Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Raleigh/The Triangle has a much better reputation than Charlotte. High-Tech powerhouse with three large and prestigious universities and the largest research complex IN THE WORLD.. Charlotte CSA may have a larger population at the moment but it is growing at a slower rate than the Raleigh-Durham CSA; and again, this is not ranking them based on population figures but rather on reputation. Also do you really want to lay claim to the panthers or the bobcats at this point?!?! Pretty sure UNC and Duke each have a significantly larger national following and a million times better reputation than either of Charlotte's "professional" sports teams.
But ranking cities on population isn't exactly subjective either, it only means that city is larger. Population isn't considering the growth trends and economy of a city...
I agree that my list should be revised, but only slightly. Here's how I would revise, including some changes to your list:
-there id no way Buffalo is the second-most important city in the state today. Anybody who ranks it such is most likely doing so based off of Buffalo's reputation and historical presence as one of America's elite cities. Its infrastructure and economy are still crumbling while other Upstate cities are diversifying, growing again, or at least nearing the end of yheir decline. Buffalo's proper is ~260k and still in a a free fall. Buffalo proper will be well below 250k come the next census....however, I will agree with you that it is still a city that feels rather large, and has to deal with the slight of not having its Canadian side of the Niagara Region included in its metro count. Even then, the Region as a whole is still in population decline, with the metro ~1.570 million. Buff is larger than the American side only, though, and exudes influence over both sides...
-Rochester is definitely the number two city in the state. The metro is approaching 1.1 million, and the city is much closer to bottoming out than Buff, with a proper count of ~210k. It has a larger economy than Buff, and education in Rochester is better from bottom to top. Add to the fact Roc has transitioned better into the new millenium than Buffalo. Rochester still has very blighted areas and crime issues, but is pound for pound a more enjoyable place than Buff. And I like Buffalo, but it really is in bad shape. Its larger size and pro sportd culture dont covet for that, especially since Roc essentially had the same coverage and support of Buffalo teams...
-where I would really consider a revision is Buff ad my number 3. I believe it has enough to stay there now, but Albany is on its heels. I've become very acquainted with Albany in the last year, and though on a smaller scale, is similar to Rochester in its imminent turnaround. Sure, it shares a metro with two other good sized cities--but Alb is the big dog in the Capital District, not even close. Having the state hq'd there gives it momentum with low unemployment, but is also fairly diversified economy. Plus, from a cultural standpoint--and comparatively speaking--there is A LOT of stuff to do in Albany, given its size. The city is close to bottoming out and will be back to ~100k in 2020, metro will probabky be short of ~900k, but it is growing. Again, maybe not number three yet, but it is becoming a sensible debate....
-Syracuse is firmly entrenched at 5, as it just isn't on Buff or Alb's level to move forward, and is far ahead of the remaining cities in the state. Still, without thought, youask me my favorite city in New York? Syracuse, there's just something about it that deeply resonates with and comforts me...
-the rest: Ithaca has pretty much lapped every other city in the state. I'm there all the time. Maybe Binghamton is still above it presently, but as is my opinion with Buffalo/Albany, the gap between Binghamton and Ithaca is steadily closing. Love both cities, thougj...the next metro would probably be Utica-Rome, although as individual cities, both Schenec and Troy are beyter. Utica as a city is probabaly 10, although Yonkers is up there too...
I disagree about a lot of your post. First, decline or not Buffalo is still and feels much larger than Rochester. I don't honestly know how you can argue that point. It just seems like Buffalo has a larger downtown, longer and more prominent streets. Ex) Elmwood ave. in Buffalo is much larger and has many more shops than Park ave in Rochester. I've lived in Buffalo and have family in Rochester. Rochester always seemed similar but smaller by a good amount. Plus Rochester lost Bauche and Laumb and Kodak in the last decade. Their economy is not exactly stellar. And you talk about neighborhoods, that's where you go wrong the most. Buffalo has tons of distinct different neighborhoods that Rochester seems to lack. It might be due to the fact that Rochester historically was much smaller. You also forget Buffalo's proximity to both Niagara falls. Rochester doesn't have any sort of attraction like that. Heck Rochester couldn't even keep the ferry going from Rochester to Toronto across Lake Ontario. Nobody from Toronto wanted to go to Rochester. Can't blame them. I personally find more Character from Syracuse than Rochester for some odd reason. I think Rochester's saving grace against Syracuse is Monroe ave. Otherwise, I would personally prefer Syracuse to Rochester. But bottom line, Rochester just really is their third city. Sorry. Take a look at some of the improvements Buffalo have done lately. Their harbor plus putting a casino blocks from downtown as well as the new courthouse, and some rehabbing of some city blocks.
