USAA - Winter 2013 - (Page 12)

HOUSTON BRET STARK USAA member since 1992 Houston has many opportunities to find a new job or, in my case, a whole new industry. I worked in homebuilding in Houston after returning from active duty. Homebuilding slumped, but oil and gas boomed. Competition was strong, but employers understood the skills and leadership I developed in the Army, and I was hired to be a measurement while drilling operator for a directional drilling company. Away from work I'm a big outdoor person, and I don't have to go very far to find hunting opportunities and freshwater or saltwater fishing. 5 QUICK FACT The Texas State Capitol building is the sixth tallest state capitol in the United States. 6 QUICK FACT The MacArthur Memorial 's six life-size murals depict events from the legendary general's life. 7 QUICK FACT The historic Ybor City was a hub for cigar manufacturing at the turn of the 20th century. 12 USAA Magazine WINTER 2013 AUSTIN POPULATION 1.7 million UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 5.3 percent RECENT JOB GROWTH 3.4 percent Texas' state capitol, Austin, is home to the University of Texas and many companies in the tech industry, and appears often on lists of the best places to live. Household income is one of the highest among our top 10 places, and the economy is strong, with a low unemployment rate and the thirdhighest rate of job growth on this list. NORFOLK POPULATION 1.7 million UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 5.7 percent RECENT JOB GROWTH 1.7 percent The Norfolk area boasts the largest concentration of military bases and facilities of any metro area, and is home to sites for NASA and the Commerce, Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Energy Departments. Its unemployment rate is under the national rate, while the median home price is higher than average but still attractive. TAMPA POPULATION 2.8 million UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 6.9 percent RECENT JOB GROWTH 4 percent Tampa ranks as one of the most affordable places on USAA's top 10 list. Slowly recovering from the housing downturn, the median home price is a low $107,000. The unemployment rate is the highest among our top 10 places, but it's still below the national average. Also, the area's job growth ties for highest among our top 10. 800-531-USAA (8722) PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID SUCSY/GETTY IMAGES ; DON KLUMPP/GETTY IMAGES; DENNIS MACDONALD/GETTY IMAGES; MEMBER PHOTO COURTESY OF BRET STARK WHY I LOVE

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USAA - Winter 2013