What keeps Atlanta from reaching LA, Chicago, or NYC levels?

[The North One]

Originally Posted by Eightball

Yeah Chicago is way closer to Atlanta than Chicago being LA or NYC caliber

What?? I mean New York is in a league of it's own.
But Chicago being closer to Atlanta than LA??? That's just delusional, lots of crazy talk in this thread.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by caligrad

I could break it down for you. But. You might not like what I have to say.

Probably because half of what you said is directly contradictory with facts. Thanks for the personal breakdown though.

[One ATLien]

Originally Posted by homebucket

Yep. Not sure why everyone keeps regurgitating Black culture and hip hop, as if Atlanta is the only city in the US with hip hop culture. And even if it were the only hip hop producing city in the country, this doesn't even put it anywhere near NYC and LA in terms of global significance. Does Lil Jon being from Atlanta bring in tourists from China? Do they care where MLK Jr was born?

People on this thread are mentioning various aspects of Atlanta that make it popular to some degree or another, mentioned are small and major points tied in together to explain where Atlanta is now and where Atlanta can be. In regards to the entertainment/culture/popularity whatever you want to call it aspect of the conversation a lot of attention geared towards Atlanta is because of the music industry, and that heavily involves Hip-Hop and R&B, there are in an incredible amount of artists from and or based in Atlanta. And it plays a role in Atlanta's popularity outside of the city for sure. A lot of my friends overseas would rarely ever hear the name "Atlanta" if not for the numerous songs that mention it. There have been countless times when I mention that I live in Atlanta to new people I meet, followed by reactions like, "Oh do you see celebrities?" "Do you see rappers?" It plays a much bigger role then you think it does. Of course a lot more important things as mentioned need to be done to be more globally significant, but you can't downplay Atlanta's role in the music industry, just like you cant downplay, although on a different scale, LA's role in the movie and music industry in making it where it is today.

[One ATLien]

Originally Posted by The North One

What?? I mean New York is in a league of it's own.
But Chicago being closer to Atlanta than LA??? That's just delusional, lots of crazy talk in this thread.

Chicago is significantly bigger and historically influential than Atlanta, no one can deny that. But in many factors, in 2017, Chicago is almost as close to Atlanta as it is to LA.. Metro Population wise, Chicago is almost the middle marker between Atlanta And La, Metro GDP wise, the same thing. It's not as far as you think it is. I would say today Chicago is almost as close to Atlanta as it is to LA.

[Street Advocate]

When traveling in Spain I met people from England, Turkey, France, and Australia- to name a few- and each were familiar with Atlanta.

Atlanta needs to keep on doing its thing. It’s taking the correct steps with expanding transit, creating massive new public parks and trail systems, rewriting its zoning code, revisiting parking minimums, the city design studio, being pro business, pro arts (pretty sure other than hip hop and movies, people do not realize how embedded the arts are in Atlanta), and progressive in general. If Atlanta controlled the state government, you’d really see the city take off. Atlanta is growing out of its adolescence and maturing into a destination city. I never expect it to be NYC, LA, or Chicago, but this city has a pace of its own that many find alluring. As density increases in the city proper, more people will have access to the city’s amenities that provide a pretty comfortable way of life that many other US cities will be unable to offer.

[dc_denizen]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I think this a bit of American navel gazing concerning racial issues. While this may be very important locally and even nationally and deserves kudos, at an international level it is not terribly relevant.

I don't agree, african american culture is globally relevant and popular, and distinct; Atlanta is one of the primary sources of said culture.

and please don't say you're from somewhere that's 'moved beyond race'.

[skyscraperpage17]

Originally Posted by Street Advocate

When traveling in Spain I met people from England, Turkey, France, and Australia- to name a few- and each were familiar with Atlanta.

Atlanta needs to keep on doing its thing. It’s taking the correct steps with expanding transit, creating massive new public parks and trail systems, rewriting its zoning code, revisiting parking minimums, the city design studio, being pro business, pro arts (pretty sure other than hip hop and movies, people do not realize how embedded the arts are in Atlanta), and progressive in general. If Atlanta controlled the state government, you’d really see the city take off. Atlanta is growing out of its adolescence and maturing into a destination city. I never expect it to be NYC, LA, or Chicago, but this city has a pace of its own that many find alluring. As density increases in the city proper, more people will have access to the city’s amenities that provide a pretty comfortable way of life that many other US cities will be unable to offer.

