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Agreed. Including it in this poll makes for a lopsided, arguably less interesting discussion.
Definitely, I feel like this thread would be more meaningful without Raleigh as it's always gonna win amongst the mid-tier cities even some top-tier cities
Curious though how folks think Raleigh is doing in terms of cultural offerings, public transportation, preservation of green space, and building its downtown core?
I think older cities on this list like New Orleans, Richmond, Birmingham, Louisville and Memphis have a much better dense housing stock, as well as a better core downtown, than newer cities like Raleigh and Jacksonville.
All of these cities favor sprawl (especially Raleigh & Jacksonville), but I think downtown preservation, density and development are keys to balance for good growth.
Raleigh is the best city on this list for attracting jobs and creating a stronger economy than the rest. On this criteria, it leads the pack.
On the rest of the criteria though, I'm not sure if Raleigh leads, as much as it is perceived to...
But here's the question at hand: Which of these southern metro areas in the 1 to 1.5 million range (2020 estimates) are slated to have the most optimistic future?
Even if Raleigh isn't exactly leading the pack in every category, it's at least making strides and is competitive in each category. I actually think it has an argument for coming in first when it comes to building its downtown core seeing as though it has more room to do so than the others, and its rapid growth is resulting in the gentrification of core neighborhoods. As far as best culture as judging by venues/facilities, nightlife, history, etc., it takes a backseat to the older cities in particular but it's not exactly a slouch either. Of course it will lose when it comes to minimal sprawl but only because it's growing the fastest by far, but it has done some notable things with respect to greenspace preservation (and historic preservation) with the creation of Dix Park being the best example of that by far relatively recently.
Richmond stands out for public transportation with its BRT line which has gotten pretty good reviews over the past few years. Not sure what Raleigh has planned on this front but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes a similar route.
Boot Raleigh off the list as it's growth potentail is currently being realized. I think it's Richmond but I'm not sure the city really wants to grow at the pace of other high growth sunbelt cities...it just seems content to be Richmond and has this Greensboro kind of mindset versus an all out boosterism blitz like other metros.
not to pile on, but a poll between the last 5 cities on your list would have made for a better discussion. all are fairly "slow growth" metros with uniquely rich histories, and all have taken their lumps over the years.
Richmond stands out for public transportation with its BRT line which has gotten pretty good reviews over the past few years. Not sure what Raleigh has planned on this front but I wouldn't be surprised if it goes a similar route.
really hope Birmingham's BRT line is successful. it's slated to launch next year just in time for the World Games.
I think older cities on this list like New Orleans, Richmond, Birmingham, Louisville and Memphis have a much better dense housing stock, as well as a better core downtown, than newer cities like Raleigh and Jacksonville.
i understand what you're saying here, but I'd bet Birmingham might actually be the youngest city on this list, having only been founded in 1871.
Boot Raleigh off the list as it's growth potentail is currently being realized. I think it's Richmond but I'm not sure the city really wants to grow at the pace of other high growth sunbelt cities...it just seems content to be Richmond and has this Greensboro kind of mindset versus an all out boosterism blitz like other metros.
Greensboro isn't the most boosterish of cities but it has long had growth ambitions (and a geographical middle child syndrome) and isn't just content with its present status. I would say that Richmond is much more comfortable in its own skin and with the growth trajectory it's on though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TimCity2000
really hope Birmingham's BRT line is successful. it's slated to launch next year just in time for the World Games.
I didn't know Birmingham was getting a BRT line but that's awesome to hear. I'm rooting for the city to pull off a really successful World Games that results in a lot of exposure, propelling the city into a new phase of substantial growth, development, and investment.
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