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Most large, wealthy CSAs have an industrial satellite: a small, inexpensive, densely developed city that offers blue collar jobs and attracts immigrants. Some examples might include Wilmington, DE; Newark, NJ; Tacoma, WA; Waukegan, IL; and Bridgeport-New Haven, CT.
Because these cities offer a low cost of living and are very walkable, one would imagine that they'd be prime candidates for gentrification as more suburbanites are trading in their SUVs for high-rise loft apartments.
But is it happening?
If so, do you think they're gentrifying at the same rate as other industrial cities that are not part of large, wealthy CSA's?
If not, why do you think these urban areas are overlooked?
CSAs aren't really meaningful to most people in real life. Bridgeport and Waukegan really aren't close enough to NYC or Chicago for most people to commute. I do believe Newark is a true satellite city, and is currently experiencing gentrification.
There are plenty of examples of smaller cities which have a measure of gentrification going on. Generally these occur in cities where there is a local college/university of some size, which can result in a "college town inside the city" dynamic. Some good examples:
Lowell, MA
New Haven, CT
Bethlehem, PA
Lancaster, PA
Some smaller state capitals which are otherwise gritty have developed a gentrified enclave near the state capital as well. Albany, NY, Trenton, NJ, and Harrisburg, PA are good examples of this.
New Bedford, MA is a city which has seen some level of revival without either of these elements.
I doubt they'd gentrify. After all, the schools still stink. But they are good housing options for those commuting to central cities or costly corporate suburbs. Yes, over an hour on the train can seem arduous, but many do it. Even after the children arrive, lower costs could allow for private school tuition.
Last edited by pvande55; 10-08-2016 at 10:47 AM..
Reason: Add line
Many of these cities will survive not by attracting educated, young professionals, but by attracting mostly uneducated immigrants. Bridgeport has not seen the pop. decline of Youngstown, OH or Detroit because its pulling in so many Latin immigrants. It's diversifying, but definitely not gentrifying.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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You are actually right on with the example of Tacoma, which is, contrary to what residents will say, a suburb of the Seattle metro. I see many commuter buses every day picking up people in downtown Seattle headed home to Tacoma. Meanwhile, with the Seattle and close-in eastside rent and home prices getting so far out of reach for many, Tacoma prices are growing faster, and is starting to gentrify. The city is even encouraging it, in the downtown areas. Unfortunately though, the gritty image is hard to overcome, and it's a much slower process there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mutiny77 View Post
Camden is a better example than Wilmington.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawn.Davenport
The cities I'm referring to are more working class rather than poor. Camden is just desolate.
In the greater Philadelphia metro area, the best examples of small industrial satellites are Camden, NJ, Trenton, NJ, Norristown, PA and Chester, PA. I wouldn't call Wilmington, DE an industrial satellite city of Philly as Wilmington has always had a very large white collar component, with many legal and banking jobs accounting for a substantial part of their work force.
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