Lubbock in 2020 (Houston, Tyler: apartment, new house, tech jobs)

[juggler]

Originally Posted by case44

But this time, it will be different. People can predict things, but people have also been known to be wrong.

That would be great if it really is different. I may even consider moving back to Lubbock some day. But what makes you think it will be different? Why do you believe Lubbock is on the verge of this unprecedented growth? All I've seen in your various posts so far amounts to a "gut feeling", or something akin to "it is due", which means nothing; it's just an unbacked opinion.

Lot's of cities are wet (in fact Lubbock is WAY late to this game); lots of cities have elaborate downtown redevelopment efforts underway. Lots of cities have tier 1 universities (and in fact this is not quite a done deal for Lubbock yet). What advantage does Lubbock have over other similar cities? What separates it from the pack? Why is it gonna be different, this time? Why do you think that you are right, and the experts are wrong? There's got to be more to it than simple a "glass is half full" viewpoint.

Basically, I've noted that your Lubbock posts are always brimming with optimism, but there's nothing factual to back this up.

[case44]

Originally Posted by juggler

That would be great if it really is different. I may even consider moving back to Lubbock some day. But what makes you think it will be different? Why do you believe Lubbock is on the verge of this unprecedented growth? All I've seen in your various posts so far amounts to a "gut feeling", or something akin to "it is due", which means nothing; it's just an unbacked opinion.

Lot's of cities are wet (in fact Lubbock is WAY late to this game); lots of cities have elaborate downtown redevelopment efforts underway. Lots of cities have tier 1 universities (and in fact this is not quite a done deal for Lubbock yet). What advantage does Lubbock have over other similar cities? What separates it from the pack? Why is it gonna be different, this time? Why do you think that you are right, and the experts are wrong? There's got to be more to it than simple a "glass is half full" viewpoint.

Basically, I've noted that your Lubbock posts are always brimming with optimism, but there's nothing factual to back this up.

Why so much inquiry about a city you don't even live in anymore, juggler?

[case44]

Originally Posted by whitegiant

What could lubbock do to keep all the ttu graduates to stay in lubbock?

For some of them, how about three words? Reese Technology Center.

[juggler]

Originally Posted by case44

Why so much inquiry about a city you don't even live in anymore, juggler?

I lived in Lubbock for 22 years. I know lots of people there. How long have you lived there?

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by juggler

That would be great if it really is different. I may even consider moving back to Lubbock some day. But what makes you think it will be different? Why do you believe Lubbock is on the verge of this unprecedented growth? All I've seen in your various posts so far amounts to a "gut feeling", or something akin to "it is due", which means nothing; it's just an unbacked opinion.

Lot's of cities are wet (in fact Lubbock is WAY late to this game); lots of cities have elaborate downtown redevelopment efforts underway. Lots of cities have tier 1 universities (and in fact this is not quite a done deal for Lubbock yet). What advantage does Lubbock have over other similar cities? What separates it from the pack? Why is it gonna be different, this time? Why do you think that you are right, and the experts are wrong? There's got to be more to it than simple a "glass is half full" viewpoint.

Basically, I've noted that your Lubbock posts are always brimming with optimism, but there's nothing factual to back this up.

Well, we do have an advantage in that we have case who has such a great vision! Right now, our biggest advantage is our economy. This list has us in the top 20 recession-proof cities.
The Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession: Where the Jobs Are - BusinessWeek
I can't find the other links, but there are some reports that say Lubbock has the second-best housing market and is the fourth-best city to invest your money. Whether this will lead to large growth is debatable. I'm not sure case's vision of a huge metropolis will ever come to fruition. In fact, I don't think I want it because a bigger city can often mean a lower quality of life (just look at Austin, IMO). Whether it booms or just keeps growing at the pace it always has, I think Lubbock does have a better future. It will continue to be a great mid-size city with great people, only with a better downtown and a more prestigious Texas Tech (those really are just a matter of time). You can't rag on a city for that.

[case44]

Originally Posted by juggler

I lived in Lubbock for 22 years. I know lots of people there. How long have you lived there?

