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Overlooked here is you're getting two distinct cities with different personalities (Raleigh and Durham) versus the one (Columbus). Raleigh and Durham are arguably on equal footing in terms of desirability with Raleigh the more white collar feel while Durham tends more progressive, artsy and less pretentious. Throw Chapel Hill-Carrboro into the mix and the Triangle really becomes much more diverse. Columbus seems much more one-dimensional (OSU withstanding) and if you will "vanilla" in comparison.
Columbus is probably the closest thing to a Sunbelt city in the Midwest in terms of growth and new development. It's not experiencing breakneck growth like a lot of Sunbelt cities but it is above average and not even close to anemic.
The sprawl between Cincinnati and Dayton might be Sun Belt-ish, but Columbus and Indianapolis are the best choices. Both of those cities were never industrial and gritty like Cleveland, Detroit, etc.
The sprawl between Cincinnati and Dayton might be Sun Belt-ish, but Columbus and Indianapolis are the best choices. Both of those cities were never industrial and gritty like Cleveland, Detroit, etc.
You're going to think I sound crazy, but in the year 2022, Indianapolis is in the same tier of grittiness that Detroit and Cleveland are. Actually, I'd say Indy worse, because they didn't suffer to deindustrialization the way the others did. Instead, it was a complete lack of urban investment, white flight, and collapse of working class welfare that left a growing city, in a state worse than 90's Cincinnati. It's almost as if they incorporated the entire county, and forgot that the actual city exists. The neighborhoods near Butler-Tarkington (which is nice) literally look like Detroit, missing roofs and all. They also have horrible road infrastructure. Indy looks like a dying city with pockets of gentrification here and there. That city could add another MILLION people, and the place would look the exact same, there would just be a dozen more new exits off the freeway the further out you go.
Regarding Columbus vs The Triangle, Columbus is a far more dynamic city, and it's economy is pretty diverse as well. Now that my aunt lives in Raleigh I've been able to visit it alot, and they are truly transforming the downtown and core into an actual PLACE. I'm always impressed by the development down there, especially in the warehouse district (if that's even what it's called).It's a quiet city though.
These 2 metros are tied, but for different reasons. If you're a city person, Columbus comes out on top, but still offers plenty of family friendly suburbia.
If you're a suburban person, The Triangle comes out on top, but also has 3 unique smaller cities with their own scenes to chose from to get your urban fix. Interestingly enough, I could see transit being implemented here before Columbus.
Columbus has a better food/restaurant scene than Raleigh does imo.
Columbus has better summer climate but Raleigh has a better winter climate...that said at least 1 inch of snow doesn't completely shut down the city like it does to Raleigh...Columbus does have the equipment to clear streets.
Overall though, these 2 cities imo are so comparable, and I would be happy being in either.
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