detroit metro area vs columbus? (Buckeye Lake, Camden: unemployed, construction, good schools)

[cbusflyer]

Detroit is twice the size of Columbus. Obviously Columbus is just now starting to gain amenities that larger metros have had for many years. I love the vibe of Columbus and love how it is still growing into it's shell. Detroit is great but I feel that it's downfall has really impacted peoples perception of it and it will take longer for it to regain respect than Columbus to gain respect.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by 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.

Yes, because to gamble while living in Columbus, you only had about 3,000 other options within a few hours drive. How often do people really gamble outside of addicts? Further, casinos are usually pretty terrible for the places they exist in, so I'm not sure it's a positive that Columbus got one. They certainly didn't help Detroit.

The beaches you're referencing are where in Detroit? Lake St. Clair and the surrounding waterways are pretty polluted, so I'm not sure you'd really want to go swimming. If you're referencing beaches in other parts of Michigan, that's not really Detroit anymore than Lake Erie beaches are Columbus.

Detroit does have a larger metro, I'll give you that, as well as many legacy amenities. Columbus is still growing and gaining its amenities, but will get there eventually.

Both Tuttle and Polaris are within the Columbus city boundaries. And the city is pretty well known for its fashion/shopping scene. I would easily put it up there with any city its size or larger.

You should move back. It needs all the people it can get.

[Natural510]

Originally Posted by 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!!!!

This is a fair comparison and sums up both places quite well.

[chet_kinkaid]

people need to get out more..casinos are exciting..fun places.to say only gambling addicts go to casinos is silly.and i love the fact that the columbus casino is so easy to get in and out of..perfect location.you can literally exit 270 and be in the casino in 5 minutes..and its so convenient..in cleveland its just alot more effort and time and money just to park and get in.although i do agree with the rest of what poster jbcmh said.

[bjimmy24]

Casinos are sad, sad places... I'm so sick of Ohio cities talking them up like they're some kind of legit hot nightlife spots. I'm not sure about the other C's, but it's especially bad in Cleveland. They're even building skywalks so you won't have to risk actually experiencing the city or its local businesses if you wanna go to the casino.

[jbcmh81]

Originally Posted by chet_kinkaid

people need to get out more..casinos are exciting..fun places.to say only gambling addicts go to casinos is silly.and i love the fact that the columbus casino is so easy to get in and out of..perfect location.you can literally exit 270 and be in the casino in 5 minutes..and its so convenient..in cleveland its just alot more effort and time and money just to park and get in.although i do agree with the rest of what poster jbcmh said.

I didn't say only addicts go to casinos. I said who goes all the time besides them? It's fairly expensive, so I just don't think it's an activity you can do very often.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Casinos are sad, sad places... I'm so sick of Ohio cities talking them up like they're some kind of legit hot nightlife spots. I'm not sure about the other C's, but it's especially bad in Cleveland. They're even building skywalks so you won't have to risk actually experiencing the city or its local businesses if you wanna go to the casino.

Originally Posted by jbcmh81

I didn't say only addicts go to casinos. I said who goes all the time besides them? It's fairly expensive, so I just don't think it's an activity you can do very often.

Here, of all things, I must agree with both a "Clevelander" and "Columbusite"! No matter which "3-C" city to which you gravitate, the casino intends to lock you in and separate you from your money, period. All three casinos exist and thrive in a world apart from both their host cities and your own personal expectations. No, I'm not saying that they're all bad (they are enjoyable), but none of them are actually the Magic Bullets that they portray themselves to be nor any of our 3-Cs are hoping they will be.

[Natural510]

Well, let a "Daytonian" chime in and agree it's a pretty sad way to revitalize a city. I suppose it's preferable to keep one's gambling local, but it a casino should only be a small piece to a much larger plan.

[snoopygirlmi]

Most of my friends moved out of Michigan to get jobs after college. One of them landed in Columbus.

I love visiting Columbus. I also love the suburb where I live in Metro Detroit.

The thing is that Detroit has a lot of amenities, but day-to-day living for the most part, it's a mess.

The government just declared bankruptcy because it hasn't been functioning well for years. I have friends who have worked at DPS. The stories they tell will break your heart. Most suburbanites don't bother going down to Detroit anymore. Their lives and activities are in the suburbs. Not everyone is into sports or casinos. Who knows if the DIA will actually have any art left in the museum, given that the city owns the pieces and might be used as assets to pay off creditors in the bankruptcy? Most homicides in the city go unsolved because the city can't pay for cops. Bus service barely functions. Street lights are turned off.

I just can't delude myself and say Detroit is a better place than Columbus. Maybe that was true in 1960, but it's not true in 2013.

Lake St. Clair, I can't get too excited about because half the time the beach is closed because of PCB's. I lived in St. Clair Shores, so it was very frustrating to live near a huge body of water, but not be able to swim in it. We never had to worry about that when we went to Lake Michigan (on the other side of the state).

Ultimately, I don't always feel like I have to watch my back when I go down to downtown Columbus. I'm not cynically looking at trash on the side of highways (which gets conveniently cleaned up with big name events come into town) and buildings like the Central Train Depot.

Yes, Columbus might be smaller, but I prefer Columbus to Detroit any day. It's got a great vibe.

Also, I didn't grow up in Metro Detroit, so it's just surprising to me how divided this area really is. For some people, it's a big deal if you are an Eastsider or Westsider (working class vs upper class) or if you are north or south of 8 Mile (black or white/city or suburb). A lot of people are stuck in 1967 and refuse to acknowledge that we are in the 21st century. Now, adding to the mix, people are hysterical because Dearborn and Hamtramack have a lot of Middle Eastern immigrants who are Muslim and changing "Christian" cities to reflect their norms - even though they are the majority populations in those areas. It's going to take a lot to move the city and region forward.

I hate being a downer about Detroit. I really don't want to be "that" person. However, the reality is that Detroit has a lot of big challenges that Columbus doesn't face. (Or to the same extent).

[ram2]

Originally Posted by snoopygirlmi

Lake St. Clair, I can't get too excited about because half the time the beach is closed because of PCB's. I lived in St. Clair Shores, so it was very frustrating to live near a huge body of water, but not be able to swim in it. We never had to worry about that when we went to Lake Michigan (on the other side of the state).

Did you ever go boating on Lake St. Clair? St. Clair Shores is lined with marinas.