What's the best U.S. City and Why?

[rkasal]

I like New Orleans at Mardi Gras. San Diego/Oceanside has a great climate year 'round. New York is fun to visit and get out. The Twin Cities has some great restaurants as does Omaha. Tampa and Miami are fun for a winter break. But what city is the best?

For me, it's Portland. Close to the ocean, close to the mountains, nice forests north and south, desert within three hours. You can wear shorts virtually year 'round although I suppose the locals wouldn't. Coming from our recent Iowa weather where we've had -20 actual temps, if it were 35 in Portland, shorts wouldn't be out. Canada is close - sure, Seattle is closer to Canada, but I like Portland.

Portland has some great restaurants and nightlife. The Japanese Gardens, Burnside Bridge and Farmer's Market. NW 23rd St. where cool people like me hang out. Pearl District.

The Willamette River (be sure to pronounce it correctly). Virtually year 'round skiing on Mt. Hood. The best Pottery Barn I have ever visited.

Portland's downtown has bike lanes and the street cars. There's the bookstores and the friendly people. The first time I went, I did an illegal U-turn at the airport with a rental car right in front of a cop that I didn't see. He saw that I wasn't from there and didn't even give me a warning. Says it happened a lot.

Two interesting things about Portland that I notice every time as an outsider. If you're walking and come to a traffic light that says "Don't walk" the locals generally do not walk. Even if there are absolutely no cars coming in either direction. I immediately established myself as an outsider by walking.

Locals may not agree, but the drivers there are much better. Even polite than probably anywhere else I've driven in the U.S.

Ok, there's one more odd thing. You can't fill your own gas tank. I thought I was being ripped off the first time I went to a gas station years ago.

Portland has it all.

 

[kbasa]

I'm always happy to come home to San Francisco.

Not everyone agrees, which is fine with me.

 

[sachiwilson]

There is no "best." There are favorites, though.

I like Boston, Seattle, Lincoln Nebraska, San Francisco, San Diego. All have their greatness (and weakness.)

 

[sudani]

Which is the best.....dunno yet!

Once I figure out the answer to this question...that's where I'll retire.


I've lived in cold weather (Minot, ND and Chigo), in moderate (Indianapolis) and in warm (Naples, FL) weather, and in Germany. I've spent time out west and loved it (Ashton, Idaho-Ouray, Colorado- Payson, AZ - not Phoenix) and know I'll never go to CA ( SF, LA, San Diego - too congested). I guess my ideal place would have moderate seasons, mountains, water, green trees (not scrubby pines) not overcrowded and an affordable economy. How's that for a dream!

I'll come up with something eventually.

 

[rkasal]

Once I figure out the answer to this question...that's where I'll retire.

If one has the bucks, a downtown high-rise with a view of the lake wouldn't be too bad. The Art Institute, Michael's Bistro, The Russian restaurant on Adams, love Chicago.

Nashville and Memphis is great and KC BBQ and St. Louis. Phoenix (love hiking up in the hills in the winter) and Atlanta, Birmingham, all of a lot to offer.

Maybe for retirement, Mexico, Central America, or Thailand I've heard all offer a great life to American retirees.

 

[SNC1923]

San Diego if you've got the money.

Men's Fitness magazine recently rated the 100 worst cities to live in. Bakersfield was number 100 with a grade of F-.

 

[testinglogin]

I'm still trying to answer this question, and I've been working at it for quite a while, now. It would be easier for me to list worst cities, I guess.

I have to agree that Portland is a great place. I was out there for a short while back in '99 and had a ball. Aside from the partying, I really loved the city; though I really don't like having someone else pumping my gas. If you're on a motorcycle, it's optional, BTW.

 

[sheridesabeemer]

The best city is the one in my rear view mirror.

 

[msnden]

"O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!"

"Ah", we live in such a wonderful country!!!! I have not seen it all, but I have seen a lot, (and boy! did N.G. get it wrong), North Dakota is a wonderful place, just ride through it and look around. But the best (at least for me) is the Oylmpic Peninsula, I know it is not a city, but I thought I would "toss" it in anyway. Why???

Msn

 

[oldnuke]

Why, AZ. Why not?

 

[tourunigo]

... Portland, MAINE. I'm biased but it is a wonderful town. -Bob

 

[voni]

Nine Point, TX

Great riding weather most every day. Low traffic volume. High fun factor. Great people!

Voni
sMiling

 

[Stuff2c]

The best city is the one in my rear view mirror.

Best anwser so far.

But if you want a house on a lake down town Orlando...I'm not long for this place if all goes well the next few years. Tellico Plains Tn is a nice little "town"

 

[Polarbear]

Gillette,Wyo....

Because it will have the most Beemers in it come July. Short lived favorite, but on the list until July20, Hehehe. Randy13233

 

[osbornk]

Once I figure out the answer to this question...that's where I'll retire.

I guess my ideal place would have moderate seasons, mountains, water, green trees (not scrubby pines) not overcrowded and an affordable economy. How's that for a dream!

I'll come up with something eventually.

You're talking about where I live here in the mountains with no large cities nearby. Taxes on my house and 6.4 acres are $1,240.79 per year. In the last 8 years I have lived here, the temperature has not reached either 0 or 100. Electricity for all electric house and water was $2,000 last year (4,700 sq. ft). Paid $200K for house and land 8 years ago. Good fishing in the yard and great riding 5 minutes away in every direction. Southwestern Virginia, Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. My living expenses here are less than many city folks pay in rent.

If you're gonna retire, you need to live in a low stress area with a low cost of living.

 

[bmwdean]

I really do not know.

However, I have always thought San Diego might be the best place for those who can afford it. Year 'round riding weather, never too hot or too cold, and beautiful scenery.

 

[Shawn_P]

This is a hard question for some reason!

Maybe Sachi hit the nail on the head - no "best" only favorites....

With that in mind - I am really partial to the Alpine/Ft.Davis area of Texas for a lot of the same reasons Voni mentioned.

The Chama, New Mexico area is beautiful and I want to go back and explore it someday.

 

[tessler]

As anybody from the great state of Texas can tell you, we New Yorkers are unreasonably partial to the town so nice, they named it twice.

So many modes of public and private transportation a car is practically unnecessary. There are world class museums, theater productions, music and nightlife and the choices and quality of food is unparalleled. There are hundreds of gyms and health clubs and miles of cycling and running paths circling the city and in all the parks. The city has over 600 miles of coastline: boating and kayaking are immensely popular. In a single day in Manhattan you can visit the internments of Ulysses S. Grant, Alexander Hamilton and Robert Fulton.

The Mountains and valleys of NJ, PA, Upstate NY and New England are within a days ride or drive West and North of here. Great riding everywhere. 3 International and 3 regional airports can port you to just about anywhere on the globe.

Like Kbasa said about SF, It's not for everybody and that's totally understandable, but there is no other place I'd rather be.

 

[sudani]

You're talking about where I live here in the mountains with no large cities nearby.QUOTE]

How sweet is that!

 

[AFHRNFA1]

Best City

Come to Portland Maine
Great riding, coast line , mountains, some of the best places to eat in New England.