America's most overrated, overhyped, or overpriced cities to live (low crime, homes)

[SEAandATL]

San Diego is the most overrated city, and overpriced. Other than the so-called "perfect weather", I don't see what's so great about it. Oh yeah, there are a lot of attractive females, but everywhere has those. Plus, I'm about to have a ring on my finger, so that won't matter (I can only enjoy the view, but that's it).

Atlanta is very underrated, imo. The only people that have anything good to say about it are the ones from there, like me. Everyone else has this image like you'll get shot at and robbed soon as you get off the plane at Harstfield-Jackson Airport.

[sonicman25]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

San Diego is the most overrated city, and overpriced. Other than the so-called "perfect weather", I don't see what's so great about it. Oh yeah, there are a lot of attractive females, but everywhere has those. Plus, I'm about to have a ring on my finger, so that won't matter (I can only enjoy the view, but that's it).

Atlanta is very underrated, imo. The only people that have anything good to say about it are the ones from there, like me. Everyone else has this image like you'll get shot at and robbed soon as you get off the plane at Harstfield-Jackson Airport.

San Diego is overpriced but not overrated in my opinion. If you love mild temps where it's not too hot or not too cold than San Diego has perfect weather. If you like more extremes in temps thats fine but you can't deny that a big portion of the population loves the mild 70 degree temps and sunny days that San Diego offers. What's great about San Diego is the beaches, ocean, palm trees, and mountains just to name a few. People say "well you can find beaches everywhere". But the only other major US cities to have a big beach scene are LA and Miami and those 2 cities have so many problems it's not even worth it. San Diego has it's problems but it's still a good city. I'm always puzzled by people who say SD is boring or that it's not that great. I think the city has great scenery, weather, and lots of things to do. Different strokes I suppose.

[Spade]

Originally Posted by mpope409

Hills are nice, but they're not that nice when they're all dry and dusty. I still say that the greenery and bloom of East Texas is unmatched anywhere in the state.

Dry and Dusty? Are you talking about the hills in Austin. Because it's not dry and dusty from what I always experienced. And again, I was mostly talking about scenery in a city in Texas.

[madmann101]

Originally Posted by Spade

Dry and Dusty? Are you talking about the hills in Austin. Because it's not dry and dusty from what I always experienced. And again, I was mostly talking about scenery in a city in Texas.

You should see the hills and scenery here in Waco,Tx! Very beautiful.

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by Spade

Dry and Dusty? Are you talking about the hills in Austin. Because it's not dry and dusty from what I always experienced. And again, I was mostly talking about scenery in a city in Texas.

When I lived in the Central Texas area, we always thought that the dirt was hard and dry compared to the soft, clay-like substance of other places. There are a lot of rocks and few large trees in the area. The sand at the beaches is murder to your feet.

[roseba]

Originally Posted by JakeDog

"If you are not wealthy, you will not enjoy NYC the way you see it on TV. It's an expensive city. Quality of life is low, but lots of entertainment."

No offense, but I wouldn't live in NYC unless I was making at least $300k. Of course it stinks for the poor. I wasn't suggesting it doesn't. So does San Francisco, Paris, Rome, etc. It is a world class city. If you don't make big money, you cannot afford what it has to offer. That does not, however, make it overrated.

So are you saying that being-able to enjoy what large cities have to offer is only something the rich should be able to enjoy?

There are MANY people who make less than $150K. That is not "poor". They should be able to enjoy something from the fruits of their labor.

According to Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed, a salary of $50K in NYC is equivalent to making $28K in Charleston SC in terms of quality of life.

So basically, a middle class income, higher than the national average, makes a person POOR, almost poverty stricken in NYC.

That is UNACCEPTABLE.

[roseba]

Originally Posted by JakeDog

"It's like any other major city in the USA only way more packed in. With more density there will be more things (like many Starbucks in Midtown for example). You can find what you can find in NYC in pretty much every US major city."

