Most underrated and overrated cities in the U.S?
Dec 15th, 2002, 03:36 AM
#101
Guest
Posts: n/a
Underrated:
St. Louis - great museums, botanical garden and zoo (many free), great restaurants, and great sports, despite the Rams this year
Nashville - I'm not a big country music fan, but going downtown you can listen to some great up and coming artists in the clubs. Now with the Predators and Titans, there are some sporting events, and the climate is great.
St. Louis - great museums, botanical garden and zoo (many free), great restaurants, and great sports, despite the Rams this year
Nashville - I'm not a big country music fan, but going downtown you can listen to some great up and coming artists in the clubs. Now with the Predators and Titans, there are some sporting events, and the climate is great.
Dec 15th, 2002, 03:55 AM
#102
Guest
Posts: n/a
I find it interesting that Atlanta is mentioned as being overrated in almost every response to this question. My quesion is: is Atlanta really thought of as being a great place to live by most of the U.S.? I really never thought we were given much consideration one way or the other, except that we do have a great airport here. (And yes, I know, people hate Hartsfield too (another thread entirely), but at least you can fly directly from here to almost anywhere in the world, so that is a definite plus for serious travelers.)
I completely agree that Atlanta lacks character. There is very little culture here, but we do have great restaurants and bars and Lenox mall is wonderful. Other than that, traffic is a nightmare for everyone unless you live in the city. I wouldn't recommend it. It's too crowded already.
I completely agree that Atlanta lacks character. There is very little culture here, but we do have great restaurants and bars and Lenox mall is wonderful. Other than that, traffic is a nightmare for everyone unless you live in the city. I wouldn't recommend it. It's too crowded already.
Dec 15th, 2002, 07:12 AM
#103
Guest
Posts: n/a
Julia, I'll defend Atlanta a bit.
I spent the weekend there a few years back and was surprised to see so many obviously recent migrants from the northeast. That tells me that Atlanta definitely is considered a great place to live...
I judge people by what they do, not what they say, and if they take the trouble to move to Atlanta, that constitutes physical evidence that they like it. And Atlanta probably receives more migrants from the rest of the USA than any other metro area.
Bear in mind that forums like this one are the only outlet for the views of cranks and weirdos, and certainly do not express, or represent, the general opinion.
Yes, I think Atlanta has a unique character. I would never confuse it with Phoenix, Houston, Dallas or any other sunbelt city.
As for culture, I think it has a cultural level appropriate to its size... you're certainly not a New York or Chicago. But you're not a small town, either.
I spent the weekend there a few years back and was surprised to see so many obviously recent migrants from the northeast. That tells me that Atlanta definitely is considered a great place to live...
I judge people by what they do, not what they say, and if they take the trouble to move to Atlanta, that constitutes physical evidence that they like it. And Atlanta probably receives more migrants from the rest of the USA than any other metro area.
Bear in mind that forums like this one are the only outlet for the views of cranks and weirdos, and certainly do not express, or represent, the general opinion.
Yes, I think Atlanta has a unique character. I would never confuse it with Phoenix, Houston, Dallas or any other sunbelt city.
As for culture, I think it has a cultural level appropriate to its size... you're certainly not a New York or Chicago. But you're not a small town, either.
Dec 15th, 2002, 07:18 AM
#104
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear "me":
In my personal search for truth, it is my own perceptions and observations, along with my reasoning, that provide it. And based on my travels and experiences, I find Houston and Dallas to be overrated. End of story.
You can't try to change my perceptions and observations by spewing some government census figures. It doesn't change what I saw and felt, which is the both Houston and Dallas did not meet my expectations.
"You can rationalize just about anything if you try hard enough" - anonymous
In my personal search for truth, it is my own perceptions and observations, along with my reasoning, that provide it. And based on my travels and experiences, I find Houston and Dallas to be overrated. End of story.
You can't try to change my perceptions and observations by spewing some government census figures. It doesn't change what I saw and felt, which is the both Houston and Dallas did not meet my expectations.
"You can rationalize just about anything if you try hard enough" - anonymous
Dec 15th, 2002, 07:57 AM
#105
Guest
Posts: n/a
Dear as good...
You certainly have a right to like or dislike a city... your personal preference does not harm anybody.
The problem is... you're missing the point of the question.
Not whether you like or dislike a city, but whether it is under or overrated. There is a difference.
Overrated means that the general perception is more favorable than is justified. Underrated means that people find value they did not know about or expect.
For example... Dallas is underrated because people who visit discover things like a fun ride on a hundred year old trolley car, or a street performer in the West End, or monkeys in the indoor jungle in the Dallas World Aquarium. The comfortable street life in the West Village was a pleasant surprise to my friend from Belgium, and he certainly didn't expect a free jazz concert at the DMA.
These experiences are not overrated, because they're not rated at all. They're unknown. At least in this forum.
If you want to clarify your views, explain what you originally expected, that didn't meet your expectations.
