Don’t you think big cities are overrated?

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

And I am speaking of Shanghai. It’s fabulous but I feel like it’s overrated.

I much preferred Suzhou in literally every sense. It was cozier, more peaceful, less crowded, more picturesque, with better nature balance, very cheap prices and amazing historical and natural sites.

Chinese people have a saying “above, there is heaven; below, there is Suzhou”.

Does anybody prefer relatively cozier places to the crowded metropolises?

Updates

+1 y

Suzhou is not a small city either, with some estimations the population is 12 million and the area is 3,277 mi². Shanghai is twice as big though.

[Lliam]

Big cities have wonderful attractions and can be fun to visit, but I wouldn't want to live in one. I don't like the billboards, lights, glitz, noise or crowds.

I grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and lived in the area for 44 years. I've also visited lots of big cities in the U. S. Again, they are fun to visit and have cool, world class attractions.

But I prefer old world culture.

[richardcory]

I haven't been to Suzhou. Shanghai is great fun as a visitor but I can see how the crowds would make it a less pleasant place to live.

I actually like suburbs of big cities - not to crowded but you can get to the city when you want

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

You should go to Suzhou, it’s a heaven.

[richardcory]

Wait a minute, I HAVE been there, but just passing though to get to the tourist town at Tongli (which was very nice). I've heard Suzhou is nice but never spent time there

Unfortunately US/China relations are not good right now so that makes it difficult for me to visit.

[Siri137]

Yes, definitely. The only thing they have going for them is the fact that large cities are where all the employment and career opportunities are. Other than that, they don't compare well to smaller cities and towns.

[nolookingbackx]

They are, no shadow of doubt. I definitely prefer peace of nature and more silence. Hate it when people make fun of villages etc.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

They do? I spent summer holidays with my grandparents in the village in childhood, I love nothing more than villages in summer.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

And not only during summers

[nolookingbackx]

They do, I've heard it at school sometimes. Let's say somebody's wearing old-fashioned clothes or can't behave properly, they'll instantly joke or assume that this person comes from a village. Even adult people make jokes about people who come from the villages or smaller cities and move to big cities. Those who were born there feel like they're something better. I've experienced this but it doesn't make sense to me. Villages are great! I'd love to live there

[BoopBoopBeep]

Absolutely. I live 20min away from a major metropolitan area, but my town is only population 4500. I'm 10 minutes to a hardware store, 10 min to three grocery stores, 20 min to the airport, but don't have to live IN any of the congestion or other big city crap.

[exitseven]

I have been to NY and Chicago. New York has a lot of attractions. The Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty did not disappoint me. Times Square was pretty cool as well. NY has all the major sports teams and there are concerts and plays and other forms of entertainment. Also museums and other attractions. Also the Bronx zoo. It doesn't exactly live up to the hype but I thought it was interesting.

[love_conquers_lust]

St. Louis is like that with all the greenery mixed into the city. It’s one of the few things the city is complimented on. Compare that to a place like New York, a concrete jungle.

But honestly, how much difference is there between 12 million and 24 million? I think it’s more city planning and architecture that determines city aesthetic appeal rather than population size. Like Chicago and San Antonio are large cities as well but are quite different in layout and choice of architecture.

Our air is also cleaner. That’s why manufacturing was outsourced there. They don’t have the same regulations and they poison the air to stimulate their economy. This is yet another reason why I don’t trust Chinese government or their people to stand up for themselves.

[lightbulb27]

Agree!! thanks fir the tip. Probably going there next year

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

To Suzhou?

[lightbulb27]

china/taiwan. yes, like what I see there. I don't like densly populated cities... Suzhou is as packed as NyC...
there's good things in the city, but nyc is dirty, often filthy, and I look forward to leaving when I visit it.

[lightbulb27]

other cities like Munich, copenhagen (somewhat), sweden... were clean. it's the training of americans (or lack thereof) that is much of the issue. but still, don't care for crowds. I laugh when I see people lined up in nyc to buy shoes...

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Suzhou is really nice. Had it been my choice I’d choose it over Shanghai any day.

[Unit1]

I love cities. I'm a city person.

Not a fan of rural areas like at all.

There is just something fabulous/luxurious about living in a modern and good city. Life is good in the cities.

[Friendlybro79]

I feel mine cities are fun to visit but not live in long term. I live near NY city for reference. I love the city but I'd rather live somewhere more peaceful and quiet.

[DextroShade]

I left a major city in the US to live in a rural area and I love it out here because I can own land, have privacy, and know that any gunshots I hear out here are from men shooting for sport and not to try to hurt people. There is also more wildlife and I haven't come across any human feces or homeless encampments. The city sucks.

