REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Best Cities for Finding Opportunity

REALTOR® Magazine just posted the following question:
Where are the best cities to live in the US if you want to work hard and get ahead?

I was happy to see that metro-Washington DC made the list. The study, conducted by Forbes magazine, chose the top ten cities based on the number of Forbes' 400 best big companies and 200 best small companies headquartered in each. The study lists locations with high rates of small business successes, identifying what it considered places with the most opportunity.

I work with a lot of small business owners and have noticed the past month an increase in activity, i.e., number of listings I have leased or sold.

I had a 1,500 SF office listed for about half a year in Cascades Office Center, which leased two weeks ago.
And the charming 1,000 SF retail storefront on Battle Street in Old Town Manassas leased last week to the soon-to-opened Oh So Sweet Treats Bakery.

The retail tanning salon space I had listed for lease in Manassas Park Plaza leased in a week!

To me, this indicates consumer confidence is returning and underscores what I believe: Northern Virginia is a great place to live and work.

Best Cities to live to work hard and get ahead:
1. Houston
2. Dallas
3. Minneapolis
4. Pittsburgh
5. Boston
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Austin
8. St. Louis
9. Kansas City, Mo.
10. New York

Source: Forbes, Lauren Sherman (06/19/2009)
Article link:
REALTOR® Magazine-Daily News-Best Cities for Finding Opportunity