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Austin
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Columbus
Nashville
Charlotte
Raleigh
Jacksonville
I thought it might be interesting to compare these 8 Midwestern and Southern cities/metros. Currently, they are about the same size in population and still relatively "new" to the "big city" game. They are "new" to being recognized on a nationwide scale as being a "big city". They all seem to be on the upswing and in a state of boom.
I left out Ft Worth because it's part of the 7 million Metroplex, whereas these cities are about 1.5 million to 2.5 million and do not share their metro with another major city.
How would you rank these cities in terms of:
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity.
3. Big city Amenities - such as parks, libraries, museums etc.
4. Food/restaraunts
5. Culture
6. Cost of living
7. Night life
8. Infrastructure
9. Crimes
10. Diversity
11. Education levels of residents
12. Public transportation
13. Health care
14. Street/road/highway congestion.
P.S. I wanted to include Oklahoma City and Richmond. I don't know why but for some reason the poll wouldn't let me do 10 cities, so they were cut from the line-up.
Last edited by Ivory Lee Spurlock; 07-06-2019 at 08:43 PM..
1. Future population growth. Charlotte, Austin, and Nashville will likely be in a different peer group in 10 years. Charlotte may actually make it sooner.
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity. Austin
3. Big city Amenities - such as parks, libraries, museums etc. Nashville
4. Food/restaraunts: Austin
5. Culture: Nashville
6. Cost of living: Indianapolis
7. Night life: Nashville
8. Infrastructure: Kansas City
9. Crimes: Raleigh
10. Diversity: None
11. Education levels of residents: Raleigh
12. Public transportation: Charlotte
13. Health care: Nashville
14. Street/road/highway congestion.: Kansas City
I don't think Jacksonville or Raleigh belong here if talking metro areas, especially since Louisville is noticeably absent. Charlotte should win objectively if based on economic output.
1. Future population growth-1st Austin/2nd Charlotte
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity- Charlotte and Austin in a tie. Charlotte has reached a critical mass and Austin is the tech/higher eds center and capital of the fastest growing state.
3. Big city Amenities - No cities stand out here.
4. Food/restaraunts - Austin/Charlotte/Nashville . Nashville is seriously lacking in Asian department. If you want good dim sum, pho or banh mi, you have to go to Atlanta.
5. Culture- Nashville
6. Cost of living - Jacksonville, no state income tax is a bonus.
7. Night life - Nashville/Austin
8. Infrastructure- Charlotte
9. Crimes - Raleigh
10. Diversity - Raleigh/Austin
11. Education levels of residents - Raleigh
12. Public transportation - Charlotte
13. Health care - Raleigh/Nashville
14. Street/road/highway congestion - Jacksonville
Overall: Charlotte, Austin, Raleigh, Nashville, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Columbus, Indy, in that order.
1. Future population growth. Charlotte, Austin, and Nashville will likely be in a different peer group in 10 years. Charlotte may actually make it sooner.
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity. Austin
3. Big city Amenities - such as parks, libraries, museums etc. Nashville
4. Food/restaraunts: Austin
5. Culture: Nashville
6. Cost of living: Indianapolis
7. Night life: Nashville
8. Infrastructure: Kansas City
9. Crimes: Raleigh
10. Diversity: None
11. Education levels of residents: Raleigh
12. Public transportation: Charlotte
13. Health care: Nashville
14. Street/road/highway congestion.: Kansas City
I don't think Jacksonville or Raleigh belong here if talking metro areas, especially since Louisville is noticeably absent. Charlotte should win objectively if based on economic output.
The way they define the Raleigh Metro area now I would probably agree with you but before with Durham it Defintely would belong....
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now? - No. Nashville, Austin, Charlotte growth rate will probably climb a tier above but it probably will take 30 years. However, I feel there would have to be a major infrastructure overhaul especially with Austin's pitiful highway system or else growth is limited.
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity. - Austin then Charlotte?
3. Big city Amenities - such as parks, libraries, museums etc. - KC, Nashville?
4. Food/restaraunts - Kansas City has an underrated and thriving food scene. I think Austin still tops it though.
5. Culture - I hate this term. It encompasses too much since it's a vague term.
6. Cost of living - Every city on the list except Nashville and Austin
7. Night life - Austin and Nashville
8. Infrastructure - Nashville, Charlotte, Kansas City
9. Crimes - Probably Raleigh
10. Diversity - Austin
11. Education levels of residents - Raleigh/Austin
12. Public transportation - I don't know but I know it isn't KC, Indy, or Raleigh
13. Health care - No Idea
14. Street/road/highway congestion. - No Doubt its Kansas City as the winner here
Raleigh and Jacksonville are half a tier or a tier below in my opinion.
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now? - No. Nashville, Austin, Charlotte growth rate will probably climb a tier above but it probably will take 30 years. However, I feel there would have to be a major infrastructure overhaul especially with Austin's pitiful highway system or else growth is limited.
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity. - Austin then Charlotte?
3. Big city Amenities - such as parks, libraries, museums etc. - KC, Nashville?
4. Food/restaraunts - Kansas City has an underrated and thriving food scene. I think Austin still tops it though.
5. Culture - I hate this term. It encompasses too much since it's a vague term.
6. Cost of living - Every city on the list except Nashville and Austin
7. Night life - Austin and Nashville
8. Infrastructure - Nashville, Charlotte, Kansas City
9. Crimes - Probably Raleigh
10. Diversity - Austin
11. Education levels of residents - Raleigh/Austin
12. Public transportation - I don't know but I know it isn't KC, Indy, or Raleigh
13. Health care - No Idea
14. Street/road/highway congestion. - No Doubt its Kansas City as the winner here
Raleigh and Jacksonville are half a tier or a tier below in my opinion.
Raleigh is pretty even if you include Durham and and Chapel Hill.
Man I'm shocked Indy is tied for first at this point. It never does well in polls.
Maybe it's getting votes from rustic midwest fans, while others are splitting their votes among the other cities. It definitely has the most midwest vibe of the group
I voted for Austin though.
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