It's like a YELP for cities

[urbpan]

I just found an interesting resource for learning what living conditions are like in different cities. http://www.bestplaces.net/ It tells you the basics in cost of living, housing, schools, crime, and so on. But the best thing is the comments, where you can express your opinion of the

Comments

[hummingwolf]

Nifty site! Looking at the stats, I am reminded once again that I like the town I live in now more than the town I grew up in--even though nobody's left any comments about either city for me to mock. Maybe I'll have to contact some of my friends who still live in the old zip code and mock them directly.

[vampyrusgirl]

Well, of course we're broke! Butter isn't cheap, ya know!

[harrietbrown]

LMAO!!!

[vampyrusgirl]

:)

[mandy_moon]

I would reply to a couple of your comments about how I agree with them wholeheartedly, but that would be really redundant for you and your inbox.

I was not aware that we consumed needless amounts of butter, and the complaint about how we don't wear enough make-up or perfume probably came from someone from New York (no offense to New Yorkers, of course).

About the rudeness- yeah, I can see why people would say that. I think the kindest way I have ever heard it expressed was "We're not unfriendly, we just like our space." I agree- occasionally out in the southwest I have encountered some extra-friendly people who were in absolutely no hurry and they made me feel nervous and uncomfortable because they kept on trying to talk to me when I just wanted to be on my way. It's not *always* desirable to stick around and chat for hours with strangers.

[harrietbrown]

Hey, I live in NY, and the only reason I wear deodorant and perfume is because my friends told me I had to. So there.

[mandy_moon]

I just checked, and whoops- the person who thought we were smelly and unperfumed was from Southern California. I should have had more faith in he New Yorkers.

[morgi]

I live in the Indianapolis area now, and people are more laid-back than I'm used to at home (Maine/Boston). I've noticed that on the phone especially, people are more into the ritual greetings and niceties even when it's a work call. Sometimes it drives me crazy--I want to get this call over with!

I just figured I didn't wear perfume or makeup because perfume stinks and I haven't got the time for useless frivolities like makeup...

[batwrangler]

Gee, must be a different Boston than the one I spent the day in today: weather was beautiful, flowers blooming all over the place, Chinatown/Theatre district full of well-dressed, happy people.... :)

[batwrangler]

Also, bestplaces thinks there are less than 3,000 people in Manchester, NH -- whose population is more like 110,000 people.

Here's a review of Athens, GA where I live...

[elorie]

We've lived in Athens for about two years now, and while the city has its charms (some good restaurants, a couple of nice old neighborhoods), I'm really tired of it. Everything is aimed towards college students - 90% of the food outlets serve pizza, wings, subs, or some combination of the three.

Oh, so very wrong. This person never goes out of his house.

It's not outrageously expensive, but the fact that about %70 of the students at UGA are rich kids from the suburbs of Atlanta who got the Hope Scholarlship and whose parents bought them an SUV for graduation means that the housing is often a lot pricier than you would expect in a college town.

Again, no. Rents are cheap here is and so is cost of living. I don't know where the hell this person was living before that they think Athens is expensive, but to put it in perspective...I am renting a 3 bedroom house with a fenced back yard and a fireplace, two miles from campus, for $800/month.

There are lots of gated student communities, which is bizarre. True enough. I like to

Re: Here's a review of Athens, GA where I live...

[elorie]

I loved my time in Athens - 1995-2000. My rent went from $550 in Boston to $350 in Athens in '95. It is an island of cosmopolitan in a sea of north Georgia. If you really need urban culture, Atlanta is an hour away. I've actually though about retiring there, but it would be a much different experience not being in grad school now. School gives you an instant social life, and the social life is definitely centered on students.

Re: Here's a review of Athens, GA where I live...

[elorie]

It is, but I actually moved here from Atlanta before I went into grad school, and my social life improved over when I was living in Cobb County. There are more people here with whom I have things in common. You might have to work a little more at it if you're not a student, but there ARE other people here.