Archive link Full list: Colorado Springs, Colorado Chattanooga, Tennessee St. Louis, Missouri Fort Worth, Texas Savannah, Georgia Santa Fe, New Mexico Louisville, Kentucky
I can say that I've been to most of those cities, lived in a few and, uh, maybe it's just if you're traveling through or something but can't really agree. But, hey, different strokes, some people...
I can say that I've been to most of those cities, lived in a few and, uh, maybe it's just if you're traveling through or something but can't really agree.
But, hey, different strokes, some people are about that B Street life I guess.
Amen. Have spent substantial time in a few of these and read it thinking “they haven’t spent more than 8 hour here else their opinion would be different.”
Amen. Have spent substantial time in a few of these and read it thinking “they haven’t spent more than 8 hour here else their opinion would be different.”
I have been to all the cities on that list except for Colorado Springs. None of them left a strong positive impression on me. However, Fort Worth (and by extension, Dallas) is the only city on...
I have been to all the cities on that list except for Colorado Springs. None of them left a strong positive impression on me.
However, Fort Worth (and by extension, Dallas) is the only city on that list that I have spent more than a few days in (total, not consecutive). So it's probably the only one I'm really qualified to comment on.
And on that point, I have nothing good to say.
This comment was originally a lot longer and more negative. I'll just settle for saying that no one should move to a big city in Texas, unless you like car dependency, forty-six weeks of hot-as-fuck temperatures, and cringe, performative, in-your-face conservatism.
Haha this is great. I actually was born and raised in ft worth and much of what you say is true depending on your demographic. I grew up in a poor Mexican family so I saw a different side of that...
Haha this is great. I actually was born and raised in ft worth and much of what you say is true depending on your demographic. I grew up in a poor Mexican family so I saw a different side of that town. I still have some family there but I have not been back in years. There are lots of run down areas in ft worth. I’m assuming the writer of this piece was only in the tourist environments which of course will always be nice.
For the other cities on that list, it wasn't so much that they had glaring issues, as much as it was just that they didn't "capture me" or whatever. Hopefully that makes sense. Savannah is fine....
For the other cities on that list, it wasn't so much that they had glaring issues, as much as it was just that they didn't "capture me" or whatever. Hopefully that makes sense.
Savannah is fine. It was almost a decade ago when I visited, and I don't know how much the city has changed since then. When I was there though, I kept thinking "holy fuck balls why is it so hot", because back then I was still living around Asheville, North Carolina where it's noticeably cooler. (Heading south from Asheville, you get out of the mountains pretty quickly and into the hotter parts of Georgia and South Carolina. It's a pretty quick and abrupt change in geography and climate.)
Also, I liked Charleston more, because it had a larger water front and was sort of actually on the ocean and not just a big river. Charleston also didn't feel as hot.
It is a weird list. Solidly "blue collar" in a way. Or maybe like...midwest history/art/philosophy professor/austin city limits watching vaguely liberal but maybe really libertarian vibe? It feels...
It is a weird list. Solidly "blue collar" in a way. Or maybe like...midwest history/art/philosophy professor/austin city limits watching vaguely liberal but maybe really libertarian vibe?
It feels like a list of cities a professor of Historical Philosophy of Anasazi Cave Paintings (running a full department of themself) at UT Knoxville would visit every year during summer, winter, and spring break.
Agreed! I've been to them all too. I have to say Santa Fe was a positive surprise, mostly because my expectations were so low. I don't quite see why the others stand out to the author? There's...
Agreed! I've been to them all too.
I have to say Santa Fe was a positive surprise, mostly because my expectations were so low. I don't quite see why the others stand out to the author?
There's nothing wrong with St. Louis, Colorado Springs or Fort Worth, but I'd surely put like 50 other cities in the same category as them. Something like "okay+"
My favorite city ive ever been to was Greenville, South Carolina. I only spent a few days, but there is a river flowing right through the middle of the city with a park all the way along its...
My favorite city ive ever been to was Greenville, South Carolina. I only spent a few days, but there is a river flowing right through the middle of the city with a park all the way along its banks, it was a great way to see the city. The older buildings are very well maintained and the newer buildings still keep to the established aesthetic of the city.
