Under-rated cities for arts, entertaining areas and interesting neighborhoods? (how much, homes)

[MattDen]

What cities are under-rated for arts, entertaining areas and interesting neighborhoods?

I think the C's in Ohio: Cincinnati, especially Columbus, Cleveland are very under-rated in this area.

Columbus has some amazing areas to suit almost everyones taste along High street from the German Village all the way up to the Clintonville area.
The amount of galleries in Columbus is amazing and its also tons of great retail shops and coffee shops.

Also, Pittsburgh with Carson Street, Oakland and the Strip District are very under-rated in the nightlife area, lots of people in their 20s there going to college in Pittsburgh.

Any other cities that are under-rated on arts, entertaining areas and interesting neighborhoods?

I was also wondering if anyone is familiar with Buffalo, Milwaukee and St. Louis and would consider them under-rated on Arts, neighborhoods and entertainment?

[Ben Around]

I went to grad school in Milwaukee. Very interesting neighborhoods; arts and entertainment are pretty average for a city of its size.

[carolinajack]

Charleston SC is underrated and yet has a wonderful arts and entertainment culture

!) we have a great arts festival each May called Spoleto Festival--google and take a look
2) along with Spoleto we have a more down to earth version for the masses called Piccillo Spoleto
3) great art museums, and art galleries
4) a thriving theatre(the first and longest running theatre in the US--Dock Street Theatre--where Porgy and Bess was written and performed0
5) Ballet company, Symphony orchestra
6) wonderful historic sites and homes
7)cultural events like Gullah festival--with native gullah arts and crafts
8)local music scene

[yayoi]

Yes definately Cincinnati is one of them. They always have something going on here (alot of times it's free). It's a shame that alot of the locals don't take advantage of it. My fave neighborhoods architecturally are: East Walnut Hills, Mt. Adams, OTR, parts of Pleasant Ridge/Kennedy Heights, and the Columbia Tusculum area.

[Magnolia Bloom]

Jacksonville - my friends are always surprised at what we have to offer when they come for a visit.

They are also surprised at how affordable things are here.

[GreggB]

Milwaukee is under-rated. Weather aside. Albuquerque New Mexico is under-rated.

[dullnboring]

I've never been there, but I've read glowing review on Louisville that have portrayed the city as one with a thriving cultural scenes, and from pics I've seen, it has quite a few interesting-looking neighborhoods. I'm curious to check it out one of these days.

[streetcreed]

I agree with Columbus
Many do not realize how much the city has changed in the past decades. The city had a urban core that was awaiting a good economy and gentrification, Columbus' urban core has become very interesting. The neighborhoods mentioned right north of downtown, Vicorian Village and the Short North are really entertaining and interesting.

Columbus isn't an urban pre industrial immigrant neighborhood interesting, but more of a surprise hip/gentrification interesting.

The Columbus urban neighborhoods are best for the boutiques, amazing restaurant scene (very on par with major major american metros), and the hip/gay aspects of the neighborhoods. I find that many unfamilar with columbus, also who haven't visited in awhile, are not aware of these neighborhoods.

[Mr.Smith]

Orland get's a very bad rap because of disney. But beyond Disney is a bigger and very exciting Metro of more than 2 million people.

[friendnc]

Charlotte, NC. New arrivals here are surprised at how much there is to do here. NoDa arts district is a really nice, funky area. The performing arts venues uptown are beautiful. Great streetcar neighborhoods with huge oaks drapped across the streets. Lots of outdoor recreation; U.S. National Whitewater Center, Lake Norman, Lake Wylie, Crowders Mnt. SP, Two stunning nature preserves (one 850+ acres, the other 1100 acres), parks/greenways.