franciskelsey

I still live about 20 minutes from there in Walker (Standale). Did ya get to go to the FARM MUSEUM LOL? I think Coopersville is a cute town, but my main like is all of the railroad cars of all sorts lined up on the tracks a half block from the dopot. If you ever get a chance when your up in West Michigan, besides Grand Rapids, I think my favorites are Rockford (with it's beautiful dam, downtown square, board walk and bike paths), Grand Haven (with it's beach resort kind of feel, the board walk and the pier), and Muskegon (with all of it's historical buildings and history, the second oldest city in the state, not to mention the only mile long free beach on this side of the state). Thanks for the thread. It is always nice to see something from your own area when you can't be where you want to be.

Rainy, always rainy. Well, I guess a person could get used to it. Some good pictures. You should try again in Febuary. LOL Beautiful downtown. Did you get any shots of the international bridge? A beautiful bridge, and tourist trains (road trains) to take people on a tour of it. If I ever lived in the UP, this would be my city.

Being from GR, I kind of had to chuckle at a little of this. The truth is, that is exactly what started downtown in the right direction, building an arena and hoping for spinoff. One of the smartest things we could of ever done. Then the expansion of the conventional center, just a couple blocks away. That helped a little more. They are now also planing on adding a new addition onto the Arena. In Cincinnati, they redid fountain square, in GR, they redid, and renamed, Rosa Parks Circle. Unfortunetly, the old design had a better look, but less space for concerts. A new art museum as well, at the same location, was funded in part, I believe by puplic money as well. The truth be told, if the city does not invest in itself, private companies probably will not be so inclined, either. If GR had more money to work with, like the medical mile (Michigan st., which is seeing one high rise medical facility after another) GR would be doing much more than it already has, including making DT a bike path hub, kind of like Dayton and Columbus. We have several, but few are presently connected. As far as rehabbing everything in sight, if it were not for many, many protesters, our most prized pocession, Heritage Hill, would have all been bulldozed away for more tacky looking 80's buildings. Also, the new Catholic deas on Wealthy and Division is not exactly rehabbing, or even fitting in the neighborhood. That being said, though, they have invested and put alot of money into and helping GR. Iona st., however, is one great example of rehabbing old buildings. (south of Fulton) Concerning the wealthy in town, you are right. Alot of what we have (and if voters approved it, a world class zoo would of been one of those things) has been built with great donations and the wealthy. That has helped unbelievably. We must give credit where credit is due. In saying that, I have seen many exhibits, shows, and other great things in Ciny that only happen because of the donations of the wealthy. I don't think you give the wealthy in your town nearly eneugh credit. Keep an eye open from here on out on how many things you see sponsered by the wealthy in your home town. GR is still in very rough shape job wise, as we were a big industial town, but with new schools and research centers, we are trying to turn some things around. The unemployent has already dripped down and some people that I know are beginning to find work somewhere again. That is great news from a state that has been in recession since the year 2000, comparing with other states. Over all, if I am going to have to stay in MI, I could not think of a better city to be in. I know Detroit is not doing as good. With all of the sandy beaches and lighthouses, lake resort towns, ship tours and dune rides, it really is not all that bad if you get out there to enjoy it. No place is like the Cincy, but everyones heart belongs to a city of their own.

Thanks NorthAndre, you made a god point. What are the most common excess points to this? I never knew it existed. I have been to the shopping sector on N. Michigan and do not remember seeing such a thing. Is it south of the river? I would love to check it out!

Just a quick question - Does anybody know of a city that was hurt by having a upkept, nice skywalk system?

I have been hearing about this merger for so long, and I am getting so excited. Does anyone know when we will hear a confirmed statement of this merger (if infact, it does happen)? I am guessing probably not until close to 2011, but i don't know if i can wait that long. I got ants in my pants and I can't get them out.

I believe when all information is in from the 2010 fest, I believe Cincy will look much better than these older stats show. Cincy has ben making leaps and bounds despite the ecomony lately, and unfortuntly, some sites are a dollor short and a day late. All I am saying is that when the new numberes come out, I think all will see the real beginnings of a new Cincinnati (Not that it isn't already Queen of the west).