As far as some other cities. I disagree with a few things. For one Troy might be as good as Utica. I will give you that. But Schenectady? Really? The armpit of the "capitol" region. Plus, again, Troy and Schenectady are really in the Albany region. They are definitely separate cities. I'm actually pretty fond of Troy for some reason.
Yes, what you say about Ithaca is true. It's catching up to Binghamton and has already surpassed Elmira. Elmira used to be bigger (still is in size), and had more population. Now, finally Ithaca surpasses it. Ithaca also has the added advantage of being a "pure" college town. They have the added luxury of adding 50,000 college students for eight months out of the year. That helps any city/ economy thrive. That is why Ithaca is the only city to really have had continued growth even during NY's pathetic albeit sad tax base. I've been there a lot myself.
Beyond Ithaca, "all" of upstate cities have declined in the past twenty years. Not just this one or that one. Every single one of them used to be larger. Let's be honest, all of them every single one of them besides Ithaca has declined and has lost many manufacturing/ white collar jobs. They shouldn't have, because personally "upstate" in my opinion is the real "NY" and has a lot going for it. The state just wants to tax the hel l out of everything far too much. Makes it hard to attract businesses in the type of climate NY state has had for years. However, finally I think that they are starting to look at that and hopefully the future for upstate cities is positive.
Last edited by supermanpansy; 09-18-2013 at 12:10 PM..
Totally. It isn't earned, but Dallas has a more favorable reputation virtually everywhere I've been. Many simply default to Dallas when I tell them I'm from Texas, as they have little or no idea about Houston.
I'm not sure where you travel, but wherever I travel they know Houston and Dallas like they know their lemons and limes.
Raleigh/The Triangle has a much better reputation than Charlotte. High-Tech powerhouse with three large and prestigious universities and the largest research complex IN THE WORLD.. Charlotte CSA may have a larger population at the moment but it is growing at a slower rate than the Raleigh-Durham CSA; and again, this is not ranking them based on population figures but rather on reputation. Also do you really want to lay claim to the panthers or the bobcats at this point?!?! Pretty sure UNC and Duke each have a significantly larger national following and a million times better reputation than either of Charlotte's "professional" sports teams.
You've not given Charlotte any credit here whatsoever. I give the Triangle credit for three large universities, two of them being among the best in the country (NC State is more average, not close to prestigious). However, how can you casually brush off Charlotte's economic prowess (many more F500 companies), much busier airport, and its status as host to larger and more nationally known events like the DNC and NBA All Star weekend (heck, even throw CIAA in there)? As far as the Panthers and Bobcats, sports teams experience peaks and troughs all the time, but they have certainly put Charlotte in a national spotlight--and before those two teams, it was the Hornets that put Charlotte on the map. And although Charlotte's skyline doesn't have the landmark status of those of larger cities, it is increasingly becoming a positive identifier for the city.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mhans123
Georgia
1)Athens-Clarke County
2)Atlanta
3)Columbus
4)Savannah
5)Augusta
6)Macon
You've not given Charlotte any credit here whatsoever. I give the Triangle credit for three large universities, two of them being among the best in the country (NC State is more average, not close to prestigious). However, how can you casually brush off Charlotte's economic prowess (many more F500 companies), much busier airport, and its status as host to larger and more nationally known events like the DNC and NBA All Star weekend (heck, even throw CIAA in there)? As far as the Panthers and Bobcats, sports teams experience peaks and troughs all the time, but they have certainly put Charlotte in a national spotlight--and before those two teams, it was the Hornets that put Charlotte on the map. And although Charlotte's skyline doesn't have the landmark status of those of larger cities, it is increasingly becoming a positive identifier for the city.
