Unsurprisingly, Texas has scored the top spot as 2012 State of the Year in Business Facilities’ annual list, thanks to what Jack Rogers, the publication’s editor-in-chief, calls “the most dynamic economy of any state in the nation.”

“The job-producing engine of the Lone Star State barely sputtered during the Great Recession, bouncing back over pre-Recession levels faster than anywhere else in the U.S.,” Rogers writes. “As our friends in Texas like to remind us, if Texas was a separate country its economic vitality would rival most of the world’s leading economies and even give the U.S. a run for its money.”

Our still-thriving oil and gas sector played a part in the economy’s continued strength, as did a resurgence in manufacturing, a bump in alternative energy and growth in the tech sector.

Texas’ still-thriving oil and gas sector played a part in the economy’s continued strength, as did a resurgence in manufacturing, a bump in alternative energy and growth in the tech sector, which ranges from semiconductors to bioscience to Apple. (The computer giant announced last year that it would build a $304 million campus in Austin.)

A business-friendly environment, a strong infrastructure, low labor costs, rampant population growth, and a higher education system that churns out a highly qualified workforce also combine to make Texas an economic front-runner.

Runners-up for Business Facilities’ State of the Year recognition include Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia and Utah.

Read more from the source: CultureMap Dallas

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“This fourth consecutive month of expansion in the IMI, coupled with the fact that well over half of all metro areas are now represented on the list, is in keeping with the upward trends that we’ve been seeing all year in terms of housing starts and sales, builder confidence and other measures,” NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said.

Both the Raleigh housing market and job market have grown stronger in 2012, and those trends are expected to continue in 2013.

“In general, we expect the overall housing recovery to continue expanding in 2013. However, that is absent a major policy change of the kind that some policymakers have been discussing with regard to the mortgage interest deduction,” Crowe said.

Find out more about the amenities and local opportunities our master-planned community offers property owners.

See the full Improving Markets List of all 201 metros here.

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 Get to Know Your Neighbors: “Residents living in Chapel Ridge say they’ve become a much tighter-knit community because of the housing crisis,” the Triangle Business Journal said. The Journal also cited the “pristine” golf course as one of the most valued amenities among community members.

 Enjoy Chapel Ridge’s Prime Location: It’s not just the Golf Course that enchants its residents. Chapel Ridge property owner Derek Frankena was drawn to Chapel Ridge because of its “proximity to his job in Chapel Hill and to family and friends living in Greensboro and in Pinehurst.”

 Claim Your Property Owner Perks: According to the Journal, unlike other housing communities Chapel Ridge does not “require a lot-buyer to begin building by any particular date; they also allow property owners to choose their own builders.” Not to mention, Chapel Ridge has very “reasonable property owner association dues-$800 dollars a year.” These dues are lower than most residential communities and support amenity maintenance and beautiful landscaping throughout the community.

 Invest in a Family-Friendly Home: ”Most of the 700 plus lots sold between 2004 and 2007 went to buyers who planned to raise families there or build homes for their retirement years.”( Triangle Business Journal) Buying at a time when the housing market is most affordable secures land for growing families and potential retirees to build a home that lasts.

 Interested? For more information on Chapel Ridge’s golf course living and the surrounding community, visit our website or contact us at 800-615-1481.

The post Chapel Ridge Land Has Lots To Offer At Affordable Prices appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

Other reasons for Chapel Hill’s coveted top ten ranking include:

Picture-Perfect Scenery. Winding roads lined with tall, full trees and green everywhere you look provides the perfect mix of nature and city life. The Fall season in North Carolina is known as one of the most amazing sights in America.

Educational Opportunities. With dozens of colleges and universities, students have a variety of options to succeed. Chapel Hill is home to none other than the University of North Carolina. The university prides itself on many educational standpoints as well as its accomplished Tarheels athletics programs. Both the men and women’s soccer team recruit some of the best athletes in the nation.  Chapel Hill also boasts a variety of public and private schools that are easily accessible to the Chapel Ridge and surrounding communities.

