What are the best second tier city's in the south. (population, people)
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The Charleston/Orlando comparison is an interesting one. I like the scenery of Charleston a lot better, but as far as repeat tourism, Orlando wins hands down. After a couple trips to Charleston it's like been there, done that. But especially with kids the attractions in Orlando can be fun at a younger age or at teenage, and there's plenty to choose from. I wouldn't want to live in either city, though. I mean once you get past their gimmick, or main tourism marketing aspects, they're not really a whole lot to brag about.
Urban, I think you are correct in that Charlotte is not given enough credit for what it is. It has a very nice and thriving downtown (uptown) area. Ahead of all other tier 2 southern cities with exception of maybe Nashville. Very walkable and accessible.
I do not believe though that the tier 1 southern cities are distinguished from Charlotte because they sprawl more (as you said in an earlier post). Charlotte's amenities are almost entirely concentrated within it's relatively small cbd, while the southern mega-metros have nodes and districts of interest all over the place.
That was my point exactly!!! The 5 million plus metros of the south have points of interest outside of the central city. That my friend is sprawl. Just imagine how much more urban Houston would look and feel if its 2.2 million population was in a dense city of less than 100 sq miles instead of being in a sprawl-topia of nearly 600 sq/miles. Houston's density is almost equal to Huntington, West Virginia (I am not joking).
I stand by my earlier statements when I said that sprawl is the difference between tier one and tier two southern towns. Miami is the only exception to this.
That was my point exactly!!! The 5 million plus metros of the south have points of interest outside of the central city. That my friend is sprawl. Just imagine how much more urban Houston would look and feel if its 2.2 million population was in a dense city of less than 100 sq miles instead of being in a sprawl-topia of nearly 600 sq/miles. Houston's density is almost equal to Huntington, West Virginia (I am not joking).
I stand by my earlier statements when I said that sprawl is the difference between tier one and tier two southern towns. Miami is the only exception to this.
Located within the sprawl of the tier 1 metros are employment centers and edge cities that could swallow Uptown Charlotte whole.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
And I've got news for you, Charlotte is shaping up just like all the others. The sprawl spilling out past I-485 looks exactly like Atlanta's. Exactly.
Right. IMO, the tier 1 Southern cities are Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and Miami.
And some would disagree with Orlando being the "best tourist city in the South." Personally, I prefer being a tourist in Charleston over Orlando.
i certainly have to agree w/ you wholeheartedly on this. i have nothing against orlando per se; however, there is only so much amusement park one can take. of course, they have the ocean, as does charleston. charleston hands down is more interesting because of its history w/ the civil war, the slave market, the college of charleston, the port of charleston, the differences in culture, the plantations, the middleton gardens, gulla coastal influence, etc. there just isn't any comparison to the two, if you are comparing continued local interests.
Located within the sprawl of the tier 1 metros are employment centers and edge cities that could swallow Uptown Charlotte whole.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
And I've got news for you, Charlotte is shaping up just like all the others. The sprawl spilling out past I-485 looks exactly like Atlanta's. Exactly.
I used to live off of Panola Rd and I-20 (Highland Park) in Lithonia. I am not impressed with North Georgia's sprawl so save it for someone who actually cares.
What Atl needs to do is take lessons from Charlotte in expanding mass transit. Oh wait, y'all already have.
Charlotte transit plans leave Atlanta in slow lane | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2008/03/30/saporta_0331.html - broken link)
Charlotte shows state support for transit is vital | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2008/04/07/saporta0407.html?cxntlid=inform_artr - broken link)
Last edited by urbancharlotte; 06-16-2009 at 12:23 PM..
That was my point exactly!!! The 5 million plus metros of the south have points of interest outside of the central city. That my friend is sprawl. Just imagine how much more urban Houston would look and feel if its 2.2 million population was in a dense city of less than 100 sq miles instead of being in a sprawl-topia of nearly 600 sq/miles. Houston's density is almost equal to Huntington, West Virginia (I am not joking).
I stand by my earlier statements when I said that sprawl is the difference between tier one and tier two southern towns. Miami is the only exception to this.
I still disagree with you. Sprawl in Charlotte almost equals rural. In the bigger metros, what YOU see as sprawl I see as urban to semi-urban districts which happen to be outside of the CBD (or in Dallas' and Atlanta's case adjacent to). For me and some others, this type of set up makes a city much more interesting because once you leave downtown, there are many other options for live, work and play. Charlotte just does not offer that, once one leaves downtown there is not much else, except maybe southpark area.
I used to live off of Panola Rd and I-20 (Highland Park) in Lithonia. I am not impressed with North Georgia's sprawl so save it for someone who actually cares.
What Atl needs to do is take lessons from Charlotte in expanding mass transit. Oh wait, y'll already have.
Charlotte transit plans leave Atlanta in slow lane | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2008/03/30/saporta_0331.html - broken link)
Charlotte shows state support for transit is vital | ajc.com (http://www.ajc.com/business/content/printedition/2008/04/07/saporta0407.html?cxntlid=inform_artr - broken link)
Well, impressed or not you better get used to it because your area seems hellbent on repeating it. My eyes don't lie.
And LOL at expanding mass transit. While your new little 8 mile light rail line is cute, get back to us when you have 48 miles of heavy rail carrying over 300,000 people a day.
I still disagree with you. Sprawl in Charlotte almost equals rural. In the bigger metros, what YOU see as sprawl I see as urban to semi-urban districts which happen to be outside of the CBD (or in Dallas' and Atlanta's case adjacent to). For me and some others, this type of set up makes a city much more interesting because once you leave downtown, there are many other options for live, work and play. Charlotte just does not offer that, once one leaves downtown there is not much else, except maybe southpark area.
South End area (outside of uptown)
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
thanx tozmervo, atlrvr and krazeeboi for images
If you would like to see more semi-urban areas outside of Charlotte's uptown, let me know. And South Park is not urban. I find it funny that you think it is.
While all of this is nice, it pales to what has been going on here for years. AND, it does not negate the sprawl that is happening all over the metro Charlotte area.
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the accidential tourist...
