Grittiest of them all...

So I'm just curious but when you think of the grittiest city in the U.S. which city comes to mind? Also explain what your definition of "gritty" is. And, if you have had any experiences in the city you chose or if it was just based strictly off of what you've heard.>

Relocating? These are the top cities for 2005

For Large Markets: 1. Washington, DC-Va.-Md. 2. Austin, Tx. 3. Colorado Springs, Co. 4. Middlesex-Somerset, Nj. 5. Louisville, Ky-Ind. 10. Knoxville, Tenn. 20. Baton Rough, La. 35. Los Angeles, Calif. 50. Jacksonville, Fla. For Medium Markets: 1. Boulder, Co. 2. Lexington, Ky. 3. Fort Collins-Loveland, Co. 4. Burlington, Vt. 5. Greeley, Co. 10. Portsmouth-Rochester, N.H.-Me. 20. Columbus, Ga.-Ala. 35. Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va. 50. New London-Norwich, Conn.-R.I. SITE: http://www.primacy.com/news/Best%20C...%2005%20PR.pdf>

Major cities not serving as county seat

Are there any major cities in the United States that do not serve as county seat of the county in which they sit? Furthermore, are there any major cities in the country (aside from New York) whose city limits straddle the borders of more than one county? Moreover, are there any municipalities that straddle state borders and/or share city services across state lines?>

Which city has the need for a Saks Fifth Avenue store?

So which do you think, a city with a high average income and is rich! VOTE IN THE POLL, to let me know what you think! As a Neiman Marcus employee I want to know where Saks could be opening!>

Milwaukee

These pics were posted in the Midwest forum by Paule but thought I would share them in the national one as well.. the link to the original thread is: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=378451 >

Atlanta

Link Birthplace of Coca-Cola (the most recognized brand name in the world) and the unofficial Capital of the South, Atlanta is one of America's most prosperous cities. Set in the beautiful red-soiled forests at the lower end of the Appalachian Mountains, Atlanta has kept much of its southern grace even while earning a reputation as a modern and progressive city. The skyline is truly unique, stretching in a straight line along Peachtree Street from Downtown all the way to the tallest suburban building in the U.S., in Sandy Springs. In fact Atlanta really has several skylines, which may all be seen together in various combinations from different vantage points. One of the best viewpoints is from the romantic Piedmont Park in Midtown. Atlanta's most famous natural "skyscraper" is Stone Mountain - a giant dome of granite towering over the eastern suburbs. I am sure that every other city in the south does not like it when people call Atlanta the Capitol of the South. I am sure people in Miami, Houston, DFW, all cities larger than Atlanta, do not look at Atlanta as their Capitol, because I know I don't.>

Tallest building in the world

I think the usa needs to reclaim the title of worlds tallest building>

Are people in Boston and a lot of New England really mean?

Or is it a stereotype? When I was in Boston I didn't have any major problems with people. For those of you who live in Boston or New England, are people friendly and easy to get along with? I have read that Bostonians are pretty reserved. Is that true?>

Lets change the current borders of any states :) !

Anyways, If you can change any borders of any state, where would you change it and why. Probably I think many people from Indiana would change their borders to include Chicago, Louisville, and Cincy into their states, lol. If I have a chance to change the borders of a state, I would change Illinois. Make Illinois give Wisconsin Chicago. Chicago fits in which Wisconsin better than downstate Illinois. However, you can't do this, like isolate a city from the rest of the state, like for NYS, you cant include Boston,because Boston isnt connected with the rest of NYS. Another one= how about make Missouri lose Kansas City to Kansas and St. Louis to Illinois, lol I am so evil(just an example).>

Bush to attend Indiana Black Expo...

