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As far as Charlotte vs NoVa, I think its an apples to oranges comparison. Charlotte is the CITY in its metro, and I never thought I would say, is more centrally concentrated than NoVa. The Charlotte metro vs NOVA I will give to NOVA, but the suburbs in Charlotte have yet to catch up to Charlotte in terms of development and progressive thinking. A better comparison for Charlotte is Richmond and a better comparison for NOVA is RDU. I would also say Hampton Roads probably stacks up better against the Piedmont Triad than RDU. I base these comparisons based on the makeup of the cities. Hampton Roads is the 7 cities, the Triad has at least 4 and probably 6 (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, Lexington, Thomasville).
NOVA and RDU have great high tech fields, rather spread out development but a central identity. I say they measure up pretty well. I would take RDU over NOVA just because NOVA is too spread out for my liking, but the access to DC is an asset that can't be underrated.
Charlotte vs Richmond is not too good of a comparison given Charlotte's immense size. But in all honesty, no single city can in VA match up to Charlotte. But Richmond, IMO, comes the closest and probably has as urban of a fabric and as much progressive mobility as Charlotte. I choose Charlotte cause of its size. But Kings Dominion is better than Carowinds.
Hampton Roads vs Piedmont Triad is probably the best comparison. The Triad is a true measure of all of NC and Hampton Roads is where VA got its start. Norfolk is a beast of a city and one of my favs in the nation. Outside of my hometown of Charlotte, Winston is my fav city in NC. Depending on your type of terrain will judge this win for you. HR Is in the coast whereas Triad is so close to the mountains. HR is also progressing much better than Triad, sadly, and looks to continue to do so. My vote is for HR.
HR is also progressing much better than Triad, sadly, and looks to continue to do so. My vote is for HR.
The only area in which I see HR progressing significantly more than the Triad is mass transit. Otherwise, I think the two are about even in this category.
The only area in which I see HR progressing significantly more than the Triad is mass transit. Otherwise, I think the two are about even in this category.
Hmm... I'll have to double check this. I don't deny you're right. When I look at the growth patterns, both population and economic-wise, the Triad has been disappointing and struggling for a while. I can't speak so much for HR since it's been a while since I was really in that area.
Hmm... I'll have to double check this. I don't deny you're right. When I look at the growth patterns, both population and economic-wise, the Triad has been disappointing and struggling for a while. I can't speak so much for HR since it's been a while since I was really in that area.
Actually, the Triad is more or less average in terms of growth. I just think that people consider the breakneck growth in Charlotte and the Triangle as normal for NC as a whole, so by comparison, it appears as though the Triad is struggling when in reality it's doing OK for itself. Could be doing better, but it's fine. The Triad has certainly been growing faster than Hampton Roads. From 2000-2009, the Triad has grown by 11.77%; that's faster than Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Boston. Hampton Roads has only grown by 6.22% in the same period. I also think the Triad has had some major scores economically within the past decade as well, like HondaJet, Volvo Trucks NA, FedEx hub, and Caterpillar. I also think the Triad has a more diversified and dynamic economy than Hampton Roads. The Triad has manufacturing, tobacco, furniture, transportation, finance, medicine, and increasingly research. The main pillars for Hampton Roads are the port, the military, and tourism.
Actually, the Triad is more or less average in terms of growth. I just think that people consider the breakneck growth in Charlotte and the Triangle as normal for NC as a whole, so by comparison, it appears as though the Triad is struggling when in reality it's doing OK for itself. Could be doing better, but it's fine. The Triad has certainly been growing faster than Hampton Roads. From 2000-2009, the Triad has grown by 11.77%; that's faster than Miami, Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Boston. Hampton Roads has only grown by 6.22% in the same period. I also think the Triad has had some major scores economically within the past decade as well, like HondaJet, Volvo Trucks NA, FedEx hub, and Caterpillar. I also think the Triad has a more diversified and dynamic economy than Hampton Roads. The Triad has manufacturing, tobacco, furniture, transportation, finance, medicine, and increasingly research. The main pillars for Hampton Roads are the port, the military, and tourism.
I suppose you do have a point. The only leg up over Triad that HR has is public trans, environment, and overall connected urbanity. At least IMO, HR seems like one giant area. Don't get me wrong, so does the Triad but not as urban as HR.
The growth rates you posted is that population or economic? I guess you're aboslutely right about the growth in Charlotte and Raleigh as fast-paced and the Triad as average. I just love the Triad area and wish it was experiencing their success as well.
As far as Charlotte vs NoVa, I think its an apples to oranges comparison. Charlotte is the CITY in its metro, and I never thought I would say, is more centrally concentrated than NoVa. The Charlotte metro vs NOVA I will give to NOVA, but the suburbs in Charlotte have yet to catch up to Charlotte in terms of development and progressive thinking. A better comparison for Charlotte is Richmond and a better comparison for NOVA is RDU. I would also say Hampton Roads probably stacks up better against the Piedmont Triad than RDU. I base these comparisons based on the makeup of the cities. Hampton Roads is the 7 cities, the Triad has at least 4 and probably 6 (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, Lexington, Thomasville).
NOVA and RDU have great high tech fields, rather spread out development but a central identity. I say they measure up pretty well. I would take RDU over NOVA just because NOVA is too spread out for my liking, but the access to DC is an asset that can't be underrated.
Charlotte vs Richmond is not too good of a comparison given Charlotte's immense size. But in all honesty, no single city can in VA match up to Charlotte. But Richmond, IMO, comes the closest and probably has as urban of a fabric and as much progressive mobility as Charlotte. I choose Charlotte cause of its size. But Kings Dominion is better than Carowinds.
Hampton Roads vs Piedmont Triad is probably the best comparison. The Triad is a true measure of all of NC and Hampton Roads is where VA got its start. Norfolk is a beast of a city and one of my favs in the nation. Outside of my hometown of Charlotte, Winston is my fav city in NC. Depending on your type of terrain will judge this win for you. HR Is in the coast whereas Triad is so close to the mountains. HR is also progressing much better than Triad, sadly, and looks to continue to do so. My vote is for HR.
What are you crazy or something? The Triad is nothing like Hampton Roads. In fact, the only metro in North Carolina that comes remotely close to Hampton Roads is Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach; and even it is overshadowed by this area.
Despite Charlotte having he most buildings, it still is a boring, bland city, and just like most of North Carolina (excluding the mountains and coast) is overhyped.
What are you crazy or something? The Triad is nothing like Hampton Roads. In fact, the only metro in North Carolina that comes remotely close to Hampton Roads is Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach; and even it is overshadowed by this area.
Despite Charlotte having he most buildings, it still is a boring, bland city, and just like most of North Carolina (excluding the mountains and coast) is overhyped.
I explained why I compared HR and the Triad. But I shall expound. Both areas are significant to their state, have multiple nodes in the metro, historical centers for their state, and provide a good example of what the state is like. I do note the environment is drastically different, and if you want to say that the comparison is not good, I understand.
Your opinion about Charlotte is respected and it is definitely your opinion. Although it makes me wonder how much of Charlotte have you seen. If you just went to Uptown, you have missed a significant portion of Charlotte.
What are you crazy or something? The Triad is nothing like Hampton Roads. In fact, the only metro in North Carolina that comes remotely close to Hampton Roads is Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach; and even it is overshadowed by this area.
Despite Charlotte having he most buildings, it still is a boring, bland city, and just like most of North Carolina (excluding the mountains and coast) is overhyped.
There are definitely similarities between Hampton Roads and NC's Triad. It isn't simply about the port and naval yard...there are other aspects to Hampton Roads, like the fact that it's multi-nodal.
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