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To me at least, cosmopolitan and sophisticated mean different things.
When I think sophistication, I think of appreciation for the beaux arts and access high-end shopping and dining.
While, to me, cosmopolitan means globally aware, diverse, and integrated. Cosmopolitan embraces high culture, low culture, pop culture, and immigrant cultures equally. Being cosmopolitan sees value in monster trucks as well as ballet. Being cosmopolitan means having an open mind, and not being afraid to be seen on the wrong side of the tracks. Cosmopolitanism is about inquiry, modesty, respect, and community.
Given this definition, are their any cities that you find to be cosmopolitan, but not necessary the most sophisticated?
I assume that Sacramento, Austin, or Raleigh might fit the bill, but have never been to any of those places.
I would say the north/northwest side of Chicago/Chicagoland is more cosmopolitan than sophisticated given the definition (more similar to the earlier description of Philly or New Jersey (many immigrants/diverse/all foods available, yet also really into sports just and street comfort food (hot dogs/pizza/italian beef).
South Side/South Chicagoland (south of I-55) is not even cosmopolitan (more like Tom Lennoxes description of Baltimore (Inner city ghetto, blue collared suburbs, not as much immigration, except for some Mexicans in some areas, where native white people are 2nd 3rd generation white Polish/Irish/other East Euros).
Chicago is most unquestionably sophisticated along the lakefront from the loop through the north shore suburbs for a couple miles away from the lake, as well as certain suburbs like Oak Park, Naperville).
Other areas of the midwest that are cosmopolitan even sophisticated (again using definitions) would include Oakland County and Ann Arbor in the Detroit area, Minneapolis, as well as the immediate downtown areas and certain thriving neighborhoods of really any midwest metro areas of at least 2 million population.
Much of southern California is certainly cosmopolitan, again by this definition, even in distant Inland Empire cities like Riverside believe it or not, but not necessarily sophisticated. Some places like Santa Barbara are the opposite, sophisticated but not that cosmopolitan. Many places in greater LA, also have a cosmopolitan vibe, but are at the same time modest (Long Beach, Pasadena, Silverlake, etc.). Its only West-Central LA (from Santa Monica through Hollywood that is obsessed with fashion, fine dining, etc.)
Houston, too might have that global awareness, but still being relatively laid back.
How is Houston not sophisticated when it has the World's largest medical center & is home to NASA?
The first word spoken from the Moon was not New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but America's 4th largest city, HOUSTON!
Rice University is one of the most prestigious in the nation. It offers Ivy League level education at a fraction of the tuition cost & is consistently rated one of the best private colleges in the nation.
How is Houston not sophisticated when it has the World's largest medical center & is home to NASA?
The first word spoken from the Moon was not New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but America's 4th largest city, HOUSTON!
Rice University is one of the most prestigious in the nation. It offers Ivy League level education at a fraction of the tuition cost & is consistently rated one of the best private colleges in the nation.
How is Houston not sophisticated when it has the World's largest medical center & is home to NASA?
The first word spoken from the Moon was not New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago, but America's 4th largest city, HOUSTON!
Rice University is one of the most prestigious in the nation. It offers Ivy League level education at a fraction of the tuition cost & is consistently rated one of the best private colleges in the nation.
I'd say Houston blends cosmopolitan with sophistication perfectly.
Those are great attributes, but none of them necessarily scream "sophistication" to me--which, by the way, really isn't a bad thing.
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