The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

[doom&gloom]

Lots of chart data in here, and I have no idea how to embed or update this so link below.

Very interesting and well done.

http://techtv.mit.edu/videos/20213-t...t-jon-moynihan (video intv)

http://www.businessinsider.com/jon-m...#ixzz23cN1ul5P (slides)

[BadJuju]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

Interesting article! It certainly paints a grim picture of the future of western economies; however, I see no other alternative at this point. My question is this: as a young man about to finish college with around $5,000 to do anything, where are some good places to go to get started in life? I want to live in a good-sized city that does not suffer from urban sprawl.

[doom&gloom]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

Interesting article! It certainly paints a grim picture of the future of western economies; however, I see no other alternative at this point. My question is this: as a young man about to finish college with around $5,000 to do anything, where are some good places to go to get started in life? I want to live in a good-sized city that does not suffer from urban sprawl.

I think you would be better served to look at urban infrastructure as your starting point. In a Peak (cheap) Oil age, public transport may be critical. Portland has a great transit network, Chicago not bad, Seattle abysmal in comparison, LA almost worthless. What about cost of living, cost of housing (rent or buy), transport of goods? I would again think a place like Portland wins out over a place like Souix City. Then again, it rains 9 months of the year in Portland, so can you handle that? Water is and will become a bigger issue in some places. Job opportunities?

Really, there are a host of issues to consider besides city size. Personally were CA not so screwed up, I would live in San Diego for it's climate. For ublic transport it would be Portland. For transportation ease to leave and return to the US it would be Miami or Dallas. For cost of living it could be any number of small midwestern towns. For taxes it would be Texas most likely. For sheer beauty southern Colorado.

You would be best to make a list of what is most important to you, then look for a place to live, look at the job opportunites there, and then finish your list.

[BadJuju]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

I am actually glad you bring Portland up. It is a place I have been considering for quite a while now, especially for the reasons you listed above.

Peak cheap oil: It will be very important to be in a place where public transportation is in great health. And it will be even more important to be in an area that supports alternative forms of transportation, like bikes and walking. Most importantly, being in an area that didn't succumb to urban sprawl is critical. Personally, I hate urban sprawl. I think it is a blight visually, economically, and environmentally.

Rain: I will take large amounts of precipitation over aridity. The notion of building cities in deserts will be seen as complete folly within the next couple decades.

City size is important to me because I do not want to live in the boonies. I want to live in a progressive, liberally-minded city with a strong culture and economic base. At the same time, I also love mountains and forests, so I still want to be close to those things. Portland really just seems to satisfy all of these conditions.

[doom&gloom]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

Portland does not have a strong economic base for a ciy it's size. Seattle-area is comparable and has a MUCH better economic base, but lacks the transit and feel of Porland. Portland is almost like a counterculture throwback city. That said, the city planners have done an absolutely amazing job on public transit and the way downtown works. It should be a model for every city in the US. Ienocurage you to take a trip there based upon what you think you like, and I think you will definitely like it.

[BadJuju]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

I'll have to look into Seattle, then! Hah.

I am not too concerned about the transportation situation as I still think Seattle is fundamentally better than most American towns. Anyway, I would live within the city itself, so it wouldn't be a big concern for me. I just like what I have seen of the Northwest and its cities. Just seems like it will be a good place to be in the future.

[doom&gloom]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

I'll have to look into Seattle, then! Hah.

I am not too concerned about the transportation situation as I still think Seattle is fundamentally better than most American towns. Anyway, I would live within the city itself, so it wouldn't be a big concern for me. I just like what I have seen of the Northwest and its cities. Just seems like it will be a good place to be in the future.

Portland is more like your small "big town" with a plethora of small business and services, and a few large employers. Seattle is a town that has a very strong base in high tech and bio-tech (though that seems to be dwindling slowly thru acquisitions). If you skill set is that of say a retail environment, or a small business, mostly non-technical nature. I would say Portland is a much more liveable city in terms of transit, feel, funkyness etc. However if your skill set lends itself more towards high tech or sciences, Seattle is the destination. And understand as I say this, I am discussing matro areas, not necessarily the city proper in each case.

[BadJuju]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

Portland is more like your small "big town" with a plethora of small business and services, and a few large employers. Seattle is a town that has a very strong base in high tech and bio-tech (though that seems to be dwindling slowly thru acquisitions). If you skill set is that of say a retail environment, or a small business, mostly non-technical nature. I would say Portland is a much more liveable city in terms of transit, feel, funkyness etc. However if your skill set lends itself more towards high tech or sciences, Seattle is the destination. And understand as I say this, I am discussing matro areas, not necessarily the city proper in each case.

I will be graduating with a two-year degree in Electromechanical Technology this fall. And I have electrical trade experience. No way I want to step into retail! That crap is for the birds.

Thanks for all the info, buddy.

[doom&gloom]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

de nada!

If you head out this way, check them both out for a week, then make your decision. As you blew all your money on hookers already, I bet you can find some hostels or YMCA's to stay cheap.

[BadJuju]

Re: The Continued Decline of the West: MIT TechTV - Jon Moynihan

de nada!

If you head out this way, check them both out for a week, then make your decision. As you blew all your money on hookers already, I bet you can find some hostels or YMCA's to stay cheap.

Hah. I will be heading out in December or January to start a new life somewhere. I just know it needs to be in a city where things are happening. I'll have a good amount of money to float myself for a while. I'll do as you suggest with the hostels. I've always stayed in hostels whenever I travel. Good thing Seattle and Portland are so close.