Arts and Entertainment. In addition to the amazing museums and art exhibits, Chapel Hill is home to a variety of historic landmarks. Families can also enjoy a day about town with amazing art crafts at Good Earth Pottery and Garden or by attending a cooking class at the well known Southern Season. The fun doesn’t stop there; the shopping and dining experience in Chapel Hill provides endless fashion and flavor experiences. To check out more information on attractions, museums, parks, arts and more visit Chapel Hill’s Tourism page.

Chapel Ridge is the perfect community to experience all that Chapel Hill has to offer. For more information on Chapel Ridge’s community and the surrounding Chapel Hill area, visit our website or contact us at 800-615-1481

The post Chapel Hill Ranks As Top Ten Best Place To Live appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

“Tourism means jobs — nearly 200,000 of them across North Carolina,” said Gov. Bev Perdue in an NBC news article. “The depth of the state’s appeal is reflected in the fact that every corner of North Carolina benefited from tourism.”

Residents of Pittsboro at Chapel Ridge can enjoy year-round all that draws visitors from across the state and country, including golf courses, wineries, museums, aquariums and historic landmarks. The town’s location also provides easy access to neighboring towns like Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham just a short drive away.

For more information on Chapel Ridge’s golf course living and the surrounding community of Pittsboro, North Carolina, visit our website or contact us at 800-615-1481.

The post Chapel Ridge’s Chatham County Leads State-Wide Economic Growth appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

SouthStar has been building quality residential communities since 1999, identifying market trends in the southern states to create long-lasting enhancements and value. We’ve created successful communities for thousands of happy property owners throughout North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Florida. We look forward to continuing these successes in our newest communities.

We are excited about the future of each community and look forward to working with the current and prospective property owners.

Respectfully,

Larry Rutherford

President and CEO

SouthStar Development Partners

For more information about SouthStar Communities, visit our website for a short introductory video featuring Larry Rutherford. 

The post SouthStar Acquires Bluegreen Communities appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

Check out all the great events going on this fall:

• Raleigh Pub Crawl and Haunted Adventure
• 4th Annual Harvest Festival
• Lego Kids Fest
• Art in the Evening
• World Beer Festival

Making the Coastal Carolinas your new home means always having exciting things going on around you! Find the perfect plot of land to build your home at Chapel Ridge by clicking here.

The post North Carolina Fall Activities appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

Everything at Jubala is fresh brewed, even their iced coffee! Need some sustenance to go with your coffee? No problem, you can choose from a variety sandwiches and pastries. They also serve Liege Belgian Waffles in flavors like strawberry, chocolate chip and banana – just to name a few.

At Jubala you can even see where your coffee is from! If you are looking for coffee that is also doing good, then this is the place for you! Jubala has recently rolled out Grounds for Giving in which 10% of all profits will help children and families in Africa move to a brighter future.

A unique little coffee shop like Jubala Village Coffee makes life in the Research Triangle so unique! Want to learn about making coastal North Carolina your home? Click here.

The post Jubala Village Coffee appeared first on Chapel Ridge.

Chapel Ridge is know for it’s green fairways, but this doesn’t mean being wasteful or harmful to nature. Golf Courses require a lot of maintenance to keep the grass green, but we have placed a “no spray buffer” around our lakes and ponds of 200 feet (twice the distance of what is recommended). We have also taken extra steps to ensure our chemicals are properly stored and disposed.

Over 40% of Chapel Ridge is open space. This means being surrounded by the views you love! This also greatly reduces environmental stress.

Taking these environmentally conscious steps allows for us to have a more beautiful community and preserve the land for the future.

Find your perfect plot of land at Chapel Ridge by clicking here.

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New Home To-Dos:

• Check your insurance policies, especially if you are moving across state lines.
• Sign up for the town newspaper. This will really help you know what is going on in your new town!
• Get copies of medical records, especially if you are moving far from your current doctor. It’s one less thing to worry about when you actually need them.
• Make sure to go to usps.com to change your address!
• Schedule all your cable, internet and water providers one month prior to move-in. This ensures that you can make an appoint as soon as you get there!

Have you moved recently? What new home to-do helped you the most?

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