Oh, how the CoCo haters will be tortured... (Dallas, Arlington: real estate, apartments)

[txgolfer130]

America's fastest-growing cities - MSN Real Estate

I'm sure the Collin County haters will be up in arms...again. #1 & #2 for fastest growing cities.

[centercab]

I don't think being #1 or 2 is a good thing. I prefer living in a place that ain't growing so much. Just give me a small town out in the middle of nowhere and I'm happy...

What is the fascination with being in a city that is fast growing? Don't we have enough traffic, homes, apartments, etc.?

[hal2814]

I remember a list from the 1980's where Arlington, TX was the fastest growing city in the US. Mesquite was also in the Top 10. We were all really proud of that back then. Looking back, I'm not so sure it was a good thing.

[MckinneyOwnr]

Growth to an area can be good or bad. If a city can't cope with a large influx of people, then quality of life suffers for everyone. Traffic gets horrible if roads aren't built/widened, zoning needs to be done intelligently, with a good balance of residential/commercial in planned out areas, etc.

If a city can manage the growth crunch though, it helps raise property values and brings jobs to the area, which is always good. Even if a city doesn't manage the growth well, that's still better than a city losing people in droves. Just look at Detroit and its suburbs.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by MckinneyOwnr

Growth to an area can be good or bad. If a city can't cope with a large influx of people, then quality of life suffers for everyone. Traffic gets horrible if roads aren't built/widened, zoning needs to be done intelligently, with a good balance of residential/commercial in planned out areas, etc.

If a city can manage the growth crunch though, it helps raise property values and brings jobs to the area, which is always good. Even if a city doesn't manage the growth well, that's still better than a city losing people in droves. Just look at Detroit and its suburbs.

EXACTLY. Businesses (that is, employers) like to see that sort of thing when looking for somewhere to locate a facility or HQ.

[EDS_]

The truth of the matter is much of CoCo - Plano for example has prepared for growth very well.

The only big time foul up was not plotting out neighborhoods such that more than minor numbers of cars could pass through neighborhoods easily.

I lived in CoCo for almost 20 years. Now Dallas proper and of course Dallas County. I loved CoCo I love DalCo just a little more.

[Overcooked_Oatmeal]

Plano was held in high-regard for being well planned and prepared for growth way back in the 70's and 80's. Lots of flat land and a city administration that had enough vision certainly helped. If you want to see badly-planned suburbia, come on up here to Northern Virginia

As long as the city of Dallas has a reputation for lousy public schools, stupid politicians, and a sanctuary city for poor illegal immigrants, I don't expect the growth of Collin County stopping any time soon.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by Overcooked_Oatmeal

Plano was held in high-regard for being well planned and prepared for growth way back in the 70's and 80's. Lots of flat land and a city administration that had enough vision certainly helped. If you want to see badly-planned suburbia, come on up here to Northern Virginia

As long as the city of Dallas has a reputation for lousy public schools, stupid politicians, and a sanctuary city for poor illegal immigrants, I don't expect the growth of Collin County stopping any time soon.

In my mind, the worst planned burbs Ive ever seen are in the Atlanta area. Almost no planning at all in a lot of them.

[Made_it_To_the_Metroplex]

Originally Posted by justme02

In my mind, the worst planned burbs Ive ever seen are in the Atlanta area. Almost no planning at all in a lot of them.

There are many very nice Atlanta 'burbs (landscaping and sign ordinances, etc), but the Atlanta area is the very living, breathing definition of sprawl.

[Overcooked_Oatmeal]

Originally Posted by justme02

In my mind, the worst planned burbs Ive ever seen are in the Atlanta area. Almost no planning at all in a lot of them.

Agreed. No rhyme or reason at all.