In addition, the city I've spent the most time in was Atlanta, and the feeling of ATL vs Greenville at night is noteworthy. It was always very clean, people were still out and about taking care of errands or enjoying the nightlife in downtown. And very walkable, at least from where I was staying at the time.
And I have to say, I hated St Louis. I only spent time in the outer, rougher areas there, but the amount of old burnt out buildings in some areas was shocking. Within several blocks I counted 12 different burnt down buildings that when I asked about I learned they had been sitting there burnt out for years without anything being done about them.
I have to agree with you about Greenville, It's been a couple decades since I visited but I remember being blown away by Falls Park and the walkability of the area around it. I still look back...
I have to agree with you about Greenville, It's been a couple decades since I visited but I remember being blown away by Falls Park and the walkability of the area around it. I still look back fondly on it all these years later.
I applied for a job in Greenville, which I previously knew nothing about, but the more I read about it, the more I got excited about potentially living there. Didn't even get an interview though,...
I applied for a job in Greenville, which I previously knew nothing about, but the more I read about it, the more I got excited about potentially living there.
Didn't even get an interview though, so that was unfortunate.
I live in Colorado Springs, it can be quite charming. The article mentions staying at the Broadmoor, which is a 5-star resort and this quite pricy. Fun fact: the Cog Railroad mentioned in this...
I live in Colorado Springs, it can be quite charming. The article mentions staying at the Broadmoor, which is a 5-star resort and this quite pricy. Fun fact: the Cog Railroad mentioned in this article, is also owned by the Broadmoor. Interestingly, the article doesn't mention the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is maybe a half mile from the Broadmoor (and is my favorite zoo ever), which is built into the side of a mountain and has a lifted deck for feeding giraffes.
Colorado springs has a rich history, and was once a health destination, as people believed the aridness, altitude, & mineral springs helped relieve/cure Consumption, aka tuberculosis. Also in Colorado Springs is the Olympic Training Center and Museum.
Peak Tourism happens during the summer, but I recommend visiting during the fall when temps are a bit cooler, and staying in one of the small suburbs/ towns on the Westside, like Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City, at the base of Pikes Peak. They're both in the metro area, but are more charming, have lots of interesting events, and are more walkable than Colorado Springs Proper. The Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Pikes Peak Marathon, and so much more happen in the fall on this site of town.
Also, if you're here in September, a short drive (~1hr) will get you to Pueblo for the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival where you can try a local delicacy green chili.
I grew up in and around St. Louis. I bought my first house in the ill fated Ferguson, MO and barely got my family out before shit got real. St. Louis is not a great place to live. But I do agree...
I grew up in and around St. Louis. I bought my first house in the ill fated Ferguson, MO and barely got my family out before shit got real.
St. Louis is not a great place to live. But I do agree with the article that it can be a great place to visit. Especially with a family. Lot's of attractions there are free or inexpensive, while still being surprisingly high quality. I would just advise to choose hotel carefully. Downtown St. Louis goes through up and down cycles, and some years it can be very nice. But when it's on a downward trend the city center can be very dangerous. There's a reason John Carpenter chose it for Escape from New York lol.
I wonder precisely how much he loves of the city versus the county. He basically lists the arch and everything in Forest Park. Forest Park is amazing, but it definitely isn't "living" in STL.
I wonder precisely how much he loves of the city versus the county. He basically lists the arch and everything in Forest Park. Forest Park is amazing, but it definitely isn't "living" in STL.
Chattanooga-borne here, this is literally nothing but a broad stroke of idealistic paint. Sure, there’s a lot of nice outdoor space, and downtown is “quaint”. However, wages are stagnant, housing...
Chattanooga-borne here, this is literally nothing but a broad stroke of idealistic paint. Sure, there’s a lot of nice outdoor space, and downtown is “quaint”. However, wages are stagnant, housing prices are out of control, leadership is thoroughly inept and steeped in a culture of not creating any meaningful forward progress, and violent crime is through the roof.
Not really comprehensive, and kind of insulting really. Then again, I no longer live there after 30+ years, so I don’t really have much skin in the game.
It is definitely written from a tourist's perspective — but I suspect it is written for other prospective tourists, not for people eyeing where they want to live. Chattanooga is a wonderful place...
It is definitely written from a tourist's perspective — but I suspect it is written for other prospective tourists, not for people eyeing where they want to live.
