Atlanta vs. Charlotte (Washington, Georgetown, Carl: stores, trendy, bars)

[davesm]

I can't believe this is still going on...

Simply put, Atlanta is a world city (officially for at least 10 years) and Charlotte isn't even on the list of evidence for consideration (yet). "What is a world city" you ask? A city that has cultural, social, informational, financial or political influence on a global level. Try going to Sydney, Moscow, or Osaka and expect anyone to know where Charlotte is. On the other hand, You can go to any major city in the World and they know about Atlanta. This is because of the strong cultural identity and presence it has forged globally. As has been mentioned before Atlanta is known globally for Delta, Olympics, Coca-Cola, MLK, CDC, and CNN which always remind the world of Atlanta's presence. Never mind the countless popular artists that claim Atlanta who's music is on the lips of young people (the future) from London to Manila to Cape Town.

Architecturally no comparison. Few cities in the world can claim structures from design legends such as Marcel Breuer, I.M. Pei, Michael Graves, Richard Meier, Renzo Piano, Isamu Noguchi, and soon, Santiago Calatrava and David Chipperfield. These structures are treasures that will be studied and cherished for generations to come. Atlanta's multiple skylines not only dwarf Charlotte's, but are collectively at a higher architectural standard. Also, for what it's worth Atlanta is more then just Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Its spirit and personality are in its flavorful neighborhoods (some dating back to mid 1800s).

One of the best things for people to do is live where they love and love where they live. I think what is happening is some Charlotte residents have gotten a taste of urbanism and want to measure it against a respected major city. That's fine, but I see no point is trying to minimize what Atlanta is so Charlottians can feel like they are in the same category. There are many cities smaller than Atlanta (in metro population) that have strong identities like New Orleans and Austin. Realistically, a better comparison would be Atlanta vs. Dallas or Charlotte vs. Nashville. Atlanta is just too big, too significant, and too popular for a fair comparison.

Viva La Atlanta!!!

[johnatl]

^Absolutely FANTASTIC post!

[Carolina Blue]

Originally Posted by bgNCATL

Epicenter looks pretty cool! I'll check it out next time I head back home to Greensboro. I actually think that downtown Atlanta proper could use something like this. I don't mind giving Charlotte props for nice developments, I was just stating earlier that Atlantic Station is a mini-city with it's own skyscrapers, condos, etc and Epicenter is a development within the main downtown core of Charlotte. Nothing against Epicenter, I just feel that the projects are on two different scales. Atlanta actually has a lot of live, work, play projects coming on board across the metro similar to Atlantic Station. Huntsville Alabama even has a nice spot called "Bridge Street town center". If you haven't seen it, you should check out the website. It has the same type of movie theater as Epicenter. My girlfriend is from there, so hang there when we are in town.

Downtown Atlanta actually does (or did) have something like that. EpiCentre is very much like Underground back in the early 90’s if you’re old enough to remember that. Overall, I agree that Atlantic Station and The EpiCentre are very different. It’s just that there have been accusations of Charlotte posters trying to make Charlotte out to be more than it is. When there are certain atlanta posters who like to make Atlanta out to be more than it really is. For example, professing that Atlantic Station is not an “outdoor shopping mall” and curiously that it has “better bars” than EpiCentre; or that Atlantic Station even has bars at all. Statements made by the same person who on another thread claimed Buckhead was some Georgetown-esque pedestrian friendly type shopping district.

And Charlotte has developments like the one you’re talking about in Alabama. One is Birkdale Village below…

[JoeP]

Simply put, Atlanta is a world city (officially for at least 10 years) and Charlotte isn't even on the list of evidence for consideration (yet).

The problem with threads like these is that people are typically wanting to know the differences among cities in deciding on moving.

But the immaturity on this forum turns them into juvenile "vs" threads.

As an Atlantan, I would say that Atlanta is a fringe world city if it is at all and if it is, then yes it would very recent.

All this bashing of Charlotte for being Atlanta at 1970 is rather silly.

There are many reasons why one would choose Atlanta over Charlotte and there's reasons why people will move to Charlotte.

But bashing Charlotte for many of the reasons stated is rather silly. After all, earlier in my lifetime, Atlanta was Charlotte.

Maybe Atlanta can truly be a world city now that the State Senate wants GA to leave the country....? I wonder how the world views that?

Is Atlanta nothing because it is many many millions of people smaller than NYC?

No Atlanta has a lot to offer.

[atlantaATL]

Originally Posted by darrylb

You act Atlanta invented the wheel or something. The same way you put Cjharlotte down, guess what people in cities larger than Atlanta look at ya'll the same way. I currently live in the Baltimore/Washington DC area and you mention Atlanta and you get a collective shrug.

