Baltimore 9th best city for new college grads (2015, income)

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

Maybe if you mean welfare and other forms of federal aid for low income residences. That's more of a gov handout. In DC it's more like federal contractors, employees and people who run small time businesses that provide services to the gov. These are educated individuals who navigate the federal soup to gain income.

I find those are two very different ways of what you call "benefits from the federal government". One method is noble the other is begging for money!!!!

Baltimore is more/less blue collar that depends on industry and weak companies.

If you actually bothered or read, the article is talking specifically about federal government employment and its multiplifying effects, not social spending.

[Calvert Hall '62]

Originally Posted by rudy_d

If you actually bothered or read, the article is talking specifically about federal government employment and its multiplifying effects, not social spending.

SSA HQ just west of the city line has employed 13,000-22,000.

[rudy_d]

Originally Posted by Calvert Hall '62

SSA HQ just west of the city line has employed 13,000-22,000.

Really not that significant in a metro population of 2.7 million.

[Infinite_heights77]

Why does Baltimore have so many weak companies?

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

Maybe if you mean welfare and other forms of federal aid for low income residences. That's more of a gov handout. In DC it's more like federal contractors, employees and people who run small time businesses that provide services to the gov. These are educated individuals who navigate the federal soup to gain income.

I find those are two very different ways of what you call "benefits from the federal government". One method is noble the other is begging for money!!!!

Baltimore is more/less blue collar that depends on industry and weak companies.

[pwduvall]

Originally Posted by steppinthrax

Maybe if you mean welfare and other forms of federal aid for low income residences. That's more of a gov handout. In DC it's more like federal contractors, employees and people who run small time businesses that provide services to the gov. These are educated individuals who navigate the federal soup to gain income.

I find those are two very different ways of what you call "benefits from the federal government". One method is noble the other is begging for money!!!!

Baltimore is more/less blue collar that depends on industry and weak companies.

[Mod cut: orphaned]

The truth is that the Baltimore area is at the bottom of top ten large metro areas in lots of ways, including educational attainment. Baltimore no longer has a particularly blue collar economy. That is just a myth that DC folks use in order to try to feel superior. It is clear that the DC area is very well educated and prosperous. Why can't they just enjoy their status and not even worry about Baltimore? Perhaps they feel that the presence of Baltimore to the north hurts them in some way. I don't see how; it didn't keep them from becoming well educated and prosperous.

[dogpark]

Originally Posted by pwduvall

[Mod cut- orphaned]

The truth is that the Baltimore area is at the bottom of top ten large metro areas in lots of ways, including educational attainment. Baltimore no longer has a particularly blue collar economy. That is just a myth that DC folks use in order to try to feel superior. It is clear that the DC area is very well educated and prosperous. Why can't they just enjoy their status and not even worry about Baltimore? Perhaps they feel that the presence of Baltimore to the north hurts them in some way. I don't see how; it didn't keep them from becoming well educated and prosperous.

Spot on! Can't rep you again right now, but you should get bonus points for diplomacy. Of course most US metros will fall short of NYC, DC & SF - they are our flagship cities, our Paris, London & Tokyo etc. That doesn't mean that Yokohama, Prague & Edinburgh etc are not also wonderful cities with opportunity. If what is wrong with Baltimore is that it is not DC, well duh! Figure if all that federal post 911 largess couldn't build a mecca, then the game is over.

[steppinthrax]

Originally Posted by pwduvall

[Mod cut - orphaned]

The truth is that the Baltimore area is at the bottom of top ten large metro areas in lots of ways, including educational attainment. Baltimore no longer has a particularly blue collar economy. That is just a myth that DC folks use in order to try to feel superior. It is clear that the DC area is very well educated and prosperous. Why can't they just enjoy their status and not even worry about Baltimore? Perhaps they feel that the presence of Baltimore to the north hurts them in some way. I don't see how; it didn't keep them from becoming well educated and prosperous.

No change in my rhetoric.

Baltimore is slow to make progress and falls behinds all major metropolitan areas within the United States (maybe except Detroit). Getting back to the topic at hand.

This top 10 list in no way really makes and significant difference. It's almost like my kid brings how a report card showing a 2.0 GPA (just made it) and wishes to celebrate.

[tcave360]

Originally Posted by pwduvall

[Mod cut - orphaned]

The truth is that the Baltimore area is at the bottom of top ten large metro areas in lots of ways, including educational attainment. Baltimore no longer has a particularly blue collar economy. That is just a myth that DC folks use in order to try to feel superior. It is clear that the DC area is very well educated and prosperous. Why can't they just enjoy their status and not even worry about Baltimore? Perhaps they feel that the presence of Baltimore to the north hurts them in some way. I don't see how; it didn't keep them from becoming well educated and prosperous.

Meh, many of us down here don't really care to be honest. We're doing more than well in the DC area in spite of Baltimore's presence. Let's not get carried away here. But hey, whatever makes you feel good in dealing with trolls

[DistrictSonic]

Baltimore will never be DC in the number of professional jobs. Let's just get that out of the way right away. This is DC's big appeal is for those career oriented in policy and economics, law, journalism, nonprofits, etc. It is a juggernaut that is in an elite economic group Baltimore will never be part of.



Let's get that out of the way.

But Baltimore does not need to be part of that group to both grow and improve as a city. It could go a long way in expanding in ways that play to it's streangths.

Here is the thing Baltimore does have to offer, and it is important. It is a good city if one want's to start up their own business and use a bootstrap method (minimal investment) to do so. This means niche businesses can start and grow, and can scale if need be. Baltimore also has a more substantial creative art's scene then it is given credit for.

That is the thing, not everybody who finishes school finishes with a business or political science background. Some finish with MFA and need a place to start which is low rent, but with good access to strong regional markets. Some are starting businesses, and others just want a place they can do their work and not have to worry about paying the rent.

I know many people that live in Baltimore, and many of them are artists or small business people full time.

So while Baltimore does lag other cities in the region, it may end up with a bright future. Young people are moving there, and there is no question about that, it did have growth in terms of college graduates. But while DC attracts young professionals, Baltimore attracts young creatives.

Baltimore could very easily become something like Portland, New Orleans, or Nashville. It could be medium size city known for it's creative output and draw in tourists and economic growth as a result. Artscape for example is already becoming a major festival, and you only need to look towards SXSW on how a festival can be leveraged for regional economic growth.

So I am not surprised to see Baltimore on the list. The city has a long way to go to improve, but it already has planted the seeds necessary for a brighter future, and it is starting to pay off.

For the record, I actually live in DC, this is kind of what I have seen from Baltimore from my perspective as a frequent visitor.

[choccity]

Originally Posted by tcave360

Meh, many of us down here don't really care to be honest. We're doing more than well in the DC area in spite of Baltimore's presence. Let's not get carried away here. But hey, whatever makes you feel good in dealing with trolls

I was a little confused too.