had, have, and will continue to have crappy economies...

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juniorsamples

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:06:14 PM

Looks like the South Central is the place to be.

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thisisajoke

#10

Thursday, October 29, 2009 12:07:27 PM

Jerry12345safawr,

Yes, this is a joke. I mean, it's MSNBC. Just look at my screen name, created just for these stories!

I wonder if they even checked other parts of the country outside of the Texas area.

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

By Prashant Gopal of BusinessWeek

Employment and economic muscle

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke might think the country is out of the recession, but unemployment is rising from Connecticut to California and banks are taking possession of a growing share of American homes. But some metros across the nation have managed to stay out of the recession's path and could now be poised for recovery. Using data and analysis from the Brookings Institution's new MetroMonitor study, BusinessWeek.com ranked the nation's top 40 economies based on job growth, employment, economic growth and home prices. And Texas seems to be the clear winner, with San Antonio at the top of the list and five metros in the top 10. To see which metros made the list, read on.

The Brookings Institution ranked the 100 largest metros by averaging the ranks for four key indicators: employment change, unemployment change, gross metropolitan product and home price change. Employment was measured by the change from the peak quarter for each metro to the second quarter of 2009. The peak was the quarter in which the metro had the most jobs during the past five years. Unemployment was ranked by measuring the percentage-point change from the first quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2009. Gross metropolitan product was measured from the peak quarter to the second quarter of 2009. And the ranking of home prices compared the second quarter of 2009 to the previous quarter. The employment data were provided by Moody's Economy.com, the unemployment data were collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the home price index came from the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Source: The Brookings Institution's MetroMonitor

View the entire list of the 40 strongest U.S. metro economies on BusinessWeek.com.

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

1. San Antonio

San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas and the site of the battle of the Alamo, has one of the strongest job markets in the nation. Construction, which slowed during the recession, remains relatively robust, in part because of a new JW Marriott a Caterpillar plant now under construction, as well as school, hospital and military projects. Employment in San Antonio peaked in the second quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 0.8% from the peak in the third quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 3.1% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 6.9%, up 2 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 3
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 5
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 4
Home price change (year over year) rank: 10

	_{Video: Tornado destroys house} _{Watch some judgment-challenged storm chasers capture a tornado as it lays waste to a house.}

_{Video: Tornado destroys house}
_{Watch some judgment-challenged storm chasers capture a tornado as it lays waste to a house.}

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

2. Austin-Round Rock, Texas

Austin, a high-tech center, is also home to the University of Texas. Employment in the Austin metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product peaked in the second quarter. Home prices grew 2.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.1%, up 2.6 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 2
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 2
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 16
Home price change (year over year) rank: 18

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

3. Oklahoma City

The Oklahoma City metro area, which includes the state capital, is an oil and natural gas center that is home to Devon Energy and Chesapeake Energy. Employment in the Oklahoma City metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 0.8% from the peak in the last quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 2.1% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 6.6%, up 2.1 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 7
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 4
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 4
Home price change (year over year) rank: 23

View the entire list of the 40 strongest U.S. metro economies on BusinessWeek.com.

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

4. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Ark.

The economy in Little Rock, the state capital, has remained strong though the local unemployment rate has been rising. Windstream, a telecom services provider based in Little Rock, recently announced it would eliminate 350 jobs by January. Employment in the Little Rock metro peaked in the first quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 2.8% from the peak in the third quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 3% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 6.6%, up 2.1 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 11
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 24
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 7
Home price change (year over year) rank: 11

	_{Video: Tornado destroys house} _{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

_{Video: Tornado destroys house}
_{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

The sprawling, vibrant and diverse metro has a major international airport, professional sports teams and large corporations. It is home to ExxonMobil, J.C. Penney and TXU Energy. Employment in the Dallas metro peaked in the second quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 1.7% from the peak in the third quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 3% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 8.2%, up 3.1 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 13
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 11
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 32
Home price change (year over year) rank: 3

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

6. Baton Rouge, La.

The construction industry is thriving in Baton Rouge, the state capital and home to Louisiana State University and Southern University. Firms are rushing to use special financing for post-Katrina hurricane recovery work, and new projects in the metro include a refinery in Plaquemine. Employment in the Baton Rouge metro peaked in the fourth quarter of 2007. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down 3.6% from the peak in the second quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 3.3% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.4%, up 2.4 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 4
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 39
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 10
Home price change (year over year) rank: 8

