I don't like large cities

Michael Z said:
For sure the dining options in big cities are far better and I especially love the (authentic) ethnic restaurants. I also love the ethnic grocery stores. Where I live, dining out is often a disappointment.

But otherwise, I like the country.
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yes true far more dining options in the city...almost none here in the country..except a very few.... but of course in the city, the cost of dining out is much higher too
 
My spirit shrinks in large cities under some circumstances. Such as if the city has few English-speaking residents. Which naturally was why London was comfortable. Lots to see and do there, and I could always ask for directions or other information. Still, DW and I have enjoyed non-English-speaking cities, though... for instance, many people in French cities speak some English, and many in Dutch and Danish cities are quite fluent. Fewer English-speakers in Italy, it seemed.

New York City was a mixed experience — English is the common language, and there are lots of museums and cultural opportunities (like Carnegie Hall, Greenwich Village, etc)... but for instance, it seemed frazzled and chaotic in Manhattan.

My spirit expands in the countryside or backcountry hiking areas. In small Canadian towns I feel a level of comfort, yet it's different from home because because the people on the streets or in the shops & cafés aren't familiar ones.
 

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JBR said:
My spirit shrinks in large cities under some circumstances. Such as if the city has few English-speaking residents. Which naturally was why London was comfortable. Lots to see and do there, and I could always ask for directions or other information. Still, DW and I have enjoyed non-English-speaking cities, though... for instance, many people in French cities speak some English, and many in Dutch and Danish cities are quite fluent. Fewer English-speakers in Italy, it seemed.

New York City was a mixed experience — English is the common language, and there are lots of museums and cultural opportunities (like Carnegie Hall, Greenwich Village, etc)... but for instance, it seemed frazzled and chaotic in Manhattan.

My spirit expands in the countryside or backcountry hiking areas. In small Canadian towns I feel a level of comfort, yet it's different from home because because the people on the streets or in the shops & cafés aren't familiar ones.
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Oh JBR how it must be a long time since you visited London. The vast majority of people who live in our Capital city can barely speak English.
 
I loved the privacy of living on property in rural areas, and especially the variety of birds, and the night sky was better far from town. But, it was harder to actually enjoy nature because of the chores -- mowing, fixing fences, predator-proofing animal enclosures, having to be alert for bear or mountain lions or dangerous loose dogs, scouting the pastures for animal burrows and holes that might cause a horse to get injured, constant war with weeds, concern about weather (too little or too much rain, snow, wind, fire), anxiety about insects attacking trees, etc.

I enjoy visiting cities with all the activities and conveniences, and being able to take buses and trains to get places without worrying about where to turn, where to park, crazy drivers, etc.

My feeling about suburbia is that it is the worst of both worlds, there is no real privacy from neighbors, you have home and yard maintenance, plus the need to drive everywhere, and fewer fun places.

I'm super happy with my location now, it is a weird combo, technically out in the suburbs but I'm in a cluster of high-rise condo buildings surrounded by woods, grass, golf course, small lakes, walking paths, non-scary wildlife. Walk-able to grocery store, dentist, doctor, etc., and convenient to public transportation when I want to be whisked off to visit the city. And the concentration of people in this 55+ community support lots of clubs, activities, and entertainments.
 
I live in a fairly quiet suburb which is close enough to the city that I can go there if I ever wanted to. Most of the time, I chose not to. There are just too many people downtown and too much noise. Now, if there were food trucks that had good lamb shawarmas like I've gotten in Manhattan and D.C., I might be persuaded if there was also some interesting event going on, but not too many city activities interest me any more.
 
I flew into big cities. I would spend 1-2 days there. I found that all cities had great places like museums and nice restaurants. Big cities have their charm and the people that are proud of their cities are like talking to travel agents when you ask them how to get to a certain place or area.

I still remember the first time I flew into LA and I asked the first cab driver to take me to the better chop house, but not necessarily the best one. He took me to a place called Charlie’s, which is no no longer there. It was definitely an upscale restaurant in Long Beach. My bill for one meal back in 1980 was $88. I had one cocktail and a sirloin steak with garlic mashed potatoes and Brussel Sprouts.

I learned in hurry to ask the hotel manager or the Concierge where the better median income steakhouse or Italian eatery was located.
 
