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I am looking to leave Phoenix because of hot climate and poor job prospects. I just graduated with an MBA from Arizona State and am looking at three cities to start my business career. I am not sure EXACTLY what to get into for a career path but am looking into sales, marketing, management and possibly banking.
* I am big on Italian food, urbanity and am not big on outdoor activities.
Airports
Architecture
Downtown/Neighborhoods
Career Prospects
Casinos/Concerts/Events/Festivals
Culture
Entertainment
Food/Restaurants
Museums
Nightlife
Outdoor Activites
Parks/Squares
Shopping (Name stores the other cities would not have)
Shows
Sports/Sports Culture/Sports Venues
Urbanity
Uniqueness
Water Activities (Lakes, Beaches, Water Parks, Piers, Boardwalks)
Zoos
I am looking to leave Phoenix because of hot climate and poor job prospects. I just graduated with an MBA from Arizona State and am looking at three cities to start my business career. I am not sure EXACTLY what to get into for a career path but am looking into sales, marketing, management and possibly banking.
* I am big on Italian food, urbanity and am not big on outdoor activities.
Airports
Architecture
Downtown/Neighborhoods
Career Prospects
Casinos/Concerts/Events/Festivals
Culture
Entertainment
Food/Restaurants
Museums
Nightlife
Outdoor Activites
Parks/Squares
Shopping (Name stores the other cities would not have)
Shows
Sports/Sports Culture/Sports Venues
Urbanity
Uniqueness
Water Activities (Lakes, Beaches, Water Parks, Piers, Boardwalks)
Zoos
Based on your criteria, if you're looking for a traditional big city experience, it does appear that Philly is the clear choice. It is a much larger urban area than either Denver and Minneapolis, so the cultural opportunities are more expansive. Also, after NYC, Philly is arguably the next largest Italian-American hub in the country, so there's quite an abundance of options. Its coastal location and close proximity to other major cities basically gives the Philly region a spectacular amount of recreational options within a days drive.
It's important to note that Philly is a much older region than Minneapolis and Denver, so if you're looking for a highly modernized city, Philly definitely is not it. But conversely, if you value traditional "old world" architecture and an established city that continues to go through a renaissance, then Philly is your oyster.
In terms of job prospects, considering the field you're in, I wouldn't expect to have any employment issues in any of these cities.
Interestingly, I would put cost-of-living fairly even in all of these regions, so that shouldn't necessarily be a consideration.
This is not to suggest that Denver or MLPS do not have desirable aspects (because I can certainly understand why someone would choose those areas over Philly) but your criteria really seems to make the decision easier.
* I am big on Italian food, urbanity and am not big on outdoor activities. Right off the bat, this should suggest to you Philly over the other two. Neither Denver or the Twin Cities are chock full of Italians like Philly is, and while both are fairly urban, neither hold a candle to Philly in that regard either. Also, Denver and TC are both very outdoorsy, while Philly frankly isn't.
Airports - Some people say DEN, I say MSP, but NOBODY says PHL! Architecture - Got to say Philly, because I like older stuff like Art Decco Downtown/Neighborhoods - Philly again (note: Denver and Minneapolis do well in this regard, but Philly is easily top 5) Career Prospects - Minneapolis, due to low unemployment rate AND diverse economy. GDP/capita amongst the highest in the nation as well. Casinos/Concerts/Events/Festivals - can't say I know this one Culture - I personally adore the culture in Minneapolis, and abhore it in Denver. Philly I don't know as much but it seems ok. Entertainment - Entertainment to me = Food + nightlife + museums + theatre......all of which are covered below. Food/Restaurants - for the same reason as the first line item, Philly. Museums - probably Philly (all are good) Nightlife - probably Philly (all are good) Outdoor Activites - probably Denver, followed by MSP, then Philly Parks/Squares - I may be biased, but I think it's MSP, which has a severely under-appreciated parks system that rivals any city I've EVER been to Shopping (Name stores the other cities would not have) - I can't name special stores for you, but Philly or MSP would be better than Denver I'd think, with KOP and MOA malls leading the way Shows - like theatre? Philly or Minneapolis are top-notch Sports/Sports Culture/Sports Venues - Oooo, tough one! Philly by a bit, but Denver would be great here as well, and being from Minneapolis I can assure you there's a ton there as well (but the pro teams aren't good lately) Urbanity - Philly Uniqueness - Philly or Minneapolis..... no great reasons Water Activities (Lakes, Beaches, Water Parks, Piers, Boardwalks) - waiting to hear a Denver poster tout this one! Minneapolis, and fairly easily. Few cities ON EARTH probably are as oriented around water and water recreation as the Twin Cities are, ironically. Zoos - IDK, but "take her to the zoo!" (-Rocky)
Based on the above, I choose Philly out of the three for your tastes.
Airports - I think MSP International is one of the best airports in the country.
Architecture - Philadelphia
Downtown/Neighborhoods - Philadelphia
Career Prospects - Minneapolis
Casinos/Concerts/Events/Festivals - All three offer plenty so tie
Culture - I personally adore the culture in Minneapolis, and abhore it in Denver. Philly I don't know as much but it seems ok.
Entertainment - again, all three have plenty to offer
Food/Restaurants - Philadelphia
Museums - Philadelphia
Nightlife - Philadelphia
Outdoor Activites - Denver area
Parks/Squares - Minneapolis
Shopping (Name stores the other cities would not have) - I can't name special stores for you, but Philly or MSP would be better than Denver I'd think, with KOP and MOA malls leading the way
Shows - like theatre? Philly or Minneapolis are top-notch
Sports/Sports Culture/Sports Venues - all three have NFL, MLB, NHL, and NBA as well as college sports. All three support their teams well, but Philly stands out. As far as venues, Minneapolis probably has the best.
Urbanity - Philadelphia
Uniqueness - Philadelphia
Water Activities (Lakes, Beaches, Water Parks, Piers, Boardwalks) - Minneapolis
Zoos - I'm not into zoos so I could care less
Philadelphia wins out in regards to the above criteria, but I'm not a huge fan so I choose Minneapolis.
What is wrong with the culture in Denver? And our airport is better no doubt!
There is nothing wrong with the culture in Denver. IMO, I think Minneapolis and Philly tops Denver.
As far as airports, bigger doesn't necessarily mean better so I'm not sure what methodology you are using.
BTW, I copied and pasted the criteria from Min-Chi-Cbus' post and just realized I didn't delete her/his statement regarding culture. I would have ranked it as Philly, Minneapolis, and Denver.
My bias voted Denver before I got the chance to see your criteria, so take one vote away from Denver and add it to Philadelphia.
Airports: Denver for sure. One of the cleanest and nicest airports around. Minneapolis is nice too. Never been to Philadelphia's, but it looks like a mess. Architecture: Philadelphia for sure Downtown/Neighborhoods: Philadelphia > Denver > Minneapolis Career Prospects: Philadelphia (I believe) Casinos/Concerts/Events/Festivals: Minneapolis and Philadelphia Culture: Minneapolis Entertainment: Philadelphia Food/Restaurants: Philadelphia Museums: Minneapolis? Nightlife: Not sure Outdoor Activites: Denver for sure Parks/Squares: Denver or Minneapolis Shopping (Name stores the other cities would not have): Philadelphia Shows: Minneapolis Sports/Sports Culture/Sports Venues: Denver or Philadelphia Urbanity: Philadelphia > Minneapolis > Denver Uniqueness: Not sure Water Activities (Lakes, Beaches, Water Parks, Piers, Boardwalks): Minneapolis for sure Zoos: Not quite sure. Only been to the Denver zoo, and it's pretty nice.
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