Most European City in the US (design, housing, cities)

[TheWereRabbit]

Being from Boston I've always heard it called the most european-feeling city in the country but I've seen the same thing said about other cities on this site.

What do you think is the US city with the most European feel?

(sorry if this has already been a topic. also sorry if I didn't make enough poll options.)

[coldwine]

Boston isn't very European in its design. I'd say San Francisco, for having a very socialist party beat, severe restrictions on development of any kind and out of control housing costs.

[TheWereRabbit]

ya San Fran is the one that prompted me to make this thread

[DannyBanany]

Many cities are similar to European cities. NYC is by far the most cosmopolitan city and it has the most attitude, so I think that it is most similar to European cities. However, Los Angeles is comparable to Nice, St. Tropez, Marseilles, and Barcelona. Obviously New Orleans is comparable to many French cities. And Minneapolis always reminded me of Berlin or even Scandinavian cities.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by TheWereRabbit

ya San Fran is the one that prompted me to make this thread

SF is too dirty and has too many bums on the street.

[ontheroad]

I voted for New Orleans. The French Quarter always seemed more European to me than any other city in the States.

[irwin]

DC has the traditional layout of a classic European city. The large boulevards, traffic circles, lack of skyscrapers but with density, etc.

Boston is also very European, especially the North End.

New Orleans feels somewhat European but most of that feeling is confined to the Quarter.

[JMT]

Definitely DC. It was designed by a Frenchman to resemble Paris.

[OREGONRAIN]

Definitely Boston

[SharpHawkeye]

I just got done reading American Vertigo by Bernard-Henri Levy. To him, Boston really felt like "Old Europe"--archaic street pattern, history on every corner, mix of brand new skyscrapers next to two-hundred year old inns. Seattle, he thought, felt like "New Europe"--hip, edgy, disaffected attitudes, progressive government, very green. I tend to agree with him on both counts.