in Indianapolis, snubs the NAACP in Milwaukee. Will focus on education and the economy: from WTHR.com: Indianapolis, July 13 - Marvin Boatright and his family have run a near north side funeral home for decades. He's a proud supporter of the Black Expo. As usual, he bought a full table for the annual awards luncheon. Although he disagrees with many of President Bush's policies, he plans to attend, and listen to the speech. He says he is "Proud of the staff and the volunteers of being able to secure our President to be here." But he and others are concerned about the Black Expo's decision to honor the President with its Lifetime Achievement award. "I think the lifetime achievement award is really stretching it, not simply because many African-Americans are Democrat. He has not really got to that level yet and many people, including myself, don't believe he's deserving of that." Speaking for Black Expo, Alpha Garrett disagrees. "There are a lot of initiatives that he has on his plate." Black Expo organizers defend the decision, according to Garrett, citing a number of the President's community initiatives. "As far as explaining the steps we took and the reasons why we feel he is deserving of the award, that the community will definitely understand and see that he is rightfully deserving of it." Businessman Marty Goens says politics won't keep him from honoring the President and the Expo. "The things that he has set in place, the faith-based initiatives and so forth, they have potential and I think that's what we should keep our eye on, the potential for some of the things in place. Focus on the positive, I mean that's what I believe in. Build bridges, not walls." Others share that sentiment. They say they'll put politics aside and listen to what the President has to say. At the same time, they'll show their support for Black Expo. From IndyStar: President Bush will focus on education and what he calls the "ownership society" in his speech today at Indiana Black Expo, his top domestic policy adviser said. Claude A. Allen, a former deputy secretary of Health and Human Services named by Bush earlier this year to be his chief domestic policy aide, said Wednesday that the message Bush brings to the RCA Dome will be one of opportunity for all Americans -- and in particular black Americans. "When we talk about ownership, we look broadly at the issues that affect Americans, in this case African-Americans, where they live and where they work," he said. That includes, Allen said, the No Child Left Behind education reforms that Bush initiated in his first year in office. They let students transfer to other schools if their local schools fail to meet certain standards. "African-Americans, particularly in urban settings, are the core beneficiaries of the rigorous standards we are demanding of schools," Allen said. To Democrats, "ownership society" is shorthand for privatization and cutting federal support for such things as health care, education and Social Security. To Republicans, however, it means giving people more choices in those areas and a personal stake in helping to shape their own future. Bush will deliver the speech -- which the White House said could include some new education initiatives -- to about 3,200 politicians, business leaders and others at the Indiana Black Expo's sold-out luncheon. Allen said the president can be expected to talk about the war in Iraq, too. "You can't talk about ownership without talking about freedom," Allen said, adding that Bush also will speak about the billions in aid to Africa pledged at the recent Group of Eight summit he attended in Scotland. But the main focus will be the home front and economic security, Allen said, including Medicare, the health care program for seniors; restructuring Social Security; and "making sure African-Americans are able to participate in home ownership and small-business ownership." Allen, 44, said Indiana Black Expo -- a nonpartisan event that includes job fairs, health screenings and business networking -- is a perfect forum for Bush to address such issues. Black voters generally have not been receptive to Bush. A recent survey by national polling firm Zogby International of 905 likely voters found blacks have a much dimmer view of Bush than whites do. More than 75 percent of black voters said they had an unfavorable view of Bush, while about 55 percent of whites viewed the president favorably. Allen said the 2004 election results show Bush winning support from black voters. In 2000, he received about 8 percent of the black vote. In 2004, that grew to 11 percent, still low, but more than past GOP presidential candidates. Allen -- who in 1983 became the first black on the staff of Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. -- once was part of that Democratic base himself. In 1980, he said, someone told him to read the two parties' platforms, with the labels removed. He said he discovered that he shared the values the Republicans espoused of "opportunity, ownership, a strong national defense and strong family values." Mike Edmondson, executive director of the Indiana Democratic Party, said the difference between Democrats and Republicans on minority outreach and support is "we walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk." "The president's record on minority issues is very sad," Edmondson said, noting that the president has missed funding targets for No Child Left Behind by $22.4 billion over the past four budgets and that health and nutritional services have been cut for about 324,000 black children enrolled in Head Start. Edmondson also criticized Black Expo's decision to honor Bush with its Lifetime Achievement Award, saying he didn't know what Bush had done to deserve it. "If it's for focusing on minorities, I'm awfully suspicious," Edmondson said, saying better recipients would have been state Rep. Bill Crawford, D-Indianapolis, or Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson, also a Democrat.>

Do you think California will always be the most populous state?

Yes or no? Give your reasons...>

St. Louis Encephalitis?

What's the origin of its name?...They just found it in Downtown Houston...so..watch out.>

Which state has the worst reputation in the US?

