top city

The Top City

I haven't been to Denver, so I can't comment on its placement, but I'm scratching my head to figure out how Seattle can beat out San Francisco for desirability. I was talking with my spouse last night about cities and desirability: mostly asking him how Mrs. such-and-such could manage living in his hometown.

Spouse: "She's spent her whole life there."
Me: "What about your mom?"
Spouse: "She grew up in Indiana. Don't worry, I won't make you move back to my hometown."
Me: "I can't understand how people manage there."
Spouse: "They're not from Vancouver."

I don't hate Seattle. The jobs are easier to get, real estate is cheaper (yes, if you look at Vancouver BC -- it's quite possible to get a house based on INCOME, and not INHERITANCE/NET WORTH here. In fact, house prices have fallen to where one house on our street is valued at $297,000.). I'm not getting the "I need to bring my gun to a mall despite the no-guns-allowed sign" gestalt, nor the "who needs rapid transit? gridlock is fabulous!" mindset of Seattle, but other than those I like where I am. San Francisco, though: excellent restaurants, nifty wharves, history, cable car transit, very walkable. Good city!