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Besides Evanston, though, are Chicago's suburbs really walkable and urbane, though? Obviously places like Skokie aren't what I'm talking about, but are the thin strip of towns along the coast in Lake County? I not surprised about Boston and Philly, but Chicago does surprise me in this poll
If walkability and urbanity are criteria, you would almost certainly be better off in a residential urban neighborhood rather than a suburb. I'm a bit confused by the question. If you're defining suburbs by municipal boundaries that's kind of meaningless. Is Cambridge, MA a suburb or effectively part of Boston? Hoboken, NJ?
There are many suburbs of Chicago with good walkable downtowns along train lines, mostly along the UP North and BNSF lines, and along other lines as well. As far as the entire area being walkable maybe half of Evanston and a greater proportion of Oak Park fit that bill. But if you want a completely walkable experience there are more options in the city of Chicago itself which are like the walkable parts of Evanston and Oak Park.
As far as urbanity, it's a sliding scale based on what you're used to. Politically, culturally, and economically, Chicago is well known for not being dominant in anything, and therefore not attracting top performers. However there are many suburbs of Chicago where people "know how the world works" and, even if they themselves are not participating in the top echelon of society, they are aware of what that echelon is and does, and may work with it.
How does Boston compare with Philadelphia here? Are either better than the other overall, or in certain respects (walkability, people, etc.)?
I don’t know much about Philly’s suburbs. But something that might set them apart is that a lot of Boston’s “suburbs” are cities that for a while vied for dominance with each other and Boston.
Consequently, a lot of the “suburbs” (e.g. Salem, Lowell, Lynn, Waltham, Brockton, Framingham, Newburyport, etc.) are cities in their own right with suburbs of their own. So they’re generally pretty urban, but also have “big city problems” to varying degrees.
There are some examples of nice, quaint village-y suburbs in the area too (e.g. Wellesley, Natick, and Concord), but I think it’s the more urban ones that set the Boston area apart from other metros.
Looking around on Google Maps, it seems like West Chester, PA is along the same vain as Waltham, Lowell, etc. I still think that Boston generally has more and larger legacy cities than the Philly area.
Some of my favorites:
Wellesley, MA has an amazing path and trail system.
Cambridge, MA is surrounded by some of the best parks around the river.
Blue Hills
Harborwalk (Yes it goes into Suburbs)
Lynn Woods
Winthrop
Arlington
Some of my favorites:
Wellesley, MA has an amazing path and trail system.
Cambridge, MA is surrounded by some of the best parks around the river.
Blue Hills
Harborwalk (Yes it goes into Suburbs)
Lynn Woods
Winthrop
Arlington
How does Boston compare with Philadelphia here? Are either better than the other overall, or in certain respects (walkability, people, etc.)?
How does Boston compare with Phila here-- i.e., does Boston meet the Philadelphia standard? I think so. Boston is equally walkable and has equal street vitality.
One thing about boston suburbs: many maintain town forests and town conservation lands with trail systems, all in addition to the network of state parks and reservations, non-profit nature areas maintained by Mass Audubon and Trustees of Reservations, and national park / national wildlife refuge sites. As Walrus points out, some of Boston's "suburbs" are cities in their own right rather than just suburban residential developments. Some of these satellite cities--Salem, Lowell, Waltham--are very worthwhile places to explore. Also a legacy of old maritime towns or rural centers that have since become suburban-- in this category, Hingham, Duxbury, Plymouth, Marblehead, Manchester-by-the-Sea; also Concord, an inland rural center now suburban but full of beautiful places to walk and historic sites.
Boston area includes gorgeous coastal areas. Phila does not. Boston area also has lots of freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes and swamps, rivers. Phila has much less of that.
Philadelphia area has beautiful historic fieldstone buildings all around the city. Soils generally much more fertile around Phila so the hinterlands have beautiful pasture and cropland, pastoral scenery everywhere; whereas Boston area is more woodsy. Phila has better deciduous trees-- taller, more impressive; and amazing, drop-dead gorgeous spring flowering. Boston has better evergreen coverage-- white pine, especially, mixed in with the deciduous trees.
Weston is as far from walkable as Boston suburbs get. Wouldn’t put it high in the “character” department either.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForeignCrunch
I would, yes.
Then Cambridge definitely checks all your boxes. Brookline (around and between Cleveland Circle, Coolidge Corner, and Brookline Village) may also.
Within Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and South Boston might interest you as well. They’re all far enough from downtown to feel separate from it with some nice squares and access to parks. (Jamaica Pond and the Southwest Corridor for JP. The Arboretum for JP & Roslindale. Castle Island for Southie). South Boston is most urban of the three.
Within Boston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and South Boston might interest you as well. They’re all far enough from downtown to feel separate from it with some nice squares and access to parks. (Jamaica Pond and the Southwest Corridor for JP. The Arboretum for JP & Roslindale. Castle Island for Southie). South Boston is most urban of the three.
Don't forget Charlestown: very close to downtown but its own place, charming and walkable and chock full of historic sites and scenic waterfront areas.
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