Rank these urban cores: Chicago, Philly, Boston, DC, San Francisco, & Toronto (pros, income)

[Edward234]

Originally Posted by Edward234

Pacific Heights and the Marina are not suburban in the slightest - what are you talking about?

Not to mention, Nob Hill is one of the swankiest neighborhoods in the city and is very urban.

NOLA - Just to clarify, you're implying this (Pacific Heights) is suburban: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7920...8i6656!6m1!1e1

And that this (The Marina) is suburban:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ma...368151!6m1!1e1

And here are two swanky, highly urban neighborhoods:

Nob Hill: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7936...8i6656!6m1!1e1

Russian Hill:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ru...195558!6m1!1e1

I could keep going - the point is there are plenty of highly urban swanky areas in San Francisco (along with highly urban not-so-nice areas).

Either way, I believe San Francisco has more of a big city feel than Philly and pound-for-pound is more urban. I'm sorry but this poll basically just reflects the east coast bias of this message board.

[AJNEOA]

Originally Posted by Edward234

NOLA - Just to clarify, you're implying this (Pacific Heights) is suburban: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7920...8i6656!6m1!1e1

And that this (The Marina) is suburban:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ma...368151!6m1!1e1

And here are two swanky, highly urban neighborhoods:

Nob Hill: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.7936...8i6656!6m1!1e1

Russian Hill:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ru...195558!6m1!1e1

I could keep going - the point is there are plenty of highly urban swanky areas in San Francisco (along with highly urban not-so-nice areas).

Either way, I believe San Francisco has more of a big city feel than Philly and pound-for-pound is more urban. I'm sorry but this poll basically just reflects the east coast bias of this message board.

Or people just don't agree with you.

[That_One_Guy]

Chicago is East Coast now?

[Mr Ambitious]

So, the pecking order based on the poll is:

Chicago
PHILLY
Toronto
Boston
San Francisco

While I don't fully agree with the order, have any opinions on the order of these cities changed?

[mwj119]

Man, this one is tough. Tough enough that if I did comment on this before, I may completely contradict myself.

The only problem is how we define urban core. If we were ranking the cities in their entirety, my answer would be different. But for the sake of simply comparing the area of downtown (financial district areas for the most part), I'd go:

Chicago>Toronto>SF>Philly/Boston

[mooguy]

For me it's {in order} it's Tor/Bos/SF/Chi/Philly.

Constant urban form and low crime rates is important to me.

[the resident09]

Originally Posted by mooguy

For me it's {in order} it's Tor/Bos/SF/Chi/Philly.

Constant urban form and low crime rates is important to me.

If that is your criteria (which I agree it should be) DC has more consistent urban format throughout its "urban core" which includes areas outside of "downtown" also.

[Mr. Burns]

Toronto vs DC urban core:

Driving Downtown - King Street - Toronto 4K vs. Driving Downtown - Washington DC USA 4K by VJ why we slap | YouTube Doubler | Mashup Helper

DC definitely shows its wealth and government roots. Streetscape is very neat and clean. Architecture is a slight cut above. Overall very pretty.

Toronto still has that bustling big city feel, a bit grittier, and that unique Torontoness with the street cars, and mix of historic midrises and newer highrises.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by mooguy

For me it's {in order} it's Tor/Bos/SF/Chi/Philly.

Constant urban form and low crime rates is important to me.

As far as I know, most of these cities' urban cores have fairly low crime rates all things considered. Unless you're implying that the urban core of Chicago has high crime in which I'd tell you to learn something about Chicago as the majority of the high crime areas aren't in the core and actually occur is much less/dense and urban areas than the main core.

[geographybee]

Originally Posted by Mr Ambitious

All these cities have great urban cores. Consider both downtown and surrounding vibrant neighbohoods. Some criteria to consider:

Vibrancy
Shopping
Number of residents
Number of jobs
Amentities and attractions
Walkability
Public transportation
Nightlife
Feel free to add anything additional

Very good comparison!!!!

Vibrancy - SF, Boston, Toronto, DC, Philly, Chicago
Shopping - SF, Boston (more/better malls), DC, Chicago, Philly (all of these five are very close), Toronto (behind because it’s in Canada - most Canadians just ship many of their things to American friends/family)
Number of residents - Chicago, DC, SF, Boston, Philly, Toronto
Number of jobs - SF, Toronto, Boston, DC, Philly, Chicago
Amentities and attractions - SF, Chicago, DC, Toronto, Boston, Philly
Walkability - SF, Boston, Philly, Toronto, DC, Chicago
Public transportation - Boston, Philly, Chicago, DC, Toronto, SF
Nightlife - SF, Toronto, Philly, Boston, DC, Chicago
Feel free to add anything additional

Suburbs (they are all nice, though):
Philly
Boston
DC
SF
Toronto
Chicago

Future Prosperity:
Toronto
SF
Boston
DC
Philly
Chicago