Chattanooga is a wonderful place to visit as a tourist. I went there all the time while I was growing up (my immediate family lives in Atlanta and most of my extended family are scattered around east Tennessee, so we frequently took a detour in Chattanooga for the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, Ruby Falls, etc., while driving up to visit family).
I have always really loved visiting Chattanooga, but I have never felt any urge to live there. I can't say too much about that, though, because I have family living around Gatlinburg — which is a place I really wouldn't want to live due to how touristy it is.
To be fair, I feel like this describes every major city these days. Having lived in Southern California, then Houston, with family in Norfolk, and now looking to move somewhere in the north east,...
wages are stagnant, housing prices are out of control, leadership is thoroughly inept and steeped in a culture of not creating any meaningful forward progress, and violent crime is through the roof.
To be fair, I feel like this describes every major city these days. Having lived in Southern California, then Houston, with family in Norfolk, and now looking to move somewhere in the north east, these are complaints I hear often no matter where I look. Not that it isn't true, even if only in a relative sense, but it seems to be a pretty universal sentiment.
The key word in the title is “unexpectedly.” I was born in and grew up in one of the cities on the list, have lived most of my adult life in another, and have visited all but Ft. Worth. Each of...
The key word in the title is “unexpectedly.” I was born in and grew up in one of the cities on the list, have lived most of my adult life in another, and have visited all but Ft. Worth. Each of these cities have their own charms that are often overlooked by those who have not spent much time there.
I think the list is lackluster. The cities I've been to on the list, Louisville and Colorado Springs, were pretty forgettable. I have heard great things about Savannah and Santa Fe though. In the...
I think the list is lackluster. The cities I've been to on the list, Louisville and Colorado Springs, were pretty forgettable. I have heard great things about Savannah and Santa Fe though.
In the US:
Bolinas is a really cool little town on the California coast. It feels a bit like it got stuck in time about 80 years ago and just stayed that way. Pacific Grove is similar, with more spectacular nature elements but worse cultural heritage. Both are worth a visit. Gaviota was another little gem further down the coast, but it's changed a lot in the last few decades with a big influx of money. Still worth a visit though.
Nevada City is another great little town in California that has changed in the last decade due to an influx in capital, but it's definitely still worth a trip. Feels like an old mining town. Downieville is great too, much more so if you're into mountain biking.
Escalante is a really fun outdoor access town in Utah. A great combination of river, mountain, and desert sports in a pretty fun little town. A little conservative but a very lively place. Mammoth Lakes in California is similar but a bit bigger and a more progressive slant.
Nantes in France stands out to me as an amazing, slept on place. Lots of art, beautiful public gardens, great food. It's one of the places I'd be most enticed to move in Europe.
Padua is another little gem, this time in Italy. It's about 45 minutes outside of Venice and a town for locals. Lots of history and great food but without the hustle and bustle of tourists.
I know San Sebastian is a already a hotspot so I'll give it a nod and give the suggestion for Logrono, just an hour away in the Rioja region. AMAZING food without the prices of San Sebastian. Also Hondaribia, about an hour bike ride from San Sebastian is also worth a visit.
Lastly, New Castle England. New Castle is a bit rough but feels like you got dropped into a steampunk town. Great food, fun bars, and more pretty bridges than you can shake a stick at.
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Full list:
I can say that I've been to most of those cities, lived in a few and, uh, maybe it's just if you're traveling through or something but can't really agree.
But, hey, different strokes, some people are about that B Street life I guess.
Amen. Have spent substantial time in a few of these and read it thinking “they haven’t spent more than 8 hour here else their opinion would be different.”
Which cities in particular are you thinking g of? Just curious.
I have been to all the cities on that list except for Colorado Springs. None of them left a strong positive impression on me.
However, Fort Worth (and by extension, Dallas) is the only city on that list that I have spent more than a few days in (total, not consecutive). So it's probably the only one I'm really qualified to comment on.
And on that point, I have nothing good to say.
This comment was originally a lot longer and more negative. I'll just settle for saying that no one should move to a big city in Texas, unless you like car dependency, forty-six weeks of hot-as-fuck temperatures, and cringe, performative, in-your-face conservatism.
So uh, yeah, don't move to Fort Worth.
