Joel Kotkin's "Uncool Cities"

In Joel Kotkin's article, Uncool Cities, he states that "everywhere, the middle classes are deserting the core for safer and more affordable suburbs". The safer the community, the more people desire to live there. It is not just the individual but families that want a safer, moral and affordable environment to raise their children. The middle classes may be exiting the cities for a safer community but it is certainly not a guarantee that the suburbs will provide that security; it goes beyond the middle classes. It goes to all classes. Wanting a safer place to live is what makes for a productive and, therefore, economically stable community. In order to establish a community that propagates safety, you must have the services that will provide that security in making a community desirable. It is not security alone that will draw people, it is diversity, schools, family, community, infrastructure, industry, job opportunities and yes, entertainment.

Joel Kotkin is a opposite ends of the spectrum with Robert Florida, who believes that without the help of the "Creative Class" a city will fail to be a community of "coolness". You can't have a community of technology based professionals and expect them to live in an "uncool" city. After work, there has to be something that will draw them to live there. A community needs both a reputable safe haven for families, and professionals with the expertise in research and development and also the arts, culture and other forms of entertainment, e.g., bars. If not, then it will just be a place for them to work; they will live and play somewhere else.