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I like this comparison. Lived in Maine for years, visited Nova Scotia a LOT.
Scenery: NS, hands down. Maine is a beautiful state, but NS wins this by a nose. Recreation: Tie. Both have recreation activities for anyone. Economy: NS. Most of Maine has a very poor economy and has for years. Culture/Character: NS. Won't get into this one, but for me there is no contest. Coastline: NS again. Anything on the Coast that Maine has, NS can show as well, plus the coast in NS is just spectacular for much more of its length than the Maine Coast. Portland vs. Halifax: Depends on what you are looking for. Tie actually for me, even though these cities are night and day.
As stated earlier in this thread, I prefer Portland over Halifax. For those who claim it is rundown outside Old Port and the West End, I was in both cities in early October and found quite a surprising number of empty storefronts on Barrington Street in Halifax. While not seedy, it felt far from vibrant. For a city 5 - 6 times larger than Portland, it certainly didn't feel 5- 6 times as urban. In fact, I'd say they felt about equal in this regard.
If I ware forced to relocate, there is now question which I would choose. Being just up the road from Boston, Portland offers easy access to big city amenities. In contrast, Halifax is the largest city in Maritimes - scenically one of my favorite places but isolated for when I'd need an urban fix.
Halifax population numbers are misleading, as it pretty much counts currently the same in terms of city and metro. I believe the Halifax city limits before amalgamation/dissolving of limits held around 282,000 people. Density was around 7000-8000 per sq. mi.
Last edited by ckhthankgod; 11-17-2011 at 10:50 AM..
Halifax population numbers are misleading, as it pretty much counts currently the same in terms of city and metro. I believe the Halifax city limits before amalgamation/dissolving of limits held around 282,000 people. Density was around 8000 per sq. mi.
I'm wondering if you're referring to my post? If so, thanks for the info on how the population is determined. It still doesn't change my impression that Halifax doesn't "feel" like a city 4 times the size of Portland.
As stated earlier in this thread, I prefer Portland over Halifax. For those who claim it is rundown outside Old Port and the West End, I was in both cities in early October and found quite a surprising number of empty storefronts on Barrington Street in Halifax.
I don't know if this is directed at my posts; but in case it is, I'll clarify. I don't think Portland is "run down" outside of the Old Port and West End, I just think it's fairly unremarkable. As in there's nothing that would wow anyone. Portland's complete lack of urban neighborhood centers (you know the type, lined with mom and pop shops and restaurants) outside of downtown is a big negative in my book.
I'd say Barrington Street is fairly Similar to Congress Street in Portland. Both are the primary downtown thoroughfares, and both have lots of potential. However both are more office oriented and not so much tourist or shopper oriented (Exchange in Portland and Granville in Halifax are more notable in this regard). I certainly wouldn't base my opinion of Halifax's vitality on Barrington Street just as I wouldn't base my opinion of Portland's vitality on Congress Street (which has plenty of vacant storefronts as well).
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For a city 5 - 6 times larger than Portland, it certainly didn't feel 5- 6 times as urban. In fact, I'd say they felt about equal in this regard.
Well that's because it's NOT 5-6 times as urban as Portland. It's probably closer to 1.5 times as urban as Portland. Portland's immediate metro area has around 230,000 (the overall MSA which covers a land area 2x the size of Rhode Island has aroudn 500,000 people in it) . It's urbanized area has 188,000. While still smaller than Halifax, it's not nearly as big of a gap as one would believe by looking at the numbers.
That said, to me it breaks down like this. Downtown Portland and Downtown Halifax are similar in size (with Halifax being a little bit larger and more urban). Where the big differences are made up is outside of the downtown area. Halifax has a number of urban neighborhood centers outside of the downtown area while Portland does not. Portland also transitions into a suburban built environment MUCH more quickly than Halifax. The downtowns may be close, but outside of that area it's a very different story. Halifax is much more urban for a distance well beyond the city center than Portland is. I visited Portland before moving there and my impression was the same as yours "wow! what a large/active downtown for such a small city!" After living there, it quickly became apparent why... there's very little from an urban standpoint outside of downtown Portland. Halifax has much more going for it beyond downtown.
