Kansas City vs Tulsa vs Omaha vs Des Moines: which is more cosmopolitan and cool? (cost, largest)
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All four of these metro areas are, despite pretty unappealing climates, lack of renowned natural scenery (although I absolutely love it), and lack of national notoriety, still growing at a pretty solid rate. They're popular cities with especially young families and people who are turned off by the higher costs of the coasts and enjoy the strong sense of community and the growth potential of these cities.
But they're obviously not "cool cities" like Austin, Asheville, Denver, Nashville, etc. That's not really their brand, at least. I'm asking which of these metro areas is most cool, youthful, and cosmopolitan. Kansas City is by far the largest of these urban areas, but all of Des Moine, Tulsa, and Omaha have picked up a reputation as especially attractive cities for artists, "hipsters" (if that's even still a thing), entrepreneurs, young parents, etc. I suppose "cosmopolitan" and "cool" can mean different things to different people, and to be sure I'm not asking which city is more like New York or Chicago or Miami or whatever. I'm just asking which is most cool, youthful, and "with it" in its own unique way.
KC. I think pro sports is a difference maker and it's definitely the most known nationally. Counts for something.
Also the size of the place makes it more likely to attract more big name concerts, conventions, tourists, etc. Professional sports kind of helps raise the profile of a city, too.
KCMO may not be Nashville/Austin, but it stands so far above Omaha/DM/Tulsa that I have to question why this thread was even made. Is this a paid ad for Visit KC?
KC metro is 2.2 million
Tulsa 1 million
Omaha is almost 1 million
Des Moines 700k
It has major cultural institutions and museums that are much more heavy-hitting than the other cities. Also, KC has pro sports, which the others do not have.
Kansas City. It has professional sports, which puts it into an elevated tier in my mind. Then add in the historical cultural contributions it's made to America at large, and it's the winner.
The other 3 are all really cosmopolitan and vibrant, especially compared to other cities of their size. I've spent a lot of time in all of these places and view it as KC being the hub/center of the orbit, and the others being satellites that are connected and influenced by KC.
IMO, all of these cities have a ton going for them.
Maybe the more interesting question is which city is next *after* Kansas City.
Now that would be a debate.
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