Vegas or Miami? Which is closer to Asia?? (crime, compare, America)

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

I would not go that far. But Miami continues to improve as a city and it already a internationally well known city. And a global city.

Miami a global city? That's sort of tough to swallow...being globally known and being a global city is different in my opinion.

You know one thing way too many people FORGET is how young Miami is! Miami was founded in 1896 Miami is only 115 years old. There are very very few cities in the entire world which are only 115 years old and have a metro area population of over 5 million. Honestly I can't think of any city in the world which is that young with that large of a population and being the global city it is.

Again, globally known & global city are considerably different. Miami is globally known for having beautiful beaches and being the Cocaine Capital/Murder Capital of the late 1970s/early 1980s. But from a corporate/influence point of view? Definitely not.

As for the Casinos I think they are a great idea for Miami. Now the city does not need a lot of them there needs to be a strict limit on where and how many. I think there should just be a few large ones and thats it. But the amount of money it would make for the state, county and city governments would be great! Along with the increase of tourism and it would help get dowtown even better with more tourist in the area, more establishments for people move in. Again the locations and amounts need to be limited. And I think if it could get approved building a casino in Miami will be an absolute GOLD MINE!! The amount of money that would be made would be crazy.

Yea but the already high-crime in Miami would skyrocket. Essentially you'd be turning Miami into Vegas-by-the-Sea...it would be great for tourism, yes...but your city woud lose all credibility and dignity (like Vegas).

Think of Miami as a beautiful woman. She has a lot to offer in terms of looks and personality. She's trying to be a big-name actress/singer/whatever, but still needs to put in time to practice, improve, and market herself to the right people. Instead of trying to improve itself as a city and resorting to casinos, Miami is effectively getting implants and doing porn. Yea, she's going to get some of the attention she craves...but not in a respectable way. And eventually Miami will get AIDS and die.

Vegas actually tried to do the reverse of this (pornstar to legit actress) prior to the last recession. Now it has the highest residential vacancy rate in the nation.

P.S. Can you imagine what Miami is going to be like if casinos are approved? It's going to take 5 years before that place is something out of a "post-apocalyptic future" movie. There's going to be dazzling casinos/hotels/wealthy condos and then the smoldering ruins of the City of Miami. The amount of blow coming into that place will be mind-boggling. The violence will become insane. There will probably be a second Mariel Boatlift just to spice things up. It's basically going to be Grand Theft Auto: Real Life.

[kidphilly]

They are putting gambling in everywhere these days. I just also read that Baltimore is adding gambling to the inner harbor. The new tax for cities to earn on it appears. Philly now has a Casino within a 5-10 minute cab ride from Center City and they have popped up all over the state and were already in Delaware, Jersey (AC Obviously), CT etc. etc. etc. NOLA has had one for ages and St Louis etc etc etc. HonestlyI do not like the idea of gambling in Philly or PA for that matter and kind of preferred when going to a casino was a destination and event. I wish all this would stop at this point none seems that unique

on topic i agree with TMAC - I say no casinos in Miami!

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by tmac9wr

Miami a global city? That's sort of tough to swallow...being globally known and being a global city is different in my opinion.



Again, globally known & global city are considerably different. Miami is globally known for having beautiful beaches and being the Cocaine Capital/Murder Capital of the late 1970s/early 1980s. But from a corporate/influence point of view? Definitely not.



P.S. Can you imagine what Miami is going to be like if casinos are approved? It's going to take 5 years before that place is something out of a "post-apocalyptic future" movie. There's going to be dazzling casinos/hotels/wealthy condos and then the smoldering ruins of the City of Miami. The amount of blow coming into that place will be mind-boggling. The violence will become insane. There will probably be a second Mariel Boatlift just to spice things up. It's basically going to be Grand Theft Auto: Real Life.

Your right, one of the most important cargo transits points in the world is not a global city. Your right one of the largest international banking centers in the America's is not a global city. One of the largest entertainment.media centers in the America's is not a global city, a city which is home to hundresds of multinational companies Latin American and Caribbean HQs is not what global cities have. Your right. Miami is a global city and yes I am not saying it is New York or London but it is in the ranking and only going up.

As for the crime, with more people and more tourist your right some crime will probably go up. However they are not going to legalize sports gambling in Miami which IMO is what brings a lot of the crime. I do not see crime being a huge problem. And it will only give the city more jobs for those struggling right now. Again there needs to be a limited amount of these casinos. This will NOT be Vegas only a select few hotels and resorts should get the Casinos etc.. At least that is the way I would do it.

Originally Posted by rotodome

Not to take away from your main point, but of the cities you mentioned, actually Chicago is a similarly young city. Chicago is technically a bit older than Miami, though not by much, but Miami was settled slightly earlier. (Miami was settled in 1825, but incorporated in 1896, whereas Chicago was founded & settled in 1833). Chicago blew up from literally nothing to over a million people by the late 19th century, and then added 2 million more in the following 3 decades.
Miami blew up in the early 20th century (not so dramatically as Chicago).
But right now those two cities are headed in different directions I think, and Miami has a bright future.

