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Try Minneapolis, like a Buffalo a city that was built on Flour Mills. Known for having a bunch of lakes within city limits, a great parks system, has an arts scene that is just behind NYC in terms of per capita, good schools in the area, very diverse make up of people, it's colder than Buffalo, but with less snow. It also has Twin City St. Paul right next to it. When combining the cities together, the population is about 600,000 and the metro about 2.5 million or so. It's also known for being "liberal", but hard working and blue collar as well.
I live in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and trust me, Pittsburgh is NOTHING like Buffalo. The economy is better than Buffalo, but that is about it. The only suburbs Pittsburgh has are Bethal Park (like Cheektowaga) and Mt. Lebanon like (Amherst near Harlem and Main streets.)
Pittsburgh also has much, much less to do! The bar "strip" their version of Chippewa, or Elmwood is called Carson Street and is a DUMP! The bars are dirty and cheap. The people (unless they are students from elsewhere) are fat and dirty. I have never seen so many disgustingly fat, dirty and unkempt people in my life than here in Pitt! No beautiful people like Buffalo has.
No beaches! The rivers are brown and gross and no one swims in them! There are only one or two boats in the water at a time - the rivers are pretty polluted here.
The shopping is similar to Buffalo, but there is much less of it! Plus everything is so dirty and falling apart. Think Lackawana by the steel plants - or the fruit belt in Buffalo proper. Ross Park Mall is the only decent mall around, but that is way up north in the suburbs, but worth the drive.
Shadyside is like Allentown, but smaller and dirtier (I cannot stress that enough) Squirrel Hill is like a miniature Delaware park area without the park and museums! The downtown are is nice to work - not to live. There are a few new condos being built, but you'll need a car to get anywhere.
Can you tell I'm not impressed by Pittsburgh?
Where do you live in the 'Burgh? I can see how really people shouldn't read these things when considering moves to other places. Squirrel Hill/Oakland has amazing museums, the Carnegie Art as well as the Science Museum. Pgh has an awesome library system, a great arts scene, tons of education and learning opportunities, great distinct neighborhoods with great ethnic food, a great sports presence....and shopping....way better than Buffalo. If you haven't been you need to check out The Waterfront, and then that new area on the Southside as well as the malls South of the city. Unlike Buffalo, Pgh is capitalizing WELL on walkable shopping communities and revitalizing its neighborhoods (Shadyside, Squirrel Hill), not all malled up and isolated like in the 70's........Seriously, in Buffalo, everything is a drive.....but at least there is Wegmans!
Where do you live in the 'Burgh? I can see how really people shouldn't read these things when considering moves to other places.
I think its quite easy to find out who to listen to and who not too. This whole dissing of Pittsburgh was overly concerned with how good the shopping malls were and the availability of franchise restaurants. No mention of anything positive, which of course I know Pittsburgh has. I didnt care about one word LB said about Pittsburgh - no offense LB but we are concerned with completely opposite things.
As for everything in B'lo being a drive away - well, I have to politely disagree with that entirely. I have a car but rarely use it; I get everywhere I need and want to go with my bike. Since its affordable to live in the city proper I do and end up not having to drive at all. Even Wegmens is get-to-able on the bus - just a straight line from Allentown to Amherst st. up Elmwood gets me there in a second.
Who else is getting nasty direct messages for not wanting to listen to the complaining about P-Burgh? I guess thats what the block list is for.
Jeesh, message boards.
Anyway, has anyone been to Madison Wisconsin? I was there for about a week and it struck me as B'lo-esque with its nice walkable streets and lots of green spaces. It's also a city with terrific planning, with the town hall providing a central space where theres a farmers market and classical music performances. The university and convention center (designed by Frank L Wright) are within walking distance, providing the "edges" of the city. The convention center is also the main gateway into a system of bike/jogging paths around the city's lakes. Extremely liberal and home of The Onion. It was also really hot and humid - didnt really expect that!
Thanks for all the comments! I'm surprised no one has said New Orleans - people I talk to in Allentown say New Orleans is like B'lo often. I don't know why - I've been to New Orleans and I couldnt think of a more different place but I'm curious how widespread that idea is.
I loved Madison when I was there several years back. I believe it also consistently rates high in Money magazine's of best places to live. Being the home of a great Uni also helps. I wonder though if winters are even harsher there.. I also do not see the BUF-NOL connection? Nothing like each other! I think Baltimore would probably have more in common. Older city. Once in decay. Nice neighborhoods. Multi-cultural.
