Smart Movers Club: May 18, 2025
Is bankruptcy the smartest move? Let’s talk.
👋 Good morning, Smart Movers.
Where to Go. What to Know. What $100K Gets You.
Today we bring you the key insights you need to relocate smarter, invest wiser, and make your money stretch in the right places. Whether you're planning a move, scouting your next investment market, or just dreaming of a better zip code—you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive in.
TL;DR:
• Investor Watch: Columbus & St. Louis are heating up for small multifamily investors as big players swoop in quietly — permits are down, but profits are up.
• Migration Watch: Climate-conscious movers are quietly shifting to Rochester, NY — affordable, disaster-safe, and progressive.
• What $100K Gets You: In Columbus, OH, you can live well and still save over $3,500/month after taxes — see the real math.
• 10 Gems: Bankruptcy isn’t failure — it’s a financial reboot. Learn how to protect your future, understand your options, and rebuild with confidence.
• News & Events: New state-level tax code changes, layoffs in manufacturing, and housing bills to watch — this stuff affects your next move.
🧠 Fun Facts
🌲 There's a town in Oregon where you can legally be naked. Ashland allows full public nudity — as long as it’s not “for arousal.” Wild, but true.
🚂 The U.S. has an underground mail train. It ran under Chicago in the early 1900s to deliver mail faster than traffic. Some tunnels still exist.
🧊 In Minnesota, there’s a town that builds an entire ice palace every winter. It started in 1886 and still happens — weather (and budget) permitting.
🧱 An entire city in Georgia was once destroyed — on purpose. Atlanta was burned to the ground in 1864 by Union troops and fully rebuilt.
📞 In Texas, you can legally marry by proxy — without being present. You just need someone to stand in for you. It’s even been used in military deployments and prison weddings.
Want more fun and games? Test your knowledge with our weekly crossword puzzle here
💸 INVESTOR WATCH
Midwest Multifamily Momentum: Columbus, OH & St. Louis, MO
Quick Summary:
Forget the usual suspects — smart money is flowing into under-the-radar Midwest metros like Columbus and St. Louis. A perfect storm of low construction starts (-66% YoY), steady rent growth, and job resilience is creating ideal conditions for cash-flow focused investors.
Market Signals:
📉 Multifamily housing starts have plunged in the Midwest, tightening rental supply
💸 Cap rates remain healthy (~6–7%) compared to overpriced coastal markets
🏗️ Morgan Properties just dropped $501M on 11 Midwest buildings — a major vote of confidence
🧰 Small investors thrive here: fewer bidding wars, lower costs, and properties prime for repositioning
Visual Insight:
Why It Matters to You:
If you’ve been priced out of “hot markets” or tired of bidding against REITs, these Midwest cities offer:
💵 Affordable entry points under $300K per door
📈 Predictable rent demand without speculative spikes
🧩 Value-add opportunities in working-class and transitional neighborhoods
📥 Want to Get Even Deeper?
Get our Regional Investor Report, packed with permit data, neighborhood trends, rent comps, and hidden gem zip codes across the U.S.
🧳MIGRATION TRENDS
Rochester, NY: The Quiet Magnet for Climate-Conscious Movers
Who's Coming and Who’s Leaving?
Rochester, New York, is emerging as a haven for those seeking refuge from climate-related challenges. The city is attracting residents from areas prone to extreme weather events, such as wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts. Its inland location and access to ample freshwater from nearby lakes make it less susceptible to such disasters. Additionally, Rochester's affordable housing and progressive policies, including initiatives to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, are drawing in newcomers. The city also boasts major institutions like the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology, contributing to its appeal.
Top Inbound: Rochester, NY (+4.7K net)
Top Outbound: Philadelphia, PA (-30K net)
💰 WHAT 100K GETS YOU
Stretch $100K in Columbus, OH
Why Columbus Works for Smart Movers:
Let’s get real. After federal, state, and payroll taxes, your $100,000 salary becomes roughly $71,000 net, or $5,916/month. Columbus still lets you live comfortably with room to build.
Full Monthly Breakdown: [This is a general breakdown - yours will include differences]
🏠 Housing & Utilities: $1,339
🍽️ Food: $606
🚗 Transport: $66
💳 Other Essentials: $128
🏡 Property Tax: $225 (based on $2,700/yr avg)
💰 Leftover Savings: ~$3,552/month
That’s more than half your take-home — untouched. Try that in L.A.
