Millennials leaving? Readers have their say
We recently reported on the results of the city of Dayton’s annual survey, which found nearly a third of millennials said they would consider moving. Here’s what some of you had to say about it on our Facebook page.
Dana Cox-Bowling:
I worked at CareSource downtown and was outside every day walking at Riverscape, visiting the food trucks, and listening to music on the square. Dayton Dragons games after work. It’s what you make it, for sure. There are of nice things around to enjoy. If people want to leave, see ya!
They need to make the businesses pay taxes and stop giving them tax cuts. If a business goes in with a religious school to buy land, they should still have to pay property tax. The entire transaction shouldn’t be tax exempt due to the school . ... We are taxing the residents so much more to make up for the nonpaying businesses . ... The school system needs to be fixed . ... The downtown needs more diversity, we need more retail, they need a grocery that doesn’t smell and has fresh food. It’s sad for how far we have come ... how much we step backward.
Marc Adams: As long as a Democrat runs the city, it’ll never be fixed. It needs a business man or woman and not a politician to turn it around.
Rob Alexander: Marc Adams, most younger people are Democrats. Only old farts and the politically uneducated are Republicans. Jesy Anderson: I don’t think that is a Dem or Republican issue, it is an issue of people just doing what they want instead of what the city needs.
Robin Wyatt: Millennial who works so hard in high school finishes school a year early and starts college a year early. Lands a great job at a Dayton company — for example, let’s say NCR. Sad millennial’s hard work finally pays off and he gets a great-paying job and can support his family. NCR decides to close and relocate the rest of their business to Atlanta and now this millennial who literally did everything he was supposed to do can’t find work he went to college for. Somehow this is the millennial’s fault and he’s a horrible person for wanting to move. News flash: So many of the good-paying jobs are leaving the area so yes, millennials are wanting to leave. We can’t control the fact that Dayton is slowly becoming Detroit. Here’s an idea — stop attacking millennials and start creating jobs.
Bryan Smith: Factory jobs will not save this city. We have an arts community that wants to flourish, but no resources for them. Give artists and creativity a chance.
John Mick: The (downtown) Flyer is an awesome step. More transportation options will make it easier to move around the developing neighborhoods and enjoy what each has to offer.
Joe Burns: When I was in my 20s I couldn’t wait to leave this boring old town. Long story short, I did leave for a few years and then came back. As I got older, I realized it’s not such a terrible place to live. I think there is a certain desire to escape the place you grew up at that age. I think if you want to make younger adults stay you need to give them a reason to want to. So you need good jobs and amenities. I think the area is on the right track, but has a hell of a lot of work to do.
Margaret Murray: I really like living in Dayton. It is extremely affordable and there is plenty to do. It’s all about what you make of it. Would love to see more grocery stores in the city. And it would be nice if instead of continuing to construct new buildings in the suburbs, to focus on the existing areas in Dayton.