Many people, including Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn’s president said that “We’re not going to take it lying down.” w/e. You can probably attribute the lackluster numbers to idiots not returning their census forms. Only 63% did, which when compared to the national average of 74% is pretty weak.

In the meanwhile there are lots of other interesting cities you can visit if you’re considering moving and transport. We still have two other Alpha world cities. An alpha city, or a world city, is determined based on a number of economic, cultural, infrastructural and political factors. So far the only Alpha ++ cities in the world are London and New York. The other American alphas are L.A. and Chicago.

Betas +: Washington, Atlanta, San Francisco     Beta: Dallas    Beta -: Houston

Gamma +: Seattle, Denver, San Jose, Minneapolis   Gamma: Portland, Philadelphia  Gamma -: Detroit, Columbus, San Diego.

Portland, Woot! And New York is still the highest ranked, most-ballin city in the world, 2.1% growth or no.

And with all this talk about unions in the midwest, you may want to rethink where you’re moving based on what career you have. If you’re a teacher, carpenter or fireman, think about moving to a blue state where you may have an easier time finding long term benefits and health care. The best places for you are probably the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states as well as the west coast.

If you have a specialty like technology, business or medicine, you’d probably do better in a red state like Texas, North Carolina or Arizona. The large and fast growing cities in these states (Charlotte, Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix) and their warm weather make them popular transport destinations.

With unexpectedly strong readings in employment filings, the economy is finally looking to be on solid ground, which means that moving now is the perfect time.  So wait no longer if you’re thinking about relocating. Spring is ideal to pick up and start anew, and with the new year well under way, these economic trends only add to the readiness.

The Economist points out there is almost one gun for every American citizen – more than 300 million. Americans have more than 30,000 deaths by guns annually. More people died in between 1979 and 1997 than in all of America’s foreign wars combined.

It’s not likely that handguns will ever be banned. They are part of the second amendment, only behind freedom of speech, our most valued right. But could even stricter regulations reduce the number of deaths every year? Could certain states make it practically impossible for civilians to own handguns so that those who are into guns can think about moving to the South? Or is the machine gun mythos too heavily engrained in our national consciousness to do anything about it?

I hope the former. Maybe the Clinton-era ban on assualt weapons that expired in 2004 will soon be renewed. Here’s hoping.

Once a sign of American progress, paved roads exploded during the 50′s and 60′s when the Interstate Highway System was built. Today’s fiscal austerity makes these roads too expensive to maintain.  But experts say that gravel roads aren’t free of maintenance either. Grading and smoothing are necessities, but compared to the $2,600 per mile annual maintenance to keep up paved roads, it still might be a better alternative.

Grinding paved roads to gravel will surely dampen local businesses, preserving a more rural way of life. In North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, gravel roads are becoming more popular.  In Pennsylvania and Alabama, a cheaper form of pavement, chip and seal, is used.

While there are no plans yet for any major road, interstates and large state routes, to turn to gravel, this shows that the American way of life is returning to a time without opulence; when simplicity, hard work, and freedom defined the lives of an Average American.

The S&P Case-Shiller Composite 20 home price index was up as April 2010 data filtered in. Because of an expired federal tax credit, home prices rose 3.8% from last April. San Diego has shown consistently strong data, up again this month and up 11.7% from last year. Among other high risers from last year were San Francisco at 18%, Washington at 7.3%, Los Angeles at 7.8% and Cleveland at 6.8%. To see your city, click here.

Realtors and builders are reporting weaker demand since the end of the tax credit, so this trend looks to weaken in the coming months. Overall, the president and Ben Bernanke are optimistic about the economy, but high unemployment and trouble abroad is worrying investors.

In other National News, Colorado is leading the way in marijuana selling as dispensaries in liberal states like California flock to Boulder to try their hand in the business. With still heavy regulations, like no convicted felons allowed to own a store, marijuana selling is turning away from the stoner counterculture of the 60′s and 70′s and toward a legitimate pain treatment method. Denver is helpful in determining the state’s growth in home prices, up 4.4% from last year.

I just visited Philadelphia for my first time, and I must say, it did not disappoint. Staying in Voorhees, NJ, I sampled the PATCO subway system, which takes South Jersey residents across the Delaware for little more than $2. If you want to walk and shop, Rittenhouse Square is a lovely park leading to Walnut St., the shopping epicenter of this patriotic town.

The Philadelphia Art Museum has a world renowned collection (and some world renowned steps, which the statue of Rocky pays homage to) featuring some of Marcel Duchamp’s most game changing pieces, including “Fountain,” “Bicycle Wheel” and the deliciously voyeuristic “Etant Donee.”