Did you think that Dallas did not have suburbs, or freeways? You thought all its buildings were old, and they turned out to be new? What did you expect to find that was not there?
You certainly have a right to like or dislike a city... your personal preference does not harm anybody.
The problem is... you're missing the point of the question.
Not whether you like or dislike a city, but whether it is under or overrated. There is a difference.
Overrated means that the general perception is more favorable than is justified. Underrated means that people find value they did not know about or expect.
For example... Dallas is underrated because people who visit discover things like a fun ride on a hundred year old trolley car, or a street performer in the West End, or monkeys in the indoor jungle in the Dallas World Aquarium. The comfortable street life in the West Village was a pleasant surprise to my friend from Belgium, and he certainly didn't expect a free jazz concert at the DMA.
These experiences are not overrated, because they're not rated at all. They're unknown. At least in this forum.
If you want to clarify your views, explain what you originally expected, that didn't meet your expectations.
Did you think that Dallas did not have suburbs, or freeways? You thought all its buildings were old, and they turned out to be new? What did you expect to find that was not there?
Dec 15th, 2002, 08:24 AM
#106
Guest
Posts: n/a
Me:
Dallas and Houston both failed to meet my expectations, as I clearly stated. I could reason that my expectations are set by word of mouth, publications, and forums like this. Therefore, given the "ratings" that I entered those cities with, they both were overrated in the end.
I don't think I missed the point of the question at all, thank you.
Dallas and Houston both failed to meet my expectations, as I clearly stated. I could reason that my expectations are set by word of mouth, publications, and forums like this. Therefore, given the "ratings" that I entered those cities with, they both were overrated in the end.
I don't think I missed the point of the question at all, thank you.
Dec 15th, 2002, 09:03 AM
#108
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mr As Good,
I believe you when you say you don't like Dallas or Houston. And I fully understand that you had a list of expectations that they failed to meet.
I'm asking you to specify those expectations. Exactly what did you expect? And what did you get?
I believe you when you say you don't like Dallas or Houston. And I fully understand that you had a list of expectations that they failed to meet.
I'm asking you to specify those expectations. Exactly what did you expect? And what did you get?
Dec 15th, 2002, 09:26 AM
#110
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mr As Good, One more question or two, if I may.
You wrote: 'my expectations are set by word of mouth, publications, and forums like this'.
Well, many people contribute to word of mouth, to publications and to this forum. Are they all wrong... and you're the only one who is right?
Or is it more likely that you failed to find things that others were able to clearly see?
Since you're unable or unwilling to be specific about your expectations, and how they were unfulfilled, we have no way of judging you or your perceptions.
You see, nobody really cares if you had a good time or not. Your only value to the rest of us is as a source of information.
You wrote: 'my expectations are set by word of mouth, publications, and forums like this'.
Well, many people contribute to word of mouth, to publications and to this forum. Are they all wrong... and you're the only one who is right?
Or is it more likely that you failed to find things that others were able to clearly see?
Since you're unable or unwilling to be specific about your expectations, and how they were unfulfilled, we have no way of judging you or your perceptions.
You see, nobody really cares if you had a good time or not. Your only value to the rest of us is as a source of information.
Dec 15th, 2002, 09:34 AM
#111
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jerry,
This is a travel forum. I want the public to have a good, realistic picture of my town. Like anyplace else, it has its shortcomings as well as its assets.
I think that legitimate criticism is a good thing... it motivates people to improve.
What I don't like, however, is unsubstantiated slander.
This is a travel forum. I want the public to have a good, realistic picture of my town. Like anyplace else, it has its shortcomings as well as its assets.
I think that legitimate criticism is a good thing... it motivates people to improve.
What I don't like, however, is unsubstantiated slander.
Dec 15th, 2002, 09:41 AM
#112
Guest
Posts: n/a
From the condescending and belligerent tone of virtually every one of your posts, I get the feeling that what you object to is another's disagreeing with you about Dallas and not necessarily that his or her opinion wasn't substantiated within his or her particular reply.
You like Dallas and are happy to point to all it offers. Understood. Others don't like Dallas, but they don't answer to you. I wish you could simply accept that and move on.
You like Dallas and are happy to point to all it offers. Understood. Others don't like Dallas, but they don't answer to you. I wish you could simply accept that and move on.
Dec 15th, 2002, 09:49 AM
#113
Guest
Posts: n/a
This question has provoked a lively debate, and I agree with lot of it, but what I don't understand is, why hasn't anyone mentioned Burlington, VT as underrated? It's scenic, has cultural offerings and a boat load of outdoor activities. The restaurant quality may be the main area that needs improvement. (my recent visits I only encountered mediocre restaurants) Burlington is about an hour or so from Montreal, a ferry ride to upstate NY, and 45 min to 2 hours to many ski areas.
For my Overrated picks I agree with most of the posts. Miami would probably be my pick as most overrated.
For my Overrated picks I agree with most of the posts. Miami would probably be my pick as most overrated.