100 Metro Areas with the Worst Unemployment Rate over 1,000,000 people. The most recent unemployment rate for an area. The unemployment rate is expressed as a percentage of the available work force that is not employed. Unemployment Rate Metro State United States Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metro Area, Michigan 13.60 % 26 8.50 % Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metro Area, California 12.20 % 06 8.50 % Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metro Area, North Carolina 11.70 % 37 8.50 % Providence-New Bedford-Fall River Metro Area, Rhode Island 11.50 % 44 8.50 % Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville Metro Area, California 10.80 % 06 8.50 % Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton Metro Area, Oregon 10.70 % 41 8.50 % Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metro Area, Florida 10.20 % 12 8.50 % Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana Metro Area, California 10.20 % 06 8.50 % Las Vegas-Paradise Metro Area, Nevada 10.10 % 32 8.50 % San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area, California 10.00 % 06 8.50 % Louisville Metro Area, Kentucky 10.00 % 21 8.50 % Orlando-Kissimmee Metro Area, Florida 9.70 % 12 8.50 % Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro Area, New York 9.60 % 36 8.50 % Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor Metro Area, Ohio 9.40 % 39 8.50 % Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metro Area, Georgia 9.30 % 13 8.50 % St. Louis Metro Area, Missouri 9.20 % 29 8.50 % Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Area, Illinois 9.20 % 17 8.50 % Jacksonville Metro Area, Florida 9.20 % 12 8.50 % Cincinnati-Middletown Metro Area, Ohio 8.90 % 39 8.50 % Memphis Metro Area, Tennessee 8.90 % 47 8.50 % Raleigh-Cary Metro Area, North Carolina 8.80 % 37 8.50 % San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont Metro Area, California 8.80 % 06 8.50 % San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos Metro Area, California 8.80 % 06 8.50 % Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro Area, Washington 8.70 % 53 8.50 % Rochester Metro Area, New York 8.50 % 36 8.50 % Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro Metro Area, Tennessee 8.40 % 47 8.50 % Kansas City Metro Area, Missouri 8.40 % 29 8.50 % Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach Metro Area, Florida 8.20 % 12 8.50 % Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metro Area, Minnesota 8.20 % 27 8.50 % New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metro Area, New York 8.20 % 36 8.50 % Indianapolis Metro Area, Indiana 8.20 % 18 8.50 % Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metro Area, Wisconsin 8.10 % 55 8.50 % Birmingham-Hoover Metro Area, Alabama 8.00 % 01 8.50 % Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metro Area, Pennsylvania 8.00 % 42 8.50 % Columbus Metro Area, Ohio 7.90 % 39 8.50 % Richmond Metro Area, Virginia 7.90 % 51 8.50 % Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford Metro Area, Connecticut 7.90 % 09 8.50 % Denver-Aurora Metro Area, Colorado 7.90 % 08 8.50 % Pittsburgh Metro Area, Pennsylvania 7.60 % 42 8.50 % Baltimore-Towson Metro Area, Maryland 7.60 % 24 8.50 % Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metro Area, Massachusetts 7.40 % 25 8.50 % Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metro Area, Virginia 7.20 % 51 8.50 % Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metro Area, Arizona 6.90 % 04 8.50 % Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area, Texas 6.90 % 48 8.50 % Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metro Area, Texas 6.40 % 48 8.50 % Austin-Round Rock Metro Area, Texas 6.30 % 48 8.50 % Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metro Area, District of Columbia 6.10 % 11 8.50 % San Antonio Metro Area, Texas 6.00 % 48 8.50 % Oklahoma City Metro Area, Oklahoma 5.60 % 40 8.50 % New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Metro Area, Louisiana 5.30 % 22 8.50 % Salt Lake City Metro Area, Utah 5.20 % 49 8.50 % In this list, Cincy ranks just slightly above average, but not bad comparing to some other midwest cities. 100 Metro Areas with the Best Household Income over 1,000,000 people. The median income of all households in the geographic area. The median is the middle value when all are arranged from highest to lowest. Household Income Metro State United States San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area, California $86,366 06 $44,684 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metro Area, District of Columbia $71,470 11 $44,684 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont Metro Area, California $71,021 06 $44,684 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metro Area, Massachusetts $65,279 25 $44,684 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metro Area, Minnesota $63,672 27 $44,684 Denver-Aurora Metro Area, Colorado $61,334 08 $44,684 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford Metro Area, Connecticut $60,994 09 $44,684 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metro Area, Georgia $59,747 13 $44,684 Raleigh-Cary Metro Area, North Carolina $59,661 37 $44,684 Salt Lake City Metro Area, Utah $58,557 49 $44,684 Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Area, Illinois $58,445 17 $44,684 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metro Area, New York $58,394 36 $44,684 Baltimore-Towson Metro Area, Maryland $57,611 24 $44,684 Austin-Round Rock Metro Area, Texas $57,585 48 $44,684 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro Area, Washington $57,431 53 $44,684 San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos Metro Area, California $55,354 06 $44,684 Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metro Area, Michigan $55,077 26 $44,684 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metro Area, Pennsylvania $54,787 42 $44,684 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area, Texas $54,742 48 $44,684 Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton Metro Area, Oregon $54,648 41 $44,684 Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville Metro Area, California $54,307 06 $44,684 Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metro Area, North Carolina $54,095 37 $44,684 Richmond Metro Area, Virginia $52,960 51 $44,684 Kansas City Metro Area, Missouri $52,951 29 $44,684 Indianapolis Metro Area, Indiana $52,417 18 $44,684 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metro Area, Wisconsin $52,310 55 $44,684 Cincinnati-Middletown Metro Area, Ohio $52,172 39 $44,684 Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metro Area, Arizona $52,081 04 $44,684 Columbus Metro Area, Ohio $52,073 39 $44,684 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana Metro Area, California $50,869 06 $44,684 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metro Area, Texas $50,833 48 $44,684 Las Vegas-Paradise Metro Area, Nevada $50,269 32 $44,684 St. Louis Metro Area, Missouri $49,788 29 $44,684 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro Metro Area, Tennessee $49,618 47 $44,684 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metro Area, Virginia $49,608 51 $44,684 Rochester Metro Area, New York $49,130 36 $44,684 Providence-New Bedford-Fall River Metro Area, Rhode Island $48,988 44 $44,684 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metro Area, California $48,502 06 $44,684 Jacksonville Metro Area, Florida $47,904 12 $44,684 Orlando-Kissimmee Metro Area, Florida $47,847 12 $44,684 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor Metro Area, Ohio $47,501 39 $44,684 Louisville Metro Area, Kentucky $47,343 21 $44,684 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach Metro Area, Florida $46,230 12 $44,684 Memphis Metro Area, Tennessee $46,038 47 $44,684 San Antonio Metro Area, Texas $45,776 48 $44,684 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metro Area, Florida $44,627 12 $44,684 Birmingham-Hoover Metro Area, Alabama $44,542 01 $44,684 Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro Area, New York $44,437 36 $44,684 Oklahoma City Metro Area, Oklahoma $42,322 40 $44,684 Pittsburgh Metro Area, Pennsylvania $42,122 42 $44,684 New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Metro Area, Louisiana $40,939 22 $44,684 In this list we come above the norm. 100 Metro Areas with the Largest Property Tax over 1,000,000 people. The property tax rate shown here is the rate per $1,000 of home value. If the tax rate is $14 and the home value is $250,000, the property tax would be $14 x ($250,000/1000), or $3500. This is the effective tax rate. Property Tax Metro State United States Rochester Metro Area, New York $28 36 $13.28 Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metro Area, New York $27 36 $13.28 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Metro Area, Wisconsin $24 55 $13.28 Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metro Area, Texas $20 48 $13.28 Pittsburgh Metro Area, Pennsylvania $20 42 $13.28 San Antonio Metro Area, Texas $20 48 $13.28 Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area, Texas $19 48 $13.28 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford Metro Area, Connecticut $19 09 $13.28 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metro Area, Pennsylvania $18 42 $13.28 Austin-Round Rock Metro Area, Texas $18 48 $13.28 Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Area, Illinois $17 17 $13.28 Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach Metro Area, Florida $17 12 $13.28 Providence-New Bedford-Fall River Metro Area, Rhode Island $17 44 $13.28 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metro Area, New York $17 36 $13.28 Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor Metro Area, Ohio $15 39 $13.28 Detroit-Warren-Livonia Metro Area, Michigan $15 26 $13.28 Columbus Metro Area, Ohio $14 39 $13.28 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metro Area, Florida $14 12 $13.28 Baltimore-Towson Metro Area, Maryland $13 24 $13.28 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metro Area, Minnesota $13 27 $13.28 St. Louis Metro Area, Missouri $13 29 $13.28 Boston-Cambridge-Quincy Metro Area, Massachusetts $13 25 $13.28 Orlando-Kissimmee Metro Area, Florida $13 12 $13.28 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News Metro Area, Virginia $12 51 $13.28 Kansas City Metro Area, Missouri $12 29 $13.28 Cincinnati-Middletown Metro Area, Ohio $12 39 $13.28 Jacksonville Metro Area, Florida $12 12 $13.28 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metro Area, Washington $11 53 $13.28 Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton Metro Area, Oregon $11 41 $13.28 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metro Area, District of Columbia $11 11 $13.28 Memphis Metro Area, Tennessee $11 47 $13.28 Indianapolis Metro Area, Indiana $11 18 $13.28 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metro Area, California $10 06 $13.28 Richmond Metro Area, Virginia $10 51 $13.28 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta Metro Area, Georgia $10 13 $13.28 Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord Metro Area, North Carolina $9 37 $13.28 Las Vegas-Paradise Metro Area, Nevada $9 32 $13.28 Louisville Metro Area, Kentucky $9 21 $13.28 Oklahoma City Metro Area, Oklahoma $9 40 $13.28 Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville Metro Area, California $9 06 $13.28 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana Metro Area, California $8 06 $13.28 Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale Metro Area, Arizona $8 04 $13.28 Raleigh-Cary Metro Area, North Carolina $8 37 $13.28 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro Metro Area, Tennessee $8 47 $13.28 San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos Metro Area, California $8 06 $13.28 Salt Lake City Metro Area, Utah $8 49 $13.28 Denver-Aurora Metro Area, Colorado $8 08 $13.28 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont Metro Area, California $7 06 $13.28 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Metro Area, California $6 06 $13.28 New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner Metro Area, Louisiana $5 22 $13.28 Birmingham-Hoover Metro Area, Alabama $5 01 $13.28 In taxes, Cincy holds it's own well. I just wanted to share some up to date info in comparison. This can be found on: http://www.bestplaces.net/

