Phoenix #9 America's Best Cities (Chandler, Sedona: 2015, apartment, amusement parks)

[timothyaw]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

You're absolutely right about Las Vegas being focused on one industry. But that industry (entertainment) is MASSIVE, and it has made Vegas a top tourist destination. It also helped the place grow from a relatively small casino town to a fairly large city, and it's also why they have monorail & plans for a loop tunnel, among other things.....

Las Vegas is working (albeit slowly) toward diversifying their economy into several other sectors. They know that relying strictly on casino/entertainment causes their constant bust/boom type of economy.
https://goed.nv.gov/

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by Mattya

I don’t know if using the loop tunnel or the monorail is something to brag about for Vegas. The tunnel especially looks like an utter failure and con.

Well, let's put it this way: both the proposed loop tunnel and the existing monorail have been funded with private contributions thanks to the casino/entertainment industry (and Elon Musk). I realize there have been issues with the monorail, but it proves that a transportation system can be built without having to tap the taxpayers. Aside from that, how about the massive complex known as CityCenter? Despite some problems & delays initially, it has turned out to be very impressive, and it could actually be dubbed the crown jewel of Vegas. It looks like a city within a city.

https://www.lasvegashowto.com/citycenter-las-vegas
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-th...-77470762.html

I'm not saying we have to copy what Vegas does, but it would be great if Phoenix could have large scale developments of this type, especially in downtown or midtown. The progress Phoenix has made in the last decade or so is nothing to scoff at, but we still lack vibrancy, industry, and attractions compared to other cities our size.

[FlurryCat]

Originally Posted by Valley Native

Well, let's put it this way: both the proposed loop tunnel and the existing monorail have been funded with private contributions thanks to the casino/entertainment industry (and Elon Musk). I realize there have been issues with the monorail, but it proves that a transportation system can be built without having to tap the taxpayers. Aside from that, how about the massive complex known as CityCenter? Despite some problems & delays initially, it has turned out to be very impressive, and it could actually be dubbed the crown jewel of Vegas. It looks like a city within a city.

https://www.lasvegashowto.com/citycenter-las-vegas
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-th...-77470762.html

So they want to diversify to be less reliant on gaming and tourism and they put up:

Located on the Las Vegas Strip between the Bellagio and Park MGM resorts, CityCenter includes ARIA Resort & Casino, a 4,004-room casino resort; Vdara Hotel and Spa, a 1,495-room luxury condominium-style hotel; Crystals and the Veer Towers, which contain 669 luxury condominium residences.

And it's likely that the condo residences won't be actual residences. Probably end up as high-roller perks and short-term rentals.

Originally Posted by Valley Native

I'm not saying we have to copy what Vegas does, but it would be great if Phoenix could have large scale developments of this type, especially in downtown or midtown. The progress Phoenix has made in the last decade or so is nothing to scoff at, but we still lack vibrancy, industry, and attractions compared to other cities our size.

And if you want Phoenix to be more of a business city and less of a tourist-snowbird destination, the solution is not flash.

[jnojr]

Originally Posted by locolife

Phoenix has ranked pretty well in yet another city ranking study.

Not for much longer, as we're being overrun by people who are desperate to turn AZ into the state they just left. Thousands upon thousands of new houses all being crammed in right on top of each other in a desert state with a critically low and shrinking water supply.

[DetroitN8V]

Originally Posted by jnojr

Not for much longer, as we're being overrun by people who are desperate to turn AZ into the state they just left. Thousands upon thousands of new houses all being crammed in right on top of each other in a desert state with a critically low and shrinking water supply.

I know. Can you believe anyone would want to turn AZ into Mississippi or Alabama? Barf.

[Valley Native]

Originally Posted by FlurryCat

So they want to diversify to be less reliant on gaming and tourism and they put up:
And it's likely that the condo residences won't be actual residences. Probably end up as high-roller perks and short-term rentals.

And if you want Phoenix to be more of a business city and less of a tourist-snowbird destination, the solution is not flash.

CityCenter has been in full operation for over 10 years, and it was never intended to be less reliant on gaming or tourism. It is Vegas after all, so a massive complex like this simply added more hotel rooms & more things to do for visitors. I never said Phoenix should copy Vegas, but having a crown jewel similar to how CityCenter was designed would definitely be a plus ... only it doesn't have to be hotel/casino based.

The Phoenix area should be less of a snowbird & retirement destination, and more of a year round destination for everybody. A lot of tourism that could be here goes to Vegas or southern CA instead, and that translates to lost revenue for us. We don't necessarily have to be flashy, but we do need to be more focused on business AND year round tourism. It is very possible to have both because other large cities do.

[singlegirlinaz]

Originally Posted by locolife

Phoenix has ranked pretty well in yet another city ranking study. As always there are holes to pick but it does seem to be a pretty comprehensive process. Overall Phoenix ranked #9 nationally, behind many of the usual top 10 cities including Denver, DC, San Diego, Boston, SF, Chicago, LA and NY. But ahead of Philly, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Seattle and Austin.

- Phoenix offers some of the best Mexican food this side of the border, a growing roster of fine museums, a vibrant artist community and 300 days of sunshine—with the #6-ranked Weather in the nation.

- Get a street-level view of the city’s increasingly considered urban planning with a stroll through Roosevelt Row Arts District. Art galleries, studios, restaurants and bars sit side by side in this walkable creative district in the downtown core—helping the city to its #13 ranking nationally in our diverse Place category, which measures a city’s sights and landmarks, quality of nature and parks, and safety.

- Despite the built environment’s ascent, Phoenix is still an outdoor city, year-round, and ranks #29 in the nation for its Parks & Outdoors.

- The city ranks #2 nationally for Change in Median Home Prices

- Locals are also staying put (which means so are the jobs), with Phoenix ranking #11 nationally in our Change in Civilian Labor Force subcategory.


https://www.bestcities.org/rankings/...s-best-cities/

I am happy to see Phoenix rated high among the other big metros instead of top 10 on someone's negative list.

[singlegirlinaz]

Originally Posted by jnojr

Not for much longer, as we're being overrun by people who are desperate to turn AZ into the state they just left. Thousands upon thousands of new houses all being crammed in right on top of each other in a desert state with a critically low and shrinking water supply.

If it's too much to handle then move to Wyoming or Alaska. Thousands upon thousands of acres of wide open spaces there.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by singlegirlinaz

If it's too much to handle then move to Wyoming or Alaska. Thousands upon thousands of acres of wide open spaces there.

With the way people are moving, I think places like Montana and Wyoming will be the next hot spots.

[The QC]

Someone pointed out that NC ranks as the 9th most business friendly state. ( Yawn) it was meant to indicate that being a tax-friendly state has no benefit. But the person posting should have looked closer. Charlotte with an MSA population of 2.7 million is home to 9 Fortune 500 companies and 18 Fortune 1000 companies. Not too bad for 2.7 million.