San Francisco was also a mid-late 19th century boom town, and never got as big as Chicago, but it's metro area is over 5 million.

And globally, there are a number of small towns in China that have blown up into large cities in the past 20 years during China's urban/industrial boom, but of course none of them are on the same planet as Miami in terms of global stature.

Your points are all very true. Yes Miami did have a settlement but really Miami was nothing until 1896. Chicago was helped a lot with the railroads which Miami did not get until the turn of the century. Chicago was already a large city by 1871 the year of the Chicago Fire. Miami was still just a small settlement with maybe 4-5 buildings.

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

Your right, one of the most important cargo transits points in the world is not a global city.

One of the most important cargo points in what regard? Blow?

Your right one of the largest international banking centers in the America's is not a global city.

Right. You just said that Miami is one of the largest international banking centers in this country...but overall, it's not one of the Top 5 financial centers in the country and not one of the Top 75 in the world. So it's financial status is certainly far from global.

One of the largest entertainment.media centers in the America's is not a global city,

Miami is a top media center in the America's? What is it ranked in the United States, 5th? How is that global?

a city which is home to hundresds of multinational companies Latin American and Caribbean HQs is not what global cities have. Your right.

I am right. Miami is basically a Caribbean city that just happens to be located in the United States. Most of the Carribbean is within a 2 hour flight of Miami. That would be like me basing Boston's "global" status on a strong business relationship with Montreal. Miami is certainly international in this regard...but not global.

As for the crime, with more people and more tourist your right some crime will probably go up. However they are not going to legalize sports gambling in Miami which IMO is what brings a lot of the crime.

How can you quantify crime going up more from one form of gambling over another? I'd say gambling is gambling and you're going to see a rise regardless if you're betting on football or dice.

I do not see crime being a huge problem.

Seeing as Miami is currently the most violent metro in the nation, I'd say crime already is a huge problem.

And it will only give the city more jobs for those struggling right now.

With all due respect, can you think of any scenario where adding casinos to the equation has helped the region? It's like when a couple is struggling and so they decide they'll have a baby in order to make everything better. It just adds a bunch of new variables to an already messed up situation.

Again there needs to be a limited amount of these casinos. This will NOT be Vegas only a select few hotels and resorts should get the Casinos etc.. At least that is the way I would do it.

Unfortunately, if the money comes in to support gaming--which it definitely will--it could turn into a slippery slope. Miami already has a dicey history of its government being the subject of bribery. I can't imagine this situation ending well if the right pockets are lined.

[waronxmas]

Soooo, with the OP I'm not seeing how an Malaysian company looking to cash in on cheap property for a casino in Miami (which would no doubt be attractive to tourists) is some sort of sign of Miami becoming "closer to Asia" economically or becoming connected globally with Asia.

Right now, Miami's connectedness with Asia is almost nil in every regard possible including the Asian population. Over time I can see things changing, but this deal doesn't seem like it to me.

In fact, it seems kind of fishy just like every other casino deal. If they aren't taking advantage of people (Indian casinos) they are usually run by slimey people (Donald Trump) or organized crime (*cough* Vegas *cough* Macau *cough*).

[sofla951]

The thing about Miami is its global rise has only occurred since the 80s. Miami is the number two international gateway into the country and 2 or 3 destination and is a larger and more important cargo hub than Boston. As a financial hub it is growing. It depends on what publication as to ranking but this ranking Citgy Mayors: World's best financial cities as well as this recent article International Adviser :: PwC survey: Singapore to be top financial hub in 2013 (http://www.international-adviser.com/article/home/news/pwc-survey-singapore-to-be-top-financial-hub-in-2013 - broken link) speak to Miami's growing importance. Miami has never been important in the history of the United States its importance is a product of globalization. Unfortunately for Boston, and although I believe in quality of life and urban form Boston is way ahead of Miami, it is only a matter of time before Miami surpasses Boston on most fronts except education and high tech, although Miami and Orlando are growing biotech centers. If you look at global connections Miami is moving much quicker than Boston, I believe it has surpassed Boston in Europe and the market for Miami-Asia flights is growing much faster than Boston. Also as a media center are you look at the domestic media market? That is a poor metric when considering global media influence, which Miami has exponentially more than Boston.

[tmac9wr]

I'm not sure why you're bringing Boston into this...my previous comparison was simply comparing cities that were close, but were in different countries...but I guess I'll respond...

Originally Posted by sofla951

Miami is the number two international gateway into the country and 2 or 3 destination and is a larger and more important cargo hub than Boston.

