January 6, 2011 - While unemployment rates grew in a number of metropolitan statistical areas around the country, other indicators suggest more consumers might have the financial backing they need to consider hiring moving companies and purchasing a new home.

The Department of Labor reported that in November, year-over-year unemployment rates climbed in 182 of 372 major metro areas across the country while declining in 166 others. At the same time, employment actually grew in 180 metropolitan areas from a year earlier while falling in 176 regions. The nation's unemployment rate was 9.3 percent in November, down from 9.4 percent a year earlier.

Additionally, the number of cities with seriously high levels of unemployment are falling. In November, 114 metros reported unemployment rates of 10 percent or more, compared to 127 MSAs a year earlier.

Experts say areas of the country with weaker housing markets and sluggish moving activity have experienced particularly slow job growth.

"The areas really affected by the housing bust have yet to come back," Jim Diffley, a regional economist at IHS Global Insight, told NPR.

Buyers looking for jobs may want to consider renting a moving truck and heading to Bismarck, North Dakota, which again boasted the nation's lowest unemployment rate at 3.3 percent. That state is also expected to enjoy some of the country's strongest home price appreciation in 2011, according to Veros Real Estate Solutions.
 

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