By Zane Willman | Associate Advisor, CCG Real Estate Advisors
The Big Shift in U.S. Growth Markets
Across the country, a handful of cities have become magnets for people, money, and companies. Miami, Austin, Dallas, Nashville, and West Palm Beach are some of the standouts. Their approach is simple:
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Incentivize companies and corporations to move in.
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Offer housing and lifestyle that appeal to younger professionals
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Improve transportation and public spaces.
Examples from High-Growth Cities
Miami & West Palm Beach – Low taxes, flexible zoning, and a strong lifestyle pull have attracted finance, tech, and new residents.
Austin & Dallas – A growing job market, top universities, and major corporate moves turned these Texas cities into talent magnets. Faster permitting and available land let housing keep pace with demand.
Nashville – Expanded beyond music into healthcare, logistics, and finance. Built lively neighborhoods and public spaces that help people live near work.
New York City – Even with high costs, NYC shows how dense neighborhoods, walkability, good transit, and culture can keep young professionals and companies rooted for decades.
What These Cities Have in Common
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They welcome employers with clear, business-friendly policies.
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They allow higher-density housing near jobs and transit.
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They invest in transit, walkability, and public spaces.
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They highlight their lifestyle advantage to attract talent.
Where San Diego Stands
San Diego has all the basics: top universities, biotech and defense jobs, a cross-border economy, and one of the best climates in the U.S. But it has seen slower rates of growth compared to other cities.
What’s changing:
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Complete Communities and Transit Priority Areas are loosening rules so developers can build more units in key locations.
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ADU policies are making it easier to add small-scale housing on existing lots.
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Faster reviews are starting to cut the time it takes to get projects approved.
These moves mirror what cities like Miami, Austin, and Dallas did to jump-start growth.
San Diego’s Unique Advantages Over Other Growth Cities
While Miami, Austin, Dallas, and West Palm Beach have surged, San Diego has strengths they can’t easily copy:
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Lifestyle Variety: San Diego isn’t a trick pony of a city. It offers an urban downtown, suburban neighborhoods, and world-class coastal towns like Encinitas, Del Mar, and Carlsbad — all within an hour’s drive. This variety attracts a broader range of residents, from young professionals to established families and retirees.
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Stable Climate & Natural Beauty: With year-round mild weather, beaches, mountains, and open space, San Diego is less vulnerable to hurricanes, extreme heat, or flooding. This environmental stability adds long-term appeal and preserves property values.
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High-Quality Workforce: Anchored by UCSD, SDSU, USD and a cross-border talent pool, San Diego has a steady stream of educated workers fueling industries like biotech, defense, and tech.
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International Connection: Proximity to Mexico, a major port, and a strong tourism base give San Diego access to global markets and diversified income streams.
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Zoning & Infill Potential: San Diego’s reforms (Complete Communities, Transit Priority Areas, ADU programs) already allow more density in high-demand areas — something some other cities are only starting to consider.
In short, San Diego blends the growth-market energy of Miami or Austin with a more stable, diversified environment. That mix creates a different kind of upside for investors: long-term, durable demand layered with new development opportunities.
Why This Matters for Investors
Cities that keep young professionals and employers tend to have steady demand for housing and office space. Over time, this demand supports stronger rents, lower vacancies, and more resilient property values.
San Diego’s current steps — though slower than some peers — point toward this future. Understanding how other cities have done it helps investors predict where the opportunities will be as San Diego catches up.
The Takeaway
These cities didn’t grow by chance. They grew by combining pro-business policies, better housing options, and attractive lifestyles. San Diego is moving in the same direction but still has room to improve.
For investors, this means San Diego today looks similar to the early stages of those growth stories: less competition, new zoning opportunities, and a chance to buy before the next wave of demand lifts prices.
If you’re considering how to position your portfolio in today’s market, now is the time to plan. At CCG, we help investors analyze market cycles, uncover opportunities, and align strategy with timing.
📩 Schedule a time to review your portfolio with us — let’s find the next move that builds long-term wealth.
Sources:
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U.S. Census Bureau – Population Estimates - https://www.census.gov/quickfacts
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Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment Data by Metro Area - https://www.bls.gov/regions/home.htm
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CBRE – U.S. Real Estate Market Outlook - https://www.cbre.com/insights
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PwC & Urban Land Institute – Emerging Trends in Real Estate® 2025 - https://americas.uli.org/research/emerging-trends-in-real-estate/
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) - https://www.sandag.org/ -
City of San Diego – Complete Communities & ADU Programs - https://www.sandiego.gov/planning
