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Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
What those lower COL cities may lack is decent public transportation, perhaps quicker access to that scenery, more in terms of walkability and have access to good water/various modes of transportation.
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
Not exactly...Places like NYC, LA & Chicago pretty much have more of everything like shopping, restaurants, amenities, and different types of neighborhoods. It's not necessarily that Atlanta, Dallas, & Houston don't have any of these things in spades, but independent boutiques, hole in the wall restaurants & the overall culture of the city is just not as abundant.
There is something to be said about living in a city with a lower cost of living. Not everybody wants or needs things that big cities can provide because low COL cities provide exactly enough for that individual person. It's just that the most popular cities to live in tend to be the most expensive.
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
That's mean, LOL. No, there's scenery to be found anywhere if one's willing to look. Now, whether it's your cup of tea.... eh, too subjective.
Dallas and Houston have booming economies, and Atlanta isn't doing too badly-- people will move to where the money is. The low COL is a boon usually.
It's a false premise, however, to automatically assume that high COL = high QOL. The only time that equation will ever always be 100% true is if we're talking about well-off, wealthy, rich folks. For lower to middle class folks living in high COL cities, some might be willing to make a lot of sacrifices-- others not so much. Cities like Dallas, Houston and Atlanta do have great amenities to offer.
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
Ummm.... no, maybe as much as Seattle and San Diego..
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
Why do you presume that these cities lack scenery? Because they don't.
Ill let Dallas and Houston posters defend their own cities, but Atlanta is verdant and hilly with a gorgeous array of parks. No city is more beautiful in the Spring.
Yeah Atlanta and area actually has quite a bit of scenery and great parkspace, it's just not urban/walkable enough for what I like. It would be hard not to rank Atlanta near the top of most places big cities East of the Mississippi for nice environs and accessibility.
Just thought I should make a thread because the Dallas vs DC one got off track.
Do people only move to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston for the low cost of living? I personally feel like that people do, but there are other reasons. They offer just as much as cities like Seattle, San Diego, LA, SF, Philly, Boston, and NYC...just without the scenery, right?
Do you really think that most people move to those cities ONLY because of the low cost of living?
Many people LIKE the South - they like the weather, the people, the food, AND the low cost of living. They like a more laid back feel to a city.
Also, there's lots of pleasant scenery in close proximity to all the southern cities you mentioned.
Some would argue that Minneapolis, Denver, Chicago, and even Cleveland, St. Louis or Pittsburgh have high QOL, yet have lower costs. Chicago is the best example of where QOL and COL have almost no relationship -- I'd proffer that to the immense amount of open space in the area and its transportation network. The highest COL places are not always THE best places to live, either. I'd argue very strongly that a number of the most expensive cities in the country are far down the QOL ladder, especially in respect to their COL, but even without that relationship.
One more thing: places that are expensive today are expensive because they are desirable, but they are not desirable because they are expensive. In other words, whichever "it" city today is popular is going to cost more than it might during a down-cycle period for the city, but the amenities available and QOL may be the same (just look at most Rust Belt cities). As costs rise, the demand WILL drop/stabilize. The quality:cost relationship is ever-evolving, especially with things as large and complex as entire cities, and changes take years/decades.
Last edited by Min-Chi-Cbus; 12-30-2013 at 01:01 PM..
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