Will Seattle ever become an Alpha level world city? (Vancouver: sales, condos)

[JasR30]

Seattle seems to be moving toward the direction of economic powerhouse.

Amazon is growing rapidly and moving to the city core.

The city is getting a much better transportation system in the next few years.

The waterfront is being redeveloped, new skyscrapers are being built, and the population is rapidly increasing.

But what does all of this mean for the city. Will it ever become a world class (Alpha) city?

[SitoUK]

Although the Metropolitan areas has something like 3 million inhabitants within its city limits Seattle has around 650K or so. As soon as you leave downtown and adjacent areas everything looks decidedly suburban with a few strip malls and chain outlets mixed in. It's going to take a long time before Seattle can compare itself to places like NYC, London, Berlin or Tokyo.

That said, its unique mixture of urban life and excellent access to amazing nature make it one of the best places to live in the world...and I hate having to leave this place at the end of July

[RotseCherut]

I wouldn't be surprised if Seattle metro is up to 4 million now. I believe the census says 3.5 million? These census reports are also not 100% accurate. There has just been such a massive influx of people into the area and not a lot of people moving out. Also, Seattle is an isolated major business and industrial center for the Northwest region of the country, so the city feels much more prominent than it should for a city its size.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by SitoUK

Although the Metropolitan areas has something like 3 million inhabitants within its city limits Seattle has around 650K or so. As soon as you leave downtown and adjacent areas everything looks decidedly suburban with a few strip malls and chain outlets mixed in. It's going to take a long time before Seattle can compare itself to places like NYC, London, Berlin or Tokyo.

That said, its unique mixture of urban life and excellent access to amazing nature make it one of the best places to live in the world...and I hate having to leave this place at the end of July

Sorry to hear that, you'll miss the best 6 weeks of the year here.

I agree with you, and like it this way much better than if it became like those other cities.

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by JasR30

Seattle seems to be moving toward the direction of economic powerhouse.
Amazon is growing rapidly and moving to the city core.
The city is getting a much better transportation system in the next few years.
The waterfront is being redeveloped, new skyscrapers are being built, and the population is rapidly increasing.
But what does all of this mean for the city. Will it ever become a world class (Alpha) city?

With the inevitable cost-of-living /pollution / congestion increases this would entail?
I hope not!!!
I'm happy Seattle is a PNW-class city.
If I want "world class", I can go and visit New York, Tokio, etc etc, then return to normalcy.

[DevanXL]

I think people in this area are afraid of having "world class" next to it's name. We all know Seattle is a great city, but alot of People look at places like Vancouver and see how change and being World Class isn't always a good thing. But I for one think seattle can be and Alpha city. As much as people try to denote change, it is necessary. Industrial Areas of downtown may not be industrial for long. Condos will pop up, and Seattle will be a true example of urban living. Yes that does come with it's downfalls, Higher cost of living, more congestion. But I think the city owes it to the next generation (my generation) to provide a platform for the city to thrive on. Stubbornness and bad planning from politicians and city leaders in the Mid-20 century, are reason why former world class american cities are now the butt of everyone's joke. I think Seattle should aim high for the future, no matter how reluctant alot of the public is.

[JBVirtuoso]

Eh, I don't think cities should try to be something they're not. Seattle has a lot to learn from alpha world cities, but there are also plenty of benefits to not having such status. Would you really want Seattle to sacrifice its greenery to be overdeveloped and congested, all in the name of economic progress? I'm moving from Chicago, which GaWC ranks as an "Alpha+" city, and there are definitely some things I'll be sad to give up (top notch shopping and cultural amenities, and that amazing skyline). But I think Seattle's beauty and hassle-free quality of life will offset that. Trying to be an influential city just for the sake of being influential is a bit silly.

[eskercurve]

I don't think people care what stupid ranking or listing or whatever our city is.

It's a great place for a lot of people. That's all there is to it.

[SitoUK]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Sorry to hear that, you'll miss the best 6 weeks of the year here.

I agree with you, and like it this way much better than if it became like those other cities.

I know,t hat makes it even worse I will have to try and cramp as much backpacking in as possible before then....but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do

[wutitiz]

I've been here a little over 20 years. I've talked to people who were here in the 70's and 80's, and said they liked it much better back then, when Seattle was more of a big sleepy villiage. Traffic was not really an issue, the sales tax was 4 percent instead of almost 10, and things were all-around more friendly and civil.