What city will Atlanta consume/merge with first? (Columbus, Savannah: elementary schools, suburban)

[goozer]

Atlanta is indeed a sprawling mega-city. And while it is relatively unique in the South (most southern "cities" are midsize, a la Augusta, Columbus, Colombia, Birmingham, Montgomery, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Raleigh,
Asheville, Charleston, and so forth), there are many other similar mega-cities in other parts of the country (Seattle, SF, LA, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Boston, NYC, DC, Miami). I think many folks in the South tend to view Atlanta as this all consuming monster city that is disrupting the way of life for surrounding areas. But in reality it is a simple and common example of urban growth and commerce in a global economy.

[matt8325]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

Honestly, I'm a little surprised Metro Atlanta is including counties such as Meriwether, Pike & Lamar. These counties are largely still rural. I've always associated Meriwether county with nearby Pine Mountain & LaGrange (both in neighboring Troup County) which are both associated with Columbus. Hm... Guess the MSA guys got a bit carried away?

I'm surprised they dont include Hall County. If they include Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, they might as well include Hall. Honestly though, most people dont include Meriwether, Pike, and Lamar in metro Atlanta. I mean i live in Carroll, like 45 miles from Atlanta and I don't consider Carroll metro Atlanta. Really the only counties I consider Metro Atlanta are Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale, Clayton, Henry, Fayette, Douglas, Cobb. These are closest counties to the city of Atlanta.

[WanderingImport]

I agree with you there, Matt. They should include Hall County and have the Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Gainesville MSA. (As well as Athens)

I do not agree with Decatur. I think, as said in this thread before, that Atlanta has begun more high density development closer to the perimeter. Yes, there will still be sprawl, but I don't think Atlanta will engulf other decent sized cities such as Chattanooga, Columbus, Macon, Augusta... and especially places like Birmingham or Greenville. However, I do think there will be another megalopolis where there would be a string of development along the interstate. An example being Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Providence, Boston (which is probably what you were referring to when you made that comment). Not exactly one big city, but a string of closely connected cities that would include cities like Montgomery, Auburn, LaGrange, Atlanta, Athens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Raleigh, etc.. Basically the I-85 corridor.

Me personally, I would consider Carroll County on the fringe of Atlanta suburbia.

[yerocal]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Atlanta will eventually swallow Birmingham, Chattanooga, Columbus, Macon, Greenville, Spartanburg, Augusta and Charlotte. Welcome to Charlantaham!

I serious debult that will seriously happen in this life time

[matt8325]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

I agree with you there, Matt. They should include Hall County and have the Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Gainesville MSA. (As well as Athens)

I do not agree with Decatur. I think, as said in this thread before, that Atlanta has begun more high density development closer to the perimeter. Yes, there will still be sprawl, but I don't think Atlanta will engulf other decent sized cities such as Chattanooga, Columbus, Macon, Augusta... and especially places like Birmingham or Greenville. However, I do think there will be another megalopolis where there would be a string of development along the interstate. An example being Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Providence, Boston (which is probably what you were referring to when you made that comment). Not exactly one big city, but a string of closely connected cities that would include cities like Montgomery, Auburn, LaGrange, Atlanta, Athens, Greenville, Spartanburg, Raleigh, etc.. Basically the I-85 corridor.

Me personally, I would consider Carroll County on the fringe of Atlanta suburbia.

I think you're right about the northeast corner of Carroll being on the fringe of suburbia, but Carroll goes to the Alabama border, and the western half of Carroll is definitely not suburban, it's very rural.

[WanderingImport]

Sorry, should have specified. The northeastern portions of Carroll County (basically from Villa Rica to Carrollton) I would consider the western fringes of Atlanta suburbia.. Western Carroll county by the GA/AL is indeed rural. (For me personally, it goes along the 20 corridor into Haralson County/Bremen, then that ends it..for now) lol

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by yerocal

I serious debult that will seriously happen in this life time

That comment was 'tongue-in-cheek', I assure you.

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by goozer

Atlanta is indeed a sprawling mega-city. And while it is relatively unique in the South (most southern "cities" are midsize, a la Augusta, Columbus, Colombia, Birmingham, Montgomery, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Raleigh,
Asheville, Charleston, and so forth), there are many other similar mega-cities in other parts of the country (Seattle, SF, LA, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Boston, NYC, DC, Miami). I think many folks in the South tend to view Atlanta as this all consuming monster city that is disrupting the way of life for surrounding areas. But in reality it is a simple and common example of urban growth and commerce in a global economy.

Miami is another part of the country? D.C., Houston and Dallas aren't exactly in the far corners either...

[DeaconJ]

Originally Posted by matt8325

I'm surprised they dont include Hall County. If they include Meriwether, Pike, Lamar, they might as well include Hall. Honestly though, most people dont include Meriwether, Pike, and Lamar in metro Atlanta. I mean i live in Carroll, like 45 miles from Atlanta and I don't consider Carroll metro Atlanta. Really the only counties I consider Metro Atlanta are Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Rockdale, Clayton, Henry, Fayette, Douglas, Cobb. These are closest counties to the city of Atlanta.

Paulding? Forsyth? Cherokee? Coweta? You do know that Coweta County shares a large border with Fulton County....right?

[WanderingImport]

Metro Atlanta has sooo many counties. I'm sure he forgot to add them in on accident. haha

However, I'm more inclined to remember Clayton over a county like Rockdale.