Economists say Grand Junction's housing market has continued to grow for six consecutive months, giving it a spot in the top 80 cities to buy a home.

"I wonder why people live outside of Colorado personally," local home builder Nate Porter said.

Grand Junction has been called one of the best places to buy a home. The National Association of Home Builders listed our Western Slope city in its monthly update just last month.

"We put out a list once a month called the Improving Markets Index that looks at all the markets in the country and says well which ones in that list which ones are the healthiest, which ones are doing well, and which ones are improving," senior economist with the NAHB Elliot Eisenberg said."

And for locals like Porter this news means he can stay employed.

"Food is on the table and there's more work out there for builders that are aggressive and want to work hard," he said.

With interest rates at such low percentages, Porter is questioning why people are still choosing to rent.

"If you don't know you're going to be here for the next five or 10 years then I could see renting, but as far as if you're going to make this place your home, now it's just a good time to buy and it's a good time to build," Porter said.

He says he has always known Grand Junction was a great place to live and he didn't need a company to tell him that. But now, he thinks it will drive more people to enjoy what we have to offer.

"I mean I've chosen to live here. I'm not here just because I'm forced to be," he said. "It's a great area and western Colorado has four seasons, and the extra curricular activities that we have here in Grand Junction are by far some of the best in the state."

Economists, like Eisenberg, say healthcare opportunities are also helping our status.

"If you want to get healthcare between Denver and Salt Lake, [you] go to Grand Junction," Eisenberg said. "You want to go shopping, lets go to Grand Junction. You've got good geographic location."

Plus he says having a university in our community also helps the housing market.

"That in turn creates demand for housing and boosts the overall economy," Eisenberg said.

Eisenberg says Grand Junction didn't see as many people lose their homes as other cities and that has helped our status. Plus, he says when the housing market is up it's good news for the local economy.