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I thought this continuation of a familiar theme would make for an interesting discussion. Which cities do you find to be most comparable to Rochester, NY? For the sake of this thread, let’s exclude cities within New York State.
Hartford. Both had dominance in a field (optics/insurance) that’s declined significantly. However left quite wealthy well off suburbs unlike a lot of similar sized cities. Both are under the influence of nearby cities.
I also think they both carved up their Downtowns horrendously more than a lot of similar cities.
Rochester has a few more nice urban neighborhoods than Hartford though.
Hartford. Both had dominance in a field (optics/insurance) that’s declined significantly. However left quite wealthy well off suburbs unlike a lot of similar sized cities. Both are under the influence of nearby cities.
I also think they both carved up their Downtowns horrendously more than a lot of similar cities.
Rochester has a few more nice urban neighborhoods than Hartford though.
There is still a big presence only due to smaller companies being formed as the bigger companies downsized. There is actually a thread in the Rochester forum about the Photonics industry in the area and this map illustrates what I am referring to: https://siliconmaps.com/new-york-photonics-map/
As for the cities listed, Richmond and Louisville may not be too dissimilar, as both cities(or former city in the case of Louisville) aren't much bigger than Rochester in population and are/were a little bit bigger in land size. Both are a little bit bigger in metro population, but not by much and again, both are bigger in land size on the metro level.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 02-18-2021 at 09:12 AM..
There is still a big presence only due to smaller companies being formed as the bigger companies downsized. There is actually a thread in the Rochester forum about the Photonics industry in the area and this map illustrates what I am referring to: https://siliconmaps.com/new-york-photonics-map/
As for the cities listed, Richmond and Louisville may not be too dissimilar, as both cities(or former city in the case of Louisville) aren't much bigger than Rochester in population and are/were a little bit bigger in land size. Both are a little bit bigger in metro population, but not by much and again, both are bigger in land size on the metro level.
Hartford still has several Insurance companies some where merged out, most simply automated out a lot of jobs in the 1990s. Much like Kodak.
They also reached their economic pinnacle at the same time
Why is Boise in the poll, and who voted for it? Super random.
Spokane I can actually kinda see. It does have a Rust Belt vibe in some parts and, like Rochester, has suffered some economic decline from the loss of its manufacturing industry after the core Rust Belt period of the '60s-'80s (not enough to cause overall population decline, but still less growth than most Western cities).
Why is Boise in the poll, and who voted for it? Super random.
Spokane I can actually kinda see. It does have a Rust Belt vibe in some parts and, like Rochester, has suffered some economic decline from the loss of its manufacturing industry after the core Rust Belt period of the '60s-'80s (not enough to cause overall population decline, but still less growth than most Western cities).
Spokane seems to be more in line with Syracuse in terms of population/size and character. Rochester actually has more of a white collar feel than other Interior Northeastern cities, even though it does have a blue collar presence as well.
To be fair to Rochester, while the city proper has lost population within its 35 square miles, the metro hasn't loss population in an official census as of now.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 02-19-2021 at 07:54 AM..
I'd actually argue Birmingham in some ways, although Rochester is somewhat less blue collar than you'd think from its location/cultural sterotypes about the region (decently sized white collar contingent of people). Hartford is probably the closest parallel, although I think Rochester is in a good deal better shape than Hartford (says more about Hartford than Rochester though)
I'd actually argue Birmingham in some ways, although Rochester is somewhat less blue collar than you'd think from its location/cultural sterotypes about the region (decently sized white collar contingent of people). Hartford is probably the closest parallel, although I think Rochester is in a good deal better shape than Hartford (says more about Hartford than Rochester though)
The issue is Birmingham is very few urban neighborhoods. It has a pretty large gridded Downtown but becomes suburvanrrally quickly. As it has 208,000 people in like 180sq miles.
Rochester has a pretty extensive area of nice urban neighborhoods south of Main Street.
Almost want to say it’s like a city with the layout of Worcester had the economy of Hartford and the demographics of Buffalo they’d be Rochester.
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