Dallas-Fort Worth vs. Washington-Baltimore metro area definition

[the resident09]

Originally Posted by R1070

And the simple fact that Dallas and FW city limits are only about 12 miles apart. It’s really just one region that shares the same amenities and bedroom communities.

DC's beltway 495, and Baltimore's beltway 695 sit about 18-20 miles apart at their shortest route. In this area the "Beltways" are like a de facto city sphere of influence. There's little denying DFW operates more like a single metro, but it's pretty negligible comparing everyday life in between the cities of either region. DC and Balt just have much stronger pull within their inner spheres of influence, and are a few miles further separated than DFW. The DC and Baltimore suburbs are older and more defined or distinct than DFW, but much of the newer development that does exist in between Baltimore and Washington has very little distinction no matter which side of the metro you cross into.

[R1070]

Originally Posted by the resident09

DC's beltway 495, and Baltimore's beltway 695 sit about 18-20 miles apart at their shortest route. In this area the "Beltways" are like a de facto city sphere of influence. There's little denying DFW operates more like a single metro, but it's pretty negligible comparing everyday life in between the cities of either region. DC and Balt just have much stronger pull within their inner spheres of influence, and are a few miles further separated than DFW. The DC and Baltimore suburbs are older and more defined or distinct than DFW, but much of the newer development that does exist in between Baltimore and Washington has very little distinction no matter which side of the metro you cross into.

But that's in a narrow area through major travel corridors. The Bos-Wash corridor in general is set up this way as it's very heavily populated.

[Johnhw222]

I am use to decisions by fed gov bureaucrats being wrong so this is norm. Both of these adjacent cities are 90% similar and 10% different but that so they seem so similar to be the same to me. I live in Plano and once had a Dr in fort worth. 60 miles from my house to his office. They didn’t feel close enough that day.

[UrbanQuest]

Baltimore may be more distinct, but Fort Worth isn’t too far behind.

The Metroplex is isolated enough that it makes sense that they share things like the TV market and airport. Otherwise they seem to have their own identities. I also believe that Fort Worth’s airport is getting closer to having passenger service.

Another point is that Fort Worth has a stronger magnet to visit for out of towners that secondary cities usually don’t. Though not as much as Baltimore.