Are these cities really that boring? (suburb, metro area, areas)

[amaiunmei]

Originally Posted by nep321

That's a strange list, as I don't consider any of those cities to be "large" by any means. If we define "large" as the primary city in a metro area with a population of at least 1 million, then, based on my experience and observations (and I could be wrong), I would say these metro areas are considered to be boring:

Hartford
Rochester
Richmond
Raleigh
Jacksonville
Birmingham
Oklahoma City
Cleveland
Indianapolis
Kansas City
Milwaukee
Phoenix
Riverside
Sacramento
San Jose

So basically, Phoenix and Riverside are the most boring large metropolitan areas.

With the exception of Milwaukee, I agree with your list.

Raleigh is one of those places where, if you don't have 2.5 kids and a dog, you have no business living there. You'll be bored to tears.

[eschaton]

The reason why the OP's list is so sun belt heavy is because of the nature of the sun belt regarding incorporation.

In the Northeast or the Midwest, core cities tend to have smaller city limits, which will result in higher population density and usually higher numbers of 18-34 year olds (since less suburban-style neighborhoods are found within the city). Given these are the only two metrics considered, somewhere like Toledo has a built-in advantage over Jacksonville.

At the same time, in the Northeast and most parts of the Midwest, you're not going to see large "suburban cities" outside of the city core. Instead the suburbs will be mostly split up between smaller towns, cities, townships, and boroughs which would never make national lists. Chicagoland is the only example I'm aware of in the Midwest where this happens, as places like Aurora, Elgin, Joliet, and Naperville are fairly sizable suburban municipalities, but lack clear identities outside of the immediate "downtown" area of a few blocks.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by nep321

That's a strange list,

And yours isn't?

Have you spent a substantial amount of time in each of those cities to be able to pontificate as to how boring they are?

[flyingcat2k]

Colorado Springs is FAR more boring than Lubbock. Lubbock at least has a large contingent of college students that get out. The majority of USAFA students don't leave campus so the youth are coming from Fort Carson is largely younger enlisted personnel. COS is chock full of military retirees who are more concerned with keeping people off their lawn, hitching their pants up, and finding discount Viagra.

I don't see where Tulsa ranks so low on urban density. Our density is 2,044/sq mi where as OKC is 1,000 and Colorado Springs is 2,242. Urban density is boring?

[Garethe]

Originally Posted by :-D

This is 100% accurate of Phoenix. Most people just... drink. Or hide in their houses with A/C which is what I'm currently doing, haha.

It does seem to be what they do in hot climates, which they brag over, even though they go from the AC'd house to the AC'd car to the AC'd office to the AC'd mall, is anyone ever really out in it?

[mjlo]

Originally Posted by Garethe

It does seem to be what they do in hot climates, which they brag over, even though they go from the AC'd house to the AC'd car to the AC'd office to the AC'd mall, is anyone ever really out in it?

Yes, Friday through Sunday they spend watching tv and drinking from the pool. It's fantastic! I miss my outdoor AZ living room.

[USNomad]

Originally Posted by AlohaFriday

Even in New Jersey, where I grew up, you could drive to the high speed line and be in Philadelphia in 20 minutes. Museums, Rittenhouse Square, lovely cafes, all in walking distance, I could go on.

I too am from that area of Jersey, and I can't recall ever truly being *bored* due to the proximity to the coasts (Seacrets in OC, MD, the shore), Philly (South Street, Penn's Landing, Ishkabibbles etc.), or NYC, DC.

I lived in AZ from '06 to '10, and then moved to Houston, then DFW. Even though DFW's economy is doing quite well, I wouldn't mind sacrificing the *comforts* of DFW and heading back west now after living in Texas. I recently drove from DFW to San Antonio which took me about 5 hours. After that drive, I couldn't believe that I actually used to complain about the drive from AZ to San Diego which was about the same time. I used to make a pit stop in Yuma for a good meal at Jack n Rosie's or Lute's Casino, then hit the Sand Dunes with friends. I also liked the direct flights to Hawaii from PHX.

Now, I'd LOVE to be within driving distance to a coast with good weather. The Texas lifestyle is nice however, its been a challenge, so I'll be making some adjustments soon.

As far as boring places, I've come to realize there is a place for everyone, its all about what's important to an individual whether it be family, weather, sports, etc.

[Blackhawk4440]

Another Movoto list names Oakland, California as the 'Most Exciting City.' I'll let you draw your own conclusions from that about the reliability of their lists.

Seattle and Portland are the most boring cities I've experienced by far. The weather is too miserable most of the time to go outside and the only social scene is getting drunk/stoned, gay bars, and occasional street riots. If you're not into any of that, there's nothing to do.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by Garethe

It does seem to be what they do in hot climates, which they brag over, even though they go from the AC'd house to the AC'd car to the AC'd office to the AC'd mall, is anyone ever really out in it?

Eh, sometimes. I think more people would be outside in it if Phoenix was not so sprawled. In Phoenix it takes at least a half mile, usually, for some amenities, depending where you are, since most are in the heart of suburbia. And with the heat... might as well take that A/C'd car, right? That half mile starts feeling awfully long when you could be walking alongside some road and start seeing puddles in the street...

You really won't see people outside here unless there is water involved, like a water park or a lake or a pool or something. Anything water-related. At least for the hottest time of the day, ranging from 1-4 roughly. At night, or sunrise, you will see a lot more.

[ajchambers13]

Whats with all the hate with Phoenix? Some suburbs are bound to be more family oriented... but Scottsdale and Tempe both have good nightlife scenes and downtown Phoenix is not as bad as it used to be. I personally take this list with a grain of salt.