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Location: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of.
8,900 posts, read 15,939,050 times
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Well then I was told different while I was down there. I also don't know why people's arms went up in a hailing way when standing looking at a bus when no cars were around lol. I believe you.
I don't know. I do a lot of research before I go places, so usually I learn what to expect.
So for the worst, I'd say San Juan PR. It really felt like an uncomfortable place. I've been to what many people would consider "ghettos" and been perfectly comfortable, but San Juan was just down right uncomfortable even in Old San Juan. Some beautiful areas though.
Best: Baltimore. I know it's got many problems, but it gets such a bad rap, I expected no redeeming qualities. The inner harbor was beautiful as were some of the neighborhoods. Best baseball stadium I've ever seen (I spend many summer nights at Fenway Park too, btw) and I enjoyed the people. Baltimore has a lot more than people give it credit for.
best: Pittsburgh and Philly. People made these places out to be crime ridden warzones. They had lots of offer in the terms of culture and uniqueness
worst: Charlotte and Virginia Beach. These places were glorified suburbs that were very boring and bland. I spent a month in each place and couldn't tell you one thing that makes each unique.
Best: Washington DC. Before I moved here, I thought DC was just monuments, the White House, bad neighborhoods and little else. I didn't imagine the variety of neighborhoods, the huge downtown area, and the overall grand majesty of it, and the ease of getting around.
San Antonio. Who would have thought a city in Texas would be America's Venice? The Riverwalk is awesome.
Worst: Atlanta. I was bored to tears. It looked like any other generic, non-descript US city like Indianopolis. Downtown is dead.
Cities that surprise me: Seattle - great neighborhoods, beautiful terrain Raleigh - the city, not suburbia around it Pittsburgh - better than its national reputation, although still a ways to go Mobile, AL - was probably 5 years ago I was there. Tons of friendly people gives it a great feel Nashville - live music culture was great NYC - mind-blowing level of everything, although I would never consider living in NYC because of the COL.
In the middle: Philadelphia, Cleveland - Two extremes; superb neighboorhoods intermingled with horrendous wastelands
Cities that underwhelm: San Francisco - not as great as its reputation IMO. Overpriced and crowded, although the hills are wonderful. Miami - amazing that Miami is an American city - feels like a third world country in some places. Va Beach - boring suburb. Little culture. El Paso - Run down and boring. Although when you spend time in nearby Cuidad Juarez, MX, you'll be happy to cross the border back into El Paso. Feels like paradise. Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse - blah
Marble Falls, Texas just might be one of the most beautiful small towns in the entire country, but until my first real visit a few weeks ago, I had never given the place a second thought.
Cities that surprise me: Seattle - great neighborhoods, beautiful terrain Raleigh - the city, not suburbia around it Pittsburgh - better than its national reputation, although still a ways to go Mobile, AL - was probably 5 years ago I was there. Tons of friendly people gives it a great feel Nashville - live music culture was great NYC - mind-blowing level of everything, although I would never consider living in NYC because of the COL.
In the middle: Philadelphia, Cleveland - Two extremes; superb neighboorhoods intermingled with horrendous wastelands
Cities that underwhelm: San Francisco - not as great as its reputation IMO. Overpriced and crowded, although the hills are wonderful. Miami - amazing that Miami is an American city - feels like a third world country in some places. Va Beach - boring suburb. Little culture. El Paso - Run down and boring. Although when you spend time in nearby Cuidad Juarez, MX, you'll be happy to cross the border back into El Paso. Feels like paradise. Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse - blah
Come on, how can all of those Upstate NY cities be blah? You to explore a bit to find some good stuff in each of them. Man, you are making me think twice about harrisburg too.
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More impressive than I thought
