America's Favorite Cities '07

MSYtristar · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:18 pm

60,000 people polled....25 cities to choose from (not all of them received enough votes to end up on the winners page)....and here are some of the results from the Travel and Leisure magazine "America's Favorite Cities" poll.

CULTURE

Museum and galleries

1. Washington

2. New York

3. Chicago, Illinois

Classical music

1. New York

2. Boston, Massachusetts

3. Chicago

SHOPPING

Flea markets

1. New Orleans

2. Charleston, South Carolina

3. Portland, Oregon

Home design

1. Chicago

2. Charleston, South Carolina

3. San Francisco, California

PEOPLE

Diversity

1. New York

2. San Francisco

3. New Orleans

Friendly

1. Charleston

2. New Orleans

3. Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

Intelligent

1. Seattle

2. Minneapolis/St. Paul

3. Boston

Worldly

1. Washington

2. San Francisco

3. New York

FOOD AND DINING

Ethnic food

1. New York

2. San Francisco

3. New Orleans

Farmers' markets

1. Seattle

2. Portland, Oregon

3. Philadelphia

CITYSCAPE

Access to outdoors

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Denver, Colorado

3. Honolulu, Hawaii

Cleanliness

1. Minneapolis/St. Paul

2. Portland, Oregon

3. San Diego, California

Notable neighborhoods

1. San Francisco

2. New York

3. Boston

Public parks and spaces

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Minneapolis/St. Paul

3. Chicago

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:20 pm

Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

BCAInfoSys · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:22 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Easy. LA is a dump. Pure and simple. Based on the criteria listed, it doesn't belong on any of those lists. twocents

IFEMaster · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:27 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Because Los Angeles is a cesspit of a place. If the USA were an ass, Los Angeles would be second biggest carbuncle on it, right next to Detroit.

BCAInfoSys · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:54 pm

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 3):
Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Because Los Angeles is a cesspit of a place. If the USA were an ass, Los Angeles would be second biggest carbuncle on it, right next to Detroit.

Priceless. Couldn't have put it any better.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:56 pm

That was not really fair to say about L.A.

Have you been in L.A IFEMaster????

ANCFlyer · Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:58 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Because LA sucks . . . . pretty simple.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 3):
Because Los Angeles is a cesspit of a place. If the USA were an ass, Los Angeles would be second biggest carbuncle on it, right next to Detroit.

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Flea markets

Now that's something to be proud of . . . "we have the best danged flea market"! crazy

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
FOOD AND DINING

Surprised DC isn't on this list . . . .

MSYtristar · Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:01 pm

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 6):
Now that's something to be proud of . . . "we have the best danged flea market"!

Hey come on now, give us credit where credit is due! Old port cities have their fair share of unique items for sale. Wink

BCAInfoSys · Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:01 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):
That was not really fair to say about L.A.

Have you been in L.A IFEMaster????

OK genius.. take a look at his profile. Look where he lives. "Orange County, CA". I think it's safe to say he's been to LA..

You may not agree with it. But I think the universal consensus is that LA sucks!

[Edited 2007-10-10 10:07:48]

IFEMaster · Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:16 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):
That was not really fair to say about L.A.

Oh contrare. It's probably the fairest description anyone could ever make about it. Los Angeles is a nasty place.

Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):
Have you been in L.A IFEMaster?

I used to live there, unfortunately. I now live in south Orange County, but my work takes me in to Los Angeles on a regular basis, and I go to concerts there at least a couple of times a month.

I think that, based on those criteria, I'm fully qualified to pass judgment.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:21 pm

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 9):
used to live there, unfortunately

I see.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 9):
but my work takes me in to Los Angeles on a regular basis,

You dont like L.A but you are forced to work there. That is good.

[Edited 2007-10-10 10:22:15]

ORFflyer · Wed Oct 10, 2007 5:36 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 5):
That was not really fair to say about L.A.

The truth isn't always fair.

MadameConcorde · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:03 pm

Honolulu gets my vote! cheerful

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:04 pm

Quoting ORFflyer (Reply 11):
The truth isn't always fair.