Give me a break.
I agree with all of your points on Charlotte and my point was not to demean it as a city/metro. Point was that it isn't so "head and shoulders" above the Triangle as many of the Charlotte boosters seem to believe and constantly insinuate.
I agree with all of your points on Charlotte and my point was not to demean it as a city/metro. Point was that it isn't so "head and shoulders" above the Triangle as many of the Charlotte boosters seem to believe and constantly insinuate.
I wouldn't say Charlotte is head and shoulders above the Triangle, but I do believe it has the bigger reputation. I think being THE city in its metro plays a big role in that.
Switch Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, and the Triad does not lag Asheville. Maybe as a leisure tourist destination, but that's about it.
The ranking is about reputation, and IMO, Greensboro has a larger reputation than Winston-Salem (which tends to fly under the radar) mainly due to having the venues to accommodate large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, etc.) which give the city pretty good press coverage. The region's airport also has a Greensboro address. It's not about how you personally feel about the cities.
This isn't how I personally feel. This is what I've gathered from people I've spoken with, article rankings, and internet chatter over the years.
I do feel that Charlotte>The Triangle (but only barely). In terms of just the Carolinas, on a scale of 1-10, Charlotte being 10, and 1 being Bailey NC, Raleigh is a 9.8.
I would still put Asheville over the Triad in my own personal opinion. The Triad may have more things to offer as in concerts, sporting events, the zoo, etc, but day to day life, Asheville living would be much more preferable for me. I ranked Asheville above Greensboro for the exact reasons that you said. How often do you hear people get excited about visiting the triad?
Raleigh/The Triangle has a much better reputation than Charlotte. High-Tech powerhouse with three large and prestigious universities and the largest research complex IN THE WORLD.. Charlotte CSA may have a larger population at the moment but it is growing at a slower rate than the Raleigh-Durham CSA; and again, this is not ranking them based on population figures but rather on reputation. Also do you really want to lay claim to the panthers or the bobcats at this point?!?! Pretty sure UNC and Duke each have a significantly larger national following and a million times better reputation than either of Charlotte's "professional" sports teams.
Meh, Panthers get sold out every week, and never get blacked out. You have a lot of transplants in Charlotte that support their own teams, but there is absolutely no question who the number 1 team in the region is, and it's not even close.
Also, the soon to be Charlotte Hornets were 24th in attendance last year (pretty decent for an awful team), and are setting records for season ticket sales for the next couple of seasons. We don't care too much for our Bobcats, but we love our Hornets.
This isn't how I personally feel. This is what I've gathered from people I've spoken with, article rankings, and internet chatter over the years.
I do feel that Charlotte>The Triangle (but only barely). In terms of just the Carolinas, on a scale of 1-10, Charlotte being 10, and 1 being Bailey NC, Raleigh is a 9.8.
I could agree with that.
Quote:
I would still put Asheville over the Triad in my own personal opinion. The Triad may have more things to offer as in concerts, sporting events, the zoo, etc, but day to day life, Asheville living would be much more preferable for me. I ranked Asheville above Greensboro for the exact reasons that you said. How often do you hear people get excited about visiting the triad?
If we're only talking about reputation as far as leisure tourists are concerned, then yes the Triad "lags" Asheville. But if you look at it that way, then it could be argued that the Triangle lags Asheville also. At the very least, I don't see people getting excited about visiting the Triangle either, outside of college basketball.
The Triad obviously offers more in terms of day-to-day living for most people, which is why Greensboro and Winston-Salem are larger, growing faster, have more amenities, and larger corporate bases. Asheville has very little real industry to speak of outside of the hospitality industry and the city seems to like it like that--which will prevent it from being little more than a tourist and retirement destination.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
