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I have read on some forums in CD where some posters said regarding tourist destinations: "Tourist destinations are great visit but Hell to live in." I'm just curious, what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in tourist destinations? Or, do you think that it's just Hell to live in altogether? Or, is it just indifferent? Is it better to live in tourist destinations than non-tourist destinations?
I lived on a nightlife destination street in NYC, and you have no idea how obnoxious drunk people are until they’re yelling/fighting/puking outside your window on a Tuesday night.
I think some of the advantages is you have more amenities and its more vibrant than it otherwise might be.
Disadvantages would be the lack of respect some people have because they are just visiting, additional congestion, and AirBNB's disrupting neighborhoods and taking away housing from local residents.
I lived by the beach in San Diego (Pacific Beach) with tons of tourists. I didn't really mind it at all. Lots of tourists in SF too, doesn't really bother me either. I think some of the complaining people do about tourists is dumb and do it to show off some stupid local pride or whatever.
I live in Williamsburg, VA and love living in a tourist destination. It helps that the tourist area is somewhat apart from where most people live. So we can still walk/bike to the colonial area but tourits aren't too likely to venture into the neighborhoods.
Advantages:
1. Extremely low property tax, thanks to the taxes and other expenses tourist pay. We only pay $0.60, compared to $1.45 where we used to live.
2. Small town living, but with all the cultural amenities of a larger city. It's not like NYC or anything, but there are events, concerts, lectures, dance, and theater events going on all the time to benefit the tourists. I benefit, too.
3. The same goes for shopping, restaurants, museums. We have a lot more than a town this size would usually have. Our library just won 2nd place in the national competition for best library, competing against libraries in much bigger cities. Why is ours so great? Tourists who come here to do research are part of the reason.
4. Locals get a discount to all the tourist attractions. And some are even free for the locals.
5. Our roads are in good shape. You don't want a bunch of potholes in the winter discouraging visitors, after all. Hospitals here are good, too.
6. As a retiree, if I really need a job I could probably get something at one of the tourist attractions. Not that I would like a job like that, but it's an option if I really needed it.
Disadvantages:
1. Traffic can be bad at times. Although you learn back roads and also what times/days to avoid driving. It's not usually a problem for us
2. Some communities have problems related to rentals to tourists (Air BNB, etc.) Our HOA banned this, so not a problem for us.
3. Tourists don't always respect local customs or leave trash. Not so much an issue with Williamsburg, which tends to attract people who aren't really the trash-throwing type. But nearby Busch Gardens sometimes has a problem. For the most part, though, Williamsburg takes great pride in being a very clean, well groomed area and I think people respond to that.
4. Panhandlers. We get our share. They put up signs asking people not to give money to them, but we do see them from time to time. Not a big problem, but we have more panhandlers than other small towns our size have (I think).
Last edited by Piney Creek; 07-11-2018 at 01:40 PM..
I think it depends on the type of town and tourism. Also whether the tourism is seasonal or not.
Towns that are remote and rural and rely mainly on low paying service industry jobs do not sound fun to live in. I just happened to read this last night.
Duluth, MN is somewhat of a summer tourist town and winter college town.
Pros:
1. The diversity of events and outdoors activities throughout the summer basically doesn't allow you to be bored. If you are bored, you aren't trying.
2. Tourism supplies A TON of our revenue due to a high sales tax. Canadians (mostly from Thunder Bay), MSPers, and Chicago-landers spend a lot of money here which helps with #2. Property taxes are lower than they would otherwise be (presumably).
3. The city spends money on these touristy type things, which makes the quality of life so much nicer for the residents.
4. Tourists go away in Winter.
Cons:
1. Our city has the highest sales tax in Minnesota (8.375%). The city even wanted to raise it another 0.5% for roads, but the state legislature tabled the vote near the end of the legislative session.
2. The fun areas are all concentrated in one spot (downtown and Canal Park) and away from the residential areas. Parking is not reduced or free for residents so residents have to double pay for infrastructure they already help pay with property taxes.
3. Chicago-land brings its people and driving habits.
4. Traffic is significantly worse in summer (although, not bad compared to large metro areas).
There's also a difference in towns that see tourism and tourist towns. NYC is a perfectly functioning city that also sees large amounts of tourists. Las Vegas on the other hand would look a lot different if it weren't for tourism. Not to mention small towns like Jackson Hole or Destin.
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