It has been improving it’s ranking since 2009, and has been in the top 25 for economic growth since 2014.Manufacturing is still a major industry, but with new investments from GM and Tesla the city should see some stability in the industry.Alumni from Michigan State University provide a good base for high tech and research jobs in the area.Orlando, FLThe economy has been improving every year since 2012, and the economic growth ranked #9 on the Milkin Institute’s 2016 report.Tourism remains the main industry for the area with Disney and Universal creating a lot of jobs in the area.In addition to the Tourism industry, Orlando has a strong Health Care industry, which will help it attract retirees.Raleigh, NCThe economy has been in the top 15 of the Milkin Institute’s top growing economies for the past 10 years.The Research Triangle that includes NC State, Duke University, and UNC Chapel Hill support a lot of growth in the R&D industry and the alumni provide skilled workers that attract businesses.San Antonio, TXThe economic growth has been in the top 25 of the Milkin Institute’s top growing economies since 2008.In the past, the economy has been highly tied to the Oil industry.

It would be like taking a job with a terrible salary because the health care coverage was great. 

You also have a diversification in industries providing jobs in the MSA although a majority still come from health-care, schools, government and transportation/distribution, agriculture and research just to name a few.Why does it matter?  

just don't like the tax burden or the health care system.

I have tons of friends who are physicians or dentists so I'd like to create a niche healthcare practice (that's the goal at least). 

I'm an attorney and I'd agree with George's advice under two important conditions (i) you're using the standard local MLS form (Detroit or Ann Arbor) and (ii) you've done enough deals to know what you're doing when you check the boxes.

Again, people thought I was crazy for leaving my job for the unknown.Looking back, I often tell my friends that if I had landed a great job out of school and been offered a good/stable salary with health care and retirement options I probably wouldn't have felt comfortable making the plunge into real estate.

Health care costs.

While I am in the Lansing area (and there is one here), as a newbie I found the Ann Arbor club to be extremely helpful in learning some basic strategies.

Arbor out of New York does small balance stuff.Additionally a work around I have seen on this small stuff it get a local partner and then you both go on the loan for the local bank.