Chicago- lol... hometown bias.
World-class U.S. cities OTHER than NY, LA
Maybe, second world-class lol. But aside from the very expensive NY, LA and all the usual ones, are there any U.S. cities that come somewhat close to offering everything that these cities do but at a lower price and more liveable environment? (things like culture, status, nightlife, excellent shopping/dining etc.) Obviously none are going to match the top cities, but there has to be a few "next best".
I haven't been around too much but I'd have to go with Houston, Dallas or Las Vegas.
I've heard of Dallas referred to as a "Mini L.A." it's known for it's restaurants and shopping and has the "big-spender" image. Nightlife seems to be a little lacking but hey I don't live there so who knows.
Houston is the 4th largest city (assuming this is still correct) so it's got that going for it, both of these cities have some massive and very impressive skylines too... if anything they at least LOOK the part. They also offer a very very low cost of living.
Las Vegas is a little different but there's no denying that EVERYONE knows Vegas, turn on the travel channel.. when are they NOT airing something on Vegas? I think this is as close as it gets to the "feel" of one of the major glamour cities. Vegas gets a lot of important events and a lot of coverage, like NY there always seems to be something going on around town. Cost of living is also reasonable, I hear property prices are going up now but at least they still have no income tax. Aside from the glamour I don't know what other things the city offers or how liveable it is though.
What are yours?
I haven't been around too much but I'd have to go with Houston, Dallas or Las Vegas.
I've heard of Dallas referred to as a "Mini L.A." it's known for it's restaurants and shopping and has the "big-spender" image. Nightlife seems to be a little lacking but hey I don't live there so who knows.
Houston is the 4th largest city (assuming this is still correct) so it's got that going for it, both of these cities have some massive and very impressive skylines too... if anything they at least LOOK the part. They also offer a very very low cost of living.
Las Vegas is a little different but there's no denying that EVERYONE knows Vegas, turn on the travel channel.. when are they NOT airing something on Vegas? I think this is as close as it gets to the "feel" of one of the major glamour cities. Vegas gets a lot of important events and a lot of coverage, like NY there always seems to be something going on around town. Cost of living is also reasonable, I hear property prices are going up now but at least they still have no income tax. Aside from the glamour I don't know what other things the city offers or how liveable it is though.
What are yours?
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Isn't San Fran one of the most expensive areas in the U.S.? Plus it's already VERY famous I think, along with Chicago. I'm talking about cities that are more accessible, maybe not as famous yet still offer something close to what the major glamour cities offer.
Im officially banning LA, NY, Chicago or San Fran from being mentioned lol.
Im officially banning LA, NY, Chicago or San Fran from being mentioned lol.
Seattle, San Diego, Houston/Dallas, Miami, Boston, Philly, Detroit maybe, Atlanta...
chicago
san francisco
seattle
boston
washington dc
san francisco
seattle
boston
washington dc
Although Chicago isn't in the top 4 or 5, being on this forum has informed be of it's strong points, and I now definitely think it's world class. I think it would be great if the city got some more national and international attention though.
Also, SF and Boston are some of the nicest cities of their size in the world. Not big cities, but very well layed out, beautiful, with good restaurants, shopping, street traffic and diversity. Frankly I can't think of another city in the world with an urban core their size that offers so much.
I don't know Washington too well, but figure it's also nice, with it's huge collection of museums, libraries and sheer power (number one in the world for that).
Miami is great, but like LA, I don't really know if I'd call it a city. Definitely world class though, whatever you want to call it, and kind of like a mini Hong Kong for Latin America (from a business, not skyline) standpoint.
Las Vegas is the world's premier gambling destination, and possibly America's biggest party place these days. Whether you like it or not, it's world class in its way.
I haven't been to Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, New Orleans, but from what I've seen and heard of them, somehow don't think they make the cut to world-class. Seattle and Portland might be the closest, but in photos and diversity at least, are blown away by neighboring Vancouver. New Orleans seems like a glorified adult theme park, but then again I haven't been there.
