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I've lived in Columbus, Buffalo, and (currently) Milwaukee; they are all underrated yet culturally/artistically quite interesting.
Columbus has lots of funky neighborhoods with galleries, bookstores, cafes, etc. As someone else said, there is a strong gay/lesbian presence in many neighborhoods, especially the neighborhoods (Short North, German Village) just on the periphery of downtown. The presence of the Ohio State University, just north of downtown, is strongly felt. Some of the neighborhoods (like the Short North, located between downtown and OSU) are decidedly upscale (but still have a touch of Victorian architecture); other neighborhoods (like German Village, a cobblestoned area south of downtown) border transitional zones and are a little more rough. And the area bordering OSU is artsy in a more student sense, so it's a mix of smart and disrepair.
The arts scene is good, but not amazing. There are lots of galleries, but the museum is average. There is a symphony and other requisite arts venues. The Columbus Gay Men's Chorus has around 100 members, and does great work.
Buffalo also is underrated. There are some very interesting neighborhoods with a vibrant artistic and cultural life--Allentown, Elmwood, Hertel Avenue, University Heights--but the city's recent economic woes add kind of a backdrop to all of this. These neighborhoods are vibrant and funky, but full of old buildings (many in disrepair), empty or underused storefronts, and very much on the edge of rough-and-tumble neighborhoods (the West Side, the East Side, Black Rock, etc.). Buffalo's funky neighborhoods (and most other neighborhoods) have a kind of faded dignity going on, with lots of Victorian and Queen Anne houses, dirty brick buildings, etc.
In terms of arts, Buffalo really stands out in theater. This is partly due to the impact felt from Toronto, Niagara-on-the-Lake (Shaw Festival), and other nearby venues. But Buffalo just seems to attract a theater crowd. There are a couple of great professional theater venues downtown, an Irish-themed theater company, Buffalo's Shakespeare in the Park, gay-themed theater (BUA), leftist theater, African-American theater.... it's really amazing. Strangely, the largest university (University at Buffalo) has its main campus in the suburbs, and doesn't have a very visible impact on cultural life in the city. But smaller colleges (Buffalo State and the Kavinoky) do have some impact.
There are some good museums in Buffalo, too, such as the Albright-Knox and the Burchfield-Penney. There is a lot of old money in Buffalo, and this is pretty evident in how the museums and the symphony are supported.
Milwaukee, where I live now, is also underrated. There are lots of fun, funky, and vibrant neighborhoods. Milwaukee is generally rather prosperous, but not as white collar as Columbus, and not as blue collar as Buffalo. The most artistically vibrant neighborhoods are either near the U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus (Brady Street, Shorewood, Riverwest) or are around downtown (Yankee Hill, Cathedral Square, Walker's Point, Third Ward).
Milwaukee has several museums and galleries. Though the main museum is architecturally interesting, the collection is just average. The symphony is very good, though, and there is a classical opera company (the Florentine) and a more contemporary opera (musicals) company (Skylight). The theater scene is very good, though not like in Buffalo, probably because of the proximity to Chicago. The gay community is not as out and active as in Columbus, but is much more active and vocal than in Buffalo. The African American and Latino communities in Milwaukee have a great artistic and cultural presence--more so, I believe, than the parallel communities in Columbus and Buffalo.
There is no "major" national/international university in Milwaukee in the way that there is in Columbus (with OSU) and (the suburbs of) Buffalo (with UB). The two main universities in Milwaukee are the U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette. Even though they're not major international/national powerhouses in the arts and culture, they do have significant local impact. UWM in particular sponsors lots of events, and influences community culture in many important ways.
The film scene in Milwaukee is great, much better than in Buffalo or Columbus. There are a few repertory/art cinemas in town, and the city, UWM, and other institutions sponsor several film series throughout the year. And one of the cinemas--the Oriental--is a classic, art deco buidling with fabulous turrets, statuettes, and other delights. The architecture in Milwaukee is really great.
Matt,
I've been to Milwaukee and St. Louis, and I consider them awesome places, especially for young, late-20's professionals (like me!) Lots to do outside the average undergrad bar scene.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MattDen
What cities are under-rated for arts, entertaining areas and interesting neighborhoods?
I think the C's in Ohio: Cincinnati, especially Columbus, Cleveland are very under-rated in this area.
Columbus has some amazing areas to suit almost everyones taste along High street from the German Village all the way up to the Clintonville area.
The amount of galleries in Columbus is amazing and its also tons of great retail shops and coffee shops.
Also, Pittsburgh with Carson Street, Oakland and the Strip District are very under-rated in the nightlife area, lots of people in their 20s there going to college in Pittsburgh.
Any other cities that are under-rated on arts, entertaining areas and interesting neighborhoods?
I was also wondering if anyone is familiar with Buffalo, Milwaukee and St. Louis and would consider them under-rated on Arts, neighborhoods and entertainment?
Have you ever been there? It sounds like not. You apparently have no beef (no pun intended) with the midwest, since you live in Wisconsin part of the year. I don't get it.
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