Atlanta's not a world class city[CL Article] (Dallas, Boston: buses, airport)

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

What does a skyline or a big rock have to do with world-class? Also, there are 12 metro areas which have a franchise of the four major US sports, Atlanta isn't one of them.

Atlanta is an important city, but world-class it is not. There are only a handful of cities that can claim that title with little argument.

These things make us world class in my opinion.

What do you think it takes?

[kasuga888]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

It always strikes me as odd that the cities that are not "world class" are the ones that are growing the fastest, while the populations of "world class" cities like New York would be declining if not for immigrants. It almost seems as though most people prefer spacious residential neighborhoods, a good climate, low cost of living, and robust, diversified economies over the features that are typically described as essential to "world class" cities.

Because world class cities become too expensive for mere mortals to stay.

[Cameron H]

Originally Posted by kasuga888

Because world class cities become too expensive for mere mortals to stay.

No, that doesn't appear to be the case. First, many very expensive cities do not demonstrate the same population dynamics. Second, of course, many of the immigrants arriving in New York are much less wealthy than the people who leave the city every year.

I do agree that it can be easier for "mere mortals" to sustain a high quality of life in a city like Atlanta than in New York. That was kinda my point.

[glovenyc]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

No, that doesn't appear to be the case. First, many very expensive cities do not demonstrate the same population dynamics. Second, of course, many of the immigrants arriving in New York are much less wealthy than the people who leave the city every year.

I do agree that it can be easier for "mere mortals" to sustain a high quality of life in a city like Atlanta than in New York. That was kinda my point.

Cameron, although many of the immigrants who arrive to live there maybe less wealthy than the average NYer, but NYC has become another place for the "global 1%" to stash their cash.

Why New York Real Estate Is the New Swiss Bank Account -- New York Magazine

[Cameron H]

Originally Posted by glovenyc

Cameron, although many of the immigrants who arrive to live there maybe less wealthy than the average NYer, but NYC has become another place for the "global 1%" to stash their cash.

No doubt! That's why I said "many of the immigrants" as opposed to "all of the immigrants" or even "most of the immigrants." And I'm not bashing immigrants -- I agreed with your statement earlier in the thread that immigrants have made huge contributions to New York!

I've never lived in a world-class city for an extended period of time: LA for a year (if you count it; some don't), New York and Moscow for maximum stretches of three months. But in my experience, everyday life in "world-class" cities is often rather difficult for the 99%. They lack some of the conveniences and benefits of more modest cities, and you find that you rarely get to enjoy those features that make them "world-class." You're too busy going to work, raising your kids, and riding that world-class public transportation for two to four hours a day.

New York, in my view, is a great place to visit and a lousy place to live.* Atlanta is the opposite. It just strikes me as ironic that we so often consider the cities that are lousy places to live "world-class." I mean, cities are "for" lots of things, but it seems to me that being good places to live should be at the top of that list.

* Really just for families of low or middle income. If you're young and single, and/or if you're wealthy, I don't believe living in a "world-class" city would be lousy at all.

[Ant131531]

NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Boston, and D.C. are probably the only cities in this country that can say they are world class.

Atlanta's close to being a world class metro, but not a world class city.

Hell, IMO, Seattle is more of a world class city than Atlanta is.

[EarlofCardigan]

I agree. Seattle is definitely more of a real city than Atl.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by EarlofCardigan

I agree. Seattle is definitely more of a urbanized city than Atl.

Fixed that for you.

[bizchick86]

Originally Posted by Cameron H

No doubt! That's why I said "many of the immigrants" as opposed to "all of the immigrants" or even "most of the immigrants." And I'm not bashing immigrants -- I agreed with your statement earlier in the thread that immigrants have made huge contributions to New York!

I've never lived in a world-class city for an extended period of time: LA for a year (if you count it; some don't), New York and Moscow for maximum stretches of three months. But in my experience, everyday life in "world-class" cities is often rather difficult for the 99%. They lack some of the conveniences and benefits of more modest cities, and you find that you rarely get to enjoy those features that make them "world-class." You're too busy going to work, raising your kids, and riding that world-class public transportation for two to four hours a day.

New York, in my view, is a great place to visit and a lousy place to live.* Atlanta is the opposite. It just strikes me as ironic that we so often consider the cities that are lousy places to live "world-class." I mean, cities are "for" lots of things, but it seems to me that being good places to live should be at the top of that list.

* Really just for families of low or middle income. If you're young and single, and/or if you're wealthy, I don't believe living in a "world-class" city would be lousy at all.

I agree wholeheartedly! That's why it's so silly for city leaders and boosters to tout Atlanta as world class--the people who are here love it for a reason so the puffery is unnecessary.

I have a love-hate relationship with New York, and it edges closer to hate. I am so glad Atlanta is *not* like NYC and rue the day that it ever gets close to it. Just being able to breathe and live, enjoy sun, and still have a ton to do (and eat!) makes Atlanta my favorite place to live. At the same time, there are so many things we can do to rank more highly among international cities, and city planners should be patient and strategic with that process.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by Gulch

Fixed that for you.

I wouldn't even go that far. Sure, it's denser and is on a grid, but Seattle has basically the same housing and building stock as the City of Atlanta. Plus they lack a subway. Any city without a subway cannot be more urban than one with one.