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If you're looking for cities large, medium, and small where job growth is robust and economies are strong, head to the ones on this year's Top Cities list.

Sustained growth in the Southeast left formerly hot cities such as San Francisco, New York City, and Boston behind.

1. Atlanta, Georgia: "Hotlanta" is precisely that, the hottest of the hot economies of the country. Pummeled in the early days of the 2000 recession, the sprawling Georgia metropolis has roared back, mostly on the basis of its strong service sector, pro-business culture, and a relatively affordable housing environment in comparison with other big-time cities.

2. Riverside-San Bernardino,California:

California's premier hot spot has been criticized as the epitome of urban sprawl and for creating mostly "crummy jobs."

But it's also been the Golden State's economic Energizer Bunny: The low-cost haven keeps on growing in population, attracting emigrants from the coast.

3. Las Vegas, Nevada: At first hurt by the downturn in tourism after 9/11, the Nevada metropolis has gotten its groove back. Although tourism remains the linchpin, the area is creating jobs in high-end sectors and even manufacturing, in large part because of an exodus from more expensive locales on the Western Seaboard.

4. San Antonio, Texas: Largely unnoticed amidst the mega-hype surrounding media favorite Austin, this more affordable Texas city has benefited from steady population growth, a diversifying economy, and a strong military presence.

5. West Palm Beach, Florida: This part of Florida is getting crowded, so relatively low prices could soon be a thing of the past. Right now, the perceived high quality of life and reasonable housing prices make this area an almost irresistible lure.

6. Southern New Jersey , New Jersey

7. Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood-Pompano Beach , Florida

8. Jacksonville , Florida

9. Newark , New Jersey

10. Suburban Maryland-D.C. , Maryland

11. Orlando , Florida

12. Phoenix , Arizona

13. Washington MSA , District of Columbia

14. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater , Florida

15. San Diego , California

16. Nassau-Suffolk , New York

17. Richmond-Petersburg , Virginia

18. New Orleans , Louisiana

19. Austin , Texas

20. Northern Virginia , Virginia

21. Middlesex-Somerset- Hunterdon , New Jersey

22. Miami-Hialeah , Florida

23. Orange County , California

24. Oklahoma City , Oklahoma

25. Albany-Schenectady-Troy , New York

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