Is Boston having the same problems with "crime" as many blue cities like SF, LA, NYC, Portland, Chicago, etc.

[PureBoston]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Pittsburgh (the city) is pretty nice. Not entirely sure why it gets dumped on. Id love to go back.

"Boring."

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

Pittsburgh (the city) is pretty nice. Not entirely sure why it gets dumped on. Id love to go back.

I'm not dumping on it. I'm just saying it isn't as desirable as Marin County, which is why houses in Marin County cost 4x (or more) what they cost in Pittsburgh. If Marin County were suddenly even money compared to Pittsburgh, we'd see an exodus from Pittsburgh. I'm only illustrating that net migration is a product of much more than just desirability. Cost is a big driver.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I detest the concept of "blue" vs. "red" cities. We never used that kind of terminology even just 10 yrs ago, which makes it clear that it's a right wing media concoction. I consider them all to be American cities, and we should all have a stake in quality of life in those cities...be they Charlotte or Baltimore or Boston.

Any time I read a poster using these terms to refer to things, I can pretty much tell where it's going. It's really sad that people chose to view this country as divided groups.

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

Originally Posted by PureBoston

Desirability is a completely subjective term. Completely. The vast majority of Americans are desirous of affordable housing and reasonable levels of taxation.

Except it isn't. We can look at housing prices and see what the market deems desirable. That doesn't mean no individuals disagree, but we're talking about the totality of the market. And you're making my point for me -- people may desire Seattle more if the money were even, but they'll leave Seattle to move to Pittsburgh because they also desire affordability.

You were making the point that net migration numbers tell us these "desirable" cities aren't that desirable. I'm pointing out the flaw in your analysis.

[PureBoston]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Any time I read a poster using these terms to refer to things, I can pretty much tell where it's going. It's really sad that people chose to view this country as divided groups.

What country isn't divided groups. My opinion is that we've reached a point of fundamental differences great enough to support separate countries. If it wasn't completely impractical. And you're agreeing with a poster who detests red vs. blue.....yet blames right wing conservatives in the same breath. It's ingrained.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by PureBoston

What country isn't divided groups. My opinion is that we've reached a point of fundamental differences great enough to support separate countries. If it wasn't completely impractical. And you're agreeing with a poster who detests red vs. blue.....yet blames right wing conservatives in the same breath. It's ingrained.

Yes. The party you're referencing does nothing but blame one side....constantly.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

Except it isn't. We can look at housing prices and see what the market deems desirable. That doesn't mean no individuals disagree, but we're talking about the totality of the market. And you're making my point for me -- people may desire Seattle more if the money were even, but they'll leave Seattle to move to Pittsburgh because they also desire affordability.

You were making the point that net migration numbers tell us these "desirable" cities aren't that desirable. I'm pointing out the flaw in your analysis.

People go where the jobs are...there are lots of higher ups of large corporations who live in the Boston/Cambridge area. It isn't rocket science.

[PureBoston]

Originally Posted by Wittgenstein's Ghost

Except it isn't. We can look at housing prices and see what the market deems desirable. That doesn't mean no individuals disagree, but we're talking about the totality of the market. And you're making my point for me -- people may desire Seattle more if the money were even, but they'll leave Seattle to move to Pittsburgh because they also desire affordability.

You were making the point that net migration numbers tell us these "desirable" cities aren't that desirable. I'm pointing out the flaw in your analysis.

Which do they desire more, Seattle.....or affordability? Housing prices are also dictated greatly by supply available.

[Wittgenstein's Ghost]

Originally Posted by PureBoston

Which do they desire more, Seattle.....or affordability? Housing prices are also dictated greatly by supply available.

You're still getting mixed up in the words here. There is raw desirability (Where would I live if I could live anywhere?) and all-in desirability (given my budget and all of my needs, where should I live?). You were arguing that these cities were not that desirabile in terms of raw desirability because people are leaving them (which isn't true, but that's another point). I'm simply pointing out that, to whatever extent people are leaving them, it has nothing to do with their raw desirability. It's because they can't afford them.

This really is like saying McDonald's is more desirable than Ruth's Chris because people desire cheaper food and more people opt for McDonald's." That's not the typical usage of "desirable." They desire Ruth's Chris more, but practical realities dictate that McDonald's is more popular.

[msRB311]

What is your point ? No one said Boston is undesirable but many people are here because they NEED to be. Then once they can leave they do.