Atlanta also has a X-Factor to it that Chicago / NYC don't have, and that's demographic trends.

With everyone migrating to the sunbelt region, Atlanta's will continue to be amongst the top destinations for expats.

[JManc]

Originally Posted by tech12

I think you're very, very wrong about that. They think about all of those things. And wine country, and the golden gate bridge, alcatraz, etc.

A ten second youtube search for "san francisco" brings up hundreds of travel videos where the tech industry is a main focus. It's clear that to people outside of the Bay Area, SF and "silicon valley" is often seen as the same thing (my personal experience with visitors backs this up too). And honestly, it kinda is the same thing. Metro areas and all that, not to mention the presence of the tech sector in SF city-proper has been booming over the past decade.

But to the average Joe, tech is what not pops in to their minds when asked about San Francisco. It's Full House, the Fisherman's Wharf, and crooked streets. There are numerous travel videos about Houston touting biomedical research and the city's performing arts but most people think of oil, the Astrodome and hurricanes.

This is why they make the videos...

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by One ATLien

Chicago is significantly bigger and historically influential than Atlanta, no one can deny that. But it in many factors, in 2017, Chicago is almost as close to Atlanta as it is to LA.. Metro Population wise, Chicago is almost the middle marker between Atlanta And La, Metro GDP wise, the same thing. It's not as far as you think it is. I would say today Chicago is almost as close to Atlanta as it is to LA.

There are way more qualitative factors to look at here than just metro population and GDP.

To ignore those you pretty much miss the whole picture.

[One ATLien]

Originally Posted by JManc

But to the average Joe, tech is what not pops in to their minds when asked about San Francisco. It's Full House, the Fisherman's Wharf, and crooked streets. There are numerous travel videos about Houston touting biomedical research and the city's performing arts but most people think of oil, the Astrodome and hurricanes.

This is why they make the videos...

This is all a matter of opinion of course as it is hard to know exactly what the general consensus on peoples thoughts of different places are. However from what I seemed to notice is what you are saying seems to be a more accurate perception of San Francisco in the past. Today especially to younger generations, I think what comes to mind, when hearing of San Francisco is primarily the tech industry. So much media about it, documentaries, news reports, TV shows. It hard to deny that tech, if not the primary thought in peoples mind, is definitely at least one of the main thoughts that comes to mind when hearing of San Francisco. From what I have seen the last few years, tech in silicon valley/San Francisco is a huge topic of conversation. Hard to deny.

[One ATLien]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

There are way more qualitative factors to look at here than just metro population and GDP.

To ignore those you pretty much miss the whole picture.

I'm not ignoring anything, I just mentioned a few major factors. You cant deny that GDP and population are not huge factors.. But I am also aware that there are other qualitative factors that Chicago are miles ahead of Atlanta in, as well as LA for that matter. And Atlanta itself also has certain qualitative factors that are not far behind LA or Chicago or even superior to them in. I think it is fair to state that Chicago is in between Atlanta and LA in many regards.

[Eightball]

Originally Posted by dc_denizen

I don't agree, african american culture is globally relevant and popular, and distinct; Atlanta is one of the primary sources of said culture.

and please don't say you're from somewhere that's 'moved beyond race'.

Yeah rap has been the #1 most streamed genre on Spotify for a min. Even if you don't like the music ya'll crazy for downgrading the cultural importance

[caligrad]

Originally Posted by homebucket

Yep. Not sure why everyone keeps regurgitating Black culture and hip hop, as if Atlanta is the only city in the US with hip hop culture. And even if it were the only hip hop producing city in the country, this doesn't even put it anywhere near NYC and LA in terms of global significance. Does Lil Jon being from Atlanta bring in tourists from China? Do they care where MLK Jr was born?

I didn't say anything about black culture lol

Originally Posted by The North One

Probably because half of what you said is directly contradictory with facts. Thanks for the personal breakdown though.

I didn't say much sooo what was wrong or contradictory ? LOL or did you just want attention like you do when you're on the LA threads and people quickly shut you down and push you out

[maru2501]

when people hear SF they don't think tech, they think Full House?

that's awesome.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by caligrad

I didn't say much sooo what was wrong or contradictory ? LOL or did you just want attention like you do when you're on the LA threads and people quickly shut you down and push you out

I'm in LA threads?????

