Urbanism

Last updated: Aug 2025

I like to travel. How do I rate the cities I go to?

  1. Intellectually vibrant community i.e. Elite Human Capital 💯. This is the single most important criterion (and why SF is #1 for all its other problems).
  2. Being “big” isn’t a strict requirement, but functionally, it’s basically a prerequisite due to network effects.
  3. Walkability with nice architecture and ample green spaces.
  4. Safe, usable public transport, esp. subways/metros, trams (“ravages of autism”). Good air connections; not super remote.
  5. Competitive price-to-quality ratio for restaurants and other amenities.
  6. History and culture, inc. museums, art galleries, bookshops, theaters.
  7. Basic law and order, i.e. squatters are evicted, pickpockets go to prison, the streets are clean and shops don’t lock away valuable wares.
  8. “Nice to haves”, such as ubiquitous air conditioners, legal street drinking, laptop-friendly cafes, late night activity/transport (“never sleeps”).
  9. Reasonable M/F ratios.
  10. Interesting local cuisine, and/or Indian places.
  11. Basic political and civil freedoms, i.e. no “jail is programmed” for posting stuff.
  12. Climate (prefer Med; then continental)… ideally, mountains and/or beaches.
  13. Technological modernity, e.g. cash is optional, bureaucracy streamlined, functional websites/apps for city transport, utilities.

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