Census estimates: Cuyahoga still shrinking, surrounding counties growing

[HueysBack]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Cleveland should be a city for families imo. A huge reason for "gentrification" is simply people don't have kids, so they have a ton more money to spend on any number of things, including ridiculous rents that nobody with 2 or 3 kids would ever consider paying. I don't think Cleveland should really be trying to attract 27 year old single people who will pay 2k for a studio. There needs to be decent cities for educated yet humble folks to be able to raise kids. Why not Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee etc? We have plenty of pretentious cities on the coasts as it is.

100%. One of the challenges, however, is how do you create generational stability? If you're not attracting young folks, you need to be keeping them. There's a fine balance there. It's certainly easier to develop boom growth than it is to create generational stability. Obviously, we're talking about economics... culture/community/politics too... but mostly economics.

So sure... we moved here to do the family thing. Our situation allows for that. But if I grew up here, I'm not sure I'd stay here. And I wouldn't blame my kids if they want to "escape" some day. Isn't that your story, too?

[216facts]

Originally Posted by HueysBack

100%. One of the challenges, however, is how do you create generational stability? If you're not attracting young folks, you need to be keeping them. There's a fine balance there. It's certainly easier to develop boom growth than it is to create generational stability. Obviously, we're talking about economics... culture/community/politics too... but mostly economics.

So sure... we moved here to do the family thing. Our situation allows for that. But if I grew up here, I'm not sure I'd stay here. And I wouldn't blame my kids if they want to "escape" some day. Isn't that your story, too?

Both my kids stayed and have good engineering jobs in the area. My 27 year old son has 2 kids, his first house and a very nice 401k balance - try doing that on the coasts (keep in mind he's 27.) My sister (in LA) is planning on moving her family back to Ohio in 2 years, her two kids will both be college age and they want to come to Ohio also (they grew up in LA). The problem is not economics for my sister but how do the kids start to build a family, own a home, get a reasonable commute, etc - in CA? Really hard to do.

When I hear all the stereotypical hyperbole about Cleveland jobs, crime, weather, etc. I don't fight it, I just say, "yeah - not for everyone." Having lived in Dallas, spent plenty of time in LA - I see the other side. If I were a multi-millionaire - maybe I would live in Manhattan or San Fran (must be a "multi" though.) But I'm not so I choose Cleveland. Went hiking this morning in the CVNP at Red Lock: hills, waterfalls, ephemerals, misty rain. It was great.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by HueysBack

100%. One of the challenges, however, is how do you create generational stability? If you're not attracting young folks, you need to be keeping them. There's a fine balance there. It's certainly easier to develop boom growth than it is to create generational stability. Obviously, we're talking about economics... culture/community/politics too... but mostly economics.

So sure... we moved here to do the family thing. Our situation allows for that. But if I grew up here, I'm not sure I'd stay here. And I wouldn't blame my kids if they want to "escape" some day. Isn't that your story, too?

Self-selection works out I think. Let the strivers and career-obsessed keep climbing corporate ladders on the coasts. Good luck to them. Young folks with more than a one-track mind can live in a city like Cleveland, own a home, have multiple kids, live in a community, and have a life outside work.

I certainly never wanted to "escape" Cleveland. Always liked it. Liked it more after leaving. I get that a lot of people my age love the yup lifestyle in coastal cities, living in modern one-bedroom apartments with their girlfriend and French bulldog, but it's just so vapid out here. I am starting to see that and really understand the loss.

[HueysBack]

Both of you make good, valid points. I'm happy to hear your, 216facts, kids have stayed in the area.

So when are you coming home, bjimmy24? Lol

[QCongress83216]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Self-selection works out I think. Let the strivers and career-obsessed keep climbing corporate ladders on the coasts. Good luck to them. Young folks with more than a one-track mind can live in a city like Cleveland, own a home, have multiple kids, live in a community, and have a life outside work.

I certainly never wanted to "escape" Cleveland. Always liked it. Liked it more after leaving. I get that a lot of people my age love the yup lifestyle in coastal cities, living in modern one-bedroom apartments with their girlfriend and French bulldog, but it's just so vapid out here. I am starting to see that and really understand the loss.

Elaborate on the loss.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by QCongress83216

Elaborate on the loss.

Coastal cities are more collections of self important individuals than communities.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by HueysBack

Both of you make good, valid points. I'm happy to hear your, 216facts, kids have stayed in the area.

So when are you coming home, bjimmy24? Lol

I'm tentatively thinking August.

[Cleverfield]

Here’s an article about a coastal millennial who moved to Cleveland to start his block chain business https://www.crainscleveland.com/opin...land-heres-why.

Similarly, I decided to move back to Cleveland after college, not just for family, but because it felt like I could make more of a meaningful difference here than other cities. I’ve been able to make a difference in my community of North Collinwood by purchasing and renovating several foreclosed homes, as well as being involved in local community events, volunteering, etc. I really feel like I’m part of a community and will have friends and acquaintances that I’ll know and will know me across my lifetime. I don’t know if I would get as much of that feeling on the coasts.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

Here’s an article about a coastal millennial who moved to Cleveland to start his block chain business https://www.crainscleveland.com/opin...land-heres-why.

Similarly, I decided to move back to Cleveland after college, not just for family, but because it felt like I could make more of a meaningful difference here than other cities. I’ve been able to make a difference in my community of North Collinwood by purchasing and renovating several foreclosed homes, as well as being involved in local community events, volunteering, etc. I really feel like I’m part of a community and will have friends and acquaintances that I’ll know and will know me across my lifetime. I don’t know if I would get as much of that feeling on the coasts.

Sounds like you made a good decision. I'm definitely interested in North Collinwood for if/when I relocate back. It seems to have that community vibe. Though I don't really spend much time there.

[bjimmy24]

Some more Metroparks news, for anyone who thinks they don't matter or don't do anything:
Cleveland Metroparks Win 5 National Awards
https://patch.com/ohio/cleveland/cle...4lS7ljrPLky7FE