Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Personally, I find them to be very annoying. For one, the residents are often too fanatical about state budget, spending, caucus, primary whatever. There is this climate of political fanaticism and it gets annoying rather quick.
They also seem to attract small-town political types who get some $12 government job shuffling papers around and think they are in charge, because they are only a few steps divided from their state's important politicians.
Lastly, most capital cities I've visited, are going the direction of police states and seem oversaturated with state police (being headquartered there), capital police, local police, sheriff, and all the government buildings just add to the annoyance.
As for the nation's capital, I've never visited DC, and don't care to.
There's really no such thing as an exciting state capital. I'm sure someone else has to agree.
I mostly agree, and somewhat disagree.
A secondary city which was designated to be the state capital and has little else going on in terms of other (for-profit) industries is indeed boring. These would be cities like Albany NY, Sacramento CA, Salem OR, Carson City NV, Montgomery AL, Richmond VA, Harrisburg PA and others like those. The "drone" persona can be smelled in the air.
If the capital is Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Honolulu ($$$) and Phoenix, and also happens to be the state's primary city, then I would not consider it boring because, in those places, the presence of businesses, universities, research organizations, and many more cultural/recreational options makes them interesting places.
There are a few capitals that are also noted for being "cool" because they house the state's flagship educational institution. These would include Madison WI, Austin TX and Tallahassee FL. For me, it would depend on how much I "liked" the school. Since UW Madison loves its liberal label and FSU in Tallahassee is considered more sedate in that manner, I'll take the latter.
As for Washington DC, I CAN'T stand it. Aside from seeing the key landmarks and taking a picture of them to say "oh, yeah," it is depressing. If around during the lunch hour, you can see all the bureaucrats out running, taking a break from what has to be a mind-numbing job. Then multiply that exponentially by those you don't see outside during lunch. Then throw in an "attitude problem" and jockeying to be in the Inside the Beltway gossip grapevine, and it becomes insufferable. In that regard, a state capital is WAY preferable to the Nation's Capital.
Sacramento - not a fan, no.
Salem - ew.
Boise - it's mkay.
Helena - quite a nice town.
Olympia - very nice very nice
Denver - quite nice
SLC - alright, nothing too bad or good.
Lincoln - didn't see it well enough.
Des Moines - see Lincoln
Indianapolis - nasty
Columbus - downtown sucks, city as a whole is quite nice.
Personally, I find them to be very annoying. For one, the residents are often too fanatical about state budget, spending, caucus, primary whatever. There is this climate of political fanaticism and it gets annoying rather quick.
They also seem to attract small-town political types who get some $12 government job shuffling papers around and think they are in charge, because they are only a few steps divided from their state's important politicians.
Lastly, most capital cities I've visited, are going the direction of police states and seem oversaturated with state police (being headquartered there), capital police, local police, sheriff, and all the government buildings just add to the annoyance.
As for the nation's capital, I've never visited DC, and don't care to.
There's really no such thing as an exciting state capital. I'm sure someone else has to agree.
I dont agree with your comments.
A capital city is vital to a state-----------
most capitals I have visited always had really nice well kept buildings , monuments to service personal among other public spaces including
parks, Libraries, museums some have state fairgrounds, large venues for entertainment , theater the list can go on and on.
Last edited by sunnyandcloudydays; 05-19-2012 at 06:39 PM..
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,749 posts, read 23,813,296 times
Reputation: 14660
Quote:
Originally Posted by RonnieJonez
Personally, I find them to be very annoying. For one, the residents are often too fanatical about state budget, spending, caucus, primary whatever. There is this climate of political fanaticism and it gets annoying rather quick.
They also seem to attract small-town political types who get some $12 government job shuffling papers around and think they are in charge, because they are only a few steps divided from their state's important politicians.
Lastly, most capital cities I've visited, are going the direction of police states and seem oversaturated with state police (being headquartered there), capital police, local police, sheriff, and all the government buildings just add to the annoyance.
As for the nation's capital, I've never visited DC, and don't care to.
There's really no such thing as an exciting state capital. I'm sure someone else has to agree.
Well I chose the capital city of my home state to live in and I really love it here. I can't really say you're characterizations really apply to Santa Fe or most capital cities that I've seen (and I've sen over 30 of them). Perhaps a little, but people generally think of artistry, architecture, history, high desert & mountain setting before politics for this city. Sure there's your typical political BS and corruption at the Roundhouse but living here I really don't notice it nor does really affect my life here.
I really think your statement is incredibly flawed nor do you state any examples ( the capital cities themselves) to back up what you're saying. How anyone can say there is no excitement to be found in places like Boston, Denver, Phoenix, Austin, or Atlanta is clearly not very knowledgable about most state capitals at all.
There are a few capitals that are also noted for being "cool" because they house the state's flagship educational institution. These would include Madison WI, Austin TX and Tallahassee FL. For me, it would depend on how much I "liked" the school. Since UW Madison loves its liberal label and FSU in Tallahassee is considered more sedate in that manner, I'll take the latter.
I think that the people in Gainesville would have something to say about that....
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