While some cities like Minneapolis, Louisville, Indianapolis are adding skyway, it seems others, like Cincy, are taking them down. I guess I am a huge skywalk fan, and knowing Cincy was once second only to Minneapolis in this regard, is the right decision to tear them down instaed of revamping them? Is it the way of yesterday or the wave of the future?

I cannot remember the exact name or title to the book, but it is a popular book (at least was a year or two ago) about the attractions and shopping along I-75. (close to I-75, though I know it is on I-275) Basically a book covering the best of from Detroit to Miami. The author put Cincinnati Mills (now mall) as the best mall on I-75. This was, I believe, a good seller at Barns n Nobles. The west side, yes, thankyou, that is what I meant. Thankyou for the information on population percentages. I had kind of forgotten about Northgate. Still, what is the travel time between there and Dearborn county (Lawranceburg)? Does anyone know the stats on the SE corner of Indiana as for as population counts go? It seems that it could be 40,000 to 50,000 area wide, couldn't it? If so, it would seem if communities that are half that size support a mall, they could too. But hey, if its just minutes away, maybe we will just stick to Northgate. Thanks for the info.

Is it me or do many kind of have a bad vibe for Cincinnati Mall? I went there one time, about four years ago and was very impressed. I have been to many malls in the midwest (though there is many I have not been to) and I thought the design and looks, and just the square footage of the place was just over the top! It was going good then it seems. I take it Biggs is no longer there, and apparently the movies will not be either. What is so ironic is that the Tri-county mall still seems to be holding quite well, with crazy city and such. I wonder if there is just to much competition on the north end of town. It seems weird there is no mall on the east end. (Harrison or Indiana) Anyway, I just think it is sad that the mall on the list of one of the best on the Interstate 75 book now may be closing. I really thought highly of it when I was there last time, as it is unlike any other mall I have seen (outside of urban centers).

WOW! I never pictured Mobile to be quite like that. Quite impressive. Both with history and modern scrapers.

We usually get about (give or take a little) 70 inches a year. Not like the U. P. or northern MI, but still too much for me. The funny thing is, in my home town of GR, we get double the snow of Detroit. Allot of our snow comes from our best friend in summer, good old Lake Michigan!

Move to MI, you can see it up to six months a year, and most of the time, you never have to worry about it melting away (though it may be in your dreams). The funny thing is is that I think you guys (Northern Indiana, Ohio) got more snow than GR this year, though we have our share. That must of been the same year we went down to Cincy to escape the snow and ended up with more, as about two weeks had passed (though no parking lots and only the right lanes had as of yet been plowed) since about 20 inches of snow fell in the region. That was insane. So much for our "get away from snow" vacation! Truth be told, though, snow can be pretty when it is fresh, well, until you have to get up and shovel it.

I know the main focus is the head waters, but I was impressed by the miles and number of bike trails that that city has to offer. With the right weather, you could get quite the bike ride.