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You know, I googled the two again and I’m not sure I understand the difference.
If I understand the two Wikipedia articles on the subject, the superiority complex compensates for the inferiority complex — sort of a parent-child relationship.
In any case, Boston, I'd say, suffers from neither. Rather, it's long regarded itself as the ne plus ultra of American cities — John Winthrop's "city on a hill" that "cannot be hid," the "Hub (of the Universe)" (actually, that phrase refers specifically to the Massachusetts State House dome, per its utterer), the most cultured city in the country ("In Philadelphia, they ask of a man, Who were his parents? In New York, How much does he make? In Boston, What books has he read?" —attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes (the poet, not the jurist) ).
Delusions of grandeur? Not entirely, in my book. Manifestations of a peculiar insularity? To a great extent, yes. ("Why should I travel when I'm already here?" —punchline of a joke about a certain type of Bostonian) But I wouldn't consider any of these attempts to counter feelings of inferiority.
People like Pittsburgh due to its urban feel. I think Cincinnati is overrated in that regard . Between Downtown, OTR and Mt Adams it’s like 1.3 sq miles of Urban neighborhoods. Yet people act like it’s this very urban city.
It’s really not. Perhaps people weigh urbanness too high on how enjoyable a city though.
Actually Downtown, OTR, Mt Adams is about 2.4 square miles total in area. Add in The West End then there is around 3.2 sq miles of urban neighborhoods. Add in the adjacent 1.6 sq miles and 1.2 sq miles of urban neighborhoods respectively in Covington and Newport Kentucky then there is around 6 square miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy. Add in Mount Auburn, Clifton Heights, University Heights and Corryville at around 1 square mile per neighborhood then there is around 10 square miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy. Add in Northside and Camp Washington at 1 sq mile each then there is around 12 sq miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy.
On top of that neighborhoods such as Walnut Hills, East Walnut Hills, Clifton, O'Bryonville, Hyde Park, Oakley, Mount Lookout and Bellevue Kentucky (actually a city east of Newport and across the river from Mt Adams) all have classic historic neighborhood business districts in their midst with around a mile or so separating the distance from one historic neighborhood business district to the next historic NBD.
Actually Downtown, OTR, Mt Adams is about 2.4 square miles total in area. Add in The West End then there is around 3.2 sq miles of urban neighborhoods. Add in the adjacent 1.6 sq miles and 1.2 sq miles of urban neighborhoods respectively in Covington and Newport Kentucky then there is around 6 square miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy. Add in Mount Auburn, Clifton Heights, University Heights and Corryville at around 1 square mile per neighborhood then there is around 10 square miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy. Add in Northside and Camp Washington at 1 sq mile each then there is around 12 sq miles of urban neighborhoods in Cincy.
On top of that neighborhoods such as Walnut Hills, East Walnut Hills, Clifton, O'Bryonville, Hyde Park, Oakley, Mount Lookout and Bellevue Kentucky (actually a city east of Newport and across the river from Mt Adams) all have classic historic neighborhood business districts in their midst with around a mile or so separating the distance from one historic neighborhood business district to the next historic NBD.
Some of these are valid points, but if you take the best available measure, I think is walkscore, then its not really about sq. miles but about population in urban areas. generally a walkscore of 70+ is considered urban. Cincy has about 56,000 in those neighborhoods. Covington has low walkscore but Newport has high walkscore, neither have good neighborhood info available ,. so maybe add 25,000 for these two ( I think that's generous), for total of 81,000.
But Pittsburgh has 130,000 in the walkscore over 70. most hoods with much higher walkscores (more urban) than the Cincy hoods. and this is not even taking into account that Pgh has smaller official city limits, and very dense edge cities that I didn't count.
Manifestations of a peculiar insularity? To a great extent, yes. ("Why should I travel when I'm already here?" —punchline of a joke about a certain type of Bostonian).
?
In my experience, the average Bostonian is better travelled than the average American. Helps that Canada is so close and flights to Europe are relatively cheap. But this is getting off topic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CinderFella7
This thread has evolved into a pissing contest...
Hasn’t it always been? See isawooty’s post on page 1...
If you start a thread about cities being “overrated”, you’re basically setting it up to be a pissing contest.
Hasn’t it always been? See isawooty’s post on page 1...
If you start a thread about cities being “overrated”, you’re basically setting it up to be a pissing contest.
Very true, I didn't read this thread from start to finish but it does seem like it's been a pissing contest from the beginning now that you mention it.
In my experience, the average Bostonian is better travelled than the average American. Helps that Canada is so close and flights to Europe are relatively cheap. But this is getting off topic.
I tried to send you this in a reputation note, but it was too long:
There's another, more elaborate joke about a Boston Brahmin matron who agrees to visit her offspring in Iowa on her first trip outside the region. The kids, figuring she'd have lots to say about what she saw, asked her how she got to Iowa.
"Via Dedham," was her reply.
I suspect the worldly-wise Bostonians are either (a) transplants or (b) of more recent birth than these jokes.
The phrase I posted earlier ("Why should I travel when I'm already here?") was part of the "wall of phrases" that greeted those who came to see "Where's Boston?," a multimedia show created for the Bicentennial and shown in a purpose-built pavilion next to the Prudential Center tower. It had a good long run; it moved to a building near Faneuil Hall in the mid-1980s. I don't know when it finally closed.
In my experience, the average Bostonian is better travelled than the average American. Helps that Canada is so close and flights to Europe are relatively cheap...
Not to be rude, but if you're trying to change people's perception of Boston, making statements like that certainly doesn't help.
With all due respect, it comes across as very pretentious.
Not to be rude, but if you're trying to change people's perception of Boston, making statements like that certainly doesn't help.
With all due respect, it comes across as very pretentious.
With all due respect it’s his/her opinion and as such doesn’t require your approval...
Boston is a world leader in healthcare, education, biotech, and research
Boston is one of the best urban cities America has to offer and is a must see for history buffs
Boston has a diverse population of people that have a lot of pride for their area
Boston offers proximity to east coast amenities - major cities coastline
Boston offers excellent cultural amenities - orchestra, museums
Passionate sports fan base
Awesome local beer scene
Great vibrant urban shopping districts
Native Bostonians can be rude and abrasive..be ready
Subway system needs work
Nightlife is average to below average for a major city
Boston is segregated although this is improving
Boston has very good restaurants but is not a foodie capital
Sports culture can be annoying for those not from the area
Older housing stock
Traffic blows
Way too expensive
Welcome to Boston
Last edited by Ne999; 07-11-2020 at 09:50 AM..
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