Most unpleasent major city street-level?

[TVN]

Hello from Denmark

Friends of mine are going to visit the States soon. We were talking about what major city to avoid?

What the most "sadest" and boring street level for enjoying, in a major city in Southeast, - and maby ind the hole country?

[musiccity]

Well you'll find sad and boring street level areas in all cities, but you'll also find a lively street level areas in all cities too.

For worst street level, I'd say Birmingham or Jackson as the downtown areas are dangerous. Though in Birmingham, the Five Points area is neat. Memphis is great to walk around on Beale Street but be careful as to which neighborhood you're walking around in Memphis as there are some very dangerous neighborhoods.

[Johnny Ryall]

Originally Posted by musiccity

Well you'll find sad and boring street level areas in all cities, but you'll also find a lively street level areas in all cities too.

For worst street level, I'd say Birmingham or Jackson as the downtown areas are dangerous. Though in Birmingham, the Five Points area is neat. Memphis is great to walk around on Beale Street but be careful as to which neighborhood you're walking around in Memphis as there are some very dangerous neighborhoods.

Yikes, no need to even mention Memphis in this thread. Memphis will have some of the best street level cityscape in the Southern U.S., period. Beale Street, Tennessee's #1 tourist attraction (discluding Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park), is just the tip of the iceberg.

[musiccity]

Originally Posted by Johnny Ryall

Yikes, no need to even mention Memphis in this thread. Memphis will have some of the best street level cityscape in Southern U.S., period. Beale Street, Tennessee's #1 tourist destination (discluding Smoky Mountains Nat'l Park), is just the tip of the iceberg.

I did say Beale Street is great Read my quote

But don't wander too far away from the tourist places. I'd say the places the have the liveliest/most scenic street level areas are Nashville, Memphis, Savannah, and Charleston

[Johnny Ryall]

Originally Posted by musiccity

I did say Beale Street is great Read my quote. But don't wander too far away from the tourist places. I'd say the places the have the liveliest/most scenic street level areas are Nashville, Memphis, Savannah, and Charleston

Oh yeah, I read the quote, nod & wink.

New Orleans will have the best street level in the Southeast. I'd advise not to wander too far from tourist places in ALL these cities if you aren't aware of the disadvantaged neighborhoods around their CBDs.

[musiccity]

Originally Posted by Johnny Ryall

Oh yeah, I read the quote, nod & wink.

New Orleans will have the best street level in the Southeast. I'd advise not to wander too far from tourist places in ALL these cities if you aren't aware of the disadvantaged neighborhoods around their CBDs.

Meh, New Orleans is so cliche, people
Should go off the beaten path and visit some other cities.

[diablo234]

As far as having the best street level vibrancy is concerned then New Orleans wins hands down, no other city in the Southeastern US comes even close. Just be sure to have basic street smarts, be aware of your surroundings, and don't stray too far off the beaten path (New Orleans is notorious for having one of the highest crime rates in the US).

[Dale]

Originally Posted by TVN

Hello from Denmark

Friends of mine are going to visit the States soon. We were talking about what major city to avoid?

What the most "sadest" and boring street level for enjoying, in a major city in Southeast, - and maby ind the hole country?

Why would you assume that a Southeastern city would be 'saddest' at street level ?

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by TVN

Hello from Denmark

Friends of mine are going to visit the States soon. We were talking about what major city to avoid?

What the most "sadest" and boring street level for enjoying, in a major city in Southeast, - and maby ind the hole country?

Why not let us know where you are thinking of going and we can discuss that?

The USA is a huge country, and asking questions like this will only get fights started. The truth is that most of the places you will likely go to in the USA have fine street life, especially major cities. You are not likely to find yourself in Montgomery, AL (not putting down Montgomery, just a reasonably large city for my example). More likely you will stick to the large cities, and then only a few while on vacation as it is not practical to visit that many on one trip.

So, where are you thinking of going? Are you going to drive between cities? Fly? Will you have a car while in the city?

[Hia-leah JDM]

Originally Posted by diablo234

As far as having the best street level vibrancy is concerned then New Orleans wins hands down, no other city in the Southeastern US comes even close. .

I'd say Miami Beach comes pretty damn close.

[Sean in New Orleans]

Originally Posted by musiccity

Meh, New Orleans is so cliche, people
Should go off the beaten path and visit some other cities.

You just gave the ultimate insult to New Orleans, and it is about as far from the truth that any opinion could be offered on any city in the US. New Orleans is a lot of things, but, it is most certainly not "cliche." That is a ridiculous statement and absolutely does not fit any legitimate description of New Orleans. If this visitor ever wants to experience the ultimate street experience in the US, they MUST come to New Orleans. But, I see that this post is coming from Starkville, MS, so I think it would be appropriate at this time to say, "consider the source."

[Sean in New Orleans]

Originally Posted by diablo234

As far as having the best street level vibrancy is concerned then New Orleans wins hands down, no other city in the Southeastern US comes even close. Just be sure to have basic street smarts, be aware of your surroundings, and don't stray too far off the beaten path (New Orleans is notorious for having one of the highest crime rates in the US).