I can see that. But in this case it is not the truth.

aloha73g · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:08 pm

Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 12):
Honolulu gets my vote!

Thanks.....I think we should have notched a few more spots on the lists...Ethnic Food, Diversity, & Friendliness in particular.

-Aloha!

vikkyvik · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:09 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 13):
I can see that. But in this case it is not the truth.

It sure is.

LA - where every block has its own distinctively disgusting stench.

Glad Boston made a few of those lists though, even if a lot of the categories sound kinda stupid. Oh well.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:11 pm

Quoting Vikkyvik (Reply 15):
LA - where every block has its own distinctively disgusting stench.

Not every block actually. You would love L.A if you would see our house over there.

KROC · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:13 pm

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 9):
I used to live there, unfortunately. I now live in south Orange County, but my work takes me in to Los Angeles on a regular basis, and I go to concerts there at least a couple of times a month.

This explains a lot of things now.

MSYtristar · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:16 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 16):
You would love L.A if you would see our house over there.

Every city in America from huge and ornate to small and po dunk have nice houses. That says nothing, really.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:20 pm

Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 18):
Every city in America from huge and ornate to small and po dunk have nice houses. That says nothing, really.

Okey, maybe downtown L.A is not the best place in the world, but it is not so bad as you guys says.

IFEMaster · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:22 pm

Quoting KROC (Reply 17):
This explains a lot of things now.

Oh? Do elaborate, mighty KROC.

767Lover · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:26 pm

"Access to outdoors"--What a strange category! Are all the other cities in a Biosphere? rotfl

Actually, I'm not just saying this because I'm from Atlanta, but Atlanta has some of the best authentic ethnic food you'll find anywhere -- and lots of it, in terms of number of restaurants.

I am a bit surprised that Charleston was named at the top of the "most friendly" list. I was there as recently as last week, and I didn't find it particularly friendly. Not that it was the most unfriendly place I've been to, but certainly not as friendly as say Chicago or Kansas City.

LAXspotter · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:28 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 19):
L.A is not the best place in the world, but it is not so bad as you guys says.

I thought LA could have made it to a couple of things in the list, I lived there for almost eight years, and still go there about every two weeks. Sure, LA has bad traffic, a gang problem, and all the other things plaguing large cities, but LA is definetely, probably the third or fourth most culturally diverse city in the world after London and New York. It is however very dirty in many places where living conditions are poor. Moreover, LA's access to the outdoors isnt that bad, within two hours you can get from the Beach to the Mountains (good traffic only, hehe). It has problems, but its THAT bad. One more thing on the list, LAX is the best spotting airport in the country, hands down uless you disagree box

IFEMaster · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:28 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 10):

You dont like L.A but you are forced to work there. That is good.

Nobody's forcing me to do anything. I run my own business based in OC, but I have clients all over the country, with several in Los Angeles.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:30 pm

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 23):
Nobody's forcing me to do anything. I run my own business based in OC, but I have clients all over the country, with several in Los Angeles.

Your clients force you to L.A Wink

IFEMaster · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:34 pm

Quoting B747forever (Reply 24):
Your clients force you to L.A

They also "force" me to much nicer places, like Seattle, Honolulu, San Diego, Charlotte, Denver, & Minneapolis.

B747forever · Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:38 pm

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 25):
They also "force" me to much nicer places, like Seattle, Honolulu, San Diego, Charlotte, Denver, & Minneapolis.

I see.

Have been in San Diego too. A nice city. Doesn't have any experience about the other cities.

steeler83 · Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:36 pm

I wonder if Pittsburgh made any of those lists. Of course not the top 3, but I would think for access to outdoors it would be in at least the top 10 if not the top 5. Tons of state parks nearby, the Allegheny Nat'l Forest 2 short hours away, ski resorts, boating and golf, fishing? Some have dubbed it the outdoor capital of the Northeast... I forget where I read that, but trust me, it's there.

