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In your opinion, what is the most underrated/overlooked/not talked about enough criteria for moving somewhere.
For me, it's aesthetic diversity. This includes geographic diversity (i.e. different terrain: woods, beaches, mountain). But also different types of areas on a human level: a mix of rural, suburban and urban. Every town looking different. And in general, a pleasant view when driving on roads.
This is all too easy to take for granted. But once you live in a place that's completely cookie cutter, it's incredibly infuriating and boring to live in a place where you can drive 40 minutes and feel like you're still basically in the same town.
I remember my first trip to Vegas and driving around. All of it looked the same, like I would be fearful, I would forget on what street I lived because all the architecture and topography was the same.
It's silly, but I'll add another: access to ferry/water transit.
SF, Seattle, Boston, NYC, etc have ferry systems which are an enjoyable/scenic way to get around. I'd much rather have a pretty boat ride across the water in the fresh open air than be crammed into a subway/light rail car for both commuting and pleasure.
The #1 thing I look for (and I’m looking for… future move) is the underground music scene. I don’t need a lot of great local bands (think: Austin), but I do need local venues that get most of the smaller touring bands. Think venues the size of CBGB’s or it’s current counterpart, Saint Vitus. Stonerrock, doom, metal, and the like (no cover bands, if that actually needs to be said).
This requirement really limits where I’d want to live, unfortunately. I’ve been in NYC for the last 20+ years but can’t afford to retire here, which is why I’m on C-D.
I only mention it in this thread because it appears to be “underrated” as no one has mentioned it.
Another component I have seen used and somewhat useful in my opinion is the factor relating to presence of a few select retailers such as Whole Foods or Trader Joe's. The upshot is both do extensive demographic research to insure not only a satisfactory current target shopper demographic, but also involving future growth that follows in the same trajectory. I mean when was the last time you saw either store in an area considered less desirable or in decline?
Remember when the presence of a Starbucks used to be the indisputable arbiter of the same. Seemed like it provided all the validation a place needed.
Sensible and adequate zoning are important but often underrated or not even considered. Makes a difference in the aesthetic, feel, accessibility and overall sense of a place.
I love following projects and dreaming about what's next to get built. But in many cities, projects are universally (it seems) diminished by huge volumes of parking, sometimes even above-grade.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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Not sure about most but certainly a taken for granted and underrated city urban amenity is “essential services”.
I would much rather have a police department that has a dispatcher who actually answers the phone (vs. getting a recording that places you on hold) and a street presence that serves as a crime deterrent (vs. a shortage of officers and reliant upon a noisy helicopter patrol that is called in after a crime has been committed).
Same could be said for garbage collection services. Not cool seeing uncollected bags of trash sitting out on sidewalks for days which can and do attract rats.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 04kL4nD
It's silly, but I'll add another: access to ferry/water transit.
SF, Seattle, Boston, NYC, etc have ferry systems which are an enjoyable/scenic way to get around. I'd much rather have a pretty boat ride across the water in the fresh open air than be crammed into a subway/light rail car for both commuting and pleasure.
I used to take the Larkspur and Tiburon ferry to downtown San Francisco when I first began working many years ago.....the job itself didn't work out for me as planned (turned out to be a blessing in disguise) but that was the best possible commute one could possibly ask for--was nice being able to purchase a cocktail for the ride home passing Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bride and Angel Island.
Last edited by elchevere; 05-02-2023 at 03:37 PM..
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