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I'm not much drawn to the area myself and the central city has significant crime and blight issues, but statistically Baltimore is a highly educated and affluent metro, more so than any other on the list. The inclusion of Howard and Anne Arundel counties in the metro definition is certainly a major reason for this. Howard County has significant influence from the Washington DC metro area but commuting patterns align it better with Baltimore - and Howard is one of the most consistently upscale counties in the nation. Anne Arundel's affluent areas likewise tend to be situated a bit further from Baltimore city and are to some extent within the DC sphere of influence as well.
But strictly in terms of city reputations across the nation, I fully agree with Pittsburgh taking the lead. It's a city that excels in terms of urban amenities with a much healthier core than others across the "Rust Belt". Unlike Baltimore, the central parts of the metro area tend to be in better shape than the outlying sections, and Pittsburgh is certainly not overshadowed by a stronger city within its immediate vicinity.
OKC is given a bad rap because it's the largest city in a highly red state. Oklahoma is the butt of many stereotypical jokes.
Tulsa has a better rep than OKC as it is more "hip" but the problem is that it's in Oklahoma so it will still been viewed in that light.
Cleveland, Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Birmingham are a nice punching bag on both declining industries, crime, racial issues. There are certainly perks to each of these cities but unfortunately, the media paints them as these declining crime ridden cities.
Little Rock is just Little Rock. It is definitely spending "little" time in the media and people's minds. I don't think it really has a reputation per se as it's just there.
Pittsburgh from a reputation perspective tops this list easily. It may be known for a declining industry but I think it's shown in a favorable light overall compared to the other cities.
Yep, the media loves to paint cities that are beyond the Coasts in the most unfavorable light because a lot of your major networks, blogs and newspapers are run by Coastal elites or progressives. Plus, society at large picks on certain cities because it's easier to do or they want to put that city down to hype up their city. Also, when people don't research cities for themselves all they have is the media's version of those cities. And whether positive or negative, people love their stereotypes about cities and/or regions, some even cling to them.
Last edited by QCongress83216; 05-10-2019 at 12:25 PM..
Yep, the media loves to paint cities that are beyond the Coasts in the most unfavorable light because a lot of your major networks, blogs and newspapers are run by Coastal elites or progressives. Plus, society at large picks on certain cities because it's easier to do or they want to put that city down to hype up their city. Also, when people don't research cities for themselves all they have is the media's version of those cities. And whether positive or negative, people love their stereotypes about cities and/or regions, some even cling to them.
It helps them sleep at night.
"My life might suck in the stressful, big city but at least I get to live here instead of your dump" is what a lot of bashers are really saying. Joke is on a lot of them; If they don't buy quickly, eventually they'll be priced out and have to live in some "dumpy, uncool" city
In general, happy people don't resort to sophomoric city bashing.
As for the media: negativity sells!
it helps to perpetuate old stereotypes. As long as people keep clicking those same articles(x city is poor, x city is polluted), they'll keep writing them.
Those articles have basically turned into accepted clckbait.
Last edited by dontbelievehim; 05-12-2019 at 12:17 AM..
OKC is given a bad rap because it's the largest city in a highly red state. Oklahoma is the butt of many stereotypical jokes.
Tulsa has a better rep than OKC as it is more "hip" but the problem is that it's in Oklahoma so it will still been viewed in that light.
Cleveland, Memphis, St. Louis, Baltimore, Detroit, Birmingham are a nice punching bag on both declining industries, crime, racial issues. There are certainly perks to each of these cities but unfortunately, the media paints them as these declining crime ridden cities.
Little Rock is just Little Rock. It is definitely spending "little" time in the media and people's minds. I don't think it really has a reputation per se as it's just there.
Pittsburgh from a reputation perspective tops this list easily. It may be known for a declining industry but I think it's shown in a favorable light overall compared to the other cities.
New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston SC and Savannah are all located in very Red states. Texas is also a very red state. Yet they don't have this "issue". NOt that REd is bad, I'm glad I live in a conservative state again.
I live in OKC but would put Pittsburgh above it. After that there are few places on this list I would even consider choosing above OKC. For all the reasons you stated (economy, cost of living, surprising amenities, rapid growth, no traffic, etc.).
When it comes to politics, OKC has actually voted blue in the last 4 elections (presidential, governor, congressional reps, city council). OKC (along with Norman, which is included in the metro) was the only city in the state to vote for a Democrat governor, a Democrat congresswoman, and 2 new, young, and progressive city council members who look to focus on improving the city’s public transit, bike lanes, beautification, urban fabric, walkability, mental health institutions, homelessness, and education. The political argument against OKC is growing thinner by the year. It is exactly like all other large metros, growing more and more progressive in its attitudes and policies. There aren’t people pushing conservative or religious views on anyone. The vibe is very live-and-let-live.
Which then makes OKC typical of large cities in red states. Norman, being a college town, ditto.
I still maintain that (the Electoral College notwithstanding) the real political divide in this country is not red state/blue state but urban/rural, with the suburbs the battleground where the fighting takes place. There, there is a coastal/interior distinction, however: with some exceptions (Chicago, the Twin Cities, Denver, maybe St. Louis), the suburbs of the large cities of the interior skew conservative while those of the coastal metropolises, which once did the same, now skew liberal or "third way" (socially liberal, fiscally conservative types of either party do well in them).
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