AND do you think I care? As long as i am enjoying were I live I could care less and you should feel the same. ANd all those people from DC balitmore and NYC philly chicago LA are moving here to Atlanta in droves. I am not Putting Charlotte down I just dont think there no comparision between the 2 and everytime you throw something out there i am going to match it with something that Atlanta has that will show you that theres no comparison. Atlanta is a beta world city no matter how much people hate it that will never change. Charlotte is still trying to get there.

[atlantaATL]

Originally Posted by darrylb

Yet they keep coming.To reinvent the wheel not invent it.LOL

Well congrats to Atlanta on that. For the record I like the city of Atlanta, but I ain't all gaga over it. As a military member, I've seen cities all over the world and US, some worse, some better than Atlanta. It's just a matter of opinion really. I guess people in Atlanta have reason to poke the chest out, but so do the people of Charlotte. As a Charlotte native, I'm going to rep and defend my hometown. And as I have found out the good people of Atlanta will do the same. Peace, two fingers!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alright peace out !!!!!!!!!!

[bgNCATL]

Originally Posted by Carolina Blue

Downtown Atlanta actually does (or did) have something like that. EpiCentre is very much like Underground back in the early 90’s if you’re old enough to remember that. Overall, I agree that Atlantic Station and The EpiCentre are very different. It’s just that there have been accusations of Charlotte posters trying to make Charlotte out to be more than it is. When there are certain atlanta posters who like to make Atlanta out to be more than it really is. For example, professing that Atlantic Station is not an “outdoor shopping mall” and curiously that it has “better bars” than EpiCentre; or that Atlantic Station even has bars at all. Statements made by the same person who on another thread claimed Buckhead was some Georgetown-esque pedestrian friendly type shopping district.

And Charlotte has developments like the one you’re talking about in Alabama. One is Birkdale Village below…

Yes, Downtown does have underground, but it just can't seem to catch it's glory days again. It does have clubs down there though. It's much more of a college crowd. There is talks of changing it to a casino with a high rise condo. I'm one of the few people that think the underground still has potential if they just revitalize the area around it and add some cool things like the Epicenter has. the area around the aquarium is booming though. The economy has slowed things a bit.

As for buckhead, Maybe they were talking about "The Streets of Buckhead" rivaling Georgetown. This project is under construction and once all phases are complete, it's suppose to rival Georgetown or Rodeo drive in LA. We will just have to wait until it's finished to see. There is a lot of buzz about that project down here.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by bgNCATL

Yes, Downtown does have underground, but it just can't seem to catch it's glory days again. It does have clubs down there though. It's much more of a college crowd. There is talks of changing it to a casino with a high rise condo. I'm one of the few people that think the underground still has potential if they just revitalize the area around it and add some cool things like the Epicenter has. the area around the aquarium is booming though. The economy has slowed things a bit.

so true.

[davesm]

Originally Posted by JoeP

As an Atlantan, I would say that Atlanta is a fringe world city if it is at all and if it is, then yes it would very recent.

Do the research. Based on the criteria for classification (more then simply population), Atlanta is not only a Global city, but is classified as a Beta+ city. See for yourself what other Global cities have the same classification as Atlanta, and what other major cities fall into lower classifications. It will surprise a lot of people. Some will disagree, but they are renowned for these studies and know way more then we do about what makes a major city a Global city.

Global city - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I'm from Brooklyn, so I understand the difference between Atlanta and New York City. However, I travel enough to recognize that Atlanta is a world class city and enjoy it accordingly.

Did you know Metro Atlanta currently is home to the fastest-growing Korean population in the country.

Did you know Atlanta is also home to the fastest growing millionaire population in the United States.

Anyway... Viva La Atlanta!!!

[atlantaATL]

Originally Posted by Carolina Blue

Downtown Atlanta actually does (or did) have something like that. EpiCentre is very much like Underground back in the early 90’s if you’re old enough to remember that. Overall, I agree that Atlantic Station and The EpiCentre are very different. It’s just that there have been accusations of Charlotte posters trying to make Charlotte out to be more than it is. When there are certain atlanta posters who like to make Atlanta out to be more than it really is. For example, professing that Atlantic Station is not an “outdoor shopping mall” and curiously that it has “better bars” than EpiCentre; or that Atlantic Station even has bars at all. Statements made by the same person who on another thread claimed Buckhead was some Georgetown-esque pedestrian friendly type shopping district.

And Charlotte has developments like the one you’re talking about in Alabama. One is Birkdale Village below…

You dont live in outdoor malls. The development is not a mall people live and work there there is condos that sit on top of these stores i never scene a grocery store at a mall. Atlantic station is a city within a city with Highrise condos and buisneses. You only call it a outdoor mall because the development has retail. Giesha house Fox sports grill and DOlce Ten pen and the strip are all bar and restaurants in one you can dance drink and eat.