In many parts of the US, manufacturing and similar jobs are going away (or have already left) and what remains are service sector jobs.

Having come from the consulting industry, I am very familiar with large scale, public sector planning and infrastructure improvements.

Birmingham has grown into a multi cultural hub, with a great diversity in employment industries, a fantastic university and teaching hospital, and a great growth in the tech and healthcare sectors.

You have the benefit of knowing Edmonton somewhat and Alberta is likely to be a fantastic place to invest (depending on the petrochemical sector health of course) so if I were in your shoes, I would use my knowledge of Edmonton and my friends and connections there to invest there while you live in the magnificent city of Montreal. 

If it's a business person or somebody visiting area for leisure, it's normally clean and close to their amenity. 

Also, the real estate sector is not as organized as in the US.

Just thought this might be interesting for everyone to see how we all got started..I started out by moving from one industry sector to another.

Originally posted by J Scott:So, there's evidence that there is at least a short-term recovery going on in some sectors What sectors?

What this app does is partner with your local library and allows you to electronically check out eBooks and read them at your leisure.

Some lenders require minimum 50% or 60% occupancy --I have also seen - mom and pop - independent hotels --more profitable in some locations -then franchsie like Days Inn or Super 8 for similar size -- say 60 units --Also upscale hotels --like Hampton Inn, Hilton , Holdiay Inn Express has much higher occupancies in most locationsHoweevr, due to economy --and less leisure travel --many hotels lost occupanices and vaccancies are much higher and many hotels are going in foreclosers-- Also many lenders are satying away from financing new construction at this time --and many lenders limit to only 65% to 70% of value for refinancing whereas --few years ago 80% and 90% was common.