What city to avoid why? - Page 2

shinerbock · #16 08-04-2006, 11:01 PM

Being from Atlanta, I could only live in Buckhead or Atlantic Station. Maybe Virginia Highlands. Its not the safest town in the world (although I'm rarely bothered by it, i guess from living there for 22 years...)

KSUViolet06 · #17 08-04-2006, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrillhouse

Downtown sports can't save a city.

Someone should let the mayor of Cleveland know this fact. Yes, the Cavs have LeBron. The city is still a burned down, abandoned, ugly, piece of crap.

honeychile · #18 08-04-2006, 11:35 PM

Shinerbock, I'm curious about your hatred for Pittsburgh. Have you ever been there, especially in the last 20 years? The city (the section with the Point) isn't exactly a garden, but we've all agreed that very few cities proper are great.

Pittsburgh has their Sports Arenas on the North Shore & in the next county. The housing is one of the least expensive in the country - a house that sold in Chicago for over a half a million dollars would sell in Pittsburgh for less than $75,000. I currently live in a suburb that borders on the next county, and I would be hard put to find such a great neighborhood (everyone MUST have at least a half an acre) for so little money!

The cost of living is roughly half of NYC, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, and almost anything in California.

I've lived in NYC, outside of DC (McLean - would move back there or to Alexandria, if the $$ was right) and Pittsburgh, and trust me, Pittsburgh's hard to beat for the money & the convenience! Unless, of course, your eyes are tightly shut, and you're choosing to believe the ancient stories of mills that haven't been around in lifetimes!

PhoenixAzul · #19 08-04-2006, 11:44 PM

I truly enjoy Pittsburgh, mainly because I dig the melting pot we've had going for the last couple hundred years, and the new waves of immigration are only helping this. I like that it is blue collar, and people work hard. I like that it has a TON of character. We've got these awesome little enclaves of artists and pensioners living side by side, and it works. We've got historical Catholic churches, orthodox churches from around the world, synagogues and a thriving jewish community, and a growing muslim community, storefront churches and reading rooms...and yet, it all works together pretty well. We've got definite seasons, all 4 of them (although real Pittsburghers know there's only 2...winter, and construction). There is only one Pittsburgh, and you'd not confuse it with any other city.

I can honestly say I wouldn't want to live in NYC...too fast for me.

No to London as well. Cost of living is too high, housing is too hard to find, jobs are at a premium.

Dublin wouldn't be so bad, but it is becoming a little London (if any Irish are around to hear me say that, I'm in trouble). The Celtic Tiger was great for Ireland and for Dublin, but the cosmopolitianizing of Dublin has taken some of the character from the city. On the streets you find Polish language newspapers and Russian newspapers, tourists everywhere...its very hard to find a native Dubliner. Very busy. But at the same time...this is the new Ireland. Not such a backwards island after all.

shinerbock · #20 08-04-2006, 11:49 PM

Honey, yeah, I've got some family friends who have moved up there so we've been to visit. I just really don't like it. No offense, but Pittsburgh people really bother me too. They don't shut up about Pittsburgh, and I don't see much to talk about. I mean, I live in Atlanta, but I don't really sing its praises unless challenged. Also, I absolutely abhore the steelers and pirates. I know its not the same industrial town, but it still looks like it to a degree. Also, low cost of living doesnt really mean much to me, so I mean yeah its good for a lot of people, but I don't worry about it. Don't worry, it isn't just Pittsburgh, its Philly, Milwaukee, Cinci...Heres what I love in a city...1) Cleanliness and "newness"-It doesnt have to actually be new, just have new buildings or remod homes, things like that. 2) I like greenspace, I hate the concrete/industrialized look 3) I love history, so I like cities with strong history 4)Class, low crime, good education, and young citizens...

Thats why I like cities like Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, San Diego, nice parts of DC, Birmingham, etc. I love downtown districts where you can really walk around in and that have a lot to do, but classy things, not clubs and shops with bars on the window. Alot of those places have great downtowns, Greenville, San Diego, Charleston, Georgetown,etc. I really like bright cities, with lots of young professionals and lots of things to do for families and couples.

tunatartare · #21 08-04-2006, 11:57 PM

I'd visit almost anywhere, but there are places where I would never live:
*anywhere in the Sewage State (New Jersey)
*anywhere that was North of NYC (too cold!)
*California
*any suburban place (I need a good system of public transportation!)
*most Southern cities (this may be a sign that I've been living in NYC for way too long, but the whole "southern hospitality" and being friendly to EVERYONE thing kind just freaks me out)

PhoenixAzul · #22 08-04-2006, 11:59 PM

We don't shut up about Pittsburgh because we DO have quite a bit to be proud of. Few cities are able to make the economic and environmental transition that Pgh has made. It ain't for everyone, but those who live here love it.