Erie, PA is a small version of Buffalo. Also a rust belt city on Lake Erie, once was an important commercial port, once had thriving industry and now filled with many vacant buildings, lots of Italian and Polish, lots of neighborhood restaurants, bars, and clubs where cheap beer and great wings are common, also known as a place where it snows all year round and where the summers are fantastic, also surrounded by beautiful hilly country and close to ski resorts, also home to a new casino (racino), and also desperately trying to replace its lost industry with tourism and tax breaks for any rare industry willing to locate here. Erie already has remodeled its waterfront like Buffalo is trying to do, and it's been a huge success for Erie. Probably like Buffalo, Erie is a great place to live for those lucky enough to have a good job.
Yeah, Madison is great. Makes you wish B'lo put UB down in the city instead of out in Amherst huh? What a different city it wouldve been. I'll never understand why they didnt do that (well I guess I do, its called "corruption.") Although I do like the downtown as is too (oddly enough?)
Baltimore I'd love someone to comment on!
krisps -
I've been through Erie, but didnt stay for very long. It struck me as very pretty. You make it sound a lot like Buffalo - especially the "Erie is a great place to live for those lucky enough to have a good job" part!
By the way, here's Buffalo best citizen speaking up about this thread: "do yur own research biotch. Buffalo rocks, see ya loser!" Charming...
I live in the suburbs of Pittsburgh and trust me, Pittsburgh is NOTHING like Buffalo. The economy is better than Buffalo, but that is about it. The only suburbs Pittsburgh has are Bethal Park (like Cheektowaga) and Mt. Lebanon like (Amherst near Harlem and Main streets.)
Pittsburgh also has much, much less to do! The bar "strip" their version of Chippewa, or Elmwood is called Carson Street and is a DUMP! The bars are dirty and cheap. The people (unless they are students from elsewhere) are fat and dirty. I have never seen so many disgustingly fat, dirty and unkempt people in my life than here in Pitt! No beautiful people like Buffalo has.
No beaches! The rivers are brown and gross and no one swims in them! There are only one or two boats in the water at a time - the rivers are pretty polluted here.
The shopping is similar to Buffalo, but there is much less of it! Plus everything is so dirty and falling apart. Think Lackawana by the steel plants - or the fruit belt in Buffalo proper. Ross Park Mall is the only decent mall around, but that is way up north in the suburbs, but worth the drive.
Shadyside is like Allentown, but smaller and dirtier (I cannot stress that enough) Squirrel Hill is like a miniature Delaware park area without the park and museums! The downtown are is nice to work - not to live. There are a few new condos being built, but you'll need a car to get anywhere.
Can you tell I'm not impressed by Pittsburgh?
carson street id a dump? shadyside is dirty? all pittsburgh people are fat and dirty?
this has to be one of the most biased bulls*** post i have seen on here.
Yeah, Madison is great. Makes you wish B'lo put UB down in the city instead of out in Amherst huh? What a different city it wouldve been. I'll never understand why they didnt do that (well I guess I do, its called "corruption.") Although I do like the downtown as is too (oddly enough?)
Baltimore I'd love someone to comment on!
krisps -
I've been through Erie, but didnt stay for very long. It struck me as very pretty. You make it sound a lot like Buffalo - especially the "Erie is a great place to live for those lucky enough to have a good job" part!
By the way, here's Buffalo best citizen speaking up about this thread: "do yur own research biotch. Buffalo rocks, see ya loser!" Charming...
When didn't I say Buffalo "rocks" anyway? lol
I never really understood why the university was put in Amherst either. Probably the same reason the Buffalo Bills stadium was built in Orchard Park! I agree, corruption.
Have you found any other place you'd like to relocate to yet? My father grew up in Superior, WI. I was lucky enough to visit and thought it was very quaint.
Are you looking to stay on the east coast? There are so many beautiful towns and small cities within the United States, hopefully one will pop out at you and make you feel comfortable. My sister has lived all over the US and one thing she always looks for in a city/town is a great university system. I tend to agree with her, if you find a place that has the resources of a large university, you may be able to find all that you are looking for. Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed
Keep us updated to your progress!
Last edited by Yac; 09-22-2008 at 07:34 AM..
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