We know that many times, perception is greater than reality. With that said, I was just wanting to know which state most of you guys think has the worst reputation in the nation (this is vastly different from which state you actually think is less desirable). I only listed the 5 that come readily to mind, but also included an "other" option.>

Post Pics of heavy traffic in your City.

heres a pic i took in nyc >

NEW STATS ON U.S CITIES

According to CNN Money http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/index.html BEST PLACES TO LIVE 1: Moorestown, NJ 2. Bainbridge Isl., WA 3. Naperville, IL 4. Vienna, VA 5. Louisville, CO 6. Barrington, RI 7. Middleton, WI 8. Peachtree City, GA 9. Chatam, NJ 10. Mill Valley, CA BIGGEST EARNERS 1. VA Great Falls $165,592 2. CT Darien $155,006 3. CT New Canaan $150,748 4. CT Wilton $148,718 5. MD Potomac $148,198 6. VA Fairfax Station $147,927 7. CA Saratoga $147,163 8. CA Alamo $144,894 9. CA Los Altos $144,402 10. IL Lake Forest $143,595 Median household income, 2004. Source: OnBoard Based only on data for more than 1,300 cities in the Best Places database. Included are cities with population of more than 14,000 with above-average income, population growth and real estate appreciation during the past five years. MOST "HIGHLY" EDUCATED 1. MD Chevy Chase 48% 2. MD Bethesda 47% 3. MA Brookline 45% 4. MD Potomac 45% 5. MA Newton Center 43% 6. NY Larchmont 42% 7. MA Lexington 42% 8. MA Cambridge 41% 9. VA Mc Lean 41% 10. NJ Princeton 41% Percentage of residents who have a graduate degree. Source: OnBoard Based only on data for more than 1,300 cities in the Best Places database. Included are cities with population of more than 14,000 with above-average income, population growth and real estate appreciation during the past five years. FASTED JOB GROWTHS 1. CO Castle Rock 244.43% 2. CO Parker 244.43% 3. TX Boerne 157.91% 4. GA Cumming 157.70% 5. VA Ashburn 132.66% 6. VA Leesburg 132.66% 7. VA Sterling 132.66% 8. GA Mcdonough 130.12% 9. NV Henderson 107.82% 10. NV Las Vegas 107.82% Percent increase in employed persons since 1990. Source: OnBoard Based only on data for more than 1,300 cities in the Best Places database. Included are cities with population of more than 14,000 with above-average income, population growth and real estate appreciation during the past five years. MOST SPENT ON EDUCATION 1. NY New York $11,952 2. VA Arlington $11,774 3. DC Washington $11,090 4. MD Bethesda $9,339 5. MD Chevy Chase $9,339 6. MD Derwood $9,339 7. MD Gaithersburg $9,339 8. MD Germantown $9,339 9. MD Kensington $9,339 10. MD Montgomery Village $9,339 Average dollars spent per student. Source: OnBoard Based only on data for more than 1,300 cities in the Best Places database. Included are cities with population of more than 14,000 with above-average income, population growth and real estate appreciation during the past five years. PRICIEST HOMES 1. CA Los Altos $1,348,121 2. CA Pacific Palisades $1,329,856 3. CA Beverly Hills $1,323,721 4. CA Manhattan Beach $1,304,431 5. CA Laguna Beach $1,229,484 6. CT Greenwich $1,223,523 7. CA Alamo $1,180,527 8. CA Burlingame $1,152,066 9. CA Palos Verdes Peninsula $1,151,058 10. CA Malibu $1,148,105 Median home sale price, 2004. Source: OnBoard Based only on data for more than 1,300 cities in the Best Places database. Included are cities with population of more than 14,000 with above-average income, population growth and real estate appreciation during the past five years. There some other lists like coldest/hottest climate, most golf courses, etc but I didnt include them since they dont really matter. I put the Washington DC metro areas in bold because it shocked me how well the region is doing. I wonder why they never get any credit, from many of the sources i have read it seems to be a very wealthy/educated area, that is pretty stable.>

American Suburbia!

Does anyone have pictures of American suburbs?>

The Ten Largest Downtowns in the U.S.

