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Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

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Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#11

Post by war1025 »

Entangled wrote: post #2

> “The 18- to 35-year-olds expect something like that, but they just didn’t have it,” said Tyler Hodge, 32, who used crowdfunding to help finance the shop. The same tactic was used for a rock climbing gym opened in September by a group of young engineers who, like Hodge, spend their weekdays working at Cummins Inc., the diesel engine company that is the city’s largest employer. Crowdfunding for brick-and-mortar? Now…

Cooperatives are a similar model. It is maybe more common for places like organic grocery stores, but it seems like it could work for other businesses.

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#12

Post by froindt »

Surprised to see Cedar Rapids, IA on the list. I grew up in the area and it was not very appealing to stay in the area. Growing up, everybody's parents worked at Rockwell Collins, and not many of my peers had intentions of staying in the area. Few did.

In the last few years I have noticed changes around the city. Some big investments downtown, new developments for commercial and shopping space, etc.

I doubt Cedar Rapids would have been on the list if it it wasn't for the 2008 flood. Nothing could get done at a city level because people were always against it for some reason or another. It was a kick in the pants city wide to get stuff done.

Rockwell, the largest employer in the city, has always had a tough time recruiting. Perhaps it will be easier for them to get young talent in the coming years?

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#13

Post by cableshaft »

Entangled wrote: post #2

> “The 18- to 35-year-olds expect something like that, but they just didn’t have it,” said Tyler Hodge, 32, who used crowdfunding to help finance the shop. The same tactic was used for a rock climbing gym opened in September by a group of young engineers who, like Hodge, spend their weekdays working at Cummins Inc., the diesel engine company that is the city’s largest employer. Crowdfunding for brick-and-mortar? Now…

I've seen it done successfully a few times now for board game cafes in particular, but that's all that ever come across my radar. Basically local board game lovers like the idea of getting a public space to play and get food, and want to support it.

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#14

Post by FLUX-YOU »

froindt wrote: post #12

Surprised to see Cedar Rapids, IA on the list. I grew up in the area and it was not very appealing to stay in the area. Growing up, everybody's parents worked at Rockwell Collins, and not many of my peers had intentions of staying in the area. Few did. In the last few years I have noticed changes around the city. Some big investments downtown, new developments for commercial and shopping space, etc. I doubt Cedar Rap…

>In the last few years I have noticed changes around the city. Some big investments downtown, new developments for commercial and shopping space, etc.

I guess investors have the big cities' real estate markets locked down. Now they're trying the same gentrification game in small towns to get rents raised?

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#15

Post by aantix »

don_draper wrote: post #6

Real estate is one of the biggest intergenerational scams ever. Be smart and just buy a cheaper house and then work less. pretty simple

"ever"? We live in an affluent neighborhood surrounded by Doctors and CPAs. Our kids see that every day. That's their normal.

And if/when there are major budget changes to the district, who do you think are the first parents in line advocating for their school?

You literally buy your kids a chance at a better future.

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#16

Post by pmorici »

don_draper wrote: post #6

Real estate is one of the biggest intergenerational scams ever. Be smart and just buy a cheaper house and then work less. pretty simple

Sound advice for adults w/o kids. Schools matter though and you don't want to have to worry that they can't play outside due to safety. Real concern in some places with cheaper housing.

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#17

Post by toomuchtodo »

pmorici wrote: post #16
don_draper wrote: post #6

Real estate is one of the biggest intergenerational scams ever. Be smart and just buy a cheaper house and then work less. pretty simple

Sound advice for adults w/o kids. Schools matter though and you don't want to have to worry that they can't play outside due to safety. Real concern in some places with cheaper housing.

My wife and I picked a low cost locale, allowing us to pay off our mortgage by mid 30s. This also allows her to be a full time parent, and we're home schooling (two kids). Also, our neighborhood is very safe (low cost housing does not equal dangerous automatically).

Not shackling yourself to a high cost of living area and all of the trappings that go with it allows you a crazy amount of options (our burn rate is under $24k/year with my income many times that).

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#18

Post by dominotw »

don_draper wrote: post #6

Real estate is one of the biggest intergenerational scams ever. Be smart and just buy a cheaper house and then work less. pretty simple

This applies only to people with no kids. Real estate is not about the house, its a premium to choose your neighbors. Birds of a feather tax.

Re: Millennials to Small Cities: Ready or Not, Here We Come

#19

Post by pmorici »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #17
pmorici wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sound advice for adults w/o kids. Schools matter though and you don't want to have to worry that they can't play outside due to safety. Real concern in some places with cheaper housing.

My wife and I picked a low cost locale, allowing us to pay off our mortgage by mid 30s. This also allows her to be a full time parent, and we're home schooling (two kids). Also, our neighborhood is very safe (low cost housing does not equal dangerous automatically). Not shackling yourself to a high cost of living area and all of the trappings that go with it allows you a crazy amount of options (our burn rate is unde…

Yeah, and I think that is why these cities mentioned in the articles are attractive. Low cost while still being acceptable for children. You can't find that though in the major metro areas. Cost almost always translates to safety or school quality.
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