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I'm surprised Miami is doing this badly in the poll. In terms of objective data, it's not a horrendous matchup.
Transit commuters:
Miami - 19,856 (11.3%)
New Orleans - 10,265 (7.0%)
Walking commuters:
Miami - 6,739 (3.8%)
New Orleans - 6,574 (4.5%)
Bicycle commuters:
Miami - 3,233 (1.8%)
New Orleans - 5,716 (3.9%)
Households sans vehicle:
Miami - 31,131 (20.6%)
New Orleans - 26,554 (18.5%)
Of course, there's more to it than that, but these cities aren't that different on paper. With Miami Beach (though not technically part of "Miami") and a few other sections of Miami, I thought the vote would be closer.
New Orleans is more compact with a CBD abutting prime, walkable areas. So I can see why the poll might be skewed in its favor.
Of course, there's more to it than that, but these cities aren't that different on paper. With Miami Beach (though not technically part of "Miami") and a few other sections of Miami, I thought the vote would be closer.
New Orleans is more compact with a CBD abutting prime, walkable areas. So I can see why the poll might be skewed in its favor.
Were we supposed to include Miami Beach in the comparison? Those figures above could be completely accurate but since central New Orleans has a lot of visiting tourists around the French Quarter and Canal Street leading into the CBD it seems busier than downtown Miami most of the time(unless there's an event in downtown Miami). New Orleans outside the central area has spots like Magazine that might get busy with people, but it's sort of little neighborhood hubs that have foot traffic similar to other mid-sized cities with fairly wakable areas.
Certain parts of Miami seem to get busy at night or times during the day, but it's kind of scattered activity--at least that's what I've experienced in Miami itself. Even areas like around Brickell or the Design District didn't seem that busy during the day, but can feel livelier at night. Little Havana seemed more like a place where people would pull up in their cars to a restaurant and then drive off rather than more than stroll around--maybe it's different when a baseball game is going on. Now, Miami Beach is another story, there's a pretty consistent amount of foot traffic in a lot of places during much of the day and into the night around there.
You're probably right though that it might be closer than people think overall.
In my experience New Orleans had pretty decent pedestrian activity outside of the tourist-y parts too. It wasn't anything crazy but there were always at least a few people around on the streets, especially in the Garden District near those universities.
I would imagine this is a pretty close match-up, especially if Miami Beach can be included.
Were we supposed to include Miami Beach in the comparison? Those figures above could be completely accurate but since central New Orleans has a lot of visiting tourists around the French Quarter and Canal Street leading into the CBD it seems busier than downtown Miami most of the time(unless there's an event in downtown Miami). New Orleans outside the central area has spots like Magazine that might get busy with people, but it's sort of little neighborhood hubs that have foot traffic similar to other mid-sized cities with fairly wakable areas.
This is true. I think more compact cities with prime areas seamlessy connected to their CBDs have a big advantage (even if these areas are small). If I'm in Downtown Miami or Little Havana, I may walk around a bit, but the next place I'm usually walking is back to my rental car rather than out of the CBD and into an adjacent area/neighborhood.
South Beach is pretty fun as a pedestrian. But there's a certain point as you're moving north where the vehicle traffic gets faster and faster and the pedestrians become fewer and fewer. It's still developed after that point (and not at a completely car scale), but you just kind of intuitively know when to turn around and hike it back to the hotel.
Downtown Miami closes down after 5 pm. Coconut Grove is one of the few places with a lot of pedestrian activity at night. Miami Beach is actually a different municpality, and even so most of the action is only on a few blocks of Collins and Ocean Blvds. I would give this one to New Orleans.
Downtown Miami closes down after 5 pm. Coconut Grove is one of the few places with a lot of pedestrian activity at night. Miami Beach is actually a different municpality, and even so most of the action is only on a few blocks of Collins and Ocean Blvds. I would give this one to New Orleans.
I have't been to downtown Miami lately, but is Bayside still a popular spot?
Downtown Miami closes down after 5 pm. Coconut Grove is one of the few places with a lot of pedestrian activity at night. Miami Beach is actually a different municpality, and even so most of the action is only on a few blocks of Collins and Ocean Blvds. I would give this one to New Orleans.
There's plenty of side streets in Miami Beach that get action day and night. Lincoln Road mall is busy at all hours of the day, and it's a good few Blocks away from Ocean and Collins. Within the city of Miami, Coconut Grove is lively, as you stated. South Miami around Sunset Place, is a busy commercial area, day and night. And it's connected through Miami's Metrorail. Then there's Bayside, the Design District, and Mary Brickell Village. All these areas get decent amounts of pedestrians and foot-traffic day and night. Miami has pockets of activity spread around the county.
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