The Starbucks way" and the urban real estate phenomenon

In a young city like Toronto that still has to get over its warts and pimples, real estate agents are often happy when a Starbucks decide to open a new location in the area which they work and farm. The decision for Starbucks to locate in the so-called 'up and coming areas' is a harbinger of bidding wars to come. Starbucks customer base is often the young, multi-ethnic, conscious people on-the-go, and market green as the new black. On some MLS listings, agents site Starbucks as a selling feature in demanding neighborhoods with a lot of foot traffic. New Startucks often give confidence for new business owners and retailers to follow in those neighborhoods.

 Is it accurate to use Starbucks as the GPS bearing for the new areas that have arrived? How do you assess what's an "up and coming" neighborhood other than using MLS stats on housing prices?