• Cyburbia is a friendly big tent, where we share our experiences and thoughts about urban planning practice, the built environment, planning adjacent topics, and anything else that comes to mind. No ads, no spam, and it's free. It's easy to join!

What city has the most pride?

stroskey

Cyburbian
Messages
1,212
Points
17
I expect this to bit a biased but what city do you think has the most pride in itself? Big - small, new - old, doesn't matter. We all know New Yorkers are a bit cocky but what city has great pride for reasons other than "Ey, we're huge therefore the best!"
 
My 2 cents

Based on people I've known (which by no means is an accurate or complete observation), I'd have to say:

Detroit
Buffalo
Austin (does hubris count?)
Boston
Tulsa
 
You'd think a city that has a very static population would have more pride than somewhere like Austin, where many people are transplants from other areas. I keep picturing a blue-collar-guy-drinking-a-beer-in-the-bed-of-his-pick-up-truck-watching-baseball kind of town over something that has a more mobile population.
 
I'd put blue-collar cities that obsess over a unique local culture (food, music, indigenous products, nostalgia, etc) at the top.

Buffalo, absolutely, but for the majority it's a love-hate relationship. Detroit residents too, but more in a "you're not as tough as we are" spirit than Buffalonians. I'd also lump Pittsburgh among them, but not Cleveland.

Chicago: ever been through Midway Airport?

New Orleans

Toronto residents have that "we're diverse and world-class!" thing going on.

San Francisco and Dallas residents seem among the most boastful.

I think it's important to point out the difference between "pride" and "smugness". Compare Buffalo, where there's a lot of pride, to Rochester, where its more affluent residents have a reputation for being smug, often basing their pride on how they're better than Buffaloin certain ways.
 
Hmmm.....

Boston....people from Boston have WAY too much pride:-c:r::D:):p:-o8-!:lmao:

Don't forget LA, they have the most annoying pride levels for a place that deserves the least:-o:-c:-x

Denver doesn't have 1/2 the Pride they need to have:l:

Brandon Manitoba needs more pride!;) (I hear zman saying...where the hell did that comment come from??)

Burkettsville Maryland and Waterford Virginia have just the right amount of pride:p
 
Boston....people from Boston have WAY too much pride:-c:r::D:):p:-o8-!:lmao:

Don't forget LA, they have the most annoying pride levels for a place that deserves the least:-o:-c:-x

Denver doesn't have 1/2 the Pride they need to have:l:

Brandon Manitoba needs more pride!;) (I hear zman saying...where the hell did that comment come from??)

Burkettsville Maryland and Waterford Virginia have just the right amount of pride:p

I can agree about LA. Toronto has pride but just doesn't show it except for this weekend with the GAY pride festivites. LOL.
 
You'd think a city that has a very static population would have more pride than somewhere like Austin, where many people are transplants from other areas. I keep picturing a blue-collar-guy-drinking-a-beer-in-the-bed-of-his-pick-up-truck-watching-baseball kind of town over something that has a more mobile population.

Austinites are notorious for believing that the city's standard of living and off-beat culture are absolutely perfect and the envy of the rest of the country. So when people criticize the city, as CNU did last year, a lot of people take it personally and the local news coverage is poor and/or derogatory.
 
Towns

One way you might be able to evaluate pride in a city is the degree to which people who move away still relate to that city. Steeler Nation anyone?
 
Ahh......

someone has an itchy trigger finger for those smilