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Has anyone read Richard Florida's "Who's Your City". I've read a few reviews and curious to see what you thought. His basic premise is that where you live is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life (and different stages of your life), there are not states anymore but rather geographic mega-cities, i.e. Bos-Phila-DC corridor, Toyko, SF Bay area, LA-SD. Austin and Seattle are the pinnicle of creative types. These are places where the wealth is created and therefore people live and thrive. I gathere there are tests you can take as well, to see where you might fit in.
One comment I found interesting was that a 65 year older person is much more likely to move than a 45 year old person.
Austin, overrated again? Most people seem to think it's the only non-redneck city in Texas. Not true. Dallas and Houston have many neighborhoods which are "more Austin than Austin". His jumping on that bandwagon tends to make me doubt his research.
I thought his list of cities was totally dumb. Minneapolis and Madison for empty nesters. What about those of us who like to go outside and be active most of the year (and don't ski).
And Miami for retired people? Habla espanol you gringos from Kansas? Robyn
yeah, I really had to question those cities in all the categories. Maybe he's using data from the 90's.
But I do agree that where one lives is among the top 3 decisions a person will make, at least it has been for me, both positively and negatively (who you marry, education are the other two).
I think his bio (on his website) gives a little insight to the why of which towns and cities he chose. He strikes me as out of touch with mainstream, common, everyday America. Just saying.
Actually heard Richard Florida speak some years ago at an ICMA conference (city manager type thing). He focused very much on the idea that places that thrive and provide a high quality of life are places that are tolerant of all lifestyles. From the address (which was very interesting), I assumed he was likely gay but further reading of pieces he has written indicate that he is not. (no social commentary here - just sharing my assumptions). What he said made sense in many ways viewing it from a public administration point of view - no one wants to be in charge of/accountable for a struggling dying city.
With that said, I wouldn't write off reading a book by him. His ideas make you think and could certainly enable anyone to "create" a better place in the place they live or are considering. So many times it washes over me that I need to be a part of creating the sort of community i am seeking. It is likely easier in some places than others.
I've spent the last several months running through so many places on a "see 10 countries in 3 days" sort of trek and while exhausting, it has been really somewhat fun and eye-opening. I have seen some of the cutest towns which have totally turned my head and made me wistfully murmur "home". Then something occurs either there or closeby and I have to laugh saying "hmmmm, maybe not" (like seeing the one town that went under water in 1999 with Hurricane Floyd).
So for now, I continue to assume "my place" will be on the east coast/southern in nature - i wish someone would refer to the median temperature charts and adjust the winters and summers back to the norms because this freezing to death and getting iced in/snowed in in towns that "NEVER have snow" and baked in sweltering 95 degree days for three months in towns that only have a "few weeks of really hot, humid weather" is getting old. La nina/nino or whomever, shift, for goodness sake, shift!!!
So as for who's my city, it could be wilmington (NC), the Triad, the Triangle,WNC, Knoxville TN, Roanoke,Hampton Roads, , Sarasota FL. Geez, I need to narrow this down a bit....................
I can see why more and more actaully move once they are retired ;if they can afford to. Alot of people live in several areas before retiring and of course many work where the wrok is or the opportuntiy . When they retire they can change that. Mnay tho live their entire lifes where they are raised and love it. Most I see leaving their hometowns basically do so because of changes . Different strokes for different folks really.Then of course there are the people lookig for greeenr pastures and often endup disppointed because they only vactioned there a shortime;really don't know what living there is like.
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Just saying.
