Northeast v. Southeast

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Though it's a gross oversimplification of a complex issue or circumstance, it's really for the same reasons the midwest and western parts of the country saw an influx of migrants in the 19th century.

It's a less competitive place to be, even still. The dollar stretches further. There is more land, and better positioned land available. And yes, the weather (in some areas) is better.

But, as you say, NYC, DC, and Boston remain quite expensive as they have been able to stay ultra competitive and reinvent themselves. Despite stagnant or slow population growth, GDP and high growth industry continue to boom.. Political might, substantial higher education, and healthcare & R&D are a blessing and a curse. As a result, I suspect a lot of the outward migration comes from those in less-than-desirable circumstances, or the younger generation looking for more with less.

The southern metros will continue to become more expensive, as demand continues to increase. Over time, we will see a healthier balance, north, south, east, and west. Until then, expect much of the same.. The south will grow with more velocity.

Even though this state lies outside the bounds of this discussion, I think it worth noting here that there was net domestic out-migration from California this past decade, something that hasn't happened before.

California's economy remains the nation's largest, and ISTR that it would be the sixth-biggest national economy in the world (or somewhere around that number) were it an independent nation. It also has a very agreeable climate (though the forest fires are putting a dent in that) and cities that remain centers of innovation and creativity even though they are incredibly expensive places to live.

IOW, California has become the Northeast of the Western United States.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Though it's a gross oversimplification of a complex issue or circumstance, it's really for the same reasons the midwest and western parts of the country saw an influx of migrants in the 19th century.

It's a less competitive place to be, even still. The dollar stretches further. There is more land, and better positioned land available. And yes, the weather (in some areas) is better.

But, as you say, NYC, DC, and Boston remain quite expensive as they have been able to stay ultra competitive and reinvent themselves. Despite stagnant or slow population growth, GDP and high growth industry continue to boom.. Political might, substantial higher education, and healthcare & R&D are a blessing and a curse. As a result, I suspect a lot of the outward migration comes from those in less-than-desirable circumstances, or the younger generation looking for more with less.

The southern metros will continue to become more expensive, as demand continues to increase. Over time, we will see a healthier balance, north, south, east, and west. Until then, expect much of the same.. The south will grow with more velocity.

Yep. The inward migration in metro Boston is white collar professionals from around the planet. Generally top-1% intellect and corresponding level of education. They all want to live in the same blue chip suburbs and upscale urban neighborhoods so the housing cost in those places is astronomical. The middle class office drone is completely priced out. They either have to live in socioeconomically segregated poor people areas or they take a pay cut and move to a more affordable part of the country where the housing math works. It’s very Darwinian.

I’d argue that Boston hasn’t re-invented itself. Certainly for the last 75 years, the world class universities have created this intellectual nexus. It hasn’t quite gotten to absurd Bay Area levels but the clustering inevitably creates a housing affordability problem. It’s also happening in the south. Vanderbilt is an elite university. Williamson County south of Nashville is no longer within reach of the middle class. The north Atlanta burbs are getting expensive. Raleigh Durham is getting expensive.

[melonside421]

COL: Southeast
QOL: Northeast
Culture: Northeast
Economy: Southeast
Character and Charm: Northeast
Transit: Northeast
Transportation (roads, etc): Northeast
Cities: Northeast
Suburbs: Northeast
Downtowns: Northeast
Higher Education: Northeast
Schools (K - 12): Southeast
Climate: Tied
History: Northeast
Favorite thing about the Southeast: low cost of living, similar scenery to home
Favorite thing about the Northeast: actual culture and a sense of pride for towns and cities
Least favorite thing about the Southeast: urban sprawl and humid heat
Least favorite thing about the Northeast: not used to Northeast scenery, too expensive, too liberal

[MDfinest]

COL: SE
QOL: NE
Culture: NE
Economy: SE
Character and Charm: NE
Transit: NE
Transportation (roads, etc): SE
Cities: NE
Suburbs: NE
Downtowns: NE
Higher Education: NE
Schools (K - 12): NE
Climate: SE
History: NE
Favorite thing about the Southeast: Friendliness, Comfort & Ease of doing business/lifestyle
Favorite thing about the Northeast: Efficiency and established customs (written and unwritten), Culture, Unions, cuisine, incorporated towns & cities
Least favorite thing about the Southeast: Sprawl and slower pace; culture, too auto-centric, prevalent CDPs leading to lack of sense of place.
Least favorite thing about the Northeast: Cost of Living, political corruption, segregation, tolls

Winner: NE

[popwar]

None of the other options matter to me if the weather is crappy in the winter. Sure some people Love the winter in the northeast, no thanks. They probably win in Education, though.