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58 THE RESURGENCE OF URBAN HOUSING While many homebuyers aspire to acquire their own piece of the provincial pie, a growing share are sticking close to the city, so proclaims a new Urban Land Institute (ULI) report. In fact, the population of urban neighborhoods in many metros is burgeoning as swiftly or almost as swiftly as that of suburban communities, it noted. e research analyzed how this growth has "accompanied the evolution of different types of urban neighborhoods, and how demographic and economic trends have shaped development in these areas," ULI says. is growth, it continued, echoes ongoing consumer demand—most notably among younger cohorts—for living environments near jobs, transit, and urban perks, and that also rank high in walkability. A major finding: For the first time in decades, population growth in urban neighborhoods in the nation's 50 biggest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) is nearing suburban growth rates. Between 2010 and 2015, urban locations recorded a 3.4 percent growth rate, compared with 3.7 percent for suburban areas. ese numbers contrast dramatically to the period between 2000 and 2015, when the growth rate for urban enclaves was 1 percent, compared with 13 percent for suburbia. Seattle has the largest percentage of residents (13 percent) residing in economic centers, characterized by heavy clusters of employment. Seattle is trailed by Washington, D.C., and San Francisco (each at 10 percent). Jacksonville, Florida, boasts the highest population (12 percent) in emerging economic centers, which are former single-family or low- density neighborhoods that are evolving into new urban cores. Birmingham, Alabama (11 percent) follows close behind. New York City chalks up the largest number (26 percent) to mixed-use districts, followed by Chicago (23 percent). Seattle registers the heftiest percentage of residents (53 percent) in high-end 'hoods, followed by Austin (43 percent). San Jose tallies the largest number (82 percent) in stable neighborhoods, followed by San Antonio (71 percent). On the other hand, Hartford, Connecticut, records the most residents (68 percent) in challenged neighborhoods, with Detroit tagging just a point behind (67 percent). Challenged neighborhoods are characterized by lower home values and apartment rents and minimal new development, often skirting former industrial and manufacturing districts. While central hubs are enticing homebuyers, a swirl of both urbanities and suburbanites in a city is actually a good sign, ULI noted. "Healthy metro areas will continue to feature a wide range of urban and suburban neighborhoods," the report said. Smaller than some. Second to none. Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC (SquireLaw) represents a broad array of lenders and servicers effectively protecting their rights as creditors. SquireLaw is a one-stop, "cradle to grave" shop specializing in residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures, bankruptcies, ejectments (evictions), litigation of contested files, mobile home repossessions, land installment contract defaults, and REO closings. OUR ATTORNEYS ARE AVAILABLE 24/7. Serving: Pennsylvania and New Jersey Richard M. Squire & Associates, LLC One Jenkintown Station, 115 West Avenue, Suite 104 Jenkintown, PA 19046 (215)886-8790 rsquire@squirelaw.com jhess@squirelaw.com (Client Relations Representative)