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I'll only rank the top 4 downtowns. The others aren't really in the race for this crown.
COL: Philly > DC > Seattle > SF
Attractions: SF > DC > Philly > Seattle
Transportation: D.C. > Philly > SF > Seattle
Parks: D.C. > Seattle > Philly > SF
Crime: Seattle > SF > DC > Philly
Education: Philly > DC > Seattle > SF
Food: SF > Seattle > Philly > DC
Entertainment: SF > Seattle > Philly > DC
QOL: Extreme subjective...won't rank
Winner: SF Runner Up: Toss up between Seattle and Philly
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,747 posts, read 23,809,943 times
Reputation: 14660
I'd pick Seattle. If I don't feel like dining out, I could walk to get groceries, stop at Pike Place Market and make a good meal at home, or run errands, stop at City Target, it can all be done in downtown. I also really like the selection of retail downtown Seattle has and it's not an overwhelming ratrace there. Seattle has my favorite big city downtown in the US.
For me it would be
Philly/SF/DC as tops - pick your poison
Then LA - just like LA better thn Seattle so is the trumping factor
Seattle
then the others
To Cap - (No City Target yet anyway) and Seattle does have better retail DT overall but the RTM is quite nice as well. I prefer ll other aspects sans retail in Philly over Seattle
For me it would be
Philly/SF/DC as tops - pick your poison
Then LA - just like LA better thn Seattle so is the trumping factor
Seattle
then the others
To Cap - (No City Target yet anyway) and Seattle does have better retail DT overall but the RTM is quite nice as well. I prefer ll other aspects sans retail in Philly over Seattle
Kid, fwiw Center City in Phily is my favorite on the East Coast (yes, I like it even more than my hometown Boston). Curious though, what is it about DT LA that trumps Seattle? Especially in terms of living? No need to explain the preference for the city as a whole as I get that, but DT LA?
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 11-20-2013 at 10:27 AM..
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,747 posts, read 23,809,943 times
Reputation: 14660
My thoughts on most improved downtown that has come a long way over the last 10-15 years is downtown Denver. I could handle living there as it has evolved well beyond the 16th street mall. LoDo has some great residential options, even a bit of character. They have a very attractive large park along the little river/creek at Confluence (I think it use to be a vacant industrial wasterland prior), made good cohesive connections to the evolving Highland neighborhood across the 25 freeway, nightlife has increased downtown over the years, and they are adding a large grocery store near LoDo pretty soon.
All that and big additions to public transit with more light rail lines coming into Union Station, and in a few years there will be commuter rail service to the Airport. A big well done for downtown Denver, but of course the cost of living there has rapidly increased within the last few years.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 11-20-2013 at 10:25 AM..
I think NYC and Chicago don't necessarily need to be excluded. I would choose Center City over both in terms of liveability, even though I might visit NYC, Chicago and SF's downtown more, but neither of these three have a "neighborhood" feel to them. I guess it depends on your preference. Portland should be on this list also. Its the only other downtown I'd consider living in. I've never been to Denver either.
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