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Unemployed? See the top 10 best and worst cities for jobs
[Source: Katrina Wessman, Channel 15 News] — Forbes has ranked the top 10 best and worst big cities for jobs in a new report. The study is based on job growth in 336 regions across the U.S. The study looks at job growth in the last year and how employment figures have changed since 1996. While Arizona cities do not make the cut on either list, they are mentioned in the report.
Cities with formerly thriving economies like Phoenix are more likely to rebound. According to the Forbes article, Phoenix-based economist Elliot Pollack said the existing reasons for moving to Arizona, including warm weather, relatively low taxes, and generally pro-business governments, are still there. Once the economy stabilizes, the flow of people and companies from the Northeast and California to Phoenix and other former hot spots will resume, because of the inexpensive real estate, better conditions for business, and a generally more up-to-date infrastructure. [Note: To read the full article, click here.]
Phoenix #9 in increasingly unaffordable U.S. cities, says Forbes.com
[Forbes.com] — Phoenix is #9 on the Forbes.com list of “America’s Increasingly Unaffordable Cities.” Forbes points out that if you’re a Phoenix resident, it’s almost impossible to save money on energy, especially in the summertime. The commute to work requires driving, because there’s no viable public transportation, and with the summer heat, it’s unreasonable to expect Phoenix’s citizens to completely shut down their air conditioning.
- Annual Inflation June 2008: 5.44%
- Annual Inflation January 2008: 2.25%
- Annual Inflation June 2007: 3.56%
Methodology: Using an inflation study done for Forbes.com by Moody’s Economy.com, the 40 largest metro areas in the U.S. were examined to see where prices were growing fastest. The numbers reflect those from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Moody’s figures on price change between January 2008 and June 2008. They track everything from the price of food, taxes, transportation and medical care to entertainment, education, and mortgage payments.
Phoenix #10 U.S. city for singles, says Forbes.com
[Source: Business Wire] — Atlanta bumped San Francisco out of first place as the No. 1 city on Forbes.com’s 8th annual ranking of America’s “Best Cities For Singles.” According to Forbes.com Executive Editor Michael Noer, “Atlanta got the top spot because of its hopping nightlife, relatively high number of singles, and sizzling job growth.”
The list ranks 40 of the largest urbanized areas in the U.S. in seven categories, including a city’s “cool factor,” cost of living alone, culture, job growth, online dating, nightlife, and the number of singles.
- Atlanta
- San Francisco
- Dallas
- Minneapolis
- Washington D.C.
- Seattle
- Boston
- New York City
- Orlando
- Phoenix
Among America’s most overpriced ZIP codes… Phoenix’s 85006!
Coming in at #7 on the Forbes.com list of “America’s Most Overpriced ZIP Codes” is, drum-roll please, 85006 in Phoenix, AZ. That would be the Coronado historic district in the heart of Phoenix. Surprised? Well, according to Forbes.com, in neighborhoods like Coronado, buyers are willing to pay premiums for a landmarked or historically designated home. Those looking for a Spanish Colonial or Tudor-style property near the city pay up to live here. It’s purchase-to-rent spread is 27.1.
