In 2008, Vallejo, Calif., filed for bankruptcy. Four years later, Stockton, a neighbor 60 miles to the east, declared bankruptcy as well.
Both cities are now among the hottest housing markets, according to MarketWatch. Vallejo, Stockton, and several other Northern California cities are benefiting from a “spillover” effect, where jobs are booming in tech hubs like San Jose and San Francisco, but housing is more affordable in the surrounding cities.
The “Hotness Index” is based on the days a listing stays on the market, as well as how many web page views it receives.