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I consider Oklahoma City and Birmingham to be somewhat comparable cities and are a pretty good match-up. Both are the largest in their state, both lack nearby mountains or beaches to give either one a distinct advantage, both are in poor, negatively perceived states, and both are relatively similar in size. How would you rank them in the following categories?
-Downtown (NO skyline discussion, but downtown vibe in general can be discussed)
-Nightlife
-Arts & Culture
-Diversity
-Sports
-Shopping
-Outdoor recreation
-Future Outlook
When all things considered, which of these cities would you rather live in?
OKC might win most categories, but I'd rather live in Birmingham. It has enough to do to keep me busy, is more culturally relevant for me, and is closer to more places of interest for me. And while it still struggles to shake its Civil Rights-era image, that history is important to me personally and I consider the ways in which the city has capitalized on it to be an asset.
OKC might win most categories, but I'd rather live in Birmingham. It has enough to do to keep me busy, is more culturally relevant for me, and is closer to more places of interest for me. And while it still struggles to shake its Civil Rights-era image, that history is important to me personally and I consider the ways in which the city has capitalized on it to be an asset.
I don't think OKC wins in all of them.
OKC is the clear winner in economic outlook and sports, but I think the others are up for debate. Shopping clearly goes to Birmingham which has more upscale shopping than OKC does. Birmingham also has superior every day shopping such as Publix. OKC's retail market is pretty much held hostage by Wal-Mart.
I am sure Birmingham probably has more historic neighborhoods and architecture than OKC does. For one, its an older city, and secondly, I don't think Birmingham purposely razed their downtown in the 1960s like OKC did. Somebody correct me if I am wrong on that.
OKC is the clear winner in economic outlook and sports, but I think the others are up for debate. Shopping clearly goes to Birmingham which has more upscale shopping than OKC does. Birmingham also has superior every day shopping such as Publix. OKC's retail market is pretty much held hostage by Wal-Mart.
I am sure Birmingham probably has more historic neighborhoods and architecture than OKC does. For one, its an older city, and secondly, I don't think Birmingham purposely razed their downtown in the 1960s like OKC did. Somebody correct me if I am wrong on that.
Is Birmingham really an older city? You know it was founded after the Civil War and boomed shortly thereafter.
I think Oklahoma City would be more diverse due to its Native American and Hispanic presence. OKC also has an NBA team, along with similar minor league sports.
-Downtown (NO skyline discussion, but downtown vibe in general can be discussed)
Birmingham by a lot. Bricktown is a nice start, but Birmingham just has a much more vibrant downtown overall and it doesn't feel as manufactured as bricktown and seems to have far nicer residential areas near downtown.
-Nightlife Although I'm too old to get into the party scene, I would guess Birmingham, they have a rather large urban university scene right next to downtown which I'm sure would contribute to a vibrant nightlife.
-Arts & Culture Tie. Both seem pretty close here, but I might give the edge to Birmingham with their arts district, urban colleges etc.
-Diversity Tie. I think Birmingham may be less segregated, but I have really no idea.
-Sports OKC . NBA (and their rabid support of the team) puts them over Birmingham.
-Shopping Birmingham
-Outdoor recreation Not a fan of either state really, but I will go with OKC because it's closer to Colorado, a state I would love to be within driving distance again which trumps even the closer smoky mountains for me.
-Future Outlook OKC, or at least that what everybody seems to predict. Seems like the wide open cities of the plains (Dallas, Houston, OKC etc grow the fastest)
When all things considered, which of these cities would you rather live in? This would not be easy. I guess OKC, but only because it would be closer to my hometown of Kansas City and put me closer to more of the country as I travel tons. But both cities would be too small for my liking.
-Downtown (NO skyline discussion, but downtown vibe in general can be discussed)
Birmingham by a lot. Bricktown is a nice start, but Birmingham just has a much more vibrant downtown overall and it doesn't feel as manufactured as bricktown and seems to have far nicer residential areas near downtown.
-Nightlife Although I'm too old to get into the party scene, I would guess Birmingham, they have a rather large urban university scene right next to downtown which I'm sure would contribute to a vibrant nightlife.
-Arts & Culture Tie. Both seem pretty close here, but I might give the edge to Birmingham with their arts district, urban colleges etc.
-Diversity Tie. I think Birmingham may be less segregated, but I have really no idea.
-Sports OKC . NBA (and their rabid support of the team) puts them over Birmingham.
-Shopping Birmingham
-Outdoor recreation Not a fan of either state really, but I will go with OKC because it's closer to Colorado, a state I would love to be within driving distance again which trumps even the closer smoky mountains for me.
-Future Outlook OKC, or at least that what everybody seems to predict. Seems like the wide open cities of the plains (Dallas, Houston, OKC etc grow the fastest)
When all things considered, which of these cities would you rather live in? This would not be easy. I guess OKC, but only because it would be closer to my hometown of Kansas City and put me closer to more of the country as I travel tons. But both cities would be too small for my liking.
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