Why the Midwest is gonna boom again. (Memphis, Cleveland: houses, tech jobs)

[nickolaseposter]

Cleveland. Indianapolis. Dayton. St. Louis. Cincinnati. Grand Rapids. Columbus. Pittsburgh. Toledo. Fort Wayne. Kansas City. Memphis. Chicago. Nashville. Louisville. Peoria. Des Moines. Minneapolis. Akron. Detroit. (I'm probably forgetting a few other ones.)
The midwest definitly has an interesting array of cities. But what is going to make it boom the most???

I don't think that we'll have to worry much about competition between the West Coast (California's population is, for the first time in eighty years, seeing a decline) or the East Coast (NY is not growing as much, and the only REAL cities that are growing is D.C.). The real competition will be between the midwest (north) and the southern states. Cities like Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans. Thats the competition. The midwest has gotta get smart and outwit the southern states. And the BEST way to do that. THE WAY WE'RE GONNA GROW, is by mere affordability. The recession isn't over yet, but when it ends, the markets will rise in a direction where people want to spend their money in a way that they can get more BANG for their BUCK. So what should the midwest do? Not lower their standards, but provide strong middle class housing that is diverse and offers plenty of ammentities. Wanna grow our downtowns? Offer middle class housing downtown or near it. Clean up old houses with character and clean up dirty neighborhoods. It's all about making things look nice, having at least okay schools, having a diverse economy, and having an affordable, realistic setting. That is whats gonna draw people to your city in the 2010 and even into the 2020's.

[kingchef]

Originally Posted by nickolaseposter

Cleveland. Indianapolis. Dayton. St. Louis. Cincinnati. Grand Rapids. Columbus. Pittsburgh. Toledo. Fort Wayne. Kansas City. Memphis. Chicago. Nashville. Louisville. Peoria. Des Moines. Minneapolis. Akron. Detroit. (I'm probably forgetting a few other ones.)
The midwest definitly has an interesting array of cities. But what is going to make it boom the most???

I don't think that we'll have to worry much about competition between the West Coast (California's population is, for the first time in eighty years, seeing a decline) or the East Coast (NY is not growing as much, and the only REAL cities that are growing is D.C.). The real competition will be between the midwest (north) and the southern states. Cities like Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Austin, New Orleans. Thats the competition. The midwest has gotta get smart and outwit the southern states. And the BEST way to do that. THE WAY WE'RE GONNA GROW, is by mere affordability. The recession isn't over yet, but when it ends, the markets will rise in a direction where people want to spend their money in a way that they can get more BANG for their BUCK. So what should the midwest do? Not lower their standards, but provide strong middle class housing that is diverse and offers plenty of ammentities. Wanna grow our downtowns? Offer middle class housing downtown or near it. Clean up old houses with character and clean up dirty neighborhoods. It's all about making things look nice, having at least okay schools, having a diverse economy, and having an affordable, realistic setting. That is whats gonna draw people to your city in the 2010 and even into the 2020's.

don't leave out memphis, okay. 'cause it'll be the one routing and shipping you all your goods and service equipment needed to build "them" places. need a model of a remarkable boom and understated growth and urban renewal and development---yep, you got it, mempho. downtown residential population of approximately 33,000, 9th largest downtown population of the top 50 largest metros in america. our ole gal, the big "M". she doesn't brag a great deal, and it seems many want to give her extra bad press; however, google johnny ryall's info...and even it isn't all inclusive of what is happening in the bluff city. the big "M" has the third most affordable overall cost of living of any of the top 20 major cities in the u.s. i'll greet you at the plane.

[strumpeace]

Memphis isn't 'Midwest'. It's South. Along with Atlanta and New Orleans, it's the epitome of the urban South.

Affordability and decent schools alone do not drive growth. Jobs drive growth. And due to some very, very poor decision-making on the part of Midwesterners, that region of the country has become what it is today.

[Pearlbob]

I was confused by this statement too.

[quote=strumpeace;11446286]Memphis isn't 'Midwest'. It's South. Along with Atlanta and New Orleans, it's the epitome of the urban South.
QUOTE]

[bjh]

Poor decisions on the part of corporations around the country. ie, moving manufacturing jobs overseas, now office and tech jobs are going overseas and teh American economy is gasping for breath.

If people in America don't have adequate work and pay, the rest of the world suffers and that's a fact.

[expatnortherner]

Was thinking of this recently while doing the I55 run to NO. On the East Coast the I95 corridor from Boston to Richmond, VA has turned into a MAJOR transportation link that connects all the cities along the way with buses, rail, and car traffic. Rest stops along 95 are major affairs combining food, bus stops, etc. not just bathrooms. I wish TN, MS, and LA would all get together and rcognize the prize that I55 is and turn it into a travel hub rather than just glorified bathrooms. Wireless, food, entertainment etc. are all possible ways of turning bland rest stops into viable entities that encourage inter-state travel rather than the lifeless oasis' they are now.

Ex-Pat

[ColliervilleMom]

Originally Posted by expatnortherner

I wish TN, MS, and LA would all get together and rcognize the prize that I55 is and turn it into a travel hub rather than just glorified bathrooms. Wireless, food, entertainment etc. are all possible ways of turning bland rest stops into viable entities that encourage inter-state travel rather than the lifeless oasis' they are now.

Ex-Pat

That's the way it is on the NYS Thruway too, I loved those rest stops on a long drive! No getting off at an exit and searching all over for gas/food/bathrooms.

[Senor Boogie Woogie]

Memphis is "Mid South". In actuality, Memphis is less than 80 miles from Missouri, or about a three hour drive from the southern tip of Illinois. What I really consider midwestern is anything north in a line from St.Louis Mo. going east and west. So, in actuality, cities like Curuthersville, Missouri and Cairo Illinois would be south, even though they are in states not really associated with either.

[shinestx]

Nashville in the Midwest?!! Hmmm... (as we say here) "Ah don' think so!"

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Senor Boogie Woogie

Memphis is "Mid South". In actuality, Memphis is less than 80 miles from Missouri, or about a three hour drive from the southern tip of Illinois. What I really consider midwestern is anything north in a line from St.Louis Mo. going east and west. So, in actuality, cities like Curuthersville, Missouri and Cairo Illinois would be south, even though they are in states not really associated with either.

And downtown Memphis is just a few miles Mississippi state line and most people consider Mississippi deep south.