What are the Ten largest downtowns in the U.S., ranking from largest to smallest? My picks: 1) NYC 2) Chicago 3) Philadelphia 4) Houston 5) Boston 6) Los Angeles 7) San Francisco 8) Washington, D.C. 9) Denver 10) Dallas>

Small City, Big Metro

The following are the top 15 cities with the smallest population that have MSAs over 1,000,000 residents. Rank; City; City Pop; MSA Pop; % MSA Pop living in city 1 Hartford, CT 124,848 1,184,564 10.54 2 Providence, RI 176,365 1,628,808 10.83 3 Richmond, VA 192,494 1,154,317 16.68 4 Orlando, FL 205,648 1,861,707 11.05 5 Rochester, NY 212,481 1,041,499 20.40 6 Birmingham, AL 233,149 1,082,193 21.54 7 Buffalo, NY 282,864 1,154,378 24.50 8 Riverside, CA 288,384 3,793,081 7.60 9 Cincinnati, OH 314,154 2,058,221 15.26 10 Tampa, FL 321,772 2,587,967 12.43 11 Pittsburgh, PA 322,450 2,401,575 13.43 12 St. Louis, MO 343,279 2,764,054 12.42 13 Minneapolis, MN 373,943 3,116,206 12.00 14 Miami, FL 379,724 5,361,723 7.08 15 Atlanta, GA 419,122 4,708,297 8.90>

Least Busiest Interstate in an urban area?:)

In the downtown Area: Inside the City Limits: In the Metro Area: Use the aboved to tell us your answers, remember to list the metro area. Only Interstates. Please debeat if you dont think the answer posted by anyone is right. In Chicago. In the downtown Area:Proabaly stevenson( I-55) Inside the City Limits: I-57 In the Metro Area: I- 80. You could debeat about my choices, you could say, In the metro area, it is I-355, or in the city limits, its I-190(only 2 miles long that enters O'hare) please say why like "its I-190 because its a short interstate that only go into O'hare, or I-65, because I-65 enters Gary, and nobody want to go into Gary.>

Lower prices for real estate in Bulgaria

www.fmfcorporation.com FMFCorporation Ltd. specializes in the field of real estate brokerage, consulting , related service , property managment. We help our customers by provide high quality service in: • Searching an appropriate property in Bulgaria. • Arranging visitation of houses. • Full property managment. • Law part - Negotations, Contract, Notary act, etc. All services are done according to your requirements. We are UK - based company with direct contact with builders and home-sellers and our own network of local agents.This enables us to offer flexible service and lower commissions. FMFCorporation Ltd. , registered according to the UK laws. Our address in United Kingdom: FMFCORPORATION Ltd. company N:5239417 Flat 16, 39 Putney Hill, Putney, LONDON SW15 6BJ Tel. +44 (0) 2087894864 Mob. +44 (0) 7747872561 fmfcorporation2@yahoo.com Our address in Bulgaria: FMFCORPORATION Ltd. street Kishinev 2, floor 2, apartment 17 Sofia 1000 Tel.+0359 (0) 887536918 fmfcorporation2@yahoo.com www.fmfcorporation.com>