I’m not fond of large cities either. They are great for getting things you need since there’s more variety but they are definitely in the fast lane. There are sirens going off all the time; police , fire , ambulances etc. We haven’t lived in the city in 30 years and prefer it that way. We are definitely in the slow lane.
 
PeppermintPatty said:
They are great for getting things you need since there’s more variety but they are definitely in the fast lane. There are sirens going off all the time; police , fire , ambulances etc.
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Stayed in the apartment of a friend's uncle in Manhattan, very close to the Chrysler Building. Yes, sirens all through the night.😟
 
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I have been to San Francisco back in1958 and again in 1981. OK as a visitor.

It is a very long time since I have heard anything good about it.
 
So OP is referring to really large cities.

In our region for that, world class San Francisco is dramatically unlike any other city in California. Potentially very exciting fun place for any gregarious person, especially those wealthy enough to afford it, with stunning natural beauty, marine cool, often foggy. I visit The City occasionally, usually for music events or exercise, but have only experienced a few of the reasons most tourists visit so would be a poor guide. If I had wealth, would like to have a part time small residence about the western or north side of the city where one can look out across residential zones sloping down towards the distant blue Pacific or bay. Reality is as a very desirable place, it is of course very expensive.

Well as a landscape photographer, Tahoe snow skier, and Sierra Nevada backpacker, I've gotten plenty of nature all my adult life. Could easily enjoy several months living slowly, quietly, simply, absorbing the essence of some places I've been. But there would be a time I'd feel a desire for other humans and civilization. My life has always been more than just about nature. Can drive from my urban world to world class scenic places within hours.

I live in an older 1970s era community of 300 separate 2-story 4-plexes within an upscale suburban Santa Clara County (2+ million population) mixed retail, commercial, and residential district. Lots of traffic, urban noise, endless ongoing construction, large retail chain stores, myriad amusements for an active frugal senior. A good place for this old counterculture person to safely hide out. But living here is very different than San Francisco, a very dense city where people use public transportation. Here within a mile of my residence it's automobile land suburban American, with banks, churches, gas stations, auto repair shops, alcohol bars, restaurants, theaters, supermarkets, Subways, Starbucks, Burger King, MacDonald's, Jack-n-the-Box, 7-11's, Walgreens, Home Depot, Office Depot, Arco, Kohl's, and much more.

Although I have a regional Clipper (senior subsidized cheap) transit pass and sometimes use it, I tend to drive my old dirty vehicle all over like a day base station. Bus stops are common about nearby streets. A Light Rail station is a 2/3 mile walk from which I can reach all areas of the region including San Francisco. Since late spring have done 11 regional outdoor street art/food/music festivals and 3 large venue rock concerts. Here within this large urban zone, there are endless ways for one to be absorbed by human culture of one's choice.

Then again, there are myriad people here in the South Bay and in San Francisco that live simple limited lives, ignored by others, mostly alone thus socially isolated, while merely being near others.
 
David777 said:
Well as a landscape photographer, Tahoe snow skier, and Sierra Nevada backpacker, I've gotten plenty of nature all my adult life. Could easily enjoy several months living slowly, quietly, simply, absorbing the essence of some places I've been. But there would be a time I'd feel a desire for other humans and civilization. My life has always been more than just about nature. Can drive from my urban world to world class scenic places within hours.
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Well... Interesting life, lifestyle, and tastes. Thanks for describing and expressing.
 
George1959 said:
I was in Munich from Friday afternoon to Saturday noon with my wife.

I've never liked large cities, but this time the traffic, the masses of people and the noise, especially in a restaurant we were dining on Friday afternoon, was too much.

I need the countryside, the wide views over meadows and forests, the fresh air and only few people.

What about you?
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I was in L.A.(West Hollywood actually) last Thursday visiting my son, I dislike driving in a big city as I live in a rural area. But, when walking along the sidewalks I enjoy the sights of famous venues, the faces of the diverse throng of people and the aroma of delicious food wafting from the myriad of eateries along the way.
 
It's been too long since I've enjoyed NYC. I can't say I dislike large cities because I find them fun and exciting. I'd like more of it. But I have to admit I wouldn't give up my quiet suburban area.
 

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