The 10 Most Exciting Places In New York By Movoto Real Estate
Many will probably proclaim that New York City is the most exciting city in the U.S…scratch that…the world! I haven’t been to every city in the entire world, but I have a good feeling NYC ise near the top if not the top. From nightlife, restaurants to Broadway shows and sporting events, I think this city has pretty much got it all when it comes to “excitement.” No doubt it is an expensive city, but that’s probably because there’s no shortage in demand to come here.
In a recent article on Movoto, it doesn’t even list New York City as the most exciting city in New York. What?! While I haven’t been to Ithaca, I’ve known people who have lived there. I’m sure it’s a pretty cool town, but it’s no New York City! The writer does admit that the reason NYC wasn’t ranked higher was because they looked at amenities per capital, rather than total amenities…and NYC has A LOT of people.
Here are the list of factors the writer used to determine how exciting the city was:
•Nightlife per capita (bars, clubs, comedy, etc.)
•Live music venues per capita
•Active life options per capita (parks, outdoor activities, etc.)
•Arts and Entertainment per capita (movie theaters, festivals, galleries, theaters, etc.)
•Fast Food restaurants per capita (the fewer the better)
•Percentage of restaurants that are not fast food (the higher the better)
•Percentage of young residents ages 18 to 34 (the higher the better)
•Population density (the higher the better)
Concert in Buffalo, NY
The article also lists other exciting cities in New York. While my wife and I never seriously considered moving out of NYC, we have spoken about it and I don’t think “excitement” was the overriding factor. I mean I am 34 years old, with a family (interesting that 18 to 34 year olds increase the excitement factor in the city…I guess this is my last year of adding to my city’s excitement!) When I have conversations with some family members and friends about the cost of living in NYC and say that we’d be better off moving to a lower cost area, they often tell us we’d be bored because nothing can match the excitement of NYC. That may be true, but the other cities mentioned on the list are pretty exciting too. My brother-in-law, who lives in Buffalo visited recently and told me about the outdoor concerts along the waterfront and the various activities and restaurants at Canalside. There are also plenty of speaker, concerts and activities at SUNY Buffalo, which is usually true for cities near a big university. Sure, Buffalo is no New York City, but there are other places that offer plenty of amenities to keep you entertained. Plus, if you’re over 34, you probably have a different definition of excitement according to Movoto.
Here’s a list of the most exciting cities across the United States according to Movoto:
The 10 Most Exciting Cities
Surprisingly, New York City did not crack the top five. I’d have to respectfully disagree with the ranking here. Oddly Movoto used slightly different factors in determining “exciting” in this survey.
•Park acreage per person
•Percent of population between 20 and 34 years old
•Fast food restaurants per square mile (the fewer the better)
•Bars per square mile
•Big box stores per square mile (the fewer the better)
•Population diversity
•Movie theaters per square mile
•Museums per square mile
•Theater companies per square mile
•Music venues per square mile
Using the above factors, how exciting do you think your city is? What factors do you think determine whether a city is exciting? Does it matter to you?
I live in Noblesville, Indiana and it is not that exciting. It is a great place to raise a family, though! We have lots of parks and things for kids to do. It’s also beautiful!
Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…Why Used Stuff is Better Than New
Movoto also has a list of most exciting cities in Indiana: http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/exciting-places-indiana/
Noblesville wasn’t on the list though =( But I’m not sure their lists are all that accurate.
Is it weird that I don’t really take “exciting” into consideration? I’m not really a nightlife person so it never concerned me. Ithaca is really beautiful. I’ve been there a few times, but I would think NYC would be #1. That’s a little silly! Even though we’re technically right outside the city here, we don’t feel too compelled to go. I guess I’m too used to the suburbs! I’d rather move somewhere with more nature than buildings. I’m boring!
E.M. recently posted…Is There Ever a Legitimate Reason to Lease a Car?
I’m with you…NYC has got to be #1. I’m sure they just wanted to stir some controversy! Nothing wrong with nature and the outdoors…I like that too, but it’s good that city is near by too.
NYC was #6 on your list (I think you meant it didn’t break into the top 5).
My favorite cities in the USA were 3) Seattle; 2) San Fransisco; and 1) NYC. However, after I moved to Texas we started visiting Austin, and that’s now my #1 city.
Joe Saul-Sehy recently posted…Why are students using payday loans?
Whoops, you’re right! Tom mentioned Austin, TX as well! I know a lot of cities are up and coming and have heard good things about Austin. Will have to go there one day.
