# Which of these major U.S. cities would you live in if you had to? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 26, 2011, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278 "2011-05-26T13:15:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/41 "2011-05-26T15:47:33Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > Was it your intention to have us choose a city OTHER than where we live currently, if our city is already on this list? Didn’t want to vote until I understood that. Ah, sorry I didn’t clarify. It’s fine if you choose the city you already live in, if that’s where you want to be. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/42 "2011-05-26T15:53:20Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > It’s fine if you choose the city you already live in, if that’s where you want to be. Thanks. I’ll keep my butt parked right here in LA for now, thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/43 "2011-05-26T15:54:25Z")
I voted San Francisco, because I love the city so much. Fortunately for me, we’re moving there next month (well, my job is in San Francisco but we’ll live in Berkeley, I assume that counts). Atlanta is where we lived before Sacramento, and it has a lot going for it as well. In addition we have a lot of family support there. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/44 "2011-05-26T16:03:22Z")
San Antonio, because it’s one of the few large cities that I actually like. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/45 "2011-05-26T16:16:28Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Carfree in San Diego? Where exactly were you’re planning to live? Unless you’re in the Gaslamp, you can’t get to a supermarket without a car, let alone anything else. If you’re looking for carfree options, I would have thought San Francisco is almost as good as you can get (apart from NYC, of course, the correct choice in the poll). Carfree is a PITA no matter what other transit options exist. Actually, I’m buying a trailer for the handcycle. And ordering things online is always an option. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/46 "2011-05-26T16:24:54Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Charlotte, NC > > Is probably the closest fit to my current southern lifestyle. Since my current Nashville is not on the list and Savannah, Charleston and New Orleans are not either, this is as close to home as I could find where the change wouldn’t be as drastic as others. Atlanta’s just too big! ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/47 "2011-05-26T16:30:34Z")
I’ll go with DC. I already live in the District, and I like it here. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/48 "2011-05-26T16:34:51Z")
Seattle. If Seattle were to vanish, San Diego (where I spent my first 54 years). ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/49 "2011-05-26T18:03:43Z")
I lived in NYC for 25 years, and I’d love to move back. But New York is a great place to live if you’re young or rich . . . and I’m neither. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/50 "2011-05-26T18:16:41Z")
I’ve lived in Boston, New York, and Chicago, and have visited most of the cities on the list. I loved living in NY when I was young and aggressive, I wouldnt care for it now. Boston is one of my favorite cities of all time, so I guess I’d pick that. ---
**Author:** ![RainGrowsBrite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@RainGrowsBrite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RainGrowsBrite)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/51 "2011-05-26T18:23:29Z")
I went with San Diego since I already live here and its awesome! But if the poll was OTHER than where you live I would go with NYC. Just for the experience. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/52 "2011-05-26T18:24:21Z")
I picked DC only because I’m practically there anyway, and I like this part of the country. However, I’m pretty sure I like it so much because I don’t live in DC, only nearby… I don’t like city living. Life in the boonies suits me better. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/53 "2011-05-26T18:27:38Z")
If you forced me to choose one, I’d take San Francisco, because I miss it so much, but I’d take reassignment to any of those places; although you might need to twist my arm a little harder to get me to move to Georgia or North Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/54 "2011-05-26T18:44:14Z")
I live in Phoenix (and have for the last ten years)…if I got to choose, I’d choose a place that gets a little more rain and rainy days, in general. So, Seattle, I’m guessing. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/55 "2011-05-26T19:07:10Z")
I’d love to live in Denver. Not too hot, snow but lots of sun. Big city but not people living on top of each other. Lovely. ---
**Author:** ![TheBoltEater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/779978/32.png) [@TheBoltEater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheBoltEater)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/56 "2011-05-26T19:30:44Z")
San Diego, hands down (where I grew up). But I loves me some San Francisco and Seattle too, so there’s plenty of good choices here. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/57 "2011-05-26T19:56:19Z")
Well Chicago is closest to my family, my church, my baseball team, and many things that I hold dear. However, the weather there - not to put too fine a point on it - is terrible. But if I were guaranteed to be able to maintain my current standard of living - Miami FTW. I loves me some ocean, warm weather, etc. And it’s, what, a 3-hour drive to Disneyworld? I’m there dude. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/58 "2011-05-26T21:09:10Z")
I think my reasoning may be the lamest but Atlanta. It’s big enough that I won’t want for culture, etc and it is the perfect distance from Disney World (far enough that we have to stay over and short enough to drive). I think I may have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/59 "2011-05-26T21:13:45Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I picked Washington, DC, because I live in DC. If I could have chosen more than one city, I would have chosen several on the list. I think the idea of the poll was to pick a city you _don’t_ live in/near. FWIW, this Bostonian picked D.C. Reading the thread, the OP is OK with us picking our hometown if we are happy here. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278/60 "2011-05-26T21:16:23Z")
FWIW, this Washingtonian would have put Boston high on his list of viable cities, Boston’s a great town. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-major-u-s-cities-would-you-live-in-if-you-had-to/583278.md?page=4)