Street Life in Central Europe

We noticed it in London, but especially in Rome. I've always assumed it was because people don't want to hang out in their small apartments with no air conditioning. I've wondered if the further away you get from the condensed population areas of some of these cities, and the homes got larger and there were yards, if they have more of a North American behaviour?

One of the RS guides told me once, that in general, in most European cities, the center of town is the most desirable and expensive place to live. That is, people want to live close in for the city life. As opposed to most (with some exceptions) American cities, where people with money moved to the suburbs long ago, and just now trickling back downtown. In my city, public transportation is poor to non-existent, so people dont go to the center for daily life.

Downtown Charleston is obviously an exception to the idea that many Americans avoid cities(especially at night), but I try to avoid downtown Birmingham at all times.

Those city centers are human- and pedestrian-centered and scaled, as opposed to car-centric. You'll see most people congregating in pedestrian-only zones just about anywhere in Europe because they are comfortable, safe, and central places to meet up (plus, they are easily accessible on foot or public transit). Large American cities have been constantly maligned as of late, and older people in particular seem to fear them and simply stay away (due to homeless encampments, perception and reports of crime/ lack of safety, whatever - Chicago too gets a bad rap). I think the design and scale of the physical urban environment, including pedestrian friendliness, has a lot to do with vitality. In many respects, the outdoor cafes, coffee culture, and more dense mixed-use development patterns have made things a lot better in many US cities, even though they still not as compact and easy to get around in without having to drive as old European cities.

I agree with the first comment about The Loop, I never saw it as energetic as the other Chicago neighborhoods which are right-scaled (narrower streets, lower building heights, lots of small places to hang out) and lack the downtown/ high rise/ a bit austere vibe. Sadly, the pandemic has been a death knell to many businesses and things aren't quite the same anywhere.

In past years, I found the Loop lively in part because of its cultural offerings. For instance, I liked to see the performances at the Joffrey Ballet, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and events at the Harris Theater. These are organizations in the Loop that attract thousands of people. In addition, the cultural groups in downtown Chicago are relatively physically close to each other. I remember nights in the Loop when I saw large groups of people.

It's sad that American cities do not have the same vitality.

Many North American cities also had dense and charming centres, then you tore them down in the 50s and 60s to build parking lots.

I've always assumed it was because people don't want to hang out in
their small apartments with no air conditioning.

It's more a case of when you have a lot of restaurants and bars close to where you live, it is easy to meet there or just stop by on the way home.

I think the design and scale of the physical urban environment,
including pedestrian friendliness, has a lot to do with vitality.

Correct, the key word is walkability. For those who want to learn more about the subject I can recommend the great youtube channel Not just bikes, run by a Canadian living in the Netherlands. For a start I'd suggest these videos:

• Why City Design is Important (and Why I Hate Houston), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxykI30fS54
• The Lively & Liveable Neighbourhoods that are Illegal in Most of North America, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnKIVX968PQ
• Why We Won't Raise Our Kids in Suburbia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHlpmxLTxpw

Americans are simply no longer very sociable. When my parents were growing up in the 30's, there were no televisions and families remained close together for a lack of cars and mobility. That was back when your siblings and cousins were your best friends, and that's who they spent their nights with--even if it was playing cards. Many of my friends grew up down the street from their grandparents--both grandparents.

Boomers go to work and come home to our McMansions (by European standards.) We often eat out supper, but we don't dine like the Europeans. We then watch television until it's time to go to bed--and we do it all over tomorrow.

Our cities really lack a certain amount of character, and the vitality is simply missing. Our love of television and now the internet has worn off on our children. The kids of today are even worse--hung up on social media and many are into gaming.

My first European trip was 51 years ago, and we have been to all the major European cities so many times that we know their streets better than we know American cities not even far from us. I've traveled the U.S. and Canada enough to know where I don't choose to visit again. And we just find the European cities more interesting in history, art, food and culture.

What Agnes said,

“ Sadly, the pandemic has been a death knell to many businesses and things aren't quite the same anywhere.”

What David said

“ Boomers go to work and come home to our McMansions (by European standards.) We often eat out supper, but we don't dine like the Europeans. We then watch television until it's time to go to bed--and we do it all over tomorrow.”

"...alive at night with crowds of people." How true and all ages. I saw that in Krakow and Torun too when I was there in July of 2001 and 2005. It's conversing, and strolling, in addition to having the evening meal outside.

I don't know where people are looking but I can say that Americans 25-40 still go out and socialize in the big cities. Just go into DC on a warm night and you'll see young people eating at outdoor cafes and walking around. Same with Chicago-go to some of the hipper neighborhood and there are loads of people outdoors.

As a native Chicagoan, the Loop was always dead after dark. If you wanted good nightlife you went to the neighborhoods.

I think the design and scale of the physical urban environment, including pedestrian friendliness, has a lot to do with vitality.

Spot on, Agnès.

I was in Downtown Fargo this past January and was surprised at the crowds and all it had to offer. The holiday ice skating rink was still going full swing. In June downtown Boise was happening as well. We both commented that we enjoyed both those places over San Francisco. Sacramento always seems to be hit & miss in its evening events/activities. I think that is why I am drawn to Paris so much, all that it has to offer throughout the day & evening as well as Rome.

"One of the RS guides told me once, that in general, in most European cities, the center of town is the most desirable and expensive place to live."

True for Munich as well and living downtown is very desirable and expensive. But not everybody who is able to afford living downtown Munich wants to be in the city center. Still you find districts in Munich and its suburbs for wealthy people with more space to build houses.