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At first thought, they seem like they could be even. What exactly is the culture of Richmond? The only neighborhood I have heard of from Richmond is the fan area.
At first thought, they seem like they could be even. What exactly is the culture of Richmond? The only neighborhood I have heard of from Richmond is the fan area.
-Downtown: Equal
-Location: Equal
-Economy: Richmond (because it's the VA state capital)
-Neighborhoods: Rochester (Park Ave > Carytown)
-History/culture: Rochester - including more of a sports presence, surprisingly
-Skyline: Rochester (image from the wikipedia page)
-Cuisine: Rochester
-Nightlife: Rochester
-Public transit: Equal..no trains aside from Amtrak...maybe slight edge to Rochester because it used to have a subway/light rail...or maybe the edge should go to Richmond because they never made the mistake of shutting those amenities down!
-education: Rochester
-potential for future growth: Richmond
Wow, Rochester is where I grew up and Richmond is where I live now. I think I can weigh in:
-Downtown: I'd go with Richmond. With the capital, Shockoe Slip, the Bottom and Broad Street, I think it feels more alive/vibrant.
-Location: I'm not sure I like the location of either. If I had to choose, I'd go with Richmond for it's proximity to DC, VA Beach/Ocean/OBX, the Blue Ridge Mountains, etc.
-Economy: I can only speak in terms of my field. Richmond is far better for me.
-Neighborhoods: I like Rochester's Park Ave area, parts of Irondequoit, and South Wedge, but I much prefer rowhouse neighborhoods like the Fan, Museum District, etc. Rochester's neighborhoods don't feel quite as urban to me.
-History/culture: I like Rochester's culture and history better. Rochester with the Erie Canal, Kodak, Frederick Douglas is Great. I think Richmond wins in terms of National importance due to the Civil War, Slave trading, etc, however, I hate how this place still goes on and on about the Civil War. Very dark history, and many people still can't let it go (not that they should forget).
Also, I like the Italian/Euro culture much better than southern culture.
-Skyline: Richmond has far more in its skyline IMO. Approaching from the southside on 95 is quite impressive.
-Cuisine: Rochester easily. Italian and Greek food alone destroy Richmond IMO.
-Nightlife: Tie - I don't think either one is all that great.
-Public transit: Rochester - I think its bus service is better. Richmond would have won had it not destroyed its streetcar system and went completely autocentric.
Overall: If I could get Rochester's culture/food/people imported into Richmond's bones and setup, I'd be happier. If I had to choose, I'd go with Richmond. Better urbanism (housing stock, vibrancy, etc.), economy, location and weather.
-Downtown: Equal
-Location: Equal
-Economy: Richmond (because it's the VA state capital) -Neighborhoods: Rochester (Park Ave > Carytown)
-History/culture: Rochester - including more of a sports presence, surprisingly
-Skyline: Rochester (image from the wikipedia page)
-Cuisine: Rochester
-Nightlife: Rochester
-Public transit: Equal..no trains aside from Amtrak...maybe slight edge to Rochester because it used to have a subway/light rail...or maybe the edge should go to Richmond because they never made the mistake of shutting those amenities down!
-education: Rochester
-potential for future growth: Richmond
I'm surprised to see that you lined up Park Ave over Carytown. I like both, but Carytown to me is very commercial. I haven't been to Park Ave in about 3 years, but I would be surprised if it has the offering of Carytown.
Also, I know this is just your opinion, but I'm curious what neighborhoods in Rochester that you think could go up against the Fan, Jackson Ward, Church Hill, Museum District, Oregon Hill, etc. They probably don't align too well given their housing stock, street organization, etc. Just curious.
haha AJNEOA, you have more cred than me! I merely went to college in Roc and live in northern VA now (but have visited Richmond a number of times)
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