Great. I always love seeing these types of threads where I’ve actually been to all of the options
I go to Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area every year to visit snowbird family, like every other New Yorker ever.
DC obviously was never too far away from me and is a fantastic city to visit. I’ve made numerous visits throughout my life. It’s one of those cities where you can’t really see everything in one trip.
I’ve seen these 2 cities change over the course of roughly 20 years, which is perfect for this thread.
But with Toronto, I’ve only been there once. So I’m not as familiar with it as the others but I’ll give this a shot...
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the area where culture has changed the most in the last 20 years?
I’m going with DC. 20 years ago DC was one of the biggest murder capitals of America. Now it is one of the most booming and gentrified.
2nd place I’ll probably give to Toronto, just since I haven’t really noticed any drastic changes in Miami’s culture at all. And I do hear that Toronto has changed a lot over the years.
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the area where the economy has changed the most in the last 20 years?
Probably Toronto seeing that it’s really secured it’s spot as Canada’s economic hub. DC has the largest economy, but Toronto’s probably has had the most change.
DC 2nd just due to the fact that it has grown a lot during this time.
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the area where its composition diversity has changed the most in the last 20 years? (meaning the demographics today are way different than they were in 1996)
Just by looking at changes in census numbers: DC —> Toronto —> Miami
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the area where infrastructure has expanded the most in the last 20 years?
By public transit expansions, I’m going with DC and Toronto by a close 2nd. Miami dead last.
Both Washington and Toronto have been making tremendous expansions over the years. What makes me lean to DC is that DC has been adding significantly more heavy rail, whereas Toronto has been mostly light rail, although I am aware of the 1 train extension. I just think that heavy rail is a far greater investment than light rail, especially in these times. Although any transit expansion is great.
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the area where research and development institutions have gained prominence more quickly in the last 20 years?
I’m going with DC, seeing that it’s research and development institutions include all the government-related institutions as well as universities. It gets a bit of an unfair advantage here.
I don’t know enough about Miami or Toronto in this category.
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the area where the housing market has undergone the most changes in the last 20 years with regards to pricing, supply availability, type and style of architecture?
Miami/Toronto neck and neck with all the residential skyscrapers they’ve been adding and are continuing to do so. Some of the only cities in the continent that embrace high rise living.
DC obviously has a height restriction, so it cannot build all these highrises like the other 2. DC got an unfair advantage in the last category, so now it gets an unfair disadvantage here. I guess that evens out.
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the area that has increased its global portfolio the most the last 20 years?
Toronto. Washington’s global profile cannot possibly increase anymore. It is easily one of the most powerful and instantly recognizable cities in the entire world. Everyone in the world knows Washington DC, and can recognize numerous landmarks. Miami has been a global party destination for a long time. Toronto kind of seems like it’s in the process of establishing it’s major international profile whereas the other 2 have already had strong international profiles and don’t seem to be changing anytime soon.
Overall: DC —> Toronto —> Miami
Is what I get when I add up all my rankings
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