Maybe it is...maybe it isn't. I woudn't be surprised to hear it was, but the Port of Boston carried nearly three times as much cargo as Port of Miami in 2004.

As a financial hub it is growing. It depends on what publication as to ranking but this ranking Citgy Mayors: World's best financial cities as well as this recent article International Adviser :: PwC survey: Singapore to be top financial hub in 2013 (http://www.international-adviser.com/article/home/news/pwc-survey-singapore-to-be-top-financial-hub-in-2013 - broken link) speak to Miami's growing importance.

In the City Mayors page, it had Miami dropping in the rankings, so I'm not sure why you would use that as a testament of growing importance in the financial sector. When it comes to measuring Financial Centers, the GFCI report is a great indicator. According to that publication, Miami is not ranked in the Top 75...and since you're comparing Miami to Boston, Boston is ranked #12 in the world.

Unfortunately for Boston, and although I believe in quality of life and urban form Boston is way ahead of Miami, it is only a matter of time before Miami surpasses Boston on most fronts except education and high tech, although Miami and Orlando are growing biotech centers.

Hmm...could you at least specify how and why Miami would be surpassing Boston in any sector soon? You're right, Boston is light years ahead of Miami in education and high tech...but also biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical research (where Boston is arguably #1 in the world).

In terms of financial services, Boston is far ahead of Miami. It's really not close. In fact, you could argue that Boston is far ahead of Miami in almost every economic sector due to the fact that Greater Boston has such a large talent pool. Let's compare the two:

25 & Over with:
Bachelor's Degree
5. Boston: 42.2%
58. Miami: 27.8%
National Avg: 31.5%

Graduate Degree
4. Boston: 18.3%
54. Miami: 10.1%
National Avg: 11.8%

Some consider it America's smartest city.

This results in lower unemployment rates:
Boston: 6.5%
Miami: 11.1%
Nat Avg: 8.7%

and a higher GDP, despite having over 1 million less people.

If you look at global connections Miami is moving much quicker than Boston, I believe it has surpassed Boston in Europe and the market for Miami-Asia flights is growing much faster than Boston.

What global connections? Are you talking about plane flights? If you're speaking about the business community, I'd be interested where you're getting your information.

Also as a media center are you look at the domestic media market? That is a poor metric when considering global media influence, which Miami has exponentially more than Boston.

I was referring to the cities which I believe are the largest when it comes to media. I meant this in terms of Media companies, media attention, etc. In which case, I'd put my Top 4 as:
1. New York City (Both media attention/companies)
2. Los Angeles (media attention/companies)
3. Washington DC (media attention)
4. Atlanta (media companies)

I'm not sure what, if any, "media influence" Miami has. What major media companies are based in Miami? What major media figureheads are based in Miami? This isn't to say Miami isn't well-covered in the media, because I think it is...but I don't think you can necessarily Miami is an overly influential media hub.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Which part of Asia? Istanbul or Vladivostok?

[rotodome]

Hey, I think Detroit is closer to asia than Vegas OR Miami, as the crow flies (over the North Pole).

[sofla951]

In regards to cargo, I was speaking to Miami International Airport which link the US/North America with South America. http://miami-airport.com/pdfdoc/MIA_Cargo_Brochure.pdf Also on the port front Miami metro has three ports. With the opening of the Panama canal Miami expects to double cargo in less than ten years, capturing more imports from Asia. The county is spending millions on upgrading rail facilities as well as a 1 billion dollar port tunnel. Including Genting, Swire based out of Hong Kong announced it would be building a 4 million square foot plus Brickell Citi Centre project. I believe Miami is where most of Swire's employees are based. International trade in Miami has surpassed 100 billion for the first time and seems to be booming. Miami International Airport cargo facilities get mammoth ramp-up and Fedex/LAN has add 19 more cargo flights from Miami. As a financial hub it depends on the publication and metrics. Boston has a bigger GDP, although parts of Miami metro (Palm Beach) derive income from dividends and transfer payments so the income gap is not as wide. Miami is less educated, but according to the Brooking Report on the geography of immigration in absolute terms Miami has more high skill immigrants than Boston, although Boston has a higher percentage. Most of those high skill immigrants I would bet have come over the last 10-15 from Latin America while before that Miami was primarily a low skill destination. In plane flights Miami has now surpassed Boston in Europe and has a much faster growing demand for Asia, and Latin America Miami reigns supreme. No public stats about Asia demand, but I have friends who work for AA which have access to the data. You can look up yourself and see that Miami now has more flights to Europe. On the media front your view on media influence is very domestic, Miami is the LA/NY of media in the Carribean and Latin America......Univision, Telemundo, Telefutura, Sony and Universal Latin America. Perhap those aren't influental to you, but the 500 million plus Spanish speakers may differ. I think you're confusing a developed city with a global city. Minneapolis does well in many metrics of development, but global city it is not.