I don't know if this is directed at my posts; but in case it is, I'll clarify. I don't think Portland is "run down" outside of the Old Port and West End, I just think it's fairly unremarkable. As in there's nothing that would wow anyone. Portland's complete lack of urban neighborhood centers (you know the type, lined with mom and pop shops and restaurants) outside of downtown is a big negative in my book.
I'd say Barrington Street is fairly Similar to Congress Street in Portland. Both are the primary downtown thoroughfares, and both have lots of potential. However both are more office oriented and not so much tourist or shopper oriented (Exchange in Portland and Granville in Halifax are more notable in this regard). I certainly wouldn't base my opinion of Halifax's vitality on Barrington Street just as I wouldn't base my opinion of Portland's vitality on Congress Street (which has plenty of vacant storefronts as well).
Well that's because it's NOT 5-6 times as urban as Portland. It's probably closer to 1.5 times as urban as Portland. Portland's immediate metro area has around 230,000 (the overall MSA which covers a land area 2x the size of Rhode Island has aroudn 500,000 people in it) . It's urbanized area has 188,000. While still smaller than Halifax, it's not nearly as big of a gap as one would believe by looking at the numbers.
That said, to me it breaks down like this. Downtown Portland and Downtown Halifax are similar in size (with Halifax being a little bit larger and more urban). Where the big differences are made up is outside of the downtown area. Halifax has a number of urban neighborhood centers outside of the downtown area while Portland does not. Portland also transitions into a suburban built environment MUCH more quickly than Halifax. The downtowns may be close, but outside of that area it's a very different story.
Obviously our experience of these two cities differ. So be it.
Obviously our experience of these two cities differ. So be it.
That's what makes these debates fun.
For the record, Portland's proximity to Boston and other large cities in the Northeast certainly appeals to me as well. I enjoy visiting Halifax, but wouldn't want to live there for fear of feeling isolated.
What's more is that downtown Portland is not free of notable ugly buildings. One City Center, One Monument Square, Franklin Towers and most of Portland's other tallest buildings in the downtown area are ugly and some 30+ years old. Halifax's "newer" structures are mostly far more attractive than Portland's.
True - Portland has it's fair share of ugly buildings but they seem to be shorter and don't dominate the city as much as Halifax's do. It's like the situation you get in the UK (where I hail from) where you get a nice 19th century Victorian metropolis that then became horribly defaced by a scattering of brutalist monstrosities. Actually I think the main cities of the Maritimes - St John NB, St John NL and Halifax are all very attractive with great vernacular architecture - however every one has a set of absolutely god-awful modern buildings on the waterfront (downtown in the case of Halifax) that ruin them. The situation cries out for a wreaking ball and some historically sensitive infill.
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Originally Posted by lrfox
I guess it's easy to see why it stands out... most comparably sized cities in New England and the Northeast (i.e. Fall River, Pawtucket, Haverhill, Brockton, Lawrence, and similar satellite cities near NYC, Philly, and beyond) are burned out industrial cities that are immediately adjacent (or at least close to) larger cities.
It's a shame the cities you mention got to such a state. Pawtucket and Fall River are pretty much case studies in how NOT to do urban renewal. By the looks of it Pawtucket had most of its downtown obliterated - Fall River had a highway driven through it with a concrete atrocity squatting on top. Brockton is a mess - which is strange given how much it's population has grown and how close it is to Boston. Lawrence is Lawrence - be nice if it does a Lowell and comes back as it has some great architecture but can't see it happening. Haverhill seems to be doing OK now.
You're asking Americans about Nova Scotia? Heck, they hardly know anything about their own country. I'd bet that many (if not most) don't even know where Nova Scotia is.
We know Nova Scotia means New Scotland.
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