I have a really difficult time with the methodology of this list considering Boston and Oakland rank higher than NYC for excitement. Fast food is a must in NYC, and there may be a heavy concentration of fast food options, but there is a heavy concentration of everything. I have been to just about every city on this list and I am not sure I agree with the rankings. For me, I would say NYC, San Francisco, Chicago (Why did this city not make it??), Seattle, and Boston. But I am 36, so maybe I don’t know what excitement is. 🙂
Shannon @ Financially Blonde recently posted…Lemonade Stand Review and Giveaway
Yea, I’m not sure I agree with the methodology either. And it does seem to miss a lot of cities that I would consider “exciting”
“Exciting” seems pretty subjective. I’m from the Philly burbs, so I’m happy to see that it made the list. There is a lot going on downtown. I don’t take “exciting” into account when going somewhere, but the outdoors and surrounding environment is definitely important to me. There’s got to be something to do, other than sitting indoors!
Lauren recently posted…Christmas in July
Agreed…outdoors and surrounding environment are very important. Philly seems like a pretty exciting city…plenty of colleges in the area too.
The top 10 list in the US seems pretty far off. While I haven’t been to too many US cities, if someone from out of the country wanted to visit I would give them this list:
1) NYC (its a must, I’m not a huge fan but I know others are)
2) Key West (This place is like a smaller version of New Orleans on an island but safer/cleaner with just as much partying)
3) Chicago
4) Los Angeles
5) San Diego
6) Boston
7) Dallas
While I havent been, I would love to throw Austin, TX and Madison, WI into that mix because I’ve heard nothing but good things about those two cities from friends.
I wanted to go to Key West…will have to check it out. I would never have thought of Austin, TX and Madison, WI.
Been to Ithaca a few times and put a big YEAH RIGHT on it being more fun than New York. One big boo-boo in the slideshow though, their Rochester graphic is of Central Park…
I love that you can get so much 24/7 in New York City, which isn’t available in other cities (including Boston). A friend and I were just talking about that last night after her weekend trip to Boston. If we expanded the list internationally though, there are a few cities I can see easily beating out NYC.
Broke Millennial recently posted…The Case for College Students to Have Credit Cards
I was thinking that water fountain looked familiar! Good catch. I had the same conversation with someone about Boston…I’ve been there many times and it seems like an exciting city with many young college students. I know their “T” transit system is not 24/7 and the bars/clubs close at like 2:00 a.m. (or at least that’s what I remember from back in the day)
LOL, based on this list, our little town is probably near the very bottom, but we absolutely love it here, mostly for the reasons Holly cited: it’s beautiful, and it’s a great place to raise kids. Exciting is not at all an adjective I’d use to describe our town, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Maybe it’s because I’m so old. 🙂
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted…Saturday Morning Ramble, or The Truth About Homesteading
Beautiful and plenty of nature is great too!
We live in Nashville, which while not NYC or LA or Chicago, has a lot going for it, especially lately. Two pro sports teams, amazing food, and literally music on every corner. Tons of free things to do, but if you want to spend money, there are definitely places to do so.
Ryan @ Impersonal Finance recently posted…to get ahead, get started
Nashville sounds like it’s a pretty lively city…the heart of country music and I forget that there are 2 sports teams there.
Oakland is #1? Does getting stabbed count as “exciting”?
Done by Forty recently posted…Trickle Down Consumption
Haha…I guess it depends on your definition of exciting right?
My new little town just outside of NYC is really cute! I like it…. it’s just sooo dang expensive!
It does seem like any place that’s within the vicinity of NYC is expensive!
You can have all the excitement, I’ll take a boring city.
I hear Chicago, on a hot summer night, is real exciting…!
No Nonsense Landlord recently posted…June 2014 Rental Cash Flow Report
Yes, exciting cities tend to be expensive.
Loved NYC and Boston. Seems like the most exciting ditties also are costly to enjoy. Especially Oakland death is pretty expensive
How about cities in Hawaii? I love NYC and Boston also.
Just my opinion, but if I’m going to live in Hawaii, it wont be in a major city like Honolulu. Hawaii is one of the most naturally beautiful places on the planet with so many options to have fun outdoors that living in a cramped city would ruin it.
I mean, I’m sure Honolulu still beats some cities, but I could see it being such a tease.
Yea, you have a point. But you can live in the city but be very close to the natural beauty of Hawaii…best of both worlds. I liked Honolulu but I am a city guy…though I enjoyed Maui more.
Hey Andrew, as you know, I’ here in Portland! Some would say it’s not exciting at all, but I beg to differ. I absolutely love it here!
