What makes American cities better than European cities? What makes European cities better than American cities? (crime rates, centers)

[SouthCali4LifeSD]

I know it's not just be, but it seems as though people have a larger respect for European cities over American cities.

Evaluate the topic of this tread...

[ainulinale]

To be quite honest with you, I really only have an interest in American cities, but I must say that the European cities are so much better architecturally and with the way they can incorporate the intensely beautiful natural surroundings. I simply don't think we can compare with their architecture, they just destroy us in that category (but I have a particular bias for older stuff).

[SouthCali4LifeSD]

Originally Posted by ainulinale

To be quite honest with you, I really only have an interest in American cities, but I must say that the European cities are so much better architecturally and with the way they can incorporate the intensely beautiful natural surroundings. I simply don't think we can compare with their architecture, they just destroy us in that category (but I have a particular bias for older stuff).

i actually agree with you on this point! european cities just seem to be extremely well laid out and designed which makes europe in my mind economically more rich then america! that's just me though! the euro is killing the dollar anyway, so technically it's true.

[krudmonk]

Europe: friendlier streetscapes
Americas: varied architecture

[SEAandATL]

European cities: Less crime, better mass transit, historical architecture
American cities: Modern/post-modern architecture, diverse cultures

[jonjj]

Actually I found the European cities I have visited to be very diverse so I am not quite sure we win on that one. Also, their public transportation is much more superior to ours except a select few places. There is no European city that could compare to NYC or Chicago in terms of skyscrapers and density. But the rest of American cities are sort of blah compared to the places I have been. We have cities here with almost a million people with practically no mass transit. It is amazing.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by jonjj

Actually I found the European cities I have visited to be very diverse so I am not quite sure we win on that one. Also, their public transportation is much more superior to ours except a select few places. There is no European city that could compare to NYC or Chicago in terms of skyscrapers and density. But the rest of American cities are sort of blah compared to the places I have been. We have cities here with almost a million people with practically no mass transit. It is amazing.

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Actually places like Tokyo and Paris are much more dense than NYC. NYC is our only city that would even be a contender, even though on a world level are many many cities that are more dense than NYC. Chicago, LA, San Fran, those are going to be middle of the pack at best.

If you go by urban areas, NYC urban area isn't even in the top 100! I think LA is the most dense urban area, but it's still ranked somewhere in the 80's. The United States has VERY undense cities. Especially when you count the suburbs.

I've always loved European cities as a traveler so much more than American ones. You can jump on and off of public transit, it seems to be more welcoming to pedestrians, more relaxed. The crime rates in European cities are usually a fraction of what they are in the United States. I wish we hadn't let all our large cities go to hell in the 70's...

[rainrock]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

I've always loved European cities as a traveler so much more than American ones. You can jump on and off of public transit, it seems to be more welcoming to pedestrians, more relaxed. The crime rates in European cities are usually a fraction of what they are in the United States. I wish we hadn't let all our large cities go to hell in the 70's...

Yes the only cities that can be mentioned in the same breath as the great European cities are NYC(Manhattan),Bos,Chi,SF and parts of Philadlephia. Philly had the bones of a great European city but those bones are degenerating.

Its sad to see the incredible wealth surrounding DC,NYC,Philly and the cities themselves falling apart.

[Haaziq]

I have never been outside of the U.S., but from pictures and videos I've seen, European countries have architecture that blows ours away.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

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Actually places like Tokyo and Paris are much more dense than NYC. NYC is our only city that would even be a contender, even though on a world level are many many cities that are more dense than NYC. Chicago, LA, San Fran, those are going to be middle of the pack at best.

If you go by urban areas, NYC urban area isn't even in the top 100! I think LA is the most dense urban area, but it's still ranked somewhere in the 80's. The United States has VERY undense cities. Especially when you count the suburbs.

I've always loved European cities as a traveler so much more than American ones. You can jump on and off of public transit, it seems to be more welcoming to pedestrians, more relaxed. The crime rates in European cities are usually a fraction of what they are in the United States. I wish we hadn't let all our large cities go to hell in the 70's...

I was referring to the density of the skyscrapers and skylines. Also, Tokyo is not in Europe. And, in Europe I really don't visit or tour the surrounding areas. I am usually only familiar with the core area so I have no idea about density in terms of urban areas and not city centers. I usually tend not to count the suburbs on either continent. NYC is by far the most dense city in the states.