10 best cities for the next decade
In researching our 2010 Best Cities, it became clear that there are three elements to the innovation factor. Mark Emmert, president of the University of Washington, put his finger on two of them: Smart people and great ideas. But we'd argue that it's the third element -- collaboration -- that really supercharges a city's economic engine.
When governments, universities and business communities work together, the economic vitality is impressive.
And it's no coincidence that economic vitality and livability go hand in hand. Creativity in music, arts and culture -- plus neighborhoods and recreational facilities that rank high for "coolness" -- attract like-minded professionals who go on to cultivate a region's business scene.
The 10 cities on our 2010 Best Cities are not just great places to live, they're also great places to start a business or find a job.
Here's a closer look at Seattle, the #2 city:
#2. Seattle
Rain City? We say Brain City. It's home to a well-educated work force, a world-class research university and such über-innovators as Microsoft (MSFT, news, msgs), Amazon.com (AMZN, news, msgs) and Boeing's (BA, news, msgs) main aircraft production facility. (Microsoft owns MSN Money.)
Seattle boasts a host of risk-taking, garage-tinkering entrepreneurs, and the city crackles with creative energy. "We only have two products here: smart people and great ideas," says Emmert.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Households Unfazed by Expiring Tax Credits
Households Unfazed by Expiring Tax Credits
The expiration of the home buyer tax credits won’t deter optimistic households who believe the market is improving, according to a survey released Wednesday by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services.
More than 90 percent of those surveyed believe the home buyer tax credits have helped both first-time buyers and the overall housing market, but 65 percent say that end of tax credits won’t reduce their personal interest in buying a home.
Over the next five years, 79 percent expect real estate prices to increase, and 20 percent expect prices to rise substantially. Only 12 percent believe prices will decrease.
Among renters, 75 percent believe owning a home is a better long-term choice for them than renting.
The majority of consumers also believe that homeownership is a good investment, with 75 percent saying it is better than stocks or bonds, 72 percent preferring it to mutual funds, and 74 percent saying it surpasses savings accounts.
Source: Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc. (04/28/2010)
The expiration of the home buyer tax credits won’t deter optimistic households who believe the market is improving, according to a survey released Wednesday by Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services.
More than 90 percent of those surveyed believe the home buyer tax credits have helped both first-time buyers and the overall housing market, but 65 percent say that end of tax credits won’t reduce their personal interest in buying a home.
Over the next five years, 79 percent expect real estate prices to increase, and 20 percent expect prices to rise substantially. Only 12 percent believe prices will decrease.
Among renters, 75 percent believe owning a home is a better long-term choice for them than renting.
The majority of consumers also believe that homeownership is a good investment, with 75 percent saying it is better than stocks or bonds, 72 percent preferring it to mutual funds, and 74 percent saying it surpasses savings accounts.
Source: Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Inc. (04/28/2010)
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