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Austin
Oklahoma City
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Columbus
Nashville
Richmond
Charlotte
Raleigh
Jacksonville
I thought it might be interesting to compare these 8 cities/metros. Currently, they are about the same size in population and still relatively "new" to the "big city" game. They are "new" to being recognized on a nationwide scale as being a "big city". They all seem to be on the upswing and in a state of boom.
I left out Ft Worth because it's part of the 7 million Metroplex, whereas these cities are about 1.5 million to 2.5 million and do not share their metro with another major city.
How would you rank these cities in terms of:
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity.
3. Big city Amenities - such libraries and museums
4. Food/restaraunts
5. Culture
6. Cost of living
7. Night life
8. Infrastructure
9. Crimes
10. Diversity
11. Education levels of residents
12. Public transportation
13. Health care
14. Street/road/highway congestion.
Raleigh (metro), Jacksonville, Oklahoma City, and Richmond are in a tier below the rest.
1.Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now? No, Charlotte will break away.
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity. Nashville has a very bright future with all of the development planned.
3. Big city Amenities - such libraries and museums: Charlotte
4. Food/restaraunts: Kansas City
5. Culture: Kansas City
6. Cost of living: Oklahoma City
7. Night life: Nashville
8. Infrastructure: None. Jacksonville most improved.
9. Crimes: Raleigh
10. Diversity: Charlotte
11. Education levels of residents: Raleigh
12. Public transportation: Charlotte
13. Health care: Nashville
14. Street/road/highway congestion: Kansas City followed closely by Indianapolis.
My top three cities on this list include Charlotte, Kansas City, and Nashville. Charlotte ranks first while Oklahoma City is last place.
Austin
Oklahoma City
Kansas City
Indianapolis
Columbus
Nashville
Richmond
Charlotte
Raleigh
Jacksonville
How would you rank these cities in terms of:
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
2. Brightest future / economic prosperity - Charlotte/Nashville
3. Big city Amenities - such libraries and museums - Charlotte
4. Food/restaurants - Kansas City
5. Culture - NA (Too subjective/broad)
6. Cost of living - Oklahoma City
7. Night life - Nashville
8. Infrastructure - Kansas City (from what I've seen)
9. Crimes - Columbus
10. Diversity - NA (see #5)
11. Education levels of residents - Raleigh/Austin
12. Public transportation - Charlotte
13. Health care - Raleigh
14. Street/road/highway congestion - Austin
Top 3: Charlotte will lead, going to a higher tier in the next 5 years or so, followed not far behind by Nashville. Raleigh will do better than others around the nation think. Austin's COL will catch up with them. They will still do relatively well, but will level off over time. Just my take.
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
Estimated metros:
Austin 4 million
Oklahoma City 1.7 million
Kansas City 2.2 million
Indianapolis 2.3 million
Columbus 2.4 million
Nashville 3 million
Richmond 2.1 million
Charlotte 3.6 million
Raleigh 2.4 million
Jacksonville 2.5 million
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
Estimated metros:
Austin 4 million
Oklahoma City 1.7 million
Kansas City 2.2 million
Indianapolis 2.3 million
Columbus 2.4 million
Nashville 3 million
Richmond 2.1 million
Charlotte 3.6 million
Raleigh 2.4 million
Jacksonville 2.5 million
This is a bit more plausible. Posters are forgetting that Austin is growing TWICE as fast as any other city on this list.
Cities go through booms. Austin is experiencing that right now. It won't last forever.
A place like Jacksonville is poised to undergo some sort of massive growth too at some point or another, especially considering it is home to some of the most desirable counties and schools in the state.
One thing that Jacksonville has that other cities lack, IMO, is massive infrastructure already set in place to support growth. It's unusual in sunbelt cities, particularly in Florida, where places like Miami, Orlando and Tampa always seem to be 20 years behind. Its location and geographical layout is also prime for development. If the powers at hand can get their act together, it should grow significantly, and I can see it fighting for the number 2 spot economically in Florida.
Not saying it will hit 3.5M within 30 years, but I can see it undergoing the exact same construction boom as Austin is in the near future.
1. Future population growth. Will these cities/metros still be in the same peer group of cities with one another 30 years from now?
Estimated metros:
Austin 4 million
Oklahoma City 1.7 million
Kansas City 2.2 million
Indianapolis 2.3 million
Columbus 2.4 million
Nashville 3 million
Richmond 2.1 million
Charlotte 3.6 million
Raleigh 2.4 million
Jacksonville 2.5 million
Austin population will slow in the near future as col rises. I'm predicting Austin will hit around 3.5 million and its southern neighbor San Antonio will be around 3.0 million in 30 yrs.
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