Thriving restaurant scene, great beer, legal weed, 300 days of sun and the mountains right there. 

However, I think section 8 income could thrive very well here.Cons:- the volume of properties seem to be low- Sebring is very isolated.

Good example of real estate investors boosting the economy and also keeping local communities thriving.

Waco has become a get away weekend destination for many people and many businesses are thriving based on that.

Listen, adapt, and provide more value then the rest, and you can thrive right now. 

Attracting institutional buyers looking to deploy capital in a stabilized asset in a thriving market; Florida at the market going cap rate.    

The question of affordability is different than the question of thrive, or get ahead, or grow in wealth.

Sellers with need = opportunity.In an area like you're describing it is not uncommon for the local real estate operations NOT to have a distinct or thriving MLS system. 

You are providing service to your clients for years to come and the only way you are able to survive and thrive as a service provider is by offering your service at a fair price...but a profitable one as well

Many young people will stay in the area of their college if there are good jobs and a good place to start a family)   c)RTP (Research Triangle Park is a thriving technology hub in Raleigh offering good paying jobs in the technology industry.....as I think technology will play a bigger role in the future of our economy)   d)Population Growth.