Perfect for Pottstown
POTTSTOWN, PA – While doing a little leisurely web surfing, we came across a curious article that may be beneficial to the forward-looking folks looking to effectively market Pottstown (not those elected officials who settle for the bottom of the barrel). And when we talk about marketing Pottstown…we’re talking about marketing to folks who have incomes and jobs.
The article appeared in a Wall Street Journal blog last week:
It talks about last week’s National Association of Home Builders conference and how Generation Y (those young hipsters born between 1980 and the early 2000s) do not want their parent’s McMansion homes (can you honestly blame them?).
One of the key findings that was identified during the conference is that Gen Ys want to walk everywhere, be in an urban setting and have easy access to public transit. And they don’t want to live in a cookie-cutter development. Most of them find traditional cities too expensive.
Hint hint Pottstown.
For these Gen Yers, outdoors space is important…but please…no big lawns to mow (Amen to that!). Having a yard that acts as an outside living room, for instance, with a small area to grill and entertain friends will do just fine.
Unlike the dinosaurs around town who have forever unsuccessfully tried to market Pottstown to the baby boomers for the past 30 years, targeting Pottstown to the Gen Yers is a much better proposition.
Pottstown has the housing stock and prices Gen Ys are looking for. We have the infrastructure already in place. All we need is to tweak what we already have and build upon it. More nightlife. More culture. More activities. That will attract the Gen Yers.
Seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?
Thanks for the link. With the empty industrial buildings and that parcel on Evans and Industrial now up for grabs, the type of housing sought by the demographic in the WSJ article is a perfect fit for Pottstown. Add in the Schuylkill River Trail enhancements planned, classes and exhibits at MC3, the free bikes, and you’ve got the beginning of a beautiful relationship that could beget more restaurants, coffee shops, and hey! even an office building or two for these Gen Yers to walk to work!
…knock my socks off!!! But let’s don’t rule out the well-retired baby boomers that want to start small businesses, have the capital or credit potential to do so, AND are looking to downsize their living environs. These people could provide perfect mentorships to Gen Yers who could eventually own the businesses when the boomers fully retire. These “aging hipsters” have a good deal to contribute to our blossoming community!!