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I agree about Denver, Atlanta and Seattle but Atlanta's downtown needs help. I definately see Vegas up there. I never saw it as a retirement community at all.
I agree with Denver they really are doing great. The economy hasnt been in the best for the last 6 years but even with the not impressive economy its managed to build a large light-rail system around the metro area, expand the cultural offerings and the downtown just keeps getting better. Not only that the weather is usually very good average high of about 45 in the winter and 85 in the summer with low humidity. Also, they have tons and tons of land to the east. Im always impressed how the growth has been mainly along Interstate 25 and that Denver doesnt sprawl that much.
I do think Louisville, KY is on its way up. Its over 1 million in its metro, the city itself is like the 16th largest in the nation. Its got great architecture and scenery (hilly topography/lots of trees), one of the most affordable medium sized areas in the country. Its also close to a number of large cities. I would rate Louisville just above average now, not great but I have feeling Louisville is really going to start going up-hill. Louisville would be a great place if it caught up on infrastructure, if its the 16th largest city it should act it on infrastructure.
Colorado Springs as being one of the top mid-sized areas over the 21st century. Not sure, the economy is pretty bad there right now. Colorado Springs is my hometown and it has changed alot, havent lived there in 5 years though but I go back sometimes. Its an extremely clean city, very good weather overall and a very scenic city also with great recreational offerings and a really nice downtown for a medium-sized city. But overall, its economy is fairly weak and its infrastructure is fairly lousy. It does have an advantage alot from the city border being less then 50 miles from the Denver line.
Maybe one of these days Colorado Springs will be in the Denver CSA because so more and more people from Colorado Springs commute there for work.
Colorado Springs was a major medium-sized city player in 1990s, but not in the 2000s and I just dont see it having as much potential as some of the other medium-sized areas its size. Its economy and infrastructure just are on in good shape.
I would actually have Des Moines higher up for medium-sized cities then Colorado Springs even though I would consider Des Moines that impressive either.
Colorado Springs in the 1990s is like Boise, Idaho now. Usually when these previously smaller-cities high quality of life is discovered they expand so much that the quality of life goes-down hill, it becomes unaffordable and the job growth cant keep up with the increasing population and it all stagnates.
Location: Midessa, Texas Home Yangzhou, Jiangsu temporarily
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Here is my list.
1. George W. Bush City, D.C. (Formerly Washington)
2. North Las Vegas, Nevada
3. New Las Vegas, Mars
4. Oil City, Pennsylvania
5. Baghdad, Iraq
6. Stormwind, World of Warcraft
7. Mexico City, Federal District
8. New New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico
9. Springfield, any state
10. Midland-Odessa, Texas
We may be seeing a current population shift to the south, but as global warming heats up over the next 50 years, those areas are going to be become too dry (as the southwest water supply dries out), too wet (more hurricanes/floods in the gulf) and way too hot for comfort. That's why in the long run, your real power cities are going to be back in the north (or even, dare I say it, Canada). I'm stayin' north of the ol' Mason-Dixon!
I agree about Denver, Atlanta and Seattle but Atlanta's downtown needs help. I definately see Vegas up there. I never saw it as a retirement community at all.
2nd that.
Atlanta has much potential with the current metro growth rate of 100,000 additional persons per year, however, the City of Atlanta needs to get it's act together on the crime issues.
The current improvements to Atlanta is mostly due to private investors, ie. The Georgia Aquarium, The New World of Coke, and Atlantic Station, much to the opposition of the cities leadership, of whom was more interested in touring China and Africa on the taxpayers dime. And lets not forget her comment about the aquarium when Bernie Marcus pulled $250 million out of his own pocket in 2004-5. Went something like " Just another rich guy attempting to make a playground for the priveledged few" And of course, lets not forget how we almost lost Coca Cola since she would not enforce anti-panhandling laws.
But then again, she is a little better than the past Mayor who is current an attendee in our states prison system
1. George W. Bush City, D.C. (Formerly Washington)
2. North Las Vegas, Nevada
3. New Las Vegas, Mars
4. Oil City, Pennsylvania
5. Baghdad, Iraq
6. Stormwind, World of Warcraft
7. Mexico City, Federal District
8. New New Orleans, Gulf of Mexico
9. Springfield, any state
10. Midland-Odessa, Texas
What is in downtown LV other than sparsely seperated casinos? There is no heavy hitting Fortune 500 companies nor any stock exchange, etc. Vegas is a weekend party town, comparing it to NYC or Chicago or Philly is crazy. Vegas says "FUN" whereas other cities say "BUSINESS".
So in your opinion the BIllion (if not trillion) dollar gamming industry in Las Vegas is not a Business?? Get Real!! As far as Fortune 500 companies go-so what. For years G.M. was number one. It.s about ready to fade into oblivion (unless Toyota buys it). Downtown Las Vegas is currently undergoing a revival probably not matched by many (if any) large American city. Las Vegas is a Growing, Dynamic, Diverse, Energetic city like no other on Earth.
So in your opinion the BIllion (if not trillion) dollar gamming industry in Las Vegas is not a Business?? Get Real!! As far as Fortune 500 companies go-so what. For years G.M. was number one. It.s about ready to fade into oblivion (unless Toyota buys it). Downtown Las Vegas is currently undergoing a revival probably not matched by many (if any) large American city. Las Vegas is a Growing, Dynamic, Diverse, Energetic city like no other on Earth.
We'll see what happens to Vegas when the economy takes a downturn and pleasure/gambling trips are out of the question for many. Vegas is a gambling town, a tourist town. Take that away and its just another crappy southwest dustbowl.
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