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I actually voted education. Overall, its a combo between good schools/universities, size (small town ain't my thing), and downtown/entertainment areas. I like to go to school in the same place as where the fun is, and have lots of people around to enjoy it with.
Walkable to public transportation and starbucks density plus pizza places. I can do both from my place, 2 blocks to the train and another 1/2 block to starbucks right under the train. There are also 2 other coffee shops and a bagel shop by the train in the morning, w/ about 4 places to get a slice on your return from work. What more do you need for subway and bagel yankee culture?
Seriously though, combination of being able to live a "city" oriented life has a lot to do with good urban planning of commercial/residential next to each other as well as availability of public transportation and walkable hoods in order to get around. It is a different type of life style... That is why some smaller cities like Portland and Seattle can edge out some much bigger metros in terms of what many like minded posters desire. And, why hoards of smaller European cities can hang with our bigger cities in terms of lifestyle and QOL.
Population (NOT city proper) and GMP numbers I think are the most objective measures. I also take into consideration a city's niche industries like entertainment, trade/transportation, technology, education, or finance which I weigh about equally.
And whether or not my preconceived notions and judgements of a city are positive or negative - those typically determine the outcome of close-calls.
Downtown is a metro's most important asset, because downtowns are the only areas that differ dramatically from city to city, and that bring in outside investment, which is the life-blood of all cities/metros.
I'm never moving out of my hometown because it meets all my criteria anyway. Weather, size, laid back, mountains, hills, and ocean. Those are what I care about.
I don't understand why people would pick a city based on the skyline? Imo, skyline means squat, it's the weather, things to do etc.
Like others have said, it is a combination of different attributes that make a great city. But it is the HISTORY of a city that creates the soul of that city and what it is today. So I am going to vote for the HISTORY category.
LoL, someone had too!
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Those are what I care about.
