Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I was thinking the same. Some cities are so dense, massive, and highly populated that I don't think they'd qualify for many people's lifetime living top city, though perhaps exciting while still single or for a few years at most. Other may be nice as a tourist, but have bad reputations among those who've actually lived there (Paris seems to often be described like this). I think people's first reaction is to list their favorite top 10 mega-cities.
My ideal cities are not overly dense, but still have good public transportation (trains/subways) and some unique qualities. It may actually be a plus not to be a haven for tourists as well. More environmentally minded, near nature and water, at least some diversity, generally safe (goodbye most American cities ), temperatures not as important, so long as it doesn't rain a lot (Vancouver, Hong Kong, Tokyo somewhat) and isn't seemingly cloudy all the time. I live in a megalopolis now and I don't like the feeling of being nobody. Whatever talents I have, idea I want to try, many others have done the same. I feel like I am not needed in such a place and my skills, hobbies, and talents can be put in better use in slightly smaller cities.
Interesting points. I agree it's difficult to be unique and make a difference in a huge city. I also avoid tourist spots, Paris or New York City would not even be on my Top 1000 list. Since I don't have a car, cities such as L.A. would be hell for me.
One of the most likable cities I have been to so far is Montevideo. Despite its size it is surprisingly human and slow, many parks...
The most terrible city I know is Kuwait city, without a car you are lost and streets are often like dead because everybody tries to stay inside because of the heat. Not to mention the separation of the sexes, which was very hard to bear as I don't like men.
Within the US I guess I would move to a mid-sized city or College town in the Midwest, maybe Peoria or Dubuque, although the latter is a bit too white for my taste.
1. San Jose
2. Buenos Aires
3. Montevideo
4. Los Angeles
5. Astana
6. Kyiv
7. Tbilisi
8. Taipei
9. rasa
10. Urumqi
Very interesting list!!
I have Buenos Aires in my Top 3 as well.
I loved Montevideo as well. Uruguay as a whole was a beautiful place and I found it extremely affordable.
I've not been to Astana yet, but I have an engineering project expected to take place in the next 3 years. I'm very excited about visiting. It will be my first visit to an old Soviet Central Asian country.
Been to Kiev and Tbilisi. Loved both. Tbilisi made my Top 10 as well.
Also been to Urumqi. Didn't quite make my Top 10, but the city has an amazing future and it is extremely safe and beautiful.
Given we can use our own criteria for deciding our Top Ten, my list is based on the cities I have most enjoyed when travelling, but not necessarily those I would ever consider living in (I hate cold weather and don't have enough money to live in some of them). They're not in any particular order.
1. NYC
2. Chicago
3. Paris
4. Venice
5. Bern
6. Sydney
7. Copenhagen
8. Budapest
9. San Francisco
10. Shanghai
New York
London
Paris
Tokyo
Berlin
Istanbul
Rome
Sydney
Dubai
Buenos Aires
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
), temperatures not as important, so long as it doesn't rain a lot (Vancouver, Hong Kong, Tokyo somewhat) and isn't seemingly cloudy all the time. I live in a megalopolis now and I don't like the feeling of being nobody. Whatever talents I have, idea I want to try, many others have done the same. I feel like I am not needed in such a place and my skills, hobbies, and talents can be put in better use in slightly smaller cities.