That's news to me, must be my evil clone, perhaps a tear to an alternate dimension?

[caligrad]

Originally Posted by The North One

I'm in LA threads?????

That's news to me, must be my evil clone, perhaps a tear to an alternate dimension?

Maybe because you haven't commented over there in a long time because everybody pushes you out quickly when you randomly attack people without facts or links haha so again, what did I say that was contradictory or false? please provide links and facts? Thaaaanks

Or were you just, like I said, looking for attention ?

[mhays]

Originally Posted by JManc

But to the average Joe, tech is what not pops in to their minds when asked about San Francisco. It's Full House, the Fisherman's Wharf, and crooked streets. There are numerous travel videos about Houston touting biomedical research and the city's performing arts but most people think of oil, the Astrodome and hurricanes.

This is why they make the videos...

Travel videos will often reinforce what people already want to see in a city. Maybe that's the case here.

I doubt the three things you mentioned are on the average foreign visitor's radar on anywhere near the scale of Silicon Valley in terms of SF's brand.

In Houston's case they're reaching a bit...lacking major tourist draws (except NASA) they have to cover something, and it's not hurricanes or a formerly-useful stadium.

[The North One]

Originally Posted by caligrad

Maybe because you haven't commented over there in a long time because everybody pushes you out quickly when you randomly attack people without facts or links haha so again, what did I say that was contradictory or false? please provide links and facts? Thaaaanks

Or were you just, like I said, looking for attention ?

It would be easier if you could tell me where I should start first.

Apparently, Houston was a no-name town before Harvey? Or people abroad only know six American cities, Atlanta doesn't have economic power or allure, Detroit doesn't dominate the auto industry? All laughably false. You're the one who made claims, show the facts and the links.

[cabasse]

the premise of this thread is kind of pointless to me. atlanta will always lag behind those cities, it's only just begun to come unto its own maybe a couple of decades ago. it's the youngest of its peers, which are themselves the newest major metropolitan areas in the country. (miami, dfw, houston)

to me, atlanta needs a few things:

- downtown needs to come back (which is just beginning to happen with south downtown and the redevelopment of underground)

- massive infrastructure improvements, especially transit, bike lanes, sidewalks. but also beautification projects - cleaning up the ugliest parts, like haphazardly placed power lines, transmission lines, traffic signals. this is also beginning to happen.

- some kind of grand public space, the kind of thing that capping the downtown connector with park space would bring. this is happening on smaller scale with some of the parks next to the beltline, the westside reservoir, proctor creek greenway, mims park, the proposed capping of 400 in the buckhead business district.

atlanta already punches above its weight in music and tv media, and i feel like it has a pretty well defined and well known culture. the economy here also seems to be growing healthily again. the rest should fall into place, it might just take another few decades.

[AviationGuy]

Originally Posted by skyscraperpage17

I disagree.

Atlanta is well known internationally not only because of the Olympics, but also because of its airport. It also has one of the largest and most diverse corporate presence of any US city outside of NYC and Chicago (if you're important in the business world, you're likely going to be doing a fair amount of business travel to Atlanta). Furthermore, they don't think "Georgia" when Atlanta comes up in conversations (it's prominent enough to be discussed without being associated with Georgia).

I don't know of anyone who consider the cities of Dallas / Houston relevant outside the US. It's all "Texas" to them, the land of rednecks and cowboys (see King of the Hill and the character Kahn).

The same applies to Miami. To them, it's all "Florida," the land of Disney, Palm Trees and Beaches.

I will give you Detroit. It's the world's automotive capital after all. I will also give you DC (it's the nation's capital). I will also give you Seattle (because of Amazon / Microsoft), and Boston (because of MIT / Harvard). I will spot you San Francisco as well (Silicon Valley)

NYC, Chicago and LA are in classes of their own, simply because they're the largest cities in the country.

Dallas is well known as a corporate business capital and Houston is known worldwide for energy, medicine, and ethnic diversity as people pour in from many countries. But the people who know all this don't just base what they know on TV or movies.

Same for Atlanta. I think it's a great city and there's a lot to know about it. I feel bad for people who don't bother to get educated about their own country.

As an aside, I guess this is just another city vs city thread.