The NEXT Atlanta (home, quality of life, suburbs)

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Charlotte. I think it will be interesting given the ever-sprawling nature of both Atlanta and Charlotte to see if a new continous string of low-to-medium-density development (similar to the BosWash Corridor) will form in this area. I wonder if I-85 will eventually resemble I-95 in terms of development. I'm thinking in perhaps 50 more years most developable land in and around the following cities will form a new metroplex:

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, NC
Burlington, NC
Winston-Salem/Greensboro/High Point, NC
Lexington/Salisbury, NC
Kannapolis/Concord, NC
Charlotte, NC
Gastonia, NC
Greenville/Spartanburg, SC
Anderson, SC
Atlanta, GA

There is still much "unconquered territory" left, but Metro Atlanta is now sprawling northeastward all the way nearly to the Gainesville/Commerce/Athens region, leaving not much room between there and Anderson, SC. Charlotte continues to expand southwestward into SC, nearing Spartanburg. It will be interesting to see if these sprawl-loving cities will slow themselves down before this occurs.

I've only heard of half of those cities. It won't resemble BosWash any time soon. Boswash has about 40% of the US population if my memory serves me correctly not to mention has major economic societal and political power house cities. The cities in the south just don't have that. The only other megalopolis even close would be LA and other surrounding cities.

As for another Atlanta, it's doubtful. If there is it will be in the southwest.

[the_pines]

Santa Fe/Albuquerque. Santa Fe attracting the wealthier, more abstract, retired, and the singles. Albuquerque attracting families and blue collar jobs. Plenty of sunshine, mountains, forests snow in the desert, palm trees. Pretty much a quaint four seasons with just about a mixture of everything. Diversity and different culture and architecture as well. They better start expanding their hospital reach and university reach now. People don't want to be driving a long time to get to either. To get to a children's hospital here around the Tampa Bay area we had to drive all the way to friggin' St Petersburg the other day. In Dayton there is a big children's hospital nearby. Don't take it for granted if you have children.

[destinedtodave]

Originally Posted by Marodi

I've only heard of half of those cities. It won't resemble BosWash any time soon. Boswash has about 40% of the US population if my memory serves me correctly not to mention has major economic societal and political power house cities. The cities in the south just don't have that. The only other megalopolis even close would be LA and other surrounding cities.

As for another Atlanta, it's doubtful. If there is it will be in the southwest.

BosWash - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia BosWash "only" has 16% of the population. I do agree with you, it will take a very long time to resemble it but if Northerners continue to flock to the South as well as immigrants....
The only thing is that Southern cities are more spread out and there's no conveniant coastline to follow for the cities to merge into.
Growth in the South is spread to too many cities for a replica of BosWash.

[DonkeyTeeth]

What cities are attracting people right now because of available jobs, reasonable cost of living, room to grow, and a somewhat established cultural/social scene? You can rule out a lot of the East or West coasts because of high housing costs and limited expansion opportunities.

Maybe San Antonio or Austin TX. An outside chance that a medium-sized Great Lakes or rust belt city that's not tied to the auto industry could start generating a buzz - maybe Milwaukee, Madison, or Columbus.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by the_pines

Santa Fe/Albuquerque. Santa Fe attracting the wealthier, more abstract, retired, and the singles. Albuquerque attracting families and blue collar jobs. Plenty of sunshine, mountains, forests snow in the desert, palm trees. Pretty much a quaint four seasons with just about a mixture of everything. Diversity and different culture and architecture as well. They better start expanding their hospital reach and university reach now. People don't want to be driving a long time to get to either. To get to a children's hospital here around the Tampa Bay area we had to drive all the way to friggin' St Petersburg the other day. In Dayton there is a big children's hospital nearby. Don't take it for granted if you have children.

No way Santa Fe and ABQ will ever be on ATLs level, especially Santa Fe. Sunshine, mountains, etc dont make a good city. ATL is eons more advanced than ABQ. And what makes the place perfect for you (ie the desert) is a downright turnoff to others, most would prefer to live somewhere green based on this country's demographics. Like PHX, Vegas, ABQ probably doesnt have the resources to sustain life there with a massive influx of drifters.

If I thought there was one city that could be the next ATL, it would be somewhere like San Jose, or Charlotte.

[CTownNative]

I think the next booming South place will be Austin,Texas.I mean its already booming,but I think it will eventually collide with San Antonios metro,or did that already happen?Anyways I don't think there will be a next Atlanta,just like I don't think there will be a next New York City,or Chicago,or Cleveland,or L.A.There all one of a kinds.Every city is unique in its own way.

[miamiman]

Atlanta is definitely a large small town. I interned in the city one summer, and my employer described it as "a large Macon [GA]." Atlanta has SO many obstacles to overcome if it wishes to become a major American city. If you look beyond the shiny glass office buildings, and attractive high-rise residential developments, you will see just how much of a small town Atlanta still is.

Anyway, to answer the question, Charlotte is definitely on track to become the next Atlanta. The city of Charlotte has more people than the city of Atlanta, but there are plans to construct numerous mid and high rise office and residential complexes. Charlotte's metropolitan area is growing quite rapidly as well. Hopefully, Charlotte will not repeat some of Atlanta's horrible mistakes, so it doesn't become a sprawling disaster too.

[the_pines]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

And what makes the place perfect for you (ie the desert) is a downright turnoff to others, most would prefer to live somewhere green based on this country's demographics.

I'm one of those who prefer very green grass and trees with four seasons. I couldn't see myself living in a desert. It was just a guess. I could see it becoming one of the most unique cities in the world in time. Lots of older folks who don't like cold and don't want to manage a yard would move in.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by the_pines

I'm one of those who prefer very green grass and trees with four seasons. I couldn't see myself living in a desert. It was just a guess. I could see it becoming one of the most unique cities in the world in time. Lots of older folks who don't like cold and don't want to manage a yard would move in.

Gotcha. I thought you were from ABQ, my bad. As for ABQ I dont think it will ever be on the level of ATL. It might get close to Phoenix perhaps, but thats probably unlikely. Sure its experiencing growth and all, but with the exception of a few states, most of the nation is experiencing growth in one way or another, so ABQ is not a particularly unique case. Places like PHX and Vegas are growing like weeds, but theyre not becoming world power players, especially Vegas.

[WallStreetWarrior]

Wait...I still don't get what's so amazing about Atlanta!...But I guess if I had to compare a city to Atlanta...or pick a city that was going to be like Atlanta soon it would be Minneapolis. I still don't know if I get this question though.