Try looking at the upper right-hand corner, juggler. Lewisville. That would be somewhere east of Lubbock. I live in the Dallas area and have my entire life, but have visited Lubbock on several occasions and have had friends live there and have gotten familiar with the area over the last few years. Just so you know, I do travel Texas quite frequently and observe many cities. When I look at a place like Lubbock, I do see potential. When cities don't have vision, they won't grow. And Lubbock has been a prime example of that, as area citizens have crippled their own area by not seizing new opportunities or not being open to new ideas. I've heard all of the horror stories. In my opinion, the city has set itself back for many years. I am lobbying to reverse that trend, juggler. Last month, that all changed with the alcohol sales vote. There are signs Lubbock is becoming a more progressive city. I'm not necessarily trying in any way to bring Dallas or Houston over to West Texas. That's not the idea. If you base growth on patterns already inhabited in Lubbock, then yes, you'll have 275,000 people in the city proper by 2020. I'm also not a hotshot developer like Ross Perot, Jr or the McDougal family. When I see potential in a place, I will know it. What I hope to accomplish is birthing new ideas in others to help transform dormant places into hot investments. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?? Lubbock does not have stay stagnant. It's got too much potential not to be more than it is.

In addition, business clientele are always looking for new places, and Lubbock is certainly talked about more than ever. Everything Westerner has discussed earlier is true. I am even planning to spend some time out there on a vacation very soon. If you've had a bad experience in Lubbock, I'm sorry, but I also cannot blame you. If the city had been more aggressive in the 1970s like the other places in Texas, then we certainly would not have this conversation right now. Never mind that I've never lived in Lubbock, but it's number 3 on my list of places to move to if I should leave D/FW. I've never had a bad experience there, but it doesn't mean I don't have an idea or two. There are Texas travelers out there, just like myself, who probably wouldn't mind seeing a newer, brighter West Texas.

[case44]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

Well, we do have an advantage in that we have case who has such a great vision! Right now, our biggest advantage is our economy. This list has us in the top 20 recession-proof cities.
The Best Cities for Riding Out a Recession: Where the Jobs Are - BusinessWeek
I can't find the other links, but there are some reports that say Lubbock has the second-best housing market and is the fourth-best city to invest your money. Whether this will lead to large growth is debatable. I'm not sure case's vision of a huge metropolis will ever come to fruition. In fact, I don't think I want it because a bigger city can often mean a lower quality of life (just look at Austin, IMO). Whether it booms or just keeps growing at the pace it always has, I think Lubbock does have a better future. It will continue to be a great mid-size city with great people, only with a better downtown and a more prestigious Texas Tech (those really are just a matter of time). You can't rag on a city for that.

I've always said that you've got to be innovative.


Good post and points, Westerner!

[juggler]

Originally Posted by case44

Try looking at the upper right-hand corner, juggler. Lewisville. That would be somewhere east of Lubbock.

Yes, I knew you don't currently live in Lubbock, but I thought you might have in the past since you promote it so often.

I have nothing against Lubbock, and I hope it does grow. But I see how stiff the competition is, and Lubbock really is lagging behind in a lot of areas. One thing I was happy to see in the news today is that one of Lubbock's few high tech companies is expanding. Tyler Technologies is hiring 107 more employees, presumably software engineers and the like.

[case44]

Originally Posted by juggler

Yes, I knew you don't currently live in Lubbock, but I thought you might have in the past since you promote it so often.

I have nothing against Lubbock, and I hope it does grow. But I see how stiff the competition is, and Lubbock really is lagging behind in a lot of areas. One thing I was happy to see in the news today is that one of Lubbock's few high tech companies is expanding. Tyler Technologies is hiring 107 more employees, presumably software engineers and the like.

That was a great article in the A-J yesterday. Very good news.

I should add this also: More good news from the A-J, and it's about the brand-new Overton convention center hotel that's almost finished.....

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/061...50737694.shtml

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by juggler

Yes, I knew you don't currently live in Lubbock, but I thought you might have in the past since you promote it so often.

I have nothing against Lubbock, and I hope it does grow. But I see how stiff the competition is, and Lubbock really is lagging behind in a lot of areas. One thing I was happy to see in the news today is that one of Lubbock's few high tech companies is expanding. Tyler Technologies is hiring 107 more employees, presumably software engineers and the like.

Isn't the investment money for the Tyler Technology Facilities coming from the taxpayers and not private funds? I thought I read that somewhere.