[BCA6010]

If a city has a population over 225,000, it sucks. It doesn't matter what state or country in question, big cities suck to live in, for a long list of reasons, so if I had to live near one, a town or suburb would be much more preferable.

[ibodi]

I had ever lived in shanghai for a long time but I still did not go around the city. Yes that is overrated but I think there are reason why people get together there. Shanghai was a fishing village.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Big cities are definitely overrated.

Shanghai, for example, is glamorized on print and in film but beneath all that is a very polluted atmosphere and lots of unfriendly locals.

[Redstang88]

Yep, cities suck. Grew up in a town of 1200 and missing the quiet life more everyday

[kellytheman]

I love to live in a big city just because there is a lot more places and things to do. I can see why it could be overrated it great to see far away with all the lights but there could be a lot crime and corruption in big cities.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I live in a 12 million city and have another apartment rented in 25 million city, I lived in both, I have lived in Suzhou (12 mill) longer. Now heading to Shanghai, I feel like Suzhou is much better at 12 million, it’s still very big but not huge.

[electromagnetic]

Absolutely. I’ve lived in a lot of mega cities and including pay stupid prices for rent, the only thing is convenience.

[DarkWinterNights]

I do. I live near a fairly small city, but it has a lot of big city problems. I don’t think humans are meant to live in the giant concrete jungles or rather prisons we make ourselves.

[Pudsmucker]

Big cities are good for young people and people with good careers in engineering or medicine and possibly sales. But yes I do think it's overrated it misses the the solitude and quiet life and less stressful.

[boggboss]

Nope I love living in London

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

London has a nice size I think, it has a same population as Suzhou that I mentioned in the post, in Chinese standards that’s not too big.

Here, Suzhou with a population of 10 million people and an area of 3,277 mi² is considered medium size city. I loved living there, feel like Shanghai is too big though

[boggboss]

Oh makes sense

[KostasKouvalis]

Not all of them, but a lot of them are. But tourists love to visit the big cities, because they're much better connected and offer more activities.

[Nikki1989]

Yes. They can be fun to visit, but that is all.

[Staximus]

They are very overrated. More people always means more problems. More stupid people, more crime, more noise, more pollution, more traffic, more politics, etc

[slatyb]

I live in the US and I love visiting New York. I don't know if I would like living there.

[AviatorTom]

I've been to Shanghai... it's huge. I prefer smaller cities and suburban living.

[justabuddy]

I'm a country boy. Big cities are fine, but I like the wide open spaces.

[Anonymous]

Cities are not for average people to live in.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

I was born and grew up in a capital city, people are pretty average everywhere 😉

[Opinion Owner]

Peasants

[asianfreak]

Good for visiting attractions or getting away with friends, but not so much for living and working in the long-term.

[TravelingMaaike]

Nah.

I am quite fond of my city Amsterdam.

[Meropatrick]

Of course they r but like any business its getting a good marketing

[collie22]

I like the big city for all the fun stuff we can do 😊

[loveslongnails]

Some are, I would suppose. They each have their good and bad points.

[zagor]

I like Beijing, Chengdu, X'ian, Chongquing all better than Shanghai.

[dolemite58]

absolutely, they’re fun to visit and get errands done but i much prefer living in the countryside where it’s more quiet and laid back.

[Anonymous]

I love only❤️ big cities. I hate small towns, villages and villagers. People are rude, poor, stupid and closed minded in small towns. Poor peasants are beggars.

[noohair]

I once found big cities exciting, New York, Chicago. Now I want the quiet life.

[Kingofkings1992]

I’m with you 100 percent. I live in Vancouver, WA. I’d prefer it 10 to 1 over living in Seattle.

[spartan55]

Shanghai has a population of @25 million? Wow.

[Sharkstealth]

I hate big cities.

[LaFemmeFatale_1]

Why?

[Sharkstealth]

I grew up in Los Angeles. Spent a good amount of time in Las Vegas. Been to New York.
They are nothing like Greenwater Wa, Steamboat Springs Colorodo, The Hintertux Glacier Austria. 2nd list just much better places in my opinion.

[Malwi93]

Yeah I’m in 3 mil place and it’s just like commotion

[Christoff92]

Overrated. So the population, pollution, etc. 🤔

[Sparkie460]

I prefer living in the suburbs. It's a lot quieter

[LavLavLuv]

No..

[ButthurtGAGpeople1]

I don't!

[Provingdatruth]

I hate big cities, because driving is the worst.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Nope. I love big cities.

[htmndg183]

Nope. I am a big city guy myself.

[CubaPirate]

Absolutely and too expensive too

[rainbowww]

Yes it is

[eagle1951]

very

[Abdulwahh]

Yeah some are.