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The aura and ambience of living/working/visiting a city with 3 centuries of American history /architecture is pretty special at least by American standards. Center City is basically like walking thru a 3-4 sq. mile historic theme park. The downtown area is a museum in itself.
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. Washington D.C.
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
^^I think these are pretty much a lock. What after that?
Atlanta? Maybe if you include Downtown and Midtown. Does the highway create too much of a barrier between the two?
Pittsburgh? Not enough residential and mixed use. Mainly a 9-5 office district.
Houston? Same as Pittsburgh.
Dallas? Same as Pittsburgh.
These 4 cities have pretty similar underwhelming downtowns. Although Downtown Pittsburgh seemed to be the most urban and compact in comparison to the other 3, there wasn't a whole lot of activity after 5 PM. Most people go to the North Shore for baseball games and Southside for nightlife. Pittsburgh is definitely a neighborhood city, and while it may have a slightly more vibrant Downtown than Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, it is nowhere near as vibrant as any of the top 8 you listed. It's much closer to a sunbelt city downtown in terms of vibrancy. I-579 and an economically distressed Uptown, separates Oakland and the Strip District from Downtown. What is similar to Atlanta is the confusing street layout.
Atlanta is a little more vibrant than Downtown Houston and Dallas, but also suffers the same effect of highways cutting off Downtown from surrounding vibrant neighborhoods. DT Houston vs. Dallas, you can make arguments for either one. Dallas blows away Houston in terms of vibrant neighborhoods surrounding Downtown - Uptown & Deep Ellum, but downtown strictly speaking, they're pretty similar.
These 4 cities have pretty similar underwhelming downtowns. Although Downtown Pittsburgh seemed to be the most urban and compact in comparison to the other 3, there wasn't a whole lot of activity after 5 PM. Most people go to the North Shore for baseball games and Southside for nightlife. Pittsburgh is definitely a neighborhood city, and while it may have a slightly more vibrant Downtown than Houston, Dallas, and Atlanta, it is nowhere near as vibrant as any of the top 8 you listed. It's much closer to a sunbelt city downtown in terms of vibrancy. I-579 and an economically distressed Uptown, separates Oakland and the Strip District from Downtown. What is similar to Atlanta is the confusing street layout.
Atlanta is a little more vibrant than Downtown Houston and Dallas, but also suffers the same effect of highways cutting off Downtown from surrounding vibrant neighborhoods. DT Houston vs. Dallas, you can make arguments for either one. Dallas blows away Houston in terms of vibrant neighborhoods surrounding Downtown - Uptown & Deep Ellum, but downtown strictly speaking, they're pretty similar.
I was in Deep Ellum last week. You must be kidding. What a letdown. Bleak.
1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. Philadelphia
5. Boston
6. Washington D.C.
7. Seattle
8. Los Angeles
^^I think these are pretty much a lock. What after that?
Atlanta? Maybe if you include Downtown and Midtown. Does the highway create too much of a barrier between the two?
San Diego? Quite possibly. Is the built environment big enough?
Baltimore? Maybe so? Seems mixed use enough and the harbor is awesome.
Portland? Too small?
Miami? Maybe if you include Downtown and Brickell? Is there enough going on here though? Seems like most of the action is in Miami Beach/South Beach.
Honolulu? Maybe if you consider Waikiki downtown and not actual downtown.
Las Vegas? Maybe if you consider the Strip downtown and not actual downtown. Is it walkable enough? Is there enough residential or offices?
Denver? Is it big enough? Enough mixed use downtown?
New Orleans? Quite possibly if you include the French Quarter.
Nashville? Big enough?
Pittsburgh? Not enough residential and mixed use. Mainly a 9-5 office district.
Houston? Same as Pittsburgh.
Dallas? Same as Pittsburgh.
San Antonio? Is the Riverwalk enough to prop it up?
Austin? Is the built environment big enough?
This is a good list. Probably exactly how I would rank them. Boston and Philly probably tied. LA would not be on the list.
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