U.S. Cities Under Construction

....as of 4th quarter 2005 Rank City State Building Year Height Floors 1 Chicago Illinois Trump International Hotel & Tower 2008 1,362 92 2 New York New York New York Times Tower 2007 1,046 52 3 Philadelphia Pennsylvania Comcast Center 2007 975 57 4 New York New York Bank of America Tower 2008 945 67 5 Mobile Alabama RSA Battlehouse Tower 2006 745 35 6 New York New York 7 World Trade Center 2005 741 52 7 Miami Florida 900 Biscayne Bay 2006 712 65 8 Chicago Illinois 340 on the Park 2007 672 64 9 Las Vegas Nevada Trump International Hotel Tower 2007 645 64 10 Las Vegas Nevada The Palazzo 2007 642 53 11 Miami Florida Marinablue 2006 615 57 12 New York New York 125 West 31st Street 2006 615 58 13 Atlanta Georgia Symphony Center Tower 2005 612 41 14 Miami Florida Plaza on Bickell Tower I 2006 610 56 15 Seattle Washington Museum Plaza Tower 2006 608 42 16 New York New York The Orion 2006 604 58 17 New York New York Hearst Tower 2006 596 42 18 New York New York Sky House ukn 588 54 19 Miami Florida Ten Museum Park 2006 585 50 20 New York New York 10 Barclay Street ukn 584 56 21 Chicago Illinois One South Dearborn 2005 571 39 22 Miami Florida 50 Biscayne Boulevard 2007 554 55 23 Miami Florida Quantam on Bay South Tower 2007 554 55 24 Sunny Isles Beach Florida Trump Royale 2007 551 43 25 Sunny Isles Beach Florida Jade on the Beach Condominiums 2006 550 53 26 Miami Florida Ice 2 2007 545 54 27 Miami Florida Opera Tower 2006 543 56 28 Miami Florida Everglades on the South Bay Tower 2006 538 49 29 Miami Florida Quantam on Bay North Tower 2006 536 48 30 Miami Florida Plaza on Brickell Tower II 2006 525 48 31 San Antonio Texas Hyatt Downtown Convention Center Hotel 2005 525 43 32 Chicago Illinois 345 East Ohio Street 2006 514 48 33 Miami Florida The Ivy 2006 512 45 34 Las Vegas Nevada Sky Las Vegas 2006 500 45 35 Houston Texas Orion Tower 1 2007 494 37 36 San Francisco California St. Regis Museum Tower 2005 484 42 37 Miami Florida Brickell on the River North 2005 482 42 38 Las Vegas Nevada Turnberry IV 2006 477 38 39 Miami Florida Latitude on the River 2007 476 44 40 Las Vegas Nevada The Residences at MGM Grand I 2005 475 38 41 Las Vegas Nevada The Residences at MGM Grand II 2005 475 38 42 San Diego California Electra 2004 475 43 43 Minneapolis Minnesota The Carlyle 2006 473 39 44 Atlanta Georgia Terminus Tower 2007 467 25 45 Chicago Illinois The Regatta 2006 466 45 46 Miami Florida One Miami East Tower 2005 460 44 47 Las Vegas Nevada Palms Resort Tower II 2007 457 40 48 Bellevue Washington Lincoln Tower One 2006 450 42 49 Chicago Illinois The Shoreham 2005 450 50 50 San Diego California Pinnacle Museum Tower 2005 450 36 51 San Francisco California 300 Spear 1 2007 450 41 52 Miami Florida One Miami West Tower 2005 449 40 53 Milwaukee Wisconsin University Club Tower 2005 446 35 54 Hartford Connecticut Hartford 21 2006 440 36 55 Miami Florida Met 1 2006 440 40 56 Dallas Texas W Victory Hotel 2006 439 32 57 Denver Colorado Colorado Convention Center Hotel 2005 439 37 58 Miami Florida Park Place at Brickell I 2005 439 36 59 Miami Florida The Loft 2 2007 433 35 60 Houston Texas Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza 2007 430 30 61 Orlando Florida Vue at Lake Eola 2006 426 35 62 Miami Florida Blue on the Bay 2005 425 36 63 Miami Florida 1800 Club 2006 423 42 64 Miami Florida Brickell on the River South 2006 423 42 65 Las Vegas Nevada Panorama Tower I 2005 420 32 66 Las Vegas Nevada Panorama Tower II 2006 420 32 67 San Diego California The Grande North at Santa Fe Place 2005 420 39 68 San Diego California The Grande South at Santa Fe Place 2005 420 39 69 Honolulu Hawaii Hokua Tower 2005 418 41 70 Bellevue Washington Lincoln Tower Two 2006 412 27 71 Las Vegas Nevada Hilton Grand Vacation Clubs II 2006 405 41 72 Honolulu Hawaii Ko'olani 2006 400 45 73 Phoenix Arizona 44 Monroe 2007 400 34 74 Hollywood Florida Ocean Palms Phase One 2006 400 38>

Which metro will reach 1 million first?

Which one of these metros do you think will reach 1 million first?>

What do we Americans hate about Europe? (sequal to my thread in the European skybar)

What do we Americans hate or dislike about Europe? link to European thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...5&page=1&pp=20>

The Pentagon

apparently, this is a mall going up in Shanghai. Im pretty sure youre as befuddled as I am, so what are your thoughts on this design, seeing that is a straight replica of the Pentagon? >

Livable cities for the college grad

Okay folks....I posted a question in the Quebec forum and in the Midwest forum but I want to get more varying repsonses. Within the next three years, i am planning to make a major, and hopefully permanent, move. By that time, I will have finished school so wherever I go from there, I want to make it my home. I want to be able to live in a city with GOOD and RELIABLE public transit. I don't want to live downtown, but with easy access to it. I want to live in a good but AFFORDABLE part of the city. Also must be safe since I am a single girl who would probably have no family in the area (most of my family is either in the Midwest, Southeast or Caribbean). I would prefer to stay on the East Coast, but would consider parts of the Midwest and MAYBE Seattle. I like cold weather/rain/snow.....detest hot weather. I have very minor sinuses, but nothing at all grave. I've Have already ruled out NYC because its waaaay out of my league in more ways than one. I want to stay away from the deep South (where I have spent most of my life) so we're talking VA and up. Any suggestions? Toss some my way and let me knwo why you suggested what you do. I have considered the following: Pittsburgh, Philly,Indianapolis, Chicago, Seattle, DC (BIG maybe....used to live near there), Boston.>

Local Conditions

If you know of a local webcam picture, post it on the thread. Most web-cam pictures automatically update, so I'll be interesting to see the conditions in each. You down? Milwaukee: >

What states are Americans moving to, and leaving from?

