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Just because many manufacturing plants have closed over the decades does not necessarily mean people will uproot themselves and their family for the West or South. Many Many Rust Belt cities are also re-inventing themselves, as is the case with Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Home is where the heart is....thats where they grew up......and the same applies to other regions too.
People in the Rust Belt/Midwest also know the West does not necessarily have a better quality of life, not to mention more crime, worse air quality and cost of living. Just look at the Inland Empire and Central Valley of California if U dont believe me. CA has three cities in Chapter 11 and people are now leaving CA by the droves. And if I am not mistaken the Western states of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Oregon have among the highest unemployment rates in the country right now. The media wants U to think people R moving out of the Midwest when a plant closes, but its not true. Although Michigan is the exception.
Some nice areas, some not so nice areas, but overall the city has a lot of character. I can't wait to move back when I'm done with school.
Agreed on the character being illustrated here, thanks for posting.
I've been showing some out of town people around this past week from some warm sunbelt cities, and they were almost in denial with what I was showing then. "You know what, Cleveland is cool. I didn't expect this"
Perception seems to be a big obstacle nowadays, but many cities like Pittsburgh and Cleveland are completely reinventing themselves.
You can look at these things in 2 ways, sticking with something because it's your "comfort" zone or trying something new that might work better. Either way can be appropriate to the person, but I think the vast numbers of people stick to the comfort zone due to fear of change. I grew up with a few people who never left their comfort zone and it shows. Their ideas are from the 70's. No change or evolution in their minds. In fact, they are still talking about the same things they did in the 70's. I find that beyond scary.
Many Many Rust Belt cities are also re-inventing themselves, as is the case with Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Home is where the heart is....thats where they grew up......and the same applies to other regions too.
I'm finding the "home" thing is more based on fantasy than reality. We have memories of something and always grant it golden status, though it wasn't that golden when it happened. OUr brains are playing tricks on us! Somehow it becomes bigger and better than reality. Trouble is, it's just in our minds. Remeniscing more than anything else.
I didn't feel it where I lived at all. One neighborhood I lived, there was an internist, podiatrist, city manager, postal worker, retired phone company, retired something else, a paramedic, etc., all in 1 block. All types of folks. Everyone mixed okay, as much as the West mixes. I'm not talking LA here, but I did not feel the classism that I feel in the East. I don't feel people in the West are "in your face" about anything. That's not the Western MO. The Western way is to evade, not discuss and avoid confrontation at all costs!
You have to go to the big metros on the west coast to see it. Blatant, crass materialism and status conscious people like I've rarely seen anywhere else.
And that whole smug attitude. Yuck. Had me flying out of there in no time.
You have to go to the big metros on the west coast to see it. Blatant, crass materialism and status conscious people like I've rarely seen anywhere else.
And that whole smug attitude. Yuck. Had me flying out of there in no time.
I that is where conflict comes from, as some people that moved to those places got use to that. So, when they move to a place with a more down to earth vibe, it can be hard for them to adjust, if they didn't know what to expect/research accordingly.
You have to go to the big metros on the west coast to see it. Blatant, crass materialism and status conscious people like I've rarely seen anywhere else.
And that whole smug attitude. Yuck. Had me flying out of there in no time.
I saw it in Phoenix metro, but not all areas ,but in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, BIG time. Prescott, Flagg, not much. Smaller areas, like you say not so much. LA, yes I could imagine.
Last edited by Nanny Goat; 07-16-2012 at 08:15 AM..
I that is where conflict comes from, as some people that moved to those places got use to that. So, when they move to a place with a more down to earth vibe, it can be hard for them to adjust, if they didn't know what to expect/research accordingly.
"Down to earth" what does that mean? Having your paint peeling off? Not flushing your toilet before you show a house? Mice droppings on your counter? Non-working A/C even though says differently in the stats? Roofs reshingled so much you can see it heave when you look at it? Cracks in the ceilings from God knows what? Bathrooms from the 50's? These are only a few of the things I saw. I actually saw a house where outside of the sliders were 4-5 feet drops. Drops, so if a child opens the door and steps out... In 2 rooms. Another one had wires coming out of the bathroom walls. I worried I might be electrocuted just passing by. Even my realtor said whoa.
Some of these things aren't "down to earth," they are a mindset of stagnation and apathy. There's a difference. I wonder why these people cannot sell their homes or give them away. Researching a place on paper and living it are 2 different things. You can research, visit, etc., but nothing prepares you for living in a place, day in and out.
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