What is the principal city of the Triad? (Charlotte, Raleigh: home, transfer)

[adavi215]

I was wondering, which city is the pricipal city in the triad? Greensboro or Winston-Salem? Which has room to grow more as an urban center? Which has more room for economic development improvement? Will either city be able to survive as its own city independent of the Triad identity? Which one has a better chance of competeing with Raleigh or Charlotte as the metropolis of NC? Please be respectful and open minded, as I hope all posts will reflect the civility and love of NC.

[northcarolina93]

I would say Greensboro. It is the biggest and they also have the Triad Airport.

[Elm&McGee]

I would say Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem downtown has the potential to grow into a huge urban area with the Piedmont Triad Research Park. Downtown Winston-Salem already is home to several Fortune 500 companies. Downtown Greensboro is small with little room to grow as an urban area. Greensboro is basically a large suburban city. I would say visit both cities and check out their downtowns.

[ibeg4sushi]

Yeah, Elm&McGee is right (that's an intersection here in GSO, btw). Even though Greensboro seems larger, Winston-Salem certainly has less boundaries, geologically or self-invited. For example, when you compare the universities of the two, it seems that Winston-Salem's schools have more demanding curriculum in general, and lots more options for training towards real jobs. Not to say that Biology isn't "real", but it's generic and doesn't classify you as anything in particular when you graduate. But Vascular Sonography, now that's a program that is going to have a direct path, and also has potential for expansion. These days, schooling is too expensive to waste it anymore on whimsical, or general ballpark degree. That's why so many people attend the Communities Colleges for the first two years. You get to try on several hats, and commit to one when you transfer in to the bigger college.

Also, the downtown area does seem more interesting. More response to action, and action as a response there in Winston-Salem - I like that, and the art scene - however, I live in Greensboro and adore it. I love raising our family here. I am just concerned that if the town doesn't respond better to the needs (and wants) of its people in the future, that it will begin to experience the larger scale social "exodus" I think will eventually happen.

[agl82]

Greensboro is the principal city, in my opinion. Winston-Salem is quite large though.

[adavi215]

Originally Posted by agl82

Greensboro is the principal city, in my opinion. Winston-Salem is quite large though.

In your opinion, what makes Greensboro the principal city?

[mrbsf]

Originally Posted by adavi215

In your opinion, what makes Greensboro the principal city?

Greensboro has the larger population and PTI Airport. Two very important factors.

[Elm&McGee]

Originally Posted by mrbsf

Greensboro has the larger population and PTI Airport. Two very important factors.

The airport does not belong to Greensboro, but it is shared between the 3 triad cities thus the name PTI. The population between Greensboro and Winston-Salem is not but about 30,000 people. Greensboro is larger, because they are always annexing so Winston-Salem will not grow larger and they will loose their #3 status. I would say both cities are equal on most levels.

[SC122]

W-S has a more interesting history,imo,if you like that kind of thing.(Old Salem,Bethania,Bethabra,for starters).I love reading about the history of the whole city,right down to some of the streets and whom they were named for.
The history markers are interesting,too.It would be interesting to take a class on the history of w-s,and/or go on a tour of the markers.
I joke that although I don't believe in reincarnation,there sure is a strong feeling of familiarness to me here, for some reason.

[the 7 oh 4]

Both Winston-Salem & Greensboro are the principal cities.

Winston-Salem is the wealthiest city in NC & SC per population and has more Arts & Culture than Greensboro. Greensboro is very nice too...so I would not say one is more principal than the other.

You can't do anyhting in W-S that you can't do in GSO and vice versa.

And by the way...neither can even remotely compete with Charlotte and never will be able to...and I LOVE the Triad!