Some favorite haunts/cultural things: Point State Park, Riverfront Park (North side and South side), Frick Park, Schenley Park, Flagstaff Hill, Observatory Hill, Riverview Park....and the Warhol, the Carnegie Science Museum/Natural History Museum/Art museum, Matress Factory Museum, Manchester Craftsman's Guild, Silvereye Centre for Photography, Quiet Storm Cafe, Carnegie Mellon School of Art, CAPA High School, Benedum performing arts centre, Byham performing arts centre, O'Reilly Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Three Rivers Arts Fest, Heinz History Centre, Pgh Ballet Theatre, Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Point Park University playhouse, Carnegie Library and subsequent branches...etc etc etc.

We've got excellent universities in the city and surrounding areas, top-notch health care at our doorstep, and the best pyrogi this side of Poland

. And to be honest, you can buy a really awesome historic Victorian for not a lot of cash here. There are those boring planned home developments in the 'burbs, but some of the "best" housing in terms of investment value is right in the city limits.

shinerbock · #23 08-05-2006, 12:02 AM

Yeah, and I mean thats fine. Like when NYC people brag, I kinda get it. When Charleston people brag, I obviously get it. I just don't see Pittsburgh as anything special. I mean I'm sure it is to some, but there just isnt much there I like. Northern industrial cities don't do it for me. The ballpark is nice, though.

Oh, I wanted to add Phoenix to my list of places I like.

DSTRen13 · #24 08-05-2006, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Being from Atlanta, I could only live in Buckhead or Atlantic Station. Maybe Virginia Highlands. Its not the safest town in the world (although I'm rarely bothered by it, i guess from living there for 22 years...)

Love Atlantic Station & Virginia Highlands

(Buckhead is just too ... over the top for me.) Downtown Decatur also rocks, but it's probably a bit "hippie" for you, lol.

shinerbock · #25 08-05-2006, 12:17 AM

No, Decatur is just a little too CYNTHIA MCKINNEY for me.

honeychile · #26 08-05-2006, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Honey, yeah, I've got some family friends who have moved up there so we've been to visit. I just really don't like it. No offense, but Pittsburgh people really bother me too. They don't shut up about Pittsburgh, and I don't see much to talk about. I mean, I live in Atlanta, but I don't really sing its praises unless challenged. Also, I absolutely abhore the steelers and pirates. I know its not the same industrial town, but it still looks like it to a degree. Also, low cost of living doesnt really mean much to me, so I mean yeah its good for a lot of people, but I don't worry about it. Don't worry, it isn't just Pittsburgh, its Philly, Milwaukee, Cinci...Heres what I love in a city...1) Cleanliness and "newness"-It doesnt have to actually be new, just have new buildings or remod homes, things like that. 2) I like greenspace, I hate the concrete/industrialized look 3) I love history, so I like cities with strong history 4)Class, low crime, good education, and young citizens...

Thats why I like cities like Charleston, Greenville, Charlotte, San Diego, nice parts of DC, Birmingham, etc. I love downtown districts where you can really walk around in and that have a lot to do, but classy things, not clubs and shops with bars on the window. Alot of those places have great downtowns, Greenville, San Diego, Charleston, Georgetown,etc. I really like bright cities, with lots of young professionals and lots of things to do for families and couples.

Good explanation, and I can see a lot of it - except the Steelers. I happen to like quite a bit of the same things in a city that you do. One thing that does endear me to Pittsburgh is that I'm a geriatric counseling, and detesting Miami the way I do, Pittsburgh is the next best thing. Of course, the way Congress is going, DC may become a viable option again soon!

It's been quite a while since I've been to Charlotte or Columbia - how would you rate them?

ETA: The reason people who live in Pittsburgh brag is because of the idiots that still think of it as a steel town. It really brings those of us who have never seen a mill down!

shinerbock · #27 08-05-2006, 12:53 AM

Columbia is a little too urban for me. It has nice parts, but it isn't that clean community I like. Charlotte, like every city, has its rough edges, but I like it a lot. It is a great banking center, and the older Charlotte society is something I really like. Several of my fraternity brothers are included in that category.

f8nacn · #28 08-05-2006, 01:01 AM

I would avoid San Francisco (the lifestyle there does not connect with me); New Orleans, Miami Florida...

Citiies that I wouldn't mind relocating to: NYC, DC (lived there and could go back); Charlotte, Dallas, St. Louis, Nashville, or Chicago.

shinerbock · #29 08-05-2006, 01:03 AM

Yeah Nashville is a good one. Not sure I'd wanna live there, but its a fun city.

Taualumna · #30 08-05-2006, 01:09 AM

There are parts of suburban Toronto that I avoid because people there ASSUME that I can read the language. I feel awkward walking around parts of Markham, Ontario because I look like everyone since I'm Chinese, but I can't read the language well (my reading level is that of a kid who has just passed kindergarten) and take little to no interest in kareoke bars.