DC10extender · Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:40 pm

Quoting LAXspotter (Reply 22):
probably the third or fourth most culturally diverse city in the world after London and New York.

Culturally diverse? Anyone not Latino is in the minority in LA.

thepilot · Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:43 pm

Seattle #1 in intelligence. Well we do shoot out jets at quite a quick rate. #1 in farmer's market, the only category that really counts. Smile

Brains and beets, that's Seattle.

AllegiantAir · Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:52 pm

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Friendly

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Intelligent

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Cleanliness

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Public parks and spaces

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Minneapolis/St. Paul

Whoa, go M/SP!!!

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 25):
They also "force" me to much nicer places, like Seattle, Honolulu, San Diego, Charlotte, Denver, & Minneapolis.

Thanks for the compliment. Smile

flymia · Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:01 pm

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
PEOPLE

Diversity

1. New York

2. San Francisco

3. New Orleans

New Orleans??????????????? No Miami? Besides for New York Miami has these two cities beat by far. Lets not forget Miami is first in terms of percentage of residents born outside of the country it is located in the world with 59% of its residents being born outside the US.
What about a night life category? Miami has any city in the US beat in that too.
Some strange categories for "cities" Flea markets, Classical Music.?

D L X · Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:04 pm

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
CULTURE

Museum and galleries

1. Washington

BOOYAH!

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Worldly

1. Washington

BOOYAH!

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Public parks and spaces

1. Portland, Oregon

2. Minneapolis/St. Paul

3. Chicago

Uhh..... huh? How DC and NY didn't top out this list amazes me.
NY: a city with a big-ass park in it. DC: a park with a big-ass city in it.

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Oh let me count the ways. (Seriously, this is fodder for another thread. Anyone want to start it?)
10) LA isn't even a city. It's a loosely formed collection of carcinogens and pollutants.
9) You can't breathe the air.
8) You can see the air.
7) Everyone is an actor
6) (but no one actually knows how to act.)
5) Better fun friends.
4) They don't like you anyways, so why kiss up to them?
3) Betterthanyouitis
2) The girls are all sixes that think they are tens
1) and to sum up, LA simply sucks. It sucks like a Hoover.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 6):
Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
FOOD AND DINING

Surprised DC isn't on this list . . . .

No dim sum. Apparently, you need dim sum.

Quoting 767Lover (Reply 21):
but Atlanta has some of the best authentic ethnic food you'll find anywhere

Apparently, soul food doesn't count. Sad

ANCFlyer · Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:08 pm

Quoting D L X (Reply 32):
1) and to sum up, LA simply sucks. It sucks like a Hoover.

I believe we've reached concensus about that cesspool on the West Coast . . . bigthumbsup

Quoting D L X (Reply 32):
No dim sum. Apparently, you need dim sum.

The restaurants in Adams Morgan/Dupont Circle area alone are better than most of the rest of the country . . . I thoroughly enjoyed going out to dinner in DC . . .

bagoldex · Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:13 am

Quoting B747forever (Reply 16):
Not every block actually. You would love L.A if you would see our house over there.

They are talking about the city as a whole, not the cutesy little bistros and country clubs your parents take you while there "on summers".

MSYtristar · Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:48 am

Quoting FlyMIA (Reply 31):
What about a night life category? Miami has any city in the US beat in that too.

That is arguable. MIA is no better or worse than NYC, Vegas, and New Orleans.

N1120A · Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:57 am

Quoting B747forever (Reply 1):
Why is not Los Angeles in the top 3 in any list???

Because you can't account for bad taste.

Quoting BCAInfoSys (Reply 2):
Based on the criteria listed, it doesn't belong on any of those lists. twocents

At the very minimum, even someone who hates L.A. has to admit that we win in the Farmer's Market category. Anyone who goes to the Santa Monica Farmer's Market and says it isn't the best is a liar or has no concept of food.