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

7. Tulsa, Okla.

Tulsa, the second-largest city in the state, has remained relatively stable, in large part because of the oil and gas industry. Companies in the area include Arena Resources, an oil and gas producer, and Aaon, a rooftop heating and air-conditioning unit maker. Employment in the Tulsa metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 2.3% from the peak in the third quarter of last year. Home prices grew 2.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 6.8%, up 2.8 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 8
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 16
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 21
Home price change (year over year) rank: 17

	_{Video: Tornado destroys house} _{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

_{Video: Tornado destroys house}
_{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

8. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

The Omaha-area economy is one of the nation's bright spots. Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, ConAgra Foods and Kiewit make their home here. Employment in the Omaha metro peaked in the fourth quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down 3.3% from the peak in the third quarter of last year. Home prices grew 2.6% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 5.4%, up 1.7 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 15
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 30
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 2
Home price change (year over year) rank: 16

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View the entire list of the 40 strongest U.S. metro economies on BusinessWeek.com.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

9. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas

The Houston metro, one of the nation's most robust economies, is home to the U.S. headquarters of Shell Oil, BP and ConocoPhillips. Employment here peaked in the third quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 2% from the peak in the third quarter of last year. Home prices grew 4.9% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 8%, up 3 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 23
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 14
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 29
Home price change (year over year) rank: 1

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

10. El Paso, Texas

The El Paso metro, between the Franklin Mountains and the Rio Grande, is home to the Fort Bliss Army installation and the University of Texas at El Paso. Employment in the El Paso metro peaked in the first quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 1.9% from the peak in the second quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 1.3% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 9.5%, up 2.9 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 5
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 13
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 24
Home price change (year over year) rank: 30

	_{Video: Tornado destroys house} _{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

_{Video: Tornado destroys house}
_{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

11. Jackson, Miss.

The state capital's job market has remained relatively strong largely because of its government, hospitals and educational institutions including Jackson State University. Employment in the Jackson metro peaked in the fourth quarter of 2007. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down 3.8% from the peak in the third quarter of 2008. Home prices grew 2.8% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.9%, up 1.5 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 19
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 41
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 1
Home price change (year over year) rank: 12

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View the entire list of the 40 strongest U.S. metro economies on BusinessWeek.com.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

12. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas

The fast-growing and affordable McAllen area is about 10 miles from the Mexican border. Employment in the McAllen metro peaked in the third quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product peaked in the second quarter. Home prices grew 0.6% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 11%, up 3.4 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 1
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 1
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 43
Home price change (year over year) rank: 41

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

13. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.

The unemployment rate in the D.C. area fell in both June and July, as it gained jobs in government and defense contracting. Employment in the D.C. metro peaked in the third quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product peaked in the second quarter. Home prices fell 5.7% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 6.5%, up 2.7 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 6
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 1
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 18
Home price change (year over year) rank: 72

	_{Video: Tornado destroys house} _{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

_{Video: Tornado destroys house}
_{Watch some} _{judgment-challenged} _{storm chasers} _capture _a _{tornado as it} _{lays waste to a} _house.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

14. Columbia, S.C.

Columbia, the state capital and home to the University of South Carolina, has a relatively strong economy. Employment in the Columbia metro peaked in the third quarter of 2007. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down just 2.7% from the peak in the third quarter of last year. Home prices grew 3.5% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 9.8%, up 3.9 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 17
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 23
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 54
Home price change (year over year) rank: 6

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

15. Pittsburgh

The metro, once known for its steel industry, now benefits from its recession-resistant education and health-care industries. Employment in the Pittsburgh metro peaked in the third quarter of last year. Gross metropolitan product in the second quarter was down 4.5% from the peak in the fourth quarter of 2007. Home prices grew 3.7% in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier. And the unemployment rate in June was 7.7%, up 2.6 points from a year earlier.

Job growth (since peak) rank: 27
Gross Metro Product (since peak) rank: 58
Unemployment change (year over year) rank: 16
Home price change (year over year) rank: 5

View the entire list of the 40 strongest U.S. metro economies on BusinessWeek.com.

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The 15 strongest U.S. metros

Employment and economic muscle

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

1. San Antonio

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

2. Austin-Round Rock, Texas

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

3. Oklahoma City

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

4. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, Ark.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

5. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

6. Baton Rouge, La.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

7. Tulsa, Okla.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

8. Omaha-Council Bluffs, Neb.-Iowa

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

9. Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

10. El Paso, Texas

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

11. Jackson, Miss.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

12. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

13. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C.-Va.-Md.-W.Va.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

14. Columbia, S.C.

The 15 strongest U.S. metros

15. Pittsburgh

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