After that, the list starts to thin out I think. Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, etc are more embarrassments than anything else. Try comparing Houston to Rome or Taipei and tell me that it's world class. The lifestyles are probably "world class" though, if you're into the American dream, with it's big houses, lots of space and land, swimming pools, brand-new cars, and in the sunbelt, palm trees. As I wrote somewhere else, lots/most people in the world would probably take a brand-new 400 square meter house on a big chunk of land, with a private swimming pool and two new SUV's parked out front in Houston over a small apartment in NY or London.
Also, SF and Boston are some of the nicest cities of their size in the world. Not big cities, but very well layed out, beautiful, with good restaurants, shopping, street traffic and diversity. Frankly I can't think of another city in the world with an urban core their size that offers so much.
I don't know Washington too well, but figure it's also nice, with it's huge collection of museums, libraries and sheer power (number one in the world for that).
Miami is great, but like LA, I don't really know if I'd call it a city. Definitely world class though, whatever you want to call it, and kind of like a mini Hong Kong for Latin America (from a business, not skyline) standpoint.
Las Vegas is the world's premier gambling destination, and possibly America's biggest party place these days. Whether you like it or not, it's world class in its way.
I haven't been to Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, Denver, New Orleans, but from what I've seen and heard of them, somehow don't think they make the cut to world-class. Seattle and Portland might be the closest, but in photos and diversity at least, are blown away by neighboring Vancouver. New Orleans seems like a glorified adult theme park, but then again I haven't been there.
After that, the list starts to thin out I think. Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, etc are more embarrassments than anything else. Try comparing Houston to Rome or Taipei and tell me that it's world class. The lifestyles are probably "world class" though, if you're into the American dream, with it's big houses, lots of space and land, swimming pools, brand-new cars, and in the sunbelt, palm trees. As I wrote somewhere else, lots/most people in the world would probably take a brand-new 400 square meter house on a big chunk of land, with a private swimming pool and two new SUV's parked out front in Houston over a small apartment in NY or London.
san francisco
chicago
who said l.a. was a world class city?
dallas and houston are very big, though, boston and philadelphia can beat them easily in this category
dallas and houston are just way too unknown for the rest of the world....if it wasnt for that phrase from the astronauts......they will be just as unknown as wichita falls is
chicago
who said l.a. was a world class city?
dallas and houston are very big, though, boston and philadelphia can beat them easily in this category
dallas and houston are just way too unknown for the rest of the world....if it wasnt for that phrase from the astronauts......they will be just as unknown as wichita falls is
I don't believe I'm exhibiting home time bias here: the original question makes little sense. NY, Chgo, and LA are usually grouped as a trio of the world class US cities, based on size and infuence. Personally I think it is absurd to think that LA and Chgo are not at the same level. I also believe the title of the thread would have been just as inaccurate if it had asked "WOrld class U.S. cities other than NY, Chgo". All three cities belong.
In my world travels it seems to me foreigners know more or have visited so-called unknown cities like Dallas, Portland or Houston. It's the americans who don't know much about them. And brooklynprospect I think you need to travel a little more before making judgements.
Chi, SF, Boston, DC are all world class by many definitions. NY is in a league by itself. LA is closer to the other cities I mentioned than it is to NY. Please go to Dallas and/or Houston if you think they are huge. If you are like me you will be very disappointed. There are huge expanses of nothing between built-up areas, hardly impressive. Tall buildings don't equal world class.
San Francisco comes to mind first off, and Chicago.
If San Diego were bigger, then I'd go with it, but then again hometown bias...
If San Diego were bigger, then I'd go with it, but then again hometown bias...
Have some of yall been to Dallas or Houston recently?? Like since the turn of this century? Just wondering?
I second the notion brooklyn that you need to travel more.
I second the notion brooklyn that you need to travel more.
chicago is the US's number 2 city, LA is third and SF is fourth.
of course, we all know fargo is number 1. i mean like duh...
of course, we all know fargo is number 1. i mean like duh...
Funny, I always hear that LA is the US's 2nd city. Bigger population, bigger economy, and far more famous.jmancuso said:chicago is the US's number 2 city, LA is third and SF is fourth.
Not as many skyscrapers though.
LA has a poor skyline compared to some of americas citys and dosnt have a city centre which is a bit weird for a city.
so that means its not world class?tommygunn said:LA has a poor skyline compared to some of americas citys and dosnt have a city centre which is a bit weird for a city.
LA is much more famous than chicago. More populated, bigger economy.
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