How you feel doesn't matter.Eric,While you may be right, I believe the "emotion based responses" you refer to are mainly by folks who actually live in what has become the (They're leaving) echo chamber in California and then turn around the next morning and read economic progress articles like this latest one from Bloomberg.  

AND.. meet with the local chamber of commerce in these areas, and local township offices, and ask them what, if anything they are doing to revitalize and what jobs may be coming to the area.

My company is doing this and we have raised ten's of thousands for our local Business Chamber's Small Business Relief Fund, as well as for a local children's hospital that is providing food to local kids who normally depend on their school lunch programs to eat.   

Hi @Bobby Chambers,I agree with @Ned Carey on this one.

@Melba Chambers @Christopher Janney thank you!

If i'm looking to go long i need to know others are long on the area as well... so in that case i would look towards newer developments in the area and see if money is flowing in or out... in short buy a buncha local coffee and visit the local chamber and talk with a local commercial broker to really get a feel for the cities future.

Google the name of the city and look at its Wikipedia page, the local chamber of commerce page, and whatever else comes back.Once I decided to retire in Florida, I then had to decide where in Florida.

Each seems to just be a variance of what echo-chamber which resides within.

Your chamber of commerce will probably have the economic data you need.  

Reply to Ads posted on Free Classified AD Websites and the newspaper "I buy houses" Ads ask if you can add them to your Buyer's List.Go to Chamber fo Commerce, Real Estate Clubs and online forums pass out your business card and Vcard.