Visual Insight:
Why It’s Ideal for Relocation:
✅ Tax-friendly compared to blue states
✅ Thriving job market in healthcare, tech, and logistics
✅ Affordable real estate for first-time buyers and investors
✅ Walkable neighborhoods, good schools, and tight-knit communities
Why This Town Works:
Affordable Living: Lower housing and utility costs compared to national averages.
Quality of Life: Access to cultural institutions, parks, and educational opportunities.
Economic Stability: Diverse employment sectors including education, healthcare, and technology.
📍 Ready to Run the Numbers for Your Move?
Book a Relocation Strategy Call and we’ll help you decide if Columbus — or another quiet mover’s market — is your next smart step.
💎 10 GEMS: BANKRUPTCY
Find Out If Bankruptcy Is the Next Move
Bankruptcy isn’t the end, it’s a reset. And believe it or not, it’s one of the most American things you can do. From Walt Disney, 50 Cent, to President Trump, countless icons hit financial rock bottom before building empires. This week’s 10 Gems isn’t just about where to move — it’s about how to move forward. We’ve included useful links and legal tools to help you protect what you have left — and rebuild something even better.
Bankruptcy is a legal tool, not a personal failure. Even big names use it to reset and rebuild. Learn more
Know your chapter: Chapter 7 wipes most debt, Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan. Compare the two
You may not lose your home or car. Every state has its own bankruptcy exemptions. Check your state
Student loan forgiveness is possible — but tricky. New rules may apply under hardship or IDR changes. Explore options
Don’t gift or transfer assets before filing. It could be seen as fraud. Here’s why
You’ll need to pass a “means test” for Chapter 7. It compares your income to your state average. Use this calculator
Not all debts are wiped. Child support, recent taxes, and fines often survive. Full list here
Credit recovery starts sooner than you think. Many rebuild within 12–24 months. See how
Rebuild credit without big upfront cash. Try tools like Credit Strong or Self Lender
Free or low-cost legal help exists. Don’t file alone — talk to a bankruptcy attorney or legal aid first. Find help by state
SOLUTIONS FOR YOU
Looking to go deeper? We’ve built tools to help you move with purpose and invest with clarity. These expert-backed services are designed for people who want more than just headlines—they want a plan.
🔍 Regional Investment Report
For first-time or small investors
Custom city/county data report with pricing trends, job growth, migration, and more.
💵 $249
[Get the Report] 🔗
📞 Relocation Strategy Call
For remote workers or overtaxed escapees
1:1 Zoom session to map your relocation goals—taxes, lifestyle, housing, and more.
💵 $149
[Book Your Call] 🔗
👉 Explore all options here: Products and Solutions
📰NEWS & EVENTS
🧾 Georgia quietly revised its state income tax brackets — middle-class earners may see bigger refunds.
🏗️ Texas House advances a bill to fast-track zoning approvals for multifamily and mixed-use housing — investors, watch this.
🚨 Louisiana declares disaster zones in 6 parishes after severe flooding — expect insurance claims and temporary migration surges.
🏭 Michigan auto plants announce layoffs tied to EV retooling — potential relocation opportunities for skilled workers.
🏦 Fed signals rate pause for summer 2025, but mortgage lenders brace for tighter credit standards.
SHARE & EARN REWARDS 🙋🙋♂️
Love The Club? Share it with your smartest friend, your not so smart friend, your worst impulse mover, your cousin that thinks he’s got it made in California, or that coworker who’s still watching House Hunters on lunch break.
🙏 Thanks for Reading!
We’re grateful to have you in the Smart Movers Club. If you found today’s edition helpful, don’t keep it to yourself—refer a friend and earn rewards along the way.
👉 Check out our latest reports, guides, and insights at strizzyreport.com/blog
🎥 And don’t miss our daily content drops on YouTube @StrizzyReport
☕ Want to Support Our Work?
If you’ve ever thought, “Hey, this helped me—let me buy them a coffee” or just want to support independent research, there are two ways to make that happen (and trust us, it means a lot):
❤️ Thank you for fueling the mission.
🚨 Disclaimer:
Strizzy Report provides educational content and location-based data. This is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Always consult a licensed professional before making any big decisions.