The leader of the pack (for me) is obviously: [video=youtube;d1I1LjIZf_M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1I1LjIZf_M[/video] . .. . [video=youtube;8EtmqU844hU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EtmqU844hU[/video] . .. . [video=youtube;-gJSAeIOTtk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gJSAeIOTtk[/video] . .. . [video=youtube;3PC5PDlKKIo]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PC5PDlKKIo[/video] . .. . [video=youtube;l1y4iyWKR64]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1y4iyWKR64&feature=fvst[/video] . .. . [via Flicker] . .. .
Cities I really enjoy: Portland, Austin, Vegas, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, DC, Philly, San Diego, San Antonio Cities that suck: Most of LA, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Salt Lake Austin is amazing and the only city in Texas I could see myself living in long term. It's like Portland but with better weather. PDX/SEA, no explanation really needed. Boston/Chicago just have a party kind of vibe while still being big cities. DC/Philly I really enjoy the history and feel of both. Vegas doesn't need an explanation either. SA is cool but just not as much fun as Austin.
What's wrong with Phoenix? I've never been there, and I don't have any close friends from there, but I've always imagined it'd be a great place to live. Hot weather without the southeastern humidity, and a team to represent each of the major four sports... What about New Orleans turned you off? Just curious, because that's my idea of paradise, and I share your likes/dislikes when it comes to cities I've been to.
Haven't seen on here, but I like: Newport, RI (just not in winter); Annapolis, MD; Not a fan of: any part of LA/Anaheim/OC that I've been to, San Diego (near Navy or Marine bases, haven't been to Gaslamp). Agree with SAC, though it's trying hard to get better, which is more than I can say for DC, LA, etc. I'd probably like POR more if I'd lived there more. I lived as a kid right behind the Albertson's on 82nd/Div, over near Grant HS, and at UP for a semester. Relatives live out by David Douglas and in Beaverton. So it's tough for me to get the "hipster" vibe when all I really know is a) the burbs, b) the RG, c) the homeless that around Pioneer Square and the parks and Powell's (their technical bookstore a couple blocks away is pr0n for a geek like me). I like Vegas, but once you're off the Strip it's way more trailer-park than glam. I'm in Tampa for the next few years (when I'm not in Afghanistan), so I hope it's not horrible. We'll see.
For me, Phoenix city developers/planners had an atrocious plan. The sprawl in this city is the worst in the country IMO. Instead of building a central district, they (development commission) went the cheap rout: wherever the land was the cheapest. It's a strip-mall hellhole with mid/high rises scattered here and there. I think they're finally "getting it" -- They, along with Dallas, have studied Portland and the Portland mass-transit plans a few years ago.
no. 82nd/Division is where one set of grandparents lived, 39th by Grant is where the other set lived before my grandpa died and my grandma moved to Beaverton closer to my aunts
hate: Hood River in the summer. Effing tourists! wait we arent a city I dont think lol. Pagin the Metro Twin Cities folks for a class session
LOL, my civilian business takes me to a bunch of farms all up and down the valley from Redding to Bakersfield (well, Tulare). There are some really nice folks, once you get outside the cities themselves. A lot of our customers in Stockton went away, but we're getting new ones in Frenso and Modesto.
Here's a good shot of the neighborhood: Edit, this is right before you get to Victoria Beach. But pretty close.