Which is more urban, with more of a "big city" feel: Houston or Seattle? (best, better)

[developnsustain]

I recognize these cities are very different in terms of climate and culture, etc and that Houston has a much larger population.

But in this thread Im trying to focus more on the urban form and feel of these cities. Which feels more urban and which feels more like a "big city" overall? I guess Im talking about overall amenities like culture, food, nightlife, downtown, distinct neighborhoords, density, skyline, walkability, vibrancy. Neither is NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, etc. but how do you think they compare with each other in these departments?

Again, I know how different these cities are--Ive spent time in both--but on a linear scale in terms of urbanity how do you think they compare?

[jayp1188]

Culture - Houston
Food - Houston
Nightlife - Houston
Downtown - Seattle
Distinct Neighborhoods - Seattle
Density - Seattle
Skyline - Seattle
Walkable - Seattle
Vibrancy - Seattle

Seattle is far more urban but Houston is much larger, so both have a big city feel, but in different ways. Seattle's big city feel is more in the vein of Chicago/SF/Boston (but to a lesser extent), while Houston's big city feel is more in the vein of LA (but to a lesser extent).

[Spade]

Seattle is more urban but Houston may give you more of that big city feel.

[clean_polo]

IMO the more urban a city is the "bigger" it feels. I think Seattle would feel like the bigger city.

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by Spade

Seattle is more urban but Houston may give you more of that big city feel.

Yeah I think so too. Although it is moe urban it does not have all the amenities and the economy that Houston has

Food - Houston
Nightlife - Houston
Downtown - Seattle
Distinct Neighborhoods -Houston
Density - Both are just right for me
Skyline - Most definitely Houston
Walkable - neither
Vibrancy - Neither

I would add weather. I just love the weather in Seattle. I love the seasons. Love watching the trees change color.

[clean_polo]

^ Walkable I'd give to Seattle, same with vibrancy. I know thats just our opinions though. Same with skyline, I wouldn't say Houston most definitely has the better skyline, actually IMO Seattle's skyline is much nicer than H-Town's.

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by clean_polo

^ Walkable I'd give to Seattle, same with vibrancy. I know thats just our opinions though. Same with skyline, I wouldn't say Houston most definitely has the better skyline, actually IMO Seattle's skyline is much nicer than H-Town's.

yeah we can agree to disagree.

Just our opinions.

Seattle is easily in my top 5 favorite US cities. I love the place. But the things I like about it are not the Skyline, not any crap about walkability, Skylines, or vibrance (that is a highly subjective word anyway. Vegas to me is more vibrant than anything on earth, but it still feels super small compared to say... Phoenix)

[clean_polo]

^ Good point, good point.

[HtownLove]

When I think of Seattle I think of Pike Street Market, I think of Udub, I think of the Space needle (not the skyline), I think of the marvelous sprinklings some people refer to as rain. I think of Hills, trees flowers.
I think of pleasant and friendly people. Great local beer. Seattle's Best Coffee. There are many things that I like about Seattle. Would live there for all those things. Would not run there looking for any of the crap we argue over on C-D. More urban?

[stoneclaw]

Probably Seattle.