Joshua Rodriguez @ CNAFinance.com recently posted…Monetary Expectations | Why Most Bloggers Fail #8
I’ve heard good things about Portland.
I’m in Portland and I think it’s pretty exciting — it’s getting a bit too hip! I’ve also lived in NYC and LA, and am surprised that NYC wasn’t at the top of the list.
Melanie @ My Alternate Life recently posted…3 Fun and Frugal Ways I’m Getting Fit this Summer
That’s two votes for Portland so far! You’ve lived in some exciting cities…and yea, I think NYC should have been on the top of the list.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is a really exciting place to live based on these factors. It’s one of the best cities in the US for young professionals. It has one of the biggest art/music/theater scenes in the US, professional sports, lots of great places to eat, etc.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…4 Tips for a Successful Job Interview
Interesting…I didn’t know that about Minneapolis. Sounds like a great place to live…except for the snow!
It’s hard to believe that Ithaca beat out New York City! I was in Austin, TX a couple years ago and I really like it. Plenty to do, my only issue was I had way too much Tex Mex/Mexican Food. I like it but I had to take a break after that trip. Ha! 😉
Raquel@Practical Cents recently posted…Being Caregivers to Our Aging Parents
A couple people have mentioned Austin…will have to learn more about it.
I have been to most major cities in the US and many around the world and I honestly can’t think of a more exciting place. There are things about NYC that are definitely not the best. But the sheer number of world class restaurants, entertainment opportunities, public programming, etc is unbeatable.
Stefanie @ thebrokeandbeautifullife recently posted…How To Choose A Bank: Find Your Perfect Match
I’m with you…NYC is unbeatable when it comes to excitement.
Pingback: Weekend Reading – July 20, 2014
My city of Victoria Canada is pretty damn boring but thats the way I like it. I am sure its more fun than I think but I dont enjoy going out!
Asset-Grinder recently posted…$2,111,481 My Net Worth Update July 2014
I went to Victoria many years ago…I remember it being beautiful there. I guess if you don’t enjoy going out much than boring is just fine.
We’re in Omaha and we’re below average at best when you start looking at anything below the fast food area on that list. But, we enjoy it and it has plenty going for it so I’ll take it. 🙂 That said, NYC definitely has to be #1…Oakland, really?!
John @ Wise Dollar recently posted…Buying Life Insurance: 8 Tips to Help Make Your Decision
Well Warren Buffet lives there…he’s a celebrity in pf circles! I never knew Oakland was that bad =)
Yeah I would consider NY to be the most exiting, but to me also very stressful! Since I’m not out of the 18-34 range 🙂 I don’t need exciting, but certainly not boring either! I like arts and culture and music, but I don’t like that rushed, crowded feeling anymore. LA is huge and probably has more exciting parts, but I live in a pretty mellow part of it, still, I do fantasize a little about living in a mid-size or slightly smaller city. Just a little more green and breathing room. If it wasn’t for the beach, beach volleyball, great weather, and my friends, I’d be out of here. Well damn those are good reasons to stay too. I’m torn. Always torn.
Tonya@Budget and the Beach recently posted…Change of Plans/Link Love
Yes, I remember you mentioning that you were considering moving to the northwest. Since you live in the mellow part of LA, I guess you’re getting the best of both worlds.
My city is cool and at times will have an event or two per month, but its no way close to what I can do in NYC. When there’s nothing going on in my area and or family wise, we cross over to NYC. So I cannot speak on what all these amazing cities have to offer.
EL @ Moneywatch101 recently posted…What is the Best Cash Flow Investment
You’re not too far from NYC so you can take advantage of its entertainment options!
I’d personally consider NYC the single most exciting city on earth!
NZ Muse recently posted…Generation Rent needs habitable housing – it’s that simple
We’re going to have to create a more accurate list of exciting cities!
Very interesting! I must fall in the “fleeing excitement” category because we live in Boston now and are planning to move to a farm in rural southern Vermont. In addition to Boston, we’ve lived in NYC, DC (and a bunch of vastly less exciting places in the midwest) and while cities are thrilling, they’re also hectic and expensive. We enjoyed our city time, but are ready for a change of pace. I plan to find homesteading “exciting” but I can certainly understand why no one will ever include it on a list 🙂
Mrs. Frugalwoods recently posted…How Does Free Yoga Help Our Financial Goals?
I have a lot of family in Boston and think it’s a great city. My sister-in-law lives in Vermont and it’s beautiful state with many outdoor activities. I wouldn’t mind a change of pace, but I’m not sure I can live in a rural farm town though! Laurie from the Frugal Farmer might agree that homesteading is “exciting”!