Haha this is great. I actually was born and raised in ft worth and much of what you say is true depending on your demographic. I grew up in a poor Mexican family so I saw a different side of that town. I still have some family there but I have not been back in years. There are lots of run down areas in ft worth. I’m assuming the writer of this piece was only in the tourist environments which of course will always be nice.
What was the issue with Savannah, GA?
For the other cities on that list, it wasn't so much that they had glaring issues, as much as it was just that they didn't "capture me" or whatever. Hopefully that makes sense.
Savannah is fine. It was almost a decade ago when I visited, and I don't know how much the city has changed since then. When I was there though, I kept thinking "holy fuck balls why is it so hot", because back then I was still living around Asheville, North Carolina where it's noticeably cooler. (Heading south from Asheville, you get out of the mountains pretty quickly and into the hotter parts of Georgia and South Carolina. It's a pretty quick and abrupt change in geography and climate.)
Also, I liked Charleston more, because it had a larger water front and was sort of actually on the ocean and not just a big river. Charleston also didn't feel as hot.
Honestly, it's a weird list. I've been to most of those cities a few times and I didn't come away with a strongly positive impression.
It is a weird list. Solidly "blue collar" in a way. Or maybe like...midwest history/art/philosophy professor/austin city limits watching vaguely liberal but maybe really libertarian vibe?
It feels like a list of cities a professor of Historical Philosophy of Anasazi Cave Paintings (running a full department of themself) at UT Knoxville would visit every year during summer, winter, and spring break.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portrait-impressive-elderly-man-dressed-hippie-484269658
I dunno, it's really bizarre.
That description is hilariously specific!
I did grow up in a university town (not UT), so it is based very closely on actual characters from real life. More than one even 🤣
And the visual aid is icing... why does replying about a joke 2 levels deep automatically feel like reddit?
Agreed! I've been to them all too.
I have to say Santa Fe was a positive surprise, mostly because my expectations were so low. I don't quite see why the others stand out to the author?
There's nothing wrong with St. Louis, Colorado Springs or Fort Worth, but I'd surely put like 50 other cities in the same category as them. Something like "okay+"
Santa Fe is on my list for a trip with my mother because Georgia O'Keefe and pueblos.
My favorite city ive ever been to was Greenville, South Carolina. I only spent a few days, but there is a river flowing right through the middle of the city with a park all the way along its banks, it was a great way to see the city. The older buildings are very well maintained and the newer buildings still keep to the established aesthetic of the city.
In addition, the city I've spent the most time in was Atlanta, and the feeling of ATL vs Greenville at night is noteworthy. It was always very clean, people were still out and about taking care of errands or enjoying the nightlife in downtown. And very walkable, at least from where I was staying at the time.
And I have to say, I hated St Louis. I only spent time in the outer, rougher areas there, but the amount of old burnt out buildings in some areas was shocking. Within several blocks I counted 12 different burnt down buildings that when I asked about I learned they had been sitting there burnt out for years without anything being done about them.
I have to agree with you about Greenville, It's been a couple decades since I visited but I remember being blown away by Falls Park and the walkability of the area around it. I still look back fondly on it all these years later.
I applied for a job in Greenville, which I previously knew nothing about, but the more I read about it, the more I got excited about potentially living there.
Didn't even get an interview though, so that was unfortunate.
Oh yeah. I wish there was more work in my industry in that area. Id move in an instant haha.
I live in Colorado Springs, it can be quite charming. The article mentions staying at the Broadmoor, which is a 5-star resort and this quite pricy. Fun fact: the Cog Railroad mentioned in this article, is also owned by the Broadmoor. Interestingly, the article doesn't mention the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is maybe a half mile from the Broadmoor (and is my favorite zoo ever), which is built into the side of a mountain and has a lifted deck for feeding giraffes.
Colorado springs has a rich history, and was once a health destination, as people believed the aridness, altitude, & mineral springs helped relieve/cure Consumption, aka tuberculosis. Also in Colorado Springs is the Olympic Training Center and Museum.
Peak Tourism happens during the summer, but I recommend visiting during the fall when temps are a bit cooler, and staying in one of the small suburbs/ towns on the Westside, like Manitou Springs or Old Colorado City, at the base of Pikes Peak. They're both in the metro area, but are more charming, have lots of interesting events, and are more walkable than Colorado Springs Proper. The Emma Crawford Coffin Races, Pikes Peak Marathon, and so much more happen in the fall on this site of town.