Florida, Arizona, and Nevada; and Illinois, California, and New York, apparently. Domestic migration = (Number of USA people moving into a state) - (Number of USA people moving to another state). These figures are for 2002 - 2003. 1. Florida = 177,734 2. Arizona = 61,200 3. Nevada = 44,718 4. Georgia = 31,785 5. Virginia = 28,412 6. North Carolina = 25,100 7. Tennessee = 19,942 8. South Carolina = 19,735 9. Texas = 15,998 10. Oregon = 13,300 11. Idaho = 10,132 12. Maine = 9,862 13. Kentucky = 8,592 14. Maryland = 8,266 15. Missouri = 7,871 16. Pennsylvania = 7,841 17. New Hampshire = 6,472 18. Delaware = 5,762 19. Washington = 5,687 20. Arkansas = 5,255 21. West Virginia = 5,140 22. New Mexico = 5,074 23. Montana = 5,033 24. Wisconsin = 4,981 25. Alabama = 4,525 26. Hawaii = 2,129 27. Rhode Island = 1,843 28. Vermont = 1,272 29. Indiana = 1,019 30. Oklahoma = 400 USA = 0 31. South Dakota = (30) 32. Wyoming = (130) 33. Alaska = (320) 34. Connecticut = (1,234) 35. Nebraska = (1,319) 36. North Dakota = (2,049) 37. Mississippi = (2,588) 38. Iowa = (5,535) 39. Minnesota = (7,705) 40. Kansas = (9,568) 41. Louisiana = (10,605) 42. Colorado = (10,611) 43. Utah = (11,263) 44. District of Columbia = (11,837) 45. Michigan = (25,583) 46. Ohio = (27,497) 47. New Jersey = (33,225) 48. Massachusetts = (45,099) 49. Illinois = (73,980) 50. California = (94,861) 51. New York = (170,041) Ugh, New Yorkers should just stay in their own state. >

Housing Markets Pricing Out Middle Class

Housing Markets Pricing Out Middle Class By JILL BARTON, Associated Press Writer Mon Jul 11, 6:36 AM ET WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The red-hot housing market in booming cities across the country has made the dream of owning a home out of reach, not only for low-income families but also for white-collar professionals. "Many of the overheated real estate markets throughout the country have become unaffordable for the majority of the population," said Jack McCabe, a housing industry analyst in Deerfield Beach. "Many people are paying well over 50 percent of their income for shelter. It leaves no money for savings or sometimes even for recreation." After So Young Kim took a teaching job in Florida, her friends in Chicago gushed that she and her husband would be able to afford twice the house when they moved. Kim had just received a doctorate and a job offer from a university that would double her salary to more than $47,000. But the prices of even small bungalows climbed far beyond what the young couple could afford even when they stretched their target price to an uncomfortable $300,000. So after several disappointing drives around the area and countless Internet searches, they ended up back where they started — in an apartment. Real estate experts warn that housing prices in many markets are too quickly outpacing the incomes of most workers. The widening gap affects families across the country, from Washington D.C. and Rhode Island to Florida in the South and Nevada and California in the west. In California, the situation has long been the worst: Only 17 percent of households could afford a home with a median price tag in April, according to the California Association of Realtors. By May, the median home price in California climbed to $522,590 — more than double the price in most other states. To buy the typical home with monthly payments of $3,067, a California family would need to earn about $122,700 to qualify for a conventional loan. In other high-cost states, the situation is not much improved. The average family in Florida earns nearly $44,000, which fell 26 percent short of the amount needed to finance a median-priced home last year, according to a study by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. National statistics show that families can afford a home in many other cities around the country. The typical household earns about $56,323, enough to buy a home costing $250,900 and 133 percent of what's needed to afford the median-priced home of $188,800, said Walter Molony, a spokesman for the National Association of Realtors. The most expensive housing prices can be explained by the same three reasons that have drawn the biggest spenders for years: location, location, location. The 10 most exorbitant cities include warm-weather climates along the coast, such as San Francisco, Honolulu and West Palm Beach, and huge urban centers, such as New York and Boston. To break into these hot markets, buyers are resorting to new and uncertain options for mortgages. "It's really, really tough for the first-time buyer. The only way to just get in the door is to take advantage of the low-interest rates and the riskier mortgage instruments like the interest-only loans," said Leslie Appleton-Young, the chief economist for the California Association of Realtors. Buyers are choosing adjustable-rate mortgages that keep payments low for a few months to a few years, or 40-year mortgages that allow them to stretch payments over an additional 10 years. Fannie Mae, the top buyer and guarantor of home loans, is offering a new program that allows low- and middle-income buyers new ways of qualifying for loans. To help cover the cost of their monthly mortgage payments, applicants can use federal housing vouchers or rent they would receive from relatives or others living with them. "The down payment used to be the issue, but the problem now is that housing prices have climbed so quickly that a lot of consumers are struggling to make their payments affordable," said David Dworkin, vice president for community lending partnerships. In Florida, Kim said she feels the skyrocketing housing prices have left her and many others behind, and that they have no chance of catching up. When she received her job offer, she and her husband excitedly pored through Internet real estate ads, looking at pictures of bungalows and back yards where she imagined their three young children would play. But since they moved into the rental apartment in Boca Raton, they have not even tried to look at any homes for sale. "It seems to me the biggest difficulty is buying the first house," said Kim, an assistant professor of political science at Florida Atlantic University. "Once you have the first house, it's easier to move up to a bigger house,">