The city also wins on diversity, and definitely when it comes to blending diversity. With that comes ethnic food. As good as the food is in New Orleans, it is not nearly as ethnically diverse a menu as Los Angeles.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 3):

Because Los Angeles is a cesspit of a place. If the USA were an ass, Los Angeles would be second biggest carbuncle on it, right next to Detroit.

Which is, of course, why it is the second largest city sarcastic

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 6):

Surprised DC isn't on this list . . . .

I'm not. The food cities in the US are Los Angeles, New Orleans, San Francisco, New York and Chicago.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 9):
I now live in south Orange County

How unfortunate

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 25):

They also "force" me to much nicer places

Well, you can always "force" yourself somewhere else and make room for people who appreciate the area.

Quoting DC10extender (Reply 28):

Culturally diverse? Anyone not Latino is in the minority in LA.

Um, Los Angeles is absolutely the most culturally diverse city in the world. More Chinese than San Francisco, more Iranians than anywhere outside of Iran, substantial populations of almost every Latin American group, etc.

Evan767 · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:07 am

Los Angeles is disgusting, with little to do, it's the surrounding areas that are nice.

N1120A · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:13 am

Quoting Evan767 (Reply 37):
Los Angeles is disgusting, with little to do, it's the surrounding areas that are nice.

Little to do huh? You mean like spending the day at the beach, shopping at the best farmer's market in the world, eating great food, catching great sports, shopping, more visual media than anywhere...

flymia · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:20 am

Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 35):
That is arguable. MIA is no better or worse than NYC, Vegas, and New Orleans.

NYC city maybe. Las Vegas or New Orleans? I dont think so.
And I will take Miami night life in the winter over New York any day thats for sure.

copaair737 · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:26 am

Miami might be the worst, most overrated city in the USA.

I'd rather spend a week in LA than a week in Miami.

Miami has one stretch of nice area (Miami Beach) and the rest is pretty much Liberty City.

I see how it didn't make the list.

MSYtristar · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:39 am

Quoting FlyMIA (Reply 39):
Las Vegas or New Orleans? I dont think so.

I think so.

Do places in MIA stay open 24/7/365? If so, I can assure you that N.O has the city beat by a long shot in terms of the number of establishments.

Miami may have South Beach, but New Orleans has the French Quarter, Warehouse District, Magazine Street, and Uptown. Sorry man....N.O is the better town for nightlife when all is said and done.

MSYtristar · Thu Oct 11, 2007 2:43 am

Here's the list for the best "AFTER DARK" cities, taking into account the following criteria:

* Cocktail hour
* Clubbing
* Live music
* Singles scene

Rank Score City
1 4.79 New Orleans
2 4.75 Las Vegas
3 4.75 New York
4 4.72 Austin
5 4.68 Miami
6 4.65 Chicago
7 4.50 San Francisco
8 4.49 Los Angeles
9 4.41 Nashville
10 4.37 Honolulu
11 4.35 San Diego
12 4.34 Boston
13 4.34 Seattle
14 4.31 Philadelphia
15 4.29 Minneapolis/St. Paul
16 4.28 Atlanta
17 4.26 Charleston
18 4.26 Denver
19 4.23 San Antonio
20 4.21 Portland, Oregon
21 4.18 Orlando
22 4.17 Washington, D.C.
23 4.07 Phoenix/Scottsdale
24 3.99 Dallas/Fort Worth
25 3.64 Santa Fe

LAXspotter · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:01 am

Quoting N1120A (Reply 36):
Um, Los Angeles is absolutely the most culturally diverse city in the world. More Chinese than San Francisco, more Iranians than anywhere outside of Iran, substantial populations of almost every Latin American group, etc

True, and you cant judge LA by looking at Downtown or East LA. LA is probably the third most diverse city in the world after London and New York. There is also a large Jewish population, 2nd largest outside of NY, large Korean population, large Filipino population, largest armenian population in Glendale anywhere outside of Armenia, one only needs to go to the ethnic enclaves to find out what a diverse group of people call LA home, truly a cosmopolitan place.

