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New Orleans is always compared to larger cities, it doesn't compare as much to cities it's size.
I don't really think the city compares well against Toronto..From industry to culture to people to built form and size - Toronto is a beast in comparison. The only thing that screams connection to me is the fact that they both have streetcars.
When was the last time you were in New Orleans? There are plenty of people (families too) moving to New Orleans and renovating homes Uptown, Mid-City, and Gentilly. The 90s were 20 years ago.
New Orleans is always compared to larger cities, it doesn't compare as much to cities it's size.
The last time I was in New Orleans was in March, actually. I agree there seems to be a renewed pride in the city and an increased level of activity. However, I think the downsides I articulated still do (and will forever) remain. The city has always been slightly dysfunctional. In a way, it's part of its charm, but I personally don't think it makes for a livable place.
Oh jeez Edward always something anything when it comes to Toronto - the place in the world that just gets under your skin - if its not one thing it most certainly is another..if anything Toronto should be more yourmode now if your not out puking at 4 am.. seriously is it really that big of a deal to most people? Probably not! Would I like to see it - sure but its not a reason alone to say the city has a terrible nightlife - if anything they just move the party to unregulated venues which there are many.
Yes the gold medal game wasn't between Canada and the U.S but since we won gold we trounced the U.S plus beat the U.S in the semi-final..a more natural rivaly than Canada v Sweden - boring!
Why does it have to be about puking your guts out at 4am? Why cant it be about sitting down and listening to an awesome Jazz musician and just having a cold beer next to you while you are listening? People's minds are warped in the US and Canada when it comes to staying out late and alcohol consumption. The reason's why our young folks take things too far is because they are stifled their entire lives. Very, very boring way to view the world.
Not to go OT, but I have raised this issue about other cities as well. I can send you the link to a discussion I started and went numerous pages on the Boston board about the same topic. This overregulation is stupid and it does kill a city's nightlife. Why do you think restaurant and bar owners spend 100's of thousands of dollars for a liquor license? Because that is how they make money, off the bar. If an owner knows he/she can only sell alcohol until 2am, they have no incentive to keep the lights on afterwards, because it is just bad business.
That is why I say NOLA may have its issues, If I were handed a job offer at this stage with a family I would move to Toronto over NOLA. But that city is just fantastic, one of the few places you can go to and feel you are completely free to let loose and have a good time. Without big brother always lurking over your shoulder. NOLA could learn alot from Toronto, that is for sure....but Toronto could also learn alot from NOLA on how to let people just have a good time.
P.S: I don't know if you've noticed, but Hockey has now dropped to being the 5th most popular sport in the US. Time to find a new rival.
Here's a novel idea, why dont you just make it a 4am last call every day of the week? Or abolish last call altogether? Why is going out late a special occasion?
Plus every single city on earth has after hours of unlicensed spots. I even know the names of places in Qatar to find booze outside of the hotels. Why not just open things up and not make it into some major excursion to have a fu*king cocktail after 2.
Go live in a 24 hour city, then get back to me.
I think the last point is bang on. There are very few 24 hour cities on the continent and I don't think enough people have really experienced this lifestyle - NOLA, Las Vegas and New York are the only ones really. There are a few others that stay up later like Miami (last call is like 4 or 5 or something) and Chicago & Montreal (I think 3am) with lots of afterhours (for those that want it). I think Atlanta goes to 3 or 4am too.
Toronto pretty much crushes NOLA in all categories here except local culture (food/music/history) and nightlife - I don't see how anyone can argue that.
I don't think Toronto's nightlife is "boring" because there are many places to go that suit different tastes. But I do find that it's increasingly becoming a city where you have to go and find the cool venues, which makes it more average as opposed to boring. Growing up in the city, it wasn't always like this because downtown used to be more of a meeting spot for everyone. And believe me, Toronto had above average nightlife 10 years ago that was right up there after the "24 hour" cities. I believe the condo build out has forced the downtown core to shut down a lot of venues, spread out the bars in different parts in the city instead of concentrating them, but also created a more residential feeling. I also notice less variety of music in the core - there used to be more hip hop and reggae spots but I don't see these anymore. Feels more like a yuppie or hipster vibe now. Maybe it's just my observation as someone looking in (since I visit home 3 times a year) but it even seems a bit more homogeneous than it did in the past. I think the city has improved a lot over the years, especially the restaurant scene, but the vibe has changed or evolved as well over time.
Last edited by johnathanc; 08-14-2014 at 07:27 AM..
Quebec City would probably be the better (best) match up for New Orleans. They're sort of in a class of their own among the dozens of other cities their size.
Ottawa is a nice place, but it wouldn't be the prettiest match up, New Orleans versus Ottawa, in my opinion.
I don't really think the city compares well against Toronto..From industry to culture to people to built form and size - Toronto is a beast in comparison. The only thing that screams connection to me is the fact that they both have streetcars.
Toronto is so much bigger than New Orleans that this is an absolutely unfair comparison at face value, though the actual OP points draw it pretty close.
Anyone saying Toronto wins in terms of "culture" is straight-up ridiculous, however. NOLA is a unique and special place in terms of history, culture, local foods and atmosphere. Toronto just doesn't hold a candle to it in this regard. I have to believe every one of these people is 1) from Toronto (or a Canada wonk), or 2) has never experienced NOLA.
Quebec City would probably be the better (best) match up for New Orleans. They're sort of in a class of their own among the dozens of other cities their size.
Ottawa is a nice place, but it wouldn't be the prettiest match up, New Orleans versus Ottawa, in my opinion.
I don't know.
Does a non-Anglophone culture automatically translate into "better culture" in North America? It is like saying France has better culture than the UK.
I think the last point is bang on. There are very few 24 hour cities on the continent and I don't think enough people have really experienced this lifestyle - NOLA, Las Vegas and New York are the only ones really. There are a few others that stay up later like Miami (last call is like 4 or 5 or something) and Chicago & Montreal (I think 3am) with lots of afterhours (for those that want it). I think Atlanta goes to 3 or 4am too.
Toronto pretty much crushes NOLA in all categories here except local culture (food/music/history) and nightlife - I don't see how anyone can argue that.
I don't think Toronto's nightlife is "boring" because there are many places to go that suit different tastes. But I do find that it's increasingly becoming a city where you have to go and find the cool venues, which makes it more average as opposed to boring. Growing up in the city, it wasn't always like this because downtown used to be more of a meeting spot for everyone. And believe me, Toronto had above average nightlife 10 years ago that was right up there after the "24 hour" cities. I believe the condo build out has forced the downtown core to shut down a lot of venues, spread out the bars in different parts in the city instead of concentrating them, but also created a more residential feeling. I also notice less variety of music in the core - there used to be more hip hop and reggae spots but I don't see these anymore. Feels more like a yuppie or hipster vibe now. Maybe it's just my observation as someone looking in (since I visit home 3 times a year) but it even seems a bit more homogeneous than it did in the past. I think the city has improved a lot over the years, especially the restaurant scene, but the vibe has changed or evolved as well over time.
true, but I much prefer the new trend than the old downtown full of entertainment with few people actually living there. Don't know about you guys but I hate that sort of cities where downtown is primarily a commercial zone where people from the suburbs go for work and fun.
Downtown Toronto between Don Valley and Bathurst has 3% of the land but more than 200,000 people. Would be Canada's 20th largest city if standing alone.
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