Ah, America. The land of opportunity. If you’re looking to invest in real estate, then you could do worse than look Stateside, for two reasons: it’s America, and it’s doing well. When economies are booming – and projected to for some time – then it’s usually a solid foundation for investment.

But of course, if you’re going to invest anywhere, you have to make sure it’s the right area. It goes without saying that the United States is huge. Some states are seeing real estate growth, and others have a bleaker forecast. Below, we take a look at the states where real estate prices are on the up.

The City That Never Sleeps

Always dreamed of living in the vicinity of Las Vegas and all the fun that the city provides? Then now could be the time. Whether you want to live there yourself or just treat it an investment, a home in the Vegas area might be a good idea. Home prices in Nevada are rising at double the national rate. Indeed, it’s the fastest growth in the country, thanks in part to a booming local economy. Another advantage that Nevada has is that the median home price of around $250,000, making it an affordable option.

California, Here We Come

In the land of opportunity that is America, no state encapsulates the spirit of the nation better than California. What was once an undeveloped outpost is now the state with the biggest economy; indeed, the state’s economy is stronger than that of many nations. While you’re not going to find much joy in powerhouses like San Francisco (even the tech folks can’t afford to live there), there’s much to love about areas in other parts of the state. There’s affordable Julian land for sale, for example — this is a town that’s seen a 23% increase in median home sale over the past year. And in terms of reliable states, you can’t really beat California — it’s as safe as safe can be.

The Sunshine State

If you’re going to invest in a piece of property, then it’s best to make sure it’s in a place where people want to live. And who doesn’t want to live in Florida? OK, it’s not for everyone, but there are plenty of people drawn to the warm weather, and especially retirees. The big secret about society is that we’re heading towards something that has never happened before: soon, there will be more elderly people than younger people. And which state do elderly people disproportionately like to move to? That’s right, Florida.

Up in Michigan

Michigan has been hard hit over the past couple of decades. Detroit, Flint, and other communities went through a rough ride, and barely made it through. The real estate market collapsed. But now it’s beginning to show signs of life. With a median house price of just $130,000, there are many affordable deals to be had. And with prices rising 7% in the space of a year, it could be a great option.