Score 1 for DT Retail:53 Days and Counting

53 DAYS AND COUNTING Construction crews hurrying to finish work on expanded Westfield San Francisco Centre - Pia Sarkar, Chronicle Staff Writer Sunday, August 6, 2006 The elegant rotunda of the expanded Westfield San Francisco Centre is the domain of construction workers and heavy tools in the weeks leading up to its grand opening on Sept. 28. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki Construction on the Westfield San Francisco Centre on Market Street is entering its final weeks, with workers frantically putting together the last pieces of the project in time for opening day on Sept. 28. Ninety-five percent of the retail space has been leased to tenants, according to Maureen Collins, development marketing director for Westfield. Upon completion, the shopping center will total 1.5 million square feet -- triple its original size. Market Street Facade Mission Street Facade San Francisco State University will rent 107,125 square feet of office space on the sixth floor and part of the fifth, which will be devoted to its business programs, continuing education and community outreach. Westfield has not announced any tenants for the remaining 137,875 square feet of office space, which occupy the fifth, seventh and eighth floors. Westfield, in partnership with Forest City Enterprises, began construction on the $440 million project in November 2003. The final product will be one of Westfield's signature shopping centers. The Australian company operates 128 shopping centers in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Allyn Cook of Burlingame works on a panel under the old Emporium dome. Westfield hopes the workers will be replaced by crowds of shoppers in a few weeks. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki On a recent tour of the San Francisco Centre, workers raced around the building, with power tools constantly buzzing in the background. Sunlight seeped through the fully-restored 19th century dome of the old Emporium building, which can be seen from the fourth floor up. The 102-foot-wide steel and glass dome is the centerpiece of project, which preservationists had fought to keep. Restoration focused on thousands of elements, such as the galvanized metal windows overhead, historic ornamental plaster between the base of the lunette windows and an exterior galvanized metal structural rib covering. More than 900 lights have been restored in the dome to reflect original designs. Sunlight floods the interior of the San Francisco Centre, three times larger than its original space. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki New stores in the expanded shopping center are still outlined in metal framing, and no merchandise has been moved inside. The only thing that gives away the stores' identities are generic black and white signs hanging in each entryway. 'Get er done' Power cords snake across floors that have been covered with paper to protect the newly installed limestone and granite tiles underneath. Caution tape cordons off fresh cement still drying. In the back elevator used by construction workers, a wooden plank is nailed to the wall with a countdown of how many days left to finish the project, along with the motivational words, "Get er done." Collins said each tenant inside the expanded center has its own construction crew, but all must have their stores set up by opening day. As of now, the project is on schedule, she said. Tom Roach, owner of Tom's Cookies, will open a 472-square-foot store inside the mall and said he is looking forward to moving into the old Emporium building, where he used to go as a child to see Santa Claus during the holidays. "To me, it's like coming home again, because that building holds a special place in my heart," said Roach, who has been operating his business in the Macy's food court in Union Square since 1993. Notara Lum, general manager for Kozo Arts, a book bindery, said the shopping center will give her business more exposure than her current location on Union Street. "Here on Union, we get some tourists and neighborhood locals," Lum said, "but we want the whole Bay Area to see us." The old Emporium dome is reflected on a floor design outside the original facade, as well as signs throughout the complex. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki Bloomingdale's will be the shopping center's largest tenant, occupying 357,000 square feet and making it the chain's second-biggest store in the country, behind its flagship store in New York. A spokeswoman said it is 85 percent complete, with some of the exterior signs already in place. Construction crews are installing showcases and back islands for the jewelry room. They will then install 70 vendor shops. Nordstrom nearby The existing Nordstrom store, measuring 312,000 square feet, will serve as the shopping center's co-anchor. No renovations are planned for that store. Among the other big tenants are a nine-screen Century Theatre, a 30,000-square-foot Bristol Farms gourmet market, a 20,000-square-foot Borders bookstore, a 16,000-foot Burke Williams day spa and an 11,000-square-foot Adidas outlet. A handful of stores inside the existing mall, including Bebe, J.Crew and Aldo, plan to move over to the new space when it opens. Westfield has already backfilled those vacancies with tenants, who will open their stores in January, Collins said. New ideas Some retailers are using the expansion to introduce new concepts. For instance, Gap will open its first Forth & Towne store in San Francisco, aimed at women 35 and older; Bebe will open Bebe Sport and Neda; Abercrombie & Fitch will open Ruehl and Hollister; Gymboree will open Janie & Jack; and American Eagle will open Martin + Osa. Walkways on the concourse and the first four floors will link the new shopping center with the current one. Shoppers will be able to enter the megamall on Market, Fifth and Mission streets. There will be an additional entrance into the expanded space for BART and Muni riders. Westfield San Francisco Centre -- What: A $440 million retail-office-entertainment complex in downtown San Francisco -- Who: Developed by Westfield of Australia, in partnership with Forest City Enterprises -- When: Opens Sept. 28 A piece of wood in an elevator marks the countdown to completion of construction on the Westfield San Francisco Centre. Chronicle photo by Lea Suzuki >

