We're another town that's reaping the benefits of BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). Over the next few years, a 1,000+ people are supposed to be relocating to our town. Some other large businesses are looking to relocate to our area (I've heard the a Volkswagon plant might be brought here). New shopping centers are going in and new subdivisions are being built on any little piece of farmland that developers can buy.

On the downside, the new people moving in are causing the cost of living to go up. It's always been a very affordable area to live in, but housing prices and taxes are starting to creep up. Plus, with all these new houses being built, I'm afraid that this BRAC thing is being overestimated and that we'll have a ton of subdivisions sitting empty.

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"Everything happens for a reason, but there may not be a point." ~ Kinsey Millhone

Our gas prices have risen and groceries are going up everyday but the housing market is still booming here. A house next door to us was on the market for 48 hrs before receiving an offer. Housing prices have stayed reasonable and new homes are still being built at a steady rate.

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I too live in an area where prices haven't dropped any. My city is built up has been since the 50s if you are in a house built after 1970 its new construction. As a result suburban booms. The appealing option of moving away from the city and taking the train in still is an option for a family to be able to afford a home.

My city has price difference based on neighborhoods. South, east and Central Tacoma are about 50K less then the same house in North and Northeast tacoma. The big cities in my area are seeing the Condo boom. After all Seattle recently lifted building height restrictions and in the city condos go for a Million a pop. Bad areas in Tacoma are also getting the high rise condo boom. Why? because it cleans up the area and these places have stellar veiws. Again with gas prices who wouldn't want to just take the train.
So things are still growing, though they are also taking longer to sell. We have a large military community so starter homes are always looked for.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006