It has been over 15 years since we left the area, leaving for military service and later working in the corporate sector within Cincinnati, OH.

As for AIG - liquidate it.Sell off its parts.Let American General go back to being American General.Sell off the real estate.Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.Here's my rationale.

Once the stimulus money stops, people will run out of options, but jobs for certain sectors will be limited, as many small businesses will fold.

@Greg Scott, No doubt the trouble in the retail sector will have an impact.

About 30% of all renters are not paying their rents timely, and the commercial sectors are even worse.

Small towns tend to be too dependent on a single business sector or company.

Whether it be stock market sectors, commodities, or real estate, the smart guys have vision and seize opportunities before the crowds arrive.

Did I forget to mention the Dell/UT Medical Research Center they are building and projecting to be as big as the tech sector job growth.  

The flip side of that is you are hard pressed to find a 1.5% deal in a decent neighborhood, but there are plenty of 1%ers.We have some of the best schools in the country, safest streets, diverse economy, lots of large and small employers and are not dominated by a single sector, which probably contributes to our stable prices (3M, Target, Honeywell, General Mills, Delta Airlines Etc.)

But now its a hot cake and Uganda being a Pearl of Africa has attracted fast growth in tourism sector, and  hotel development.