Let's end the Oklahoma bashing w/ Tulsa pics.

Union Depot. The Cains Ballroom. The Philcade Tower. The Tulsa skyline at dusk. Boston Avenue. The Philbrook. The Arkansas River, Midtown, and Downtown all in one. Boston Avenue Methodist Chuch in Downtown. The Philbrook gardens. Another shot of the Philbrook gardens. Nelsons Beffeteria in Downtown Tulsa. Art deco Tulsa.>

Post skyline photos of cities in the 200,000 population range.

Not exclusive to the (in city) 200,000 bracket. Try to get as near as possible. I found two cities... Fort Wayne (Indiana) Pop. 205,727 Greensboro (North Carolina) Pop. 223,891 Population Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State & County QuickFacts http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html>

Landscaping plants in your city/state - what's overused? What's underused?

Landscaping and greenery is an integral part of what make our cities attractive and livable. In your city or state, what trees/shrubs/plants have you noticed that are used WAY too much? What would you like to see more of planted or utilized in your area?>

This is Salto, in Uruguay

Hello people. Salto is a city in Uruguay (Uruguay is between Argentina & Brazil) Salto is in north west of the country with coast to Uruguay River. One of the most famous things in Salto is Salto Grande Dam, a binational hydroelectric complex. In the city live 100.000+ inhabitants & the economic resouces, are the production of citruses & tourism..because in salto is the biggest acuatic park in South Am. Cause in salto, a decades ago, looking for oil, was discovered, thermal waters, being thus, one of the thermal places os quality in America. With five-stars hotels, etc. Flag of Salto View from Google Earth Access to Salto The church & the fountain of the Sq. Nigth view of the Sq. Another of the cathedral Larrañaga Theater, the biggest & historic in Salto Palacio Gallino, today the museum of Arts Fountain of "Treinta y Tres" Sq. Historic "Palacio de Oficinas Públicas", where today is the National & Public Mail A Sq.....I dont know the name..lol Street @ nigth Salto's streets Statue of Artigas(Uruguay's Hero) in the Sq. that takes his name Downtown St. Skyline.>