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I'm thinking that some of these opinions about Seattle and Austin are from folks that have either never lived in either place or haven't even been there even once. First, Seattle's weather may be dull at times, but wow, it's easily one of the most interesting and geographically stunning metro areas in the country. I've also visited Austin, and it's just not on the same level in any shape or form. Austin is just currently known as "it's really growing". That doesn't necessarily equate to a fantastic or interesting area. Now, given I'm partial to coastal areas, which I think makes a metro far more "interesting" and not dull. Austin does have an interesting factor due to it's new shiny growth, but come on, it's not really on the same level as Seattle other than they are both tech hubs.
I've been to Seattle many times, though not Austin so I don't have an opinion about it. But I think one of the things we see with cities is a point of diminishing returns. Seattle may be more interesting than Austin in some areas, but is this a meaningful difference for most people? They both have good restaurants, live music, museums, events, farmers markets, and so on. NYC has more than Seattle, but again, I think we're past the point of diminishing returns. Sure, some people *really* care about the marginal differences, so it's a worthwhile distinction for these folks. For many (most?), good enough is good enough.
As for coastal areas, I don't think this automatically makes a place more interesting. The Sound is pretty far inland so other than being salt water it's not that different from, say, cities along the great lakes. I suppose this is very much a personal preference thing. IMO, cities are really about the people -- businesses, art, architecture, economy, community -- not the physical characteristics of the location.
And people are doing that. MA was the 7th most moved out of state last year. But that's down from 4th a year ago. The state has a hold on people. And a fantastic PR team.
The fastest changes areas from 2019 are more small town and rural counties though cause 1. either that's where family is or 2. that type of living wasn't really possible before and there was a subset that wanted more small town or rural life.
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Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade
No those places didn't have Harvard, MIT, BU, BC, countless high profile hospitals, major international wealth management firms, and weren't predicated on the same type of dynamic yet ever-present industries Boston is.
Boston's economy is far, far, far more well rounded than those places where one branch could break off entirely textiles, for instance (BostonMSA is home to Saucony, New Balance, Timberland, Puma (North America), Converse, and Reebok) and not miss a beat.
Oh for sure, the diversification protects against declines, but it is possible that Boston could just be more pricey and not much different in 10 years, hence worse in a certain aspect.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors
IMO, cities are really about the people -- businesses, art, architecture, economy, community -- not the physical characteristics of the location.
This is what I mean^^. Geography is another matter entirely. Here's the scenario, you're new to the city, you decide to do 8 sessions at the yoga studio, go to a couple small live music shows at a local venue, and eat out. How likely are you to have interesting and engaged conversations at those social settings in tech city USA and how likely are you to basically not interact with anyone around you? I'll tell you from personal experience Taos is WORLDS different than Denver here. I'd go out frequently in Denver and routinely never have more than passing conversations. Basically every time I go out to eat in Taos I end up talking to the person next to me at for an extended period of time. Every music show I see someone I know. THAT is what makes a place bland vs interesting.
This is what I mean^^. Geography is another matter entirely. Here's the scenario, you're new to the city, you decide to do 8 sessions at the yoga studio, go to a couple small live music shows at a local venue, and eat out. How likely are you to have interesting and engaged conversations at those social settings in tech city USA and how likely are you to basically not interact with anyone around you? I'll tell you from personal experience Taos is WORLDS different than Denver here. I'd go out frequently in Denver and routinely never have more than passing conversations. Basically every time I go out to eat in Taos I end up talking to the person next to me at for an extended period of time. Every music show I see someone I know. THAT is what makes a place bland vs interesting.
Yep, I get it. Though I wonder how much this has to do specifically with Tech vs. a place becoming expensive and hurried? I realize there's a correlation, as techies typically get paid well and this can push up housing costs. One of the things I love about Boise is how friendly people are. Less stressed, more work-life-balance. Guessing this will change if we keep getting more expensive and people start commuting longer distances.
I've been to Seattle many times, though not Austin so I don't have an opinion about it. But I think one of the things we see with cities is a point of diminishing returns. Seattle may be more interesting than Austin in some areas, but is this a meaningful difference for most people? They both have good restaurants, live music, museums, events, farmers markets, and so on. NYC has more than Seattle, but again, I think we're past the point of diminishing returns. Sure, some people *really* care about the marginal differences, so it's a worthwhile distinction for these folks. For many (most?), good enough is good enough.
As for coastal areas, I don't think this automatically makes a place more interesting. The Sound is pretty far inland so other than being salt water it's not that different from, say, cities along the great lakes. I suppose this is very much a personal preference thing. IMO, cities are really about the people -- businesses, art, architecture, economy, community -- not the physical characteristics of the location.
I can agree about the margin point.
But the Puget Sound's importance and interest (imo) isn't diminished by not being on the outer coast. It's a portal to the world, whether cargo ships, cruise ships, the Alaska fishing fleet, research vessels, a huge Navy presence, whatever. The Great Lakes aren't like that.
And yeah, Seattle's diversity would surprise many people who haven't been here.
But the Puget Sound's importance and interest (imo) isn't diminished by not being on the outer coast. It's a portal to the world, whether cargo ships, cruise ships, the Alaska fishing fleet, research vessels, a huge Navy presence, whatever. The Great Lakes aren't like that.
And yeah, Seattle's diversity would surprise many people who haven't been here.
Is it the types of goods, size of industry, something else? Trying to understand what you're talking about, and how this makes the area more interesting.
The entire Great Lakes cruise industry totaled 170,000 passenger visits to all ports combined in 2023. Seattle had 1,778,193.
Naval Station Great Lakes sounds interesting but it's smallish and "back-of-house." The Puget Sound houses a carrier group, a submarine fleet, a repair/maintenance shipyard that employs 14,000...
The St. Lawrence Seaway can't handle major oceangoing ships. Just 78' beam, 740' length, and 10.7 draft. Its traffic is mostly US/Can, not global.
So, scale, global reach...
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