Also, if you're here in September, a short drive (~1hr) will get you to Pueblo for the Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival where you can try a local delicacy green chili.
In short, I liked the city so much I moved here!
I grew up in and around St. Louis. I bought my first house in the ill fated Ferguson, MO and barely got my family out before shit got real.
St. Louis is not a great place to live. But I do agree with the article that it can be a great place to visit. Especially with a family. Lot's of attractions there are free or inexpensive, while still being surprisingly high quality. I would just advise to choose hotel carefully. Downtown St. Louis goes through up and down cycles, and some years it can be very nice. But when it's on a downward trend the city center can be very dangerous. There's a reason John Carpenter chose it for Escape from New York lol.
I wonder precisely how much he loves of the city versus the county. He basically lists the arch and everything in Forest Park. Forest Park is amazing, but it definitely isn't "living" in STL.
Chattanooga-borne here, this is literally nothing but a broad stroke of idealistic paint. Sure, there’s a lot of nice outdoor space, and downtown is “quaint”. However, wages are stagnant, housing prices are out of control, leadership is thoroughly inept and steeped in a culture of not creating any meaningful forward progress, and violent crime is through the roof.
Not really comprehensive, and kind of insulting really. Then again, I no longer live there after 30+ years, so I don’t really have much skin in the game.
It is definitely written from a tourist's perspective — but I suspect it is written for other prospective tourists, not for people eyeing where they want to live.
Chattanooga is a wonderful place to visit as a tourist. I went there all the time while I was growing up (my immediate family lives in Atlanta and most of my extended family are scattered around east Tennessee, so we frequently took a detour in Chattanooga for the Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, Ruby Falls, etc., while driving up to visit family).
I have always really loved visiting Chattanooga, but I have never felt any urge to live there. I can't say too much about that, though, because I have family living around Gatlinburg — which is a place I really wouldn't want to live due to how touristy it is.
To be fair, I feel like this describes every major city these days. Having lived in Southern California, then Houston, with family in Norfolk, and now looking to move somewhere in the north east, these are complaints I hear often no matter where I look. Not that it isn't true, even if only in a relative sense, but it seems to be a pretty universal sentiment.
The key word in the title is “unexpectedly.” I was born in and grew up in one of the cities on the list, have lived most of my adult life in another, and have visited all but Ft. Worth. Each of these cities have their own charms that are often overlooked by those who have not spent much time there.
What do you think about this list, and what are your lesser known favorite cities to visit? No need to limit the discussion to the United States.
I think the list is lackluster. The cities I've been to on the list, Louisville and Colorado Springs, were pretty forgettable. I have heard great things about Savannah and Santa Fe though.
In the US:
Bolinas is a really cool little town on the California coast. It feels a bit like it got stuck in time about 80 years ago and just stayed that way. Pacific Grove is similar, with more spectacular nature elements but worse cultural heritage. Both are worth a visit. Gaviota was another little gem further down the coast, but it's changed a lot in the last few decades with a big influx of money. Still worth a visit though.
Nevada City is another great little town in California that has changed in the last decade due to an influx in capital, but it's definitely still worth a trip. Feels like an old mining town. Downieville is great too, much more so if you're into mountain biking.
Escalante is a really fun outdoor access town in Utah. A great combination of river, mountain, and desert sports in a pretty fun little town. A little conservative but a very lively place. Mammoth Lakes in California is similar but a bit bigger and a more progressive slant.
Nantes in France stands out to me as an amazing, slept on place. Lots of art, beautiful public gardens, great food. It's one of the places I'd be most enticed to move in Europe.
Padua is another little gem, this time in Italy. It's about 45 minutes outside of Venice and a town for locals. Lots of history and great food but without the hustle and bustle of tourists.
I know San Sebastian is a already a hotspot so I'll give it a nod and give the suggestion for Logrono, just an hour away in the Rioja region. AMAZING food without the prices of San Sebastian. Also Hondaribia, about an hour bike ride from San Sebastian is also worth a visit.
Lastly, New Castle England. New Castle is a bit rough but feels like you got dropped into a steampunk town. Great food, fun bars, and more pretty bridges than you can shake a stick at.