detroit metro area vs columbus? (Cleveland, Dayton: 2013, credit, bankruptcy)

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by ram2

People moved to the suburbs for a reason and nothing has changed to reverse that.

Why are you comparing the suburbs of Columbus to the city of Detroit?

1 - The trend nationwide is more and more people are choosing to live in cities over suburbs. Let google be your friend - there are many articles documenting this trend that show demographics and reasons why.

2 - It's not comparing Columbus' suburbs to the city of Detroit. It's pointing out the obvious, that no matter how excellent Detroit's suburbs are, they are overshadowed by the city of Detroit.

[ram2]

Originally Posted by TomJones123

1 - The trend nationwide is more and more people are choosing to live in cities over suburbs. Let google be your friend - there are many articles documenting this trend that show demographics and reasons why.

Then why does suburban sprawl continue in the Columbus area?

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by ram2

Yes it will. People moved to the suburbs for a reason and nothing has changed to reverse that.

Why are you comparing the suburbs of Columbus to the city of Detroit? Columbus has nothing to match Lake St. Clair.

You must not follow urban development trends. It's been widely reported that cities have taken the lead in growth in recent years, Columbus being one place that had higher rates of city growth than suburban growth. There, urban neighborhoods now have home sales that are up over 30%, while some suburban areas are seeing sale and price declines. Also, I would say that easily 90%+ of all new residential projects within the metro are now within the old urban core neighborhoods (I know because I've taken the time to map them).

Changing demographics are a big reason for this, but also is a consequence of a collapsed housing market and crappy economy that put the convenience of urban living at the forefront.

I made the comparison because I just think most people would rather live in a thriving metro overall than a metro with nice suburbs but an awful core city. Columbus' suburban areas, in that regard, are far more attractive just because they are in a growing, healthy metro with a growing, healthy city. Even if you think they're cookie-cutter, location and health are important to most people. You can find nice suburbs everywhere, so that's not to Detroit's advantage. The city makes or breaks a metro, and unfortunately, Detroit breaks it.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by ram2

Then why does suburban sprawl continue in the Columbus area?

The return to the urban core does not necessarily mean that sprawl/suburbia completely ends. There will always be people who prefer suburban living, so a market for that will exist. That is true in Columbus as much as Detroit, Atlanta, LA or anywhere. However, the trend now is that suburban growth won't automatically come at the expense of the city the way it has for 60 years.

[TomJones123]

Originally Posted by ram2

Then why does suburban sprawl continue in the Columbus area?

Originally Posted by jbcmh81

You must not follow urban development trends......

Exactly. Follow this link to see what's happening with Cincinnati's inner city.

Downtown Cincinnati Population Increasing

And we are in no way unique for Ohio cities, and/or cities across the nation. As for Columbus, I can give no better answer than jbcmh81 has given. He knows his stuff.

Originally Posted by jbcmh81

The return to the urban core does not necessarily mean that sprawl/suburbia completely ends.

Cincinnati's suburbs are still growing, still sprawling, and have a lot of new construction. It seems to me that folks assume because suburbia grew as many cities declined, that an inverse movement has to happen for cities to grow again. While, certainly there are folks who no longer wish to live in the suburbs, the same will always hold true with some who live in the city. Sometimes, people get older and want suburban amenities. Sometimes, suburban folks get older and want urban amenities. It's all comes back to personal taste. The difference is that there is an urban renaissance across many of American cities that make them desirable again.

[Marty711]

I'm not sure what the point of this argument over urban growth is. Even in the city of Detroit, downtown and midtown are seeing population gains. They are the only areas of the city besides Mexicantown that are seeing increases. For all of Detroit's woes, the urban core is growing and doing better than it has in decades. That's common in cities across the country.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by Marty711

I'm not sure what the point of this argument over urban growth is. Even in the city of Detroit, downtown and midtown are seeing population gains. They are the only areas of the city besides Mexicantown that are seeing increases. For all of Detroit's woes, the urban core is growing and doing better than it has in decades. That's common in cities across the country.

I would actually say it's doing worse. Here is the tract map for growth between 1990 and 2000.

Interactive map: 30 years of census data - The Washington Post

A lot of the tracts on the left are actually in the city of Dearborn, but there is scattered growth pockets around Detroit.

Then take a look at tract growth 2000 to 2010.

Interactive map: 30 years of census data - The Washington Post

There are still pockets of growth, but even less than there was the previous decade. Either way, there doesn't seem to be very strong growth in the Downtown area.

[313 TUxedo]

While there actually are young, employed people moving into Downtown Detroit, there is no huge rush as they would like you to believe. Much of the buzz in the media is probably "wishcasting", much like someone with a fascination with weather may report a "tornado" twice a week all summer, media types are eager to report urban growth (as their career involves being in the public eye, they, as a group, tend to favor high population density and plenty of nightlife).

WDIV (Detroit's NBC affiliate, and the only station doing its newscast from Downtown) had an interesting lead story recently. Seems that not too long after moving into loft apartments above nightclubs downtown, they start complaining about all the late-night noise and partying that drew them to the area in the first place, and some have been moving back out to get some sleep.

[rlnolan1976]

Comparing Columbus, where I live, to Detroit, is another case of apples and oranges...... Too many differences, and truthfully, Columbus is not even in the same league as Detroit.... But, I will say some things about both, and try to be positive..... Columbus seems to have the better economy, population growth(city proper), lower crime, better housing values.... Detroit is a much more urban city, with a much larger metro population, therefor providing more in the way of recreation, culture sports, and just overall character and personality of the city.... Hands down, Detroit wins for opportunities not job related, and Columbus wins with economics, cleanliness, and safety.... But again, you really can't compare the two, because, Columbus is nowhere near the level Detroit is.... I wish Detroit well though, as it has probably struggled more than any other US city in the last 50 years, and it is a great city, in need of a turn around.... And maybe, just maybe, one day, if Columbus doesn't peak, and continues it progress, up, and forward, then, we can really compare the two, but Columbus needs not only to grow, at least double, it needs to find itself, and make an identity for itself... I am really looking forward to seeing Columbus do that!!!!

[maine_o]

Well I live in Columbus now, have been for 7 years. I moved here from Michigan. Lived in Detroit for 2 years. I would have to agree that Detroit is better. More to do, hands down. Cant say Columbus zoo because Detroit has a great zooalso. Columbus is just now getting a casino. Actually had to drive to Detroit to visit a casino til just recently. Beaches everywhere. Bigger feel and more attractions. I get bored when riding around Columbus, where there's always something to see or do in Detroit. Better shopping. Columbus has Easton, Polaris, And Tuttle which are all nice but only Easton is actually in Columbus. And the waterfront. Yes I would have to choose Detroit. But my kids are in Columbus so I chose here.