Quoting N1120A (Reply 38):
Little to do huh? You mean like spending the day at the beach, shopping at the best farmer's market in the world, eating great food, catching great sports, shopping, more visual media than anywhere...

Not to mention the best spotting airport in the world Big grin

, LA area has everyhing to do in terms of recreational activities, and with a minimal amount of rain, outdoor activities are plentiful.

Quoting Copaair737 (Reply 40):
I'd rather spend a week in LA than a week in Miami

yes, doing our city some justice, it is a great place

IFEMaster · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:21 am

Quoting N1120A (Reply 36):
How unfortunate

Unfortunate how? I just love your humour...

Quoting N1120A (Reply 36):

Well, you can always "force" yourself somewhere else and make room for people who appreciate the area.

Actually I quite like visiting my clients in LA. They always pay their invoices.

Alireza, my French friend, looks like you're in the minority on this.

ScarletHarlot · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:31 am

Quoting MSYtristar (Thread starter):
Intelligent

1. Seattle

All right! We're intellimigent here in Seattle!

flymia · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:37 am

Quoting Copaair737 (Reply 40):
Miami has one stretch of nice area (Miami Beach) and the rest is pretty much Liberty City.

Yea Coral Gables, Downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, Bal Harbour, Golden Beach, Aventura, Miami Shores all horrible areas right? When is the last time you where in Miami just curious?

Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 41):
Do places in MIA stay open 24/7/365? If so, I can assure you that N.O has the city beat by a long shot in terms of the number of establishments.

Yes places stay open 24/7/365. Miami really does never sleep. South Beach is 24/7. And no matter where you are in the city you will find something to do any day at any hour.

Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 42):
* Live music

Only thing Miami is missing compared to other cities like Austin. But really can you really compare Miami nightlife with Austin. I dont know many people traveling halfway around the world to go to Austin night life.

Quoting MSYtristar (Reply 41):
Miami may have South Beach, but New Orleans has the French Quarter, Warehouse District, Magazine Street, and Uptown. Sorry man....N.O is the better town for nightlife when all is said and done.

Miami has. South Beach, Downtown Club district (warehouse district) Coconut Grove and Ft. Lauderdale just 20 miles north has Las Olas and its own beach front strip.
Miami is a bit safer too.

[Edited 2007-10-10 20:40:16]

diamond · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:37 am

Quoting BCAInfoSys (Reply 2):
Easy. LA is a dump. Pure and simple. Based on the criteria listed, it doesn't belong on any of those lists.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 3):
Because Los Angeles is a cesspit of a place. If the USA were an ass, Los Angeles would be second biggest carbuncle on it, right next to Detroit.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 6):
Because LA sucks . . . . pretty simple.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 9):
Oh contrare. It's probably the fairest description anyone could ever make about it. Los Angeles is a nasty place.

Quoting ORFflyer (Reply 11):
The truth isn't always fair.

Quoting Vikkyvik (Reply 15):
LA - where every block has its own distinctively disgusting stench.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 33):
I believe we've reached concensus about that cesspool on the West Coast . . .

Quoting KROC (Reply 17):
This explains a lot of things now.

Very interesting. The two moderators who stepped away from their beers long enough to type a few insults about L.A. are from Anchorage and Rochester, respectively. duck

Funny, I don't see either of those cities in the thread-starter. So to ANC's point, if our not being on the list indicates that we 'suck', then Anchorage must suck right along beside us. laughing

I'll happily take palm trees over polar bears any day of the week.

As for the rest of you haters . . . just scratch L.A. off of your to-do list and we'll try to get along without you!

NWADC9 · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:47 am

Somebody likes Minneapolis...

Where's Kansas City? Pittsburgh? Kansas City?

LAXspotter · Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:47 am

Quoting Diamond (Reply 47):
are from Anchorage and Rochester, respectively

LOL ROTFL, hahahahhah

I moved away from LA this summer to the suburbs far out in the Inland Empire, and I am definetely missing LA. I hate living our in the rural areas that's for sure, only thing I probably enjoy is the cheaper gas prices, and the fast moving traffic.

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