If Starbucks and similar chains are your definition of what you can find. I don't live in NY, but I couldn't disagree with you any stronger. The entertainment (opera, symphony, jazz clubs, comedy clubs, ballet, broadway), food, shops, non-chain bistros/bars/bakeries/pizza, architecture, not to mention the energy of the place, the museums. Sorry- I don't think there is an American city that compares. Also, Central Park is one of the best people watching spots on earth. Chicago, Boston, and SF are the only other American cities that are even close, and they are not that close. If your idea of fun is going to the GAP and drinking starbucks- sure you can get that in some dull Southern/Midwest city. Otherwise I strongly disagree.

And who can afford it?

You can people watch in Central Park for free, but you still have to pay $3 for a 10 ounce bottle of water.

[metroplex2003]

Originally Posted by roseba

So are you saying that being-able to enjoy what large cities have to offer is only something the rich should be able to enjoy?

There are MANY people who make less than $150K. That is not "poor". They should be able to enjoy something from the fruits of their labor.

According to Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed a salary of $50K in NYC is equivalent to making $28K in Charleston SC in terms of quality of life.

So basically, a middle class income, higher than the national average, makes a person POOR, almost poverty stricken in NYC.

That is UNACCEPTABLE.

Part of it is the whole tax issue. I know someone who makes 70K in Manhattan, and pays in upwards of 50%. (but personally I think he needs to find better deductions and reduce his cost by settling down and finding himself a spouse!)
But still not the end of the world. Half my family which lives in Europe pays 80% taxes. So everything is relative. It just makes the country's midsection (including Texas) look that much more affordable.

[MorrisGreenberg]

Originally Posted by Spade

I disagree and I said as a city, it has the best scenery in the state. There isn't a city in Northeast Texas at the level of Austin and there won't be for another 100 years. But even so, I know of the little hills and tall trees in East Texas and it is very nice. But the the hill of Austin and west cannot be beat in Texas.

Austin:

First, all these pictures are of the same place. Sure, there are a couple of decent lakes if you like hot murky water. Oh and watch out for the poisonous snakes and insects. And sure Austin looks nice but the weather here is unbearable year round and the environment is so toxic. How do you like a place where you dare not sit on a lawn for fear of being eaten by fire ants. Austin has terrible traffic and is horribly sprawling. It is a city of strip malls. There are a few areas that are nice but the hell of iving here out matches any of the niceness. I do not think there is a more sprawling and poorly planned city anywhere. I have been here for years and I still get lost regularly. The heat and humidity are unfathomable. Oh and if you live in North Austin you may never even vist south austin 'cause of the absurd traffic. Oh yeah, and Austinites, your not really weird at all... maybe only in relation to the blandness of the cities around you. Trust me, almost every major city in the world is just as wierd. Thing is, Texas itself is the most overrated state in the union. Not the worst you understand, just overrrated. And Texans by and large, have no idea of how horrible their state is. Texas is the home of breaded chopped steak in white cream gravy with mashed potatoes!

[MorrisGreenberg]

First, all these pictures are of the same place. Sure, there are a couple of decent lakes if you like hot murky water. Oh and watch out for the poisonous snakes and insects. And sure Austin looks nice but the weather here is unbearable year round and the environment is so toxic. How do you like a place where you dare not sit on a lawn for fear of being eaten by fire ants. Austin has terrible traffic and is horribly sprawling. It is a city of strip malls. There are a few areas that are nice but the hell of iving here out matches any of the niceness. I do not think there is a more sprawling and poorly planned city anywhere. I have been here for years and I still get lost regularly. The heat and humidity are unfathomable. Oh and if you live in North Austin you may never even vist south austin 'cause of the absurd traffic. Oh yeah, and Austinites, your not really weird at all... maybe only in relation to the blandness of the cities around you. Trust me, almost every major city in the world is just as wierd. Thing is, Texas itself is the most overrated state in the union. Not the worst you understand, just overrrated. And Texans by and large, have no idea of how horrible their state is. Texas is the home of breaded chopped steak in white cream gravy with mashed potatoes!