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What are the best downtowns in the world, cities with population above 2 million. This is in your opinion.
Rate them on...
Architecture
Active, busy
Entertainment
Activities, festivals
Weather
Transportation
Crime
Homeless
Museums, history...ect
My opinion top 10
1. NYC
2. Sydney
3. London
4. Melbourne
5. Paris
6. Chicago
7. Toronto
8. Tokyo
9. Hong Kong
10. Sao Paul
What are you referring to as downtown for these? The actual places referred to as "downtown" in these places or central business districts? Also, your options are definitely missing some highlights like Berlin, Barcelona, Beijing, Madrid, Moscow, St. Petersburg and various cities of India (which I probably wouldn't vote for, but they are significant).
If we're going for a more expansive definition of downtown, then I'd go with Mexico City, New York, Paris, Shanghai, and Tokyo in no particular order. I've never been to Sao Paulo, but I'd assume it's a good contender as would be Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.
Honestly I don't think Portland or Seattle should be on a world list for best downtowns. LA's downtown is so small I think it barely makes the list. Are we comparing cities? Or downtown? Because downtown is mostly an American thing, in European cities the financial district is usually in uptown I believe.
What are the best downtowns in the world, cities with population above 2 million. This is in your opinion.
Architecture: Paris
Active, busy: Hong Kong
Entertainment: London
Activities, festivals: New York City
Weather: LA
Transportation: London
Crime: Tokyo
Homeless: Tokyo
Museums, history, culture: London
Disclaimer: I've not been to Tokyo, so in the case of crime/homeless I'm going by other anecdotes given in this forum.
On a city-by-city basis in order:
London for synergy of ancient history with ultra modern sophistication. Also its cleanness and understated confidence - it doesn't rely on crude showy displays to be awesome. Probably the best place to be in the world when it's sunny.
Hong Kong is great for Blade Runner-esque noir surrounded by massive high rises and big big crowds. My favorite skyline among all here.
New York is amazing for walkability, gritty, ghetto style concrete jungle urban exploration interspersed with pockets of 19th century brownstone charm.
Paris leads the world for architectural elegance, quaintness and urban planning done right. If even Hitler refrained from bombing Paris due to its beauty, I'm sure there's some merit to this idea.
Just watch where you step though. "Dog bombs" are everywhere - much worse than NY
Last edited by BennyBucks; 11-07-2013 at 12:30 AM..
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