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Madrid completely stole my heart and I've never loved anything in my life as much as that city. I've been searching for anything even close and nothing. No luck. I haven't made my way to Montreal yet. But if it means anything, my favorite American city is Chicago and my favorite global city is Madrid. So maybe they're similar enough? Not sure.
Have you been to Prague? That city stole my heart and is my favorite global city. I don't really like Western European cities too much. Places like Prague and Budapest are more up my alley.
Have you been to Prague? That city stole my heart and is my favorite global city. I don't really like Western European cities too much. Places like Prague and Budapest are more up my alley.
Yeah I was there. I found it too touristy. Loved it though. Budapest is in my top favorites in the world though. Madrid is first. Then after that it depends on the day but my favorites would be Barcelona, Bologna, Rome, London, Budapest, Warsaw, Tel Aviv. And basically anywhere in Europe>anywhere in Canada>anywhere in the US. The US comes in last place for countries I've visited that I would live in. Well above Bosnia and Slovakia and Romania...but they obviously don't even count.
As people are saying, there is nothing remotely close to either Madrid or Berlin in the US and Canada. Madrid even more so than Berlin as Madrid really is an over the top special type of city.
I havent lived in either but visited both. I have lived in London and Istanbul though, so have a feeling of what you are looking for pedestrian wise. The most pedestrian friendly cities other than NYC are Chicago, Boston, DC, Philly, SF, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
I would put Boston, Montreal and Philly as my three favorite of the bunch for pedestrian wise. None of the three are even remotely close to Madrid but closer to Berlin.
I would put Boston, Montreal and Philly as my three favorite of the bunch for pedestrian wise. None of the three are even remotely close to Madrid but closer to Berlin.
Yeah, I would agree with this. Those cities are probably closest in feel. Chicago and Toronto have bigger cores, probably, but not quite the pedestrian feel. SF has the pedestrian feel, so maybe include SF.
I'm surprised so many people found Madrid to be super-beautiful. I agree it's a nice city and very vibrant/lively, but I did not find it very attractive, especially compared to other Spanish cities. It cannot remotely compare to the glories of Paris, Rome or Barcelona (IMO). But to each his own.
Yeah, I would agree with this. Those cities are probably closest in feel. Chicago and Toronto have bigger cores, probably, but not quite the pedestrian feel. SF has the pedestrian feel, so maybe include SF.
I'm surprised so many people found Madrid to be super-beautiful. I agree it's a nice city and very vibrant/lively, but I did not find it very attractive, especially compared to other Spanish cities. It cannot remotely compare to the glories of Paris, Rome or Barcelona (IMO). But to each his own.
In SF though it's mainly just a few neighborhoods with true urbanness like Madrid. Mission, Castro, Polk, SoMa, FiDi, US, Marina, Russian Hill, Hayes Vally, and North Beach. Lots of names, but small land area. Madrid has over 3 million people, while SF has under 1 million and Madrid's land area is almost 5x as large with a pretty competitive density. Madrid is 14,000/sq mi and SF is 18,000/sq mi. Then after SF's 7x7 box, nothing is remotely urban aside from a few parts of Oakland. Madrid is urban EVERYWHERE. The only cities I can think of like that are NYC (Manhattan and nearby parts of BK and Queens and BX), Vancouver, and Chicago (North and Northwest nearest the water mostly) that I've been to. Chicago drops off density too, but the north side's urban area is pretty big and doesn't really drop off for a while.
Can't comment on Philly since I've never been. But outside of Europe, idk if anything comes close to Madrid besides Buenos Aires. They're basically twins in many ways.
Yeah, I would agree with this. Those cities are probably closest in feel. Chicago and Toronto have bigger cores, probably, but not quite the pedestrian feel. SF has the pedestrian feel, so maybe include SF.
I'm surprised so many people found Madrid to be super-beautiful. I agree it's a nice city and very vibrant/lively, but I did not find it very attractive, especially compared to other Spanish cities. It cannot remotely compare to the glories of Paris, Rome or Barcelona (IMO). But to each his own.
I dont find Madrid over the top beautiful at all, but I find it a visually stimulating city. I think the city has alot of interesting contrasts and is so welcoming at the street level that its tough not to love the place.
In SF though it's mainly just a few neighborhoods with true urbanness like Madrid. Mission, Castro, Polk, SoMa, FiDi, US, Marina, Russian Hill, Hayes Vally, and North Beach. Lots of names, but small land area. Madrid has over 3 million people, while SF has under 1 million and Madrid's land area is almost 5x as large with a pretty competitive density. Madrid is 14,000/sq mi and SF is 18,000/sq mi. Then after SF's 7x7 box, nothing is remotely urban aside from a few parts of Oakland. Madrid is urban EVERYWHERE. The only cities I can think of like that are NYC (Manhattan and nearby parts of BK and Queens and BX), Vancouver, and Chicago (North and Northwest nearest the water mostly) that I've been to.
I can agree with NYC and Chicago, but Vancouver? Vancouver has a great tightly packed core, but continuously urban and vibrant is something I would not consider it. I think it is firmly in 3rd place in Canada after Toronto and Montreal in that department.
I can agree with NYC and Chicago, but Vancouver? Vancouver has a great tightly packed core, but continuously urban and vibrant is something I would not consider it. I think it is firmly in 3rd place in Canada after Toronto and Montreal in that department.
I found it quite vibrant in the neighborhoods around downtown. But I haven't been to TO or Montreal yet to comment.
Wait okay I always forget this. I take back Vancouver. I was accidentally there on Pride Weekend my only time there which is a bad indicator because there were way more people there celebrating life than normal. So I take back Vancouver lol.
But I still go for NYC and Chicago. SF is too small and hilly and with a basically nonexistent subway system. Madrid, NYC, and Chicago have world class systems.
I found it quite vibrant in the neighborhoods around downtown. But I haven't been to TO or Montreal yet to comment.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jessemh431
Wait okay I always forget this. I take back Vancouver. I was accidentally there on Pride Weekend my only time there which is a bad indicator because there were way more people there celebrating life than normal. So I take back Vancouver lol.
But I still go for NYC and Chicago. SF is too small and hilly and with a basically nonexistent subway system. Madrid, NYC, and Chicago have world class systems.
Ha, an especially great weekend to go. But do not get me wrong, I find Vancouver vibrant and a place where living downtown is encouraged. I just would not put it in the same class as some other places.
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