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I think the following things are needed to be one of the great boomtowns of the 21st century. This is why Portland, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver are doing so well right now.
1. Fast-growing job market, especially for educated college grads
2. Presence of one or more universities
3. Urban/ability to live without a car
4. Politically and socially liberal, LGBT-friendly
5. Unique/funky/artsy culture
6. Proximity to outdoor recreation
7. Strong craft beer and live music scenes
8. Relatively mild weather
I think if one or more of these ingredients are missing, a city might have a difficult time becoming a true boom town.
Would you agree or disagree? Would you add anything to this list?
I think the following things are needed to be one of the great boomtowns of the 21st century. This is why Portland, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver are doing so well right now.
1. Fast-growing job market, especially for educated college grads
2. Presence of one or more universities
3. Urban/ability to live without a car
4. Politically and socially liberal, LGBT-friendly
5. Unique/funky/artsy culture
6. Proximity to outdoor recreation
7. Strong craft beer and live music scenes
8. Relatively mild weather
I think if one or more of these ingredients are missing, a city might have a difficult time becoming a true boom town.
Would you agree or disagree? Would you add anything to this list?
That's a definite plus, but Austin doesn't have it and won't any time soon. It doesn't seem to be slowing them down.
I was half joking. But it must have some effect on Denver, good or bad. I personally have noticed no change here since legalization (besides seeing pot shops).
I think the following things are needed to be one of the great boomtowns of the 21st century. This is why Portland, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver are doing so well right now.
1. Fast-growing job market, especially for educated college grads
2. Presence of one or more universities
3. Urban/ability to live without a car
4. Politically and socially liberal, LGBT-friendly
5. Unique/funky/artsy culture
6. Proximity to outdoor recreation
7. Strong craft beer and live music scenes
8. Relatively mild weather
I think if one or more of these ingredients are missing, a city might have a difficult time becoming a true boom town.
Would you agree or disagree? Would you add anything to this list?
Hmmm, let's see.
(Birmingham)
1. Fast-growing job market, especially for educated college grads (Not Sure.)
2. Presence of one or more universities (UAB, Samford)
3. Urban/ability to live without a car (The core is Urban.)
4. Politically and socially liberal, LGBT-friendly (Minority majority; Pride Week every summer)
5. Unique/funky/artsy culture (Eh)
6. Proximity to outdoor recreation (Hilly Terrain, Surrounded by Foothills)
7. Strong craft beer and live music scenes (Variety of venues, Growing craft beer scene)
8. Relatively mild weather (It get's Hot, very hot.)
See how easy that is? Birmingham is growing, but I don't think it's a "boomtown" just yet. I think your list is very subjective; Charlotte is probably the most uncharacteristically booming city in the US, but it's booming regardless in it's own right. Same with Orlando; it's not Urban, but it's booming for those who look for qualities that fit Orlando.
I was half joking. But it must have some effect on Denver, good or bad. I personally have noticed no change here since legalization (besides seeing pot shops).
I know lots of Millennials my age who have solely moved to Colorado because of legal weed. They didn't all end up in Denver but the majority definitely have.
1. Fast-growing job market, especially for educated college grads (Not Sure.)
2. Presence of one or more universities (UAB, Samford)
3. Urban/ability to live without a car (The core is Urban.)
4. Politically and socially liberal, LGBT-friendly (Minority majority; Pride Week every summer)
5. Unique/funky/artsy culture (Eh)
6. Proximity to outdoor recreation (Hilly Terrain, Surrounded by Foothills)
7. Strong craft beer and live music scenes (Variety of venues, Growing craft beer scene)
8. Relatively mild weather (It get's Hot, very hot.)
I would say Birmingham falls short on 1, 3, and 4.
Does Birmingham have any public transportation at all? In terms of liberalness, I am pretty sure Birmingham is fairly Democratic but not super socially liberal. Having a pride week, in and of itself, does not necessarily signify gay friendliness. Could a gay couple walk the streets of Birmingham holding hands without getting stares or gay slurs thrown at them?
These criteria fail to explain why cities such as Phoenix are also booming, though.
Phoenix is booming with retirees, not Millennials.
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