Here are the US cities best suited for Amazon's new headquarters

austin texas Given the age of the housing stock in the U.S., with almost 60% of homes built prior to 1980, Amazon will undoubtedly have an impact on the fix-and-flip market wherever it ultimately decides to build its second HQ.

HQ2, as its been named, is estimated to bring around 50,000 employees, most of whom will be paid well and in line with their Seattle colleagues. This means there will be a surge of housing demand. With the U.S. still approximately 3 million new home builds behind what it was forecasted to have built since 2008, the answer is likely in rehabilitating and improving existing homes.

Even in the largest markets, the entrance of an economic titan like Amazon means a surge in the fix-and-flip market. Here's which cities would be best suited to Amazon's new headquarters:

Atlanta, Georgia

As a land-central city with no physical barriers impeding suburban sprawl, Atlanta has seen a huge influx of investment in commercial, multi-family, and single family buildings in the last 24 months. Atlanta ranks 4th in the nation for Fortune 500 Company headquarters (Delta Airlines, SunTrust Bank, Home Depot and Coca-Cola, to name a few). Such a diverse economic base has been a key driver for millennial’s to settle in Atlanta.

Atlanta is one of the biggest cities in the country to benefit from the millennial migration trend. Many people, not just millennials, want to move in town closer to the city and its amenities. There are simply not enough homes for everyone that wants to live there. Housing supply dropped 4.9% over June 2016, per Market Brief, and inventory sits at a low 3.2 months. Atlanta is well positioned to support the influx of employees Amazon’s second campus would bring to the region.

Atlanta over the last 5 years has invested heavily in infrastructure (International Airport redevelopment and new light rail transportation lines to name a few) which has driven a vast majority of redevelopment in Downtown Atlanta and surrounding regions. In addition, the city’s government has approved over 22 miles of new running trails and numerous recreational parks, something which Amazon has driven heavily in Seattle.

Cincinnati, Ohio

The third largest city in Ohio, Cincinnati is best known for its expansive collection of historic architecture. Home to a local population of just over 2 million residence, Cincinnati has a median home price of $152,500 making it one of the most affordable cities in the nation. Cincy boasts many great neighborhoods to live, the Northside neighborhood in particular has seen tremendous economic growth as the traditional artist district now gives way to distinctive retail shops and boutique eateries.

The Kroger Company is the largest employer in the city employing over 21,000 local residence. Other notable firms include Procter & Gamble, Duke Energy and Omnicare to name a few. When comparing other cities Amazon could select it is unlikely Cincinnati is a top contender.

Memphis, Tennessee

The city of Memphis holds the second largest city population with 665,770 residence. The city’s unique location on the Mississippi River enables a robust commerce and shipping industry which employs over 69,000 residence. FedEx is the largest employer in the region employing over 30,000 Memphians.

The region also benefits from tourism as the region has attractions such as Graceland (former home of Elvis Presley), National Civil Rights Museum, and Mud Island River Park. One trendy neighborhood to point out is Midtown, located at the city's core. This area is perhaps the most diverse region in Memphis where you will find artist, political progressives and millennials living side-by-side.

The area also is home to Overton Park, a 342-acre public park with running trails, recreational fields and a golf course. Amazon would be attracted to Memphis due to its port like features (similar to Seattle) and future redevelopment projects to modernize the downtown landscape. One hesitation for Amazon entering Memphis would be the region’s ability to retain and attract new talent as there is a lack of economic diversification.

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