Need to find hip,laid-back, walkable, urban areas with restaurants, pedestrian culture, coffee shops, friendly locals

[mmposting]

Definitely QUeens and Brooklyn are probably the most similar to European type of cities. I lived in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, for a few months several years ago.

I rather liked it and would have liked to have stayed, but I had to move to D.C. for a job.

I guess the problem with NY is sometimes its just "too overwhelming" / "too fast paced" for someone like me from the West.

My ideal place would be something like a scaled down Brooklyn a little slower paced.

Originally Posted by Rachael84

NYC, specifically Brooklyn or Queens which is more affordable than Manhattan. The safest big city in the country.

[mmposting]

I'm suprised to see Providence RI on the list....

I drove to there (including downtown) several years ago and thought it looked utterly boring

Originally Posted by lrfox

Check out Boston. It has EVERYTHING you're looking for and then some more. The city has the most colleges in the area out of ANY city in the U.S. There are well over 100,000 students along living in Boston (and neighboring Cambdridge) every year so it's very young. The city plays host to some fantastic restaurants, nightlife and culture. The city is dense, and pedestrian friendly (often ranked the most pedestrian friendly city in the U.S.) with one of the nation's best subway systems and an extensive commuter rail, bus and ferry/ water taxi network, getting to where you need to go is NEVER a problem.

If you want a city that's a little smaller, Providence Rhode Island really fits your description. Gorgeous pedestrian friendly city (VERY close to Boston and on mass transit lines... 1 hour train tide to South Station in Boston from Downtown Providence) with plenty to see and do.

The city is on the coast and there are plenty of cool little coastal communities around it. You can easily hop a train and spend an afternoon in either Boston or New York City from Providence. Due to the fact that Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence College, Johnson and Wales, and part of University of Rhode Island are in town, there are PLENTY of young undergad, grad students, and young professionals who enjoy the dining, arts and nightlife Providence has to offer. It's a multicultural area so visiting from another country shouldn't be an issue.