John Bibeau: Like most suburban office markets, the Inland Empire has seen sustained job growth in healthcare (forecasted to add 4,335 jobs in 2017) and the mortgage industry (gained 31,305 jobs from 2012-2016). Additionally, the re-emergence of the construction industry has created a need for engineers and other related specialist that place demand on traditional office space.

GlobeSt.com: Does this research suggest different migration patterns, for example, that millennials or companies are planting roots in suburban markets?

Durnin: Despite numerous articles stating millennials don't want to get married or live in the suburbs, they actually are doing that, and part of that migration for people and companies comes from the desire for a work-life balance where a long commute is not part of a daily scenario.

GlobeSt.com: How does the recovery in suburban markets compare to urban markets?

Bibeau: Unlike its urban counterparts, the Inland Empire is less dependent on tech and media related job growth. However, the region has been able to maintain a reasonable affordability index for housing, has one of the strongest industrial and logistic center demand in the country, and has seen housing related jobs bounce back with force. These factors have led to slow but continued organic job growth and job migration from office users in neighboring urban areas.

GlobeSt.com: What is your outlook for suburban markets moving forward? Do you expect this activity to remain strong?

The Inland Empire has seen a staggering migration of a higher educated workforce. Bibeau: The number of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher has almost doubled since 2000. This is causing sustained office demand from management, professional, engineering, and scientific groups. As these type of users seek lower-priced space alternatives to Orange County & Los Angeles and lower labor costs, vacancies will further tighten and eventually lead to new office construction.

LOS ANGELES—Like other commercial real estate sectors, millennial migration to urban markets has been the overarching trend in office, and as a result, office investors have largely focused on urban office product. A new report from CBRE may reveal missed opportunities in suburban markets, however. The research shows that growth in Southern California suburban markets, like the Inland Empire, have outpaced core markets, including Los Angeles and Orange County, and vacancy rates are dropping to pre-recession lows. To find out more about the growth in these markets, we sat down with Petra Durnin, head of research and analysis for Southern California at CBRE, and VP John Bibeau.

GlobeSt.com: Why is there a misconception about the performance of suburban office markets?

Petra Durnin: The urban markets have gotten a lot of attention over the past couple of years due to investment activity and the buzz around millennial needs as they relate to urban cores. But as occupiers look for creative office market alternatives, several suburban submarkets have emerged as viable locations due to the amenity base, transportation, housing and available product.

GlobeSt.com: What are the major drivers of suburban office markets?

John Bibeau: Like most suburban office markets, the Inland Empire has seen sustained job growth in healthcare (forecasted to add 4,335 jobs in 2017) and the mortgage industry (gained 31,305 jobs from 2012-2016). Additionally, the re-emergence of the construction industry has created a need for engineers and other related specialist that place demand on traditional office space.

GlobeSt.com: Does this research suggest different migration patterns, for example, that millennials or companies are planting roots in suburban markets?

Durnin: Despite numerous articles stating millennials don't want to get married or live in the suburbs, they actually are doing that, and part of that migration for people and companies comes from the desire for a work-life balance where a long commute is not part of a daily scenario.

GlobeSt.com: How does the recovery in suburban markets compare to urban markets?

Bibeau: Unlike its urban counterparts, the Inland Empire is less dependent on tech and media related job growth. However, the region has been able to maintain a reasonable affordability index for housing, has one of the strongest industrial and logistic center demand in the country, and has seen housing related jobs bounce back with force. These factors have led to slow but continued organic job growth and job migration from office users in neighboring urban areas.

GlobeSt.com: What is your outlook for suburban markets moving forward? Do you expect this activity to remain strong?

The Inland Empire has seen a staggering migration of a higher educated workforce. Bibeau: The number of residents with a bachelor's degree or higher has almost doubled since 2000. This is causing sustained office demand from management, professional, engineering, and scientific groups. As these type of users seek lower-priced space alternatives to Orange County & Los Angeles and lower labor costs, vacancies will further tighten and eventually lead to new office construction.