Google Streetview (for sale, house, neighbourhood)

[britinparis]

I am fascinated at the way Google Streetview has enabled us to "travel" to faraway cities remotely. While previously you were only able to search for Google images of a particular town, city or neighbourhood – and receive back images of the main landmarks – you can now see what a typical street looks and feels like.

Consequently I have been able to "explore" and get a feel for cities that I've never been to in my life, such as São Paolo, Tokyo, or even Moscow. It also enables you to "stroll around" places that would probably be way off most tourist's itinerary, such as Jo'burg's townships, Detroit's inner city or Paris's difficult banlieues.

Does anyone else do this, and if so what are your thoughts on cities you've only visited on Streetview? Were your images of that city confirmed, or were you surprised at what you found?

Also, if you can, please post a typical street scene from your city using a captured image from Streetview.. which you think best sums up your hometown.

[Dd714]

Most of the places you mention I have been to in person, and that's the way I prefer it.

Street view is a bit creepy, but mostly mundane. I am more amazed at, because it's essentially captures a moment in time, of some of the wierdness it catches. There are entire sites devoted to the strange images captured- naked people, people doing naughty things, the occasional person in a chicken outfit, prostitutes, strange vehicles, and scenes of mayhem.

Google Street View Gallery > Everyone > Upcoming stories

Strange things | StreetViewFun

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by britinparis

I am fascinated at the way Google Streetview has enabled us to "travel" to faraway cities remotely. While previously you were only able to search for Google images of a particular town, city or neighbourhood – and receive back images of the main landmarks – you can now see what a typical street looks and feels like.

Consequently I have been able to "explore" and get a feel for cities that I've never been to in my life, such as São Paolo, Tokyo, or even Moscow. It also enables you to "stroll around" places that would probably be way off most tourist's itinerary, such as Jo'burg's townships, Detroit's inner city or Paris's difficult banlieues.

Does anyone else do this, and if so what are your thoughts on cities you've only visited on Streetview? Were your images of that city confirmed, or were you surprised at what you found?

Also, if you can, please post a typical street scene from your city using a captured image from Streetview.. which you think best sums up your hometown.

Yes, I do that all the time, especially when looking for relocation targets. Statistical data and touristy snapshots only say so much...

[jtur88]

I once discovered from Streetview that my ex-father-in-law's house has a for sale sign on the front lawn.

[Neuling]

By the way, I don't think many people will post Google links that would tell the whole Internet where they live...

A couple of days ago I investigated Portland, Oregon, that way. I guess it is probably the nicest US city I have seen so far, and I have really checked out a lot of cities all over the US already.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Neuling

By the way, I don't think many people will post Google links that would tell the whole Internet where they live...

A couple of days ago I investigated Portland, Oregon, that way. I guess it is probably the nicest US city I have seen so far, and I have really checked out a lot of cities all over the US already.

Really Portland? Are you sure about that? I guess if that's your thing maybe.

[DrunkSam]

I do it a few times. When I'm super bored. I google map my place and see what it looks like in streetview. It's about 60% accurate. And funny I saw my neighbor's old yellow car parked in the street. He sold it almost a year ago.
And also, Chicago looks 300% better than in the street view. I think this street view doesn't give justice to many places.

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by InLondon

Really Portland? Are you sure about that? I guess if that's your thing maybe.

Yes, I like about Portland that it's so green, and pedestrian-friendly. Few American cities have a lovely Amtrak station in the middle of the city:
portland - Google Maps

Tree-lined, clean streets with street cafes, almost European
portland - Google Maps

Residential areas also look European, even with good sidewalks on both sides
portland - Google Maps

[britinparis]

Originally Posted by Neuling

By the way, I don't think many people will post Google links that would tell the whole Internet where they live...

Just to clarify: I wasn't inviting people to post their actual homes or even streets! Just typical streets somewhere in their city or a city they know well - like you have with Portland.

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by britinparis

Just to clarify: I wasn't inviting people to post their actual homes or even streets! Just typical streets somewhere in their city or a city they know well - like you have with Portland.

Yes, I know. But I won't even send a link to anywhere in my small town as anyone would know in which town I live. With huge cities that may not be a problem, but since I am quite active on the Politics forum I would not want anyone to know in which small town I live. You never know who else is on this board