Why are Georgia's 2nd tier cities so traditional and old fashioned compared to Metro Atlanta? (Savannah: places to live, young professionals)

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by dpatt.marine1

You do bring up a great point here. Pull out a map of Georgia and it's crazy how all roads lead to Atlanta. The only reason Macon has two interstates is because of the importance of Savannah. Without Savannah, Macon would only have I-75. Other cities around the south that are in a similar tier as Augusta, Columbus and Savannah, most have at least two interstates and a much larger infrastructure footprint. Atlanta has prospered as has the entire state but it has severely handicapped the other cities who are at a huge disadvantage against their regional competition.

I don't think you can just say Savannah is the only reason Macon has 2 Freeways, it a major reason but not the only. It's a direct connect for central and north Georgia to I-95 and Coastal GA as a whole. You also can't downplay Macon/Warner Robins area by no means with a population of over 400,000. It's a very important Georgia and central Georgia CSA, just as important as Augusta and Columbus with some of the best infastructure of all the Ga. 2nd Tiers..

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

I think most people can assume he meant before I-16 merges with I-75. The main reason behind the construction of I-16 is connecting Atlanta and Savannah.

I think the purpose of Interstate highways period is to link Major cities together as a whole, other wise they would have just skipped Macon and connected direct to Atlanta

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by oobanks

I think the purpose of Interstate highways period is to link Major cities together as a whole, other wise they would have just skipped Macon and connected direct to Atlanta

Looking at maps it definitely appears to be a combination. Probably start out with major cities or regions as goals for the interstate to connect (Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, gulf coast, Florida's coasts, etc) and then between those major cities, adjust for more local cities. So, 20 hits Birmingham then cuts SW with 59 to hit Tuscaloosa and Meridian. From there 20 can hit Jackson, Vicksburg, Monroe, Shreveport and swing by Tyler, Marshall and Longview before making it to 20. Also has to do with US Routes. 20 follows US 80 for a good distance and 78. US 80 connects Macon and Savannah so it's likely they wanted to follow that same general path.

[midgeorgiaman]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Georgia's smaller cities are a critical part of the state and the region. There's a lot more high quality living going on there than some might might think.

True. While no other city in the state can rival Atlanta in the way of amenities, each of the smaller cities have their own cultural draws and diverse scenes. There are some well connected, well educated, and well traveled residents in each city. Passing through on the interstate doesn't constitute "knowing" it. Also, for their regions, the smaller cities are the hubs for culture, transportation, jobs, and medical care. They aren't Atlanta, never will be, and aren't trying to be Atlanta, and for the record most of the people in these cities don't want to live in Atlanta or else they would have already moved there like dozens of their friends and family. (Everybody I know has family or friends that wanted a more vibrant larger city and moved to Atlanta...it is pretty easy to do you know) My point is that it takes all kinds to make this great state and the smaller cities provide an attractive option for living to many people.

[gofalcons]

Originally Posted by midgeorgiaman

True. While no other city in the state can rival Atlanta in the way of amenities, each of the smaller cities have their own cultural draws and diverse scenes. There are some well connected, well educated, and well traveled residents in each city. Passing through on the interstate doesn't constitute "knowing" it. Also, for their regions, the smaller cities are the hubs for culture, transportation, jobs, and medical care. They aren't Atlanta, never will be, and aren't trying to be Atlanta, and for the record most of the people in these cities don't want to live in Atlanta or else they would have already moved there like dozens of their friends and family. (Everybody I know has family or friends that wanted a more vibrant larger city and moved to Atlanta...it is pretty easy to do you know) My point is that it takes all kinds to make this great state and the smaller cities provide an attractive option for living to many people.

As I previously stated, I'm from Columbus and there's nothing attractive about that place. That's exactly why I left after graduation.

[midgeorgiaman]

Originally Posted by gofalcons

As I previously stated, I'm from Columbus and there's nothing attractive about that place. That's exactly why I left after graduation.

If you wanted a change and found the city unattractive then that is what you needed to do. I am not disagreeing, everyone's perspective is different. There are many who love it. To each their own.

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by sedimenjerry

Looking at maps it definitely appears to be a combination. Probably start out with major cities or regions as goals for the interstate to connect (Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, gulf coast, Florida's coasts, etc) and then between those major cities, adjust for more local cities. So, 20 hits Birmingham then cuts SW with 59 to hit Tuscaloosa and Meridian. From there 20 can hit Jackson, Vicksburg, Monroe, Shreveport and swing by Tyler, Marshall and Longview before making it to 20. Also has to do with US Routes. 20 follows US 80 for a good distance and 78. US 80 connects Macon and Savannah so it's likely they wanted to follow that same general path.

Great point.. We also have to consider the by pass freeways around the larger cities that devert traffic around the Center cities to avoid traffic.. This is something Augusta and Macon both have as well.

[sedimenjerry]

Originally Posted by oobanks

Great point.. We also have to consider the by pass freeways around the larger cities that devert traffic around the Center cities to avoid traffic.. This is something Augusta and Macon both have as well.

It's interesting, Augusta's 520 (used to be just a spur hence the odd digit) is really a local loop while 475 around Macon is absolutely the bypass for everything passing through between N and S GA. I-20 also doesn't get as close to downtown as 75 and 16 do in Macon. In Tampa, it's actually 275 that goes to downtown. 75 skirts along the eastside.

[demonta4]

Originally Posted by Mutiny77

Well we disagree on this point. The SC/NC state line is the city limit for Charlotte and its urban area spills over into SC, but Charlotte is a NC city, not a SC one. At the end of the day, Chattanooga is in Tennessee, not Georgia; if anything, it seems that Tennessee would get to claim Chattanooga's Georgia suburbs since they primarily exist due to Chattanooga's presence.



Saintmarks was referencing metro areas that spill over into Georgia; that includes Jacksonville, even if it is by one county. She even made mention of Savannah by way of Hilton Head/Beaufort which isn't even a CSA. So yeah, Jacksonville would be second in Georgia if that's how we're counting.

It makes more sense for Georgia to take parts of Chattanooga due to state lines not being drawn accurately.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by demonta4

It makes more sense for Georgia to take parts of Chattanooga due to state lines not being drawn accurately.

Chattanooga has always been in Tennessee. It is what it is.