drizzt3117
Stylish Dinosaur
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2004
- Messages
- 13,040
- Reaction score
- 14
For me:
1) Boston
My top cities will likely be ones that I have spent a lot of time in, I suppose this is natural, I did my undergrad in the Boston area and really enjoy this city. Vibrant and somewhat diverse with a huge amount of colleges and universities, Boston retains some of the genteel qualities of the NE while still possessing a city atmosphere. IMO one of the more "european" cities in the US.
2) Vienna
Still retaining some imperial flair while entering the 21st century with state of the art facilities like the Millenium tower, Vienna is a very comfortable city where the past and present blend rather fluidly. This is probably the most comfortable of European cities to me, and my six months here passed quickly.
3) London
To me, London is one of the more comfortable cities as well, and also possesses an interesting dichotomy between past and present, with all of the new millenial construction and buildings such as the Tate modern posing a striking contrast to the Tower of London, just across the river.
4) Las Vegas
Sin City is what it is, and doesn't try to hide it. Unabashed capitalism at its best, everything can be had for a price, and this city revels in it. Wonderful shopping and dining opportunities, an infinite selection of casinos and wonderful hotels, and a carnival atmosphere, what else could you ask for? (besides a safe city outside of the strip)
5) Rome
Of the three largest European cities, Rome is the oldest, and this is clear from the emphasis on the past. You don't see the hypermodernity that is found in some areas of Paris and London, and sometimes the city can best be described as organized chaos, but Rome possesses a ephermal je non se quois that makes it special.
6) New York City
I imagine many people here will put NYC as #1, and why not? Financial and fashion capital of the world, NYC certainly has the biggest and best of everything, I've never felt as comfortable there as in other places though, despite a couple years of living in the area.
7) Hong Kong
This would probably be a bit higher before 1997, but Hong Kong is another bastion of capitalism in Asia that is interesting to analyze, the historical meeting point of East and West. Certainly culinarily, this may be worthy of a top three ranking.
8) Paris
The City of Light is spectacular, and again, has almost everything imaginable in terms of shopping/dining, etc... I still found it a bit less livable than London and other cities.
9) San Francisco
Lovely yet iconiclastic, SF is the modern US version of the past and present clashing, as much of the history of the Gold Rush is still visible in an area that is as technologically advanced as any in the world.
10) Tokyo
Bustling, with the chararistic vibrance of Asian cities, Tokyo is certainly the pulse of Japan and is exciting, for a city dweller, I almost felt overcrowded here though.
Waiting List:
Montreal
Vancouver
Shanghai
St. Petersburg
Prague
Budapest
1) Boston
My top cities will likely be ones that I have spent a lot of time in, I suppose this is natural, I did my undergrad in the Boston area and really enjoy this city. Vibrant and somewhat diverse with a huge amount of colleges and universities, Boston retains some of the genteel qualities of the NE while still possessing a city atmosphere. IMO one of the more "european" cities in the US.
2) Vienna
Still retaining some imperial flair while entering the 21st century with state of the art facilities like the Millenium tower, Vienna is a very comfortable city where the past and present blend rather fluidly. This is probably the most comfortable of European cities to me, and my six months here passed quickly.
3) London
To me, London is one of the more comfortable cities as well, and also possesses an interesting dichotomy between past and present, with all of the new millenial construction and buildings such as the Tate modern posing a striking contrast to the Tower of London, just across the river.
4) Las Vegas
Sin City is what it is, and doesn't try to hide it. Unabashed capitalism at its best, everything can be had for a price, and this city revels in it. Wonderful shopping and dining opportunities, an infinite selection of casinos and wonderful hotels, and a carnival atmosphere, what else could you ask for? (besides a safe city outside of the strip)
5) Rome
Of the three largest European cities, Rome is the oldest, and this is clear from the emphasis on the past. You don't see the hypermodernity that is found in some areas of Paris and London, and sometimes the city can best be described as organized chaos, but Rome possesses a ephermal je non se quois that makes it special.
6) New York City
I imagine many people here will put NYC as #1, and why not? Financial and fashion capital of the world, NYC certainly has the biggest and best of everything, I've never felt as comfortable there as in other places though, despite a couple years of living in the area.
7) Hong Kong
This would probably be a bit higher before 1997, but Hong Kong is another bastion of capitalism in Asia that is interesting to analyze, the historical meeting point of East and West. Certainly culinarily, this may be worthy of a top three ranking.
8) Paris
The City of Light is spectacular, and again, has almost everything imaginable in terms of shopping/dining, etc... I still found it a bit less livable than London and other cities.
9) San Francisco
Lovely yet iconiclastic, SF is the modern US version of the past and present clashing, as much of the history of the Gold Rush is still visible in an area that is as technologically advanced as any in the world.
10) Tokyo
Bustling, with the chararistic vibrance of Asian cities, Tokyo is certainly the pulse of Japan and is exciting, for a city dweller, I almost felt overcrowded here though.
Waiting List:
Montreal
Vancouver
Shanghai
St. Petersburg
Prague
Budapest