Dec 15th, 2002, 10:35 AM
#114
Guest
Posts: n/a
No, Jerry,
I honestly don't care if somebody dislikes my town. Or if they don't share my opinions about it.
I'm sorry that it has shortcomings, and I'm a little ashamed when people point them out. But us Dallas folk are trying hard to improve our city, and we've had some successes. Honest criticism is a good thing.
I will respond, however, to someone who unfairly slanders my town and my people.
Slander, I'll define as unsubstantiated or unspecified criticism, intended to harm a reputation.
OTOH, maybe we can all play nice and get along.
I honestly don't care if somebody dislikes my town. Or if they don't share my opinions about it.
I'm sorry that it has shortcomings, and I'm a little ashamed when people point them out. But us Dallas folk are trying hard to improve our city, and we've had some successes. Honest criticism is a good thing.
I will respond, however, to someone who unfairly slanders my town and my people.
Slander, I'll define as unsubstantiated or unspecified criticism, intended to harm a reputation.
OTOH, maybe we can all play nice and get along.
Dec 15th, 2002, 12:55 PM
#115
Guest
Posts: n/a
Me writes the following, and I have tried my best to insert what we all observe:
"This is a travel forum. I want the public to have a good <very favorable>, realistic <biased> picture of my town. Like anyplace else, it has its shortcomings <which I tend to omit> as well as its assets <which I tend to greatly exaggerate>."
"This is a travel forum. I want the public to have a good <very favorable>, realistic <biased> picture of my town. Like anyplace else, it has its shortcomings <which I tend to omit> as well as its assets <which I tend to greatly exaggerate>."
Dec 15th, 2002, 01:14 PM
#116
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jim: That's right...
This is a travel forum and I want the public to have a good and favorable image of my city...and yes, I'll promote its assets and leave it to people like you to try to find its shortcomings... if you can.
And if you place false or derogatory information about it on this forum, I'll respond with a correction...
This is a travel forum and I want the public to have a good and favorable image of my city...and yes, I'll promote its assets and leave it to people like you to try to find its shortcomings... if you can.
And if you place false or derogatory information about it on this forum, I'll respond with a correction...
Dec 15th, 2002, 02:29 PM
#118
Guest
Posts: n/a
Me writes:
"and yes, I'll promote its assets and leave it to people like you to try to find its shortcomings... if you can."
I think the masses have found shortcomings with Dallas for years. That is why you are spending so much of your time attempting to change public opinion.
"and yes, I'll promote its assets and leave it to people like you to try to find its shortcomings... if you can."
I think the masses have found shortcomings with Dallas for years. That is why you are spending so much of your time attempting to change public opinion.
Dec 15th, 2002, 03:41 PM
#119
Guest
Posts: n/a
Jim, you wrote... "I think the masses have found shortcomings with Dallas for years."
In point of fact, the masses are quite happy with Dallas.
That is why it was third in the nation in amount of growth in the 1990s. Metro Dallas/Ft Worth accumulated more people than Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston metros... even among its peers, other sunbelt cities, Dallas was second, only to LA.
It's a very complimentary phenomenon... people want to move here, and then they don't want to leave. Young people starting families don't have to leave town to make a start in life, like my San Francisco daughter had to do.
Jobs? Weather? Mexican immigrants? Not hardly.
The census found that in the year 2000 alone, about 150,000 people moved to Dallas from other states in the USA.
For jobs? Believe me, the entire sunbelt has jobs. People want to take the Dallas job.
Weather? You're kidding... the heat...
Your viewpoint is so much at odds with the numbers that you have some real explaining to do to make your point...
In point of fact, the masses are quite happy with Dallas.
That is why it was third in the nation in amount of growth in the 1990s. Metro Dallas/Ft Worth accumulated more people than Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston metros... even among its peers, other sunbelt cities, Dallas was second, only to LA.
It's a very complimentary phenomenon... people want to move here, and then they don't want to leave. Young people starting families don't have to leave town to make a start in life, like my San Francisco daughter had to do.
Jobs? Weather? Mexican immigrants? Not hardly.
The census found that in the year 2000 alone, about 150,000 people moved to Dallas from other states in the USA.
For jobs? Believe me, the entire sunbelt has jobs. People want to take the Dallas job.
Weather? You're kidding... the heat...
Your viewpoint is so much at odds with the numbers that you have some real explaining to do to make your point...
Aug 6th, 2013, 11:30 PM
#120
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Underrated: Spokane, Washington, I absolutely love Spokane because it has a lot of shopping for its size yet it still has that small town feel to it, people are really nice and friendly there and the traffic is light, I also love the scenery of the Spokane area, it's a place I would recommend for skiers and people wanting to live in a fairly big city yet it still reminds them of the small town they've came from
overrated: Seattle, other than downtown and the marketplace there isn't a lot to do there, the traffic is horrid and it's too grey and rainy for my liking
overrated: Seattle, other than downtown and the marketplace there isn't a lot to do there, the traffic is horrid and it's too grey and rainy for my liking