For dinner, head to South Street, party central in this revolutionary town. Try Core de Roma on 2nd, which doesn’t misrepresent -  house made bread with navy beans to begin, a stunning list of daily specials, and a not to be missed bolognese took me back to Italy. Take Papa GiGi’s suggestions – he and his four sons own the joint and mingle with the crowd as the food is served.

This blue collar town shows a lot of passion wherever you go. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in the Historic District serve as a reminder that this was the one time capital of the United States. When all is said and done, it’s easy to see why Ben Franklin ran away from Boston to come to Philadelphia – it’s a happy medium, geographically and sensationally, between all the other Atlantic ports.

Data released listing college degrees per square mile make San Francisco and New York by far the most educated cities with 7,031 and 6,357, respectively. Also in the top 10 were Boston, Washington, Seattle (which also had the greatest drop in rental price last year), Chicago, Minneapolis, Providence, Philadelphia, and Miami. The entire list can be found here.

This data can be somewhat misleading according to size; the top 2 also have some of the country’s highest population density. Clearly, a smart city can be overshadowed if it lacks the community that allows for smart people to work together. County and city borders differ, which is demonstrated by the smartest county graphs.

If you want to move, now is a great time. Real estate is still cheap, and hasn’t recovered the ground it lost during the recession. Cities like San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco all experienced rental drops close to 10%, which means that apartment living in these large areas hasn’t been this affordable for a long time.

All I know is that I can’t wait for the new Census figures to come out. There’s a lot of difference between cities and their metropolitan area, and in determining where to move, both figures should be examined.

If you want to travel this summer, or move, now is the time to buy your airline tickets. Whereas last year, and even in 2008, you could score a cheap ticket by waiting until the last minute, this year airlines have regained the upper hand.

Smaller U.S. cities like Norfolk, VA, Cleveland, San Jose, and even Philadelphia are experiencing large bumps in the prices of their tickets, some more than 35% of what they were last year.

Plus, many airlines are taking advantage not just of customer’s bags, but the desire for extra room on a flight. The added fees can range from $10 on shorter flights to $40 on longer flights.

But there’s always the possibility of switching to a seat with extra leg room without paying any added fees.  Southwest Airlines charges $10 to check in early, which usually results in an early boarding. But sometimes, especially on flights that aren’t full, you can switch for free.

Having an aisle or window seat closer to the front of the plane is a small benefit that many customers are comfortable paying for.  These added fees for small improvements in one’s travel experience are no big deal to many, especially if it offers the added comfort of peace of mind.

With gas prices for regular unleaded at $2.83 this month, more than 80 cents higher than a year ago, it might be time to start thinking about public transportation. When you add in the cost of public  parking and insurance you’re looking at a costly drive to work. New York saves its commuters an average of $1149 per month, which computes to more than $13,000 a year! Whether it’s a bus, tram, subway or streetcar, public transportation is a great way to save money on your commute. Here are the top 20 cities that save their denizens the most money:

1. New York $1,149
2. Boston $1,032
3. San Francisco $1,015
4. Chicago $955
5. Seattle $938
6. Philadelphia $928
7. Honolulu $894
8. Los Angeles $839
9. San Diego $827
10. Minneapolis $826
11. Denver $804
12. Portland $803
13. Cleveland $803
14. Baltimore $786
15. Washington $757
16. Miami $754
17. Dallas $736
18. Atlanta $724
19. Las Vegas $719
20. Pittsburgh $681

While public transportation can sometimes be a hassle, with a lack of cell phone service, sardine packed subway rides and delays and waits, it still beats the traffic you see on the highway. While some cities are cutting service and hiking prices, others are opening new lines and routes. And if none of this public transportation business floats your boat, and you live within a few miles and don’t mind getting a little sweaty, nothing beats a bike.

Austin is the capital of Texas and the state’s fourth largest city. It is the 15th largest in the United States. Home to a young vibrant scene of artists, foodies, and tech companies, Austin is annually ranked one of the nicest large metropolitan areas in the U.S.

The University of Texas calls Austin home, as does Dell computers, and the official slogan of the city is “The Live Music Capital of the World,” although the unofficial slogan is “Keep Austin Weird.” The latter comes via the many young people who resist the large scale corporations and governmental industries that predominate in so many urban centers. There is also an Austin Film Festival, the music festival South by Southwest, and E 6th St., which boasts one of the rowdiest bar scenes in America and a is must-see for any visiting tourists.

Situated on the Colorado River, Austin experiences a year round warm climate. The average temperature in January is 60 degrees and in August it’s 96. The wettest month of the year is May, but yearly the city receives little more than 33 inches of rain.

Although Austin has a small town vibe, it supports a wealth of industry, technology and culture. Located just a few hours away from Mexico, it is a young and vibrant cosmopolitan city that shares in its Texan roots.