Good post, but, should make a correction...New Orleans is known for it's murder rate. We have a conflict resolution problem amongst young black men in this city...but, the real truth about overall crime is that in comparison with major American cities, New Orleans is one of your safest bets in the country and definitely much more safe than other Southeastern cities....last year, according the the FBI, New Orleans ranked #73 with all major cities in the United States in regards to violent crime per capita.

[TVN]

Originally Posted by Dale

Why would you assume that a Southeastern city would be 'saddest' at street level ?

Many of the cities are young comparing to northeast, and could have less history to present? Some of the old cities we know from tv: "North and South" in 1861 look lige they have some charm.

But of course attraktion can be many things. Think my friends are looking for history but also streetlevel with energy. Thanks for the answer.

[TVN]

Originally Posted by tampasteve

Why not let us know where you are thinking of going and we can discuss that?

The USA is a huge country, and asking questions like this will only get fights started. The truth is that most of the places you will likely go to in the USA have fine street life, especially major cities. You are not likely to find yourself in Montgomery, AL (not putting down Montgomery, just a reasonably large city for my example). More likely you will stick to the large cities, and then only a few while on vacation as it is not practical to visit that many on one trip.

So, where are you thinking of going? Are you going to drive between cities? Fly? Will you have a car while in the city?

They are gonna fly to diffents cities. San Francisco for sure i belive, we belive Dallas and Houston is only glas highrise buildings compare to many ofther cities. But New Orleans sound interesting. Not looking for beaches but history and city life.

[tampasteve]

Originally Posted by TVN

They are gonna fly to diffents cities. San Francisco for sure i belive, we belive Dallas and Houston is only glas highrise buildings compare to many ofther cities. But New Orleans sound interesting. Not looking for beaches but history and city life.

OK, if you are looking for history and street life I would make the following recommendations divided by area of the country. Remember, it is about or over a 5 hour flight between the east and west coast of the USA, so time could be of concern. I narrowed down my list to what I think are some of the better history/street life combinations. Naturally a fair portion are in the NE USA since they are older cities and where our country was founded, so if you were planning on using the train to get around and then public transit in the cities you may want to group your visits. For example, one could relatively easily group NY, Boston, and Philadelphia together, or Washington DC, Richmond, and Williamsburg.

That said, the new expanding cities of the south have a lot to offer as well, including history. Texan cities have a lot of history too, especially San Antonio, but also Dallas and Houston.

A (m) at the end of the city name denotes that they have a metro or light rail system that can help you get around the city so you may not need a car.

(not in any particular ranking)
West Coast:
San Diego (m)
Seattle (m)
San Francisco (m)
Napa (if you like wine)

Central USA:
Chicago (m)
San Antonio
New Orleans (m)

East Coast:
New York (m)
Boston (m)
Philadelphia (m)
Washington DC (m)
Savannah
Richmond/Williamsburg

[LSyd]

Originally Posted by musiccity

Well you'll find sad and boring street level areas in all cities, but you'll also find a lively street level areas in all cities too.

For worst street level, I'd say Birmingham or Jackson as the downtown areas are dangerous. Though in Birmingham, the Five Points area is neat. Memphis is great to walk around on Beale Street but be careful as to which neighborhood you're walking around in Memphis as there are some very dangerous neighborhoods.

what? really? i've been around both and never felt threatened.



i felt a little uneasy in Memphis because a panhandler invaded my personal space as part of his schtick and i flipped on him.

to OP, instead of places "to avoid," you should look for places to go.

-

[musiccity]

Originally Posted by LSyd

what? really? i've been around both and never felt threatened.



i felt a little uneasy in Memphis because a panhandler invaded my personal space as part of his schtick and i flipped on him.

to OP, instead of places "to avoid," you should look for places to go.

-

Jackson can definitely be dangerous, one of my friends was carjacked near downtown Jackson a few weeks ago.

[WeimieLvr]

There are lots of lively/pleasant areas that are worth visiting in cities all over the South...most cities have at least a couple of interesting areas. All of the larger cities are worth a visit (Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Nashville, Tampa, Memphis, Louisville, Richmond, etc.) and many smaller cities are great too and sometimes even better (Asheville, Savannah, Chattanooga, Chapel Hill, Charleston, etc.). It just depends on what you're looking for - no one else can make that decision for you.

[SpraysOnBlue]

Originally Posted by tampasteve

Central USA:
Chicago (m)
San Antonio
New Orleans (m)

LOL @ "San Antonio". You've obviously haven't traveled much.

Crime isn't the most important factor. I think the city(s) you want to see depend on what lifestyle you are into.
Music? Gambling? Food? Architecture? History? Natural settings you would like to see like oceans, mountains, etc? Specific Sports? etc.

Each American city has it's strong and weak points. Can't disagree with New Orleans!
It's the first Southern city I visited and it is easily my favorite. No other southern city even comes close.

If you are considering cities outside of the south, there are 4-5 that you must see before others.

New York
Chicago
San Francisco
Boston
Washington DC

These cities are far an away "must see" cities in the US.

[diablo234]

Originally Posted by SpraysOnBlue

LOL @ "San Antonio". You've obviously haven't traveled much.

Have you been to San Antonio at all/or recently? While it may not be as vibrant as say New Orleans or Philadelphia, there is still plenty of historic buildings in downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods and there is a very vibrant albeit touristy strip alongside the Riverwalk and around Market Square and La Villita.