narrowing the market search area
Noob here. This is a heavily loaded question. I am not expecting a lengthy response, just maybe a pearl of wisdom or two from those more experienced. Or, possibly a book or website recommendation.
1) What are some of the tip/tricks/short-cuts to narrowing the field of potential markets? I know my goals, and I know the numbers which make me comfortable. But, how do I narrow the entire US to a field of potential areas which would be worthy of a deeper dive? I am looking to develop a process which relies on quantitative data - I am an analytic type. I have been looking at job/population growth forecasts for areas individually. Cumbersome! What are good data predictors?
2) Further, once a market looks attractive based on the process, how to determine which neighborhoods are the up-and-coming ones versus the, perhaps, not so desirable or ones in decline? For example, I know in my home town to buy north of Main street and east of 1st but never south of Main or west of 1st. I know crime stats are useful, but they don't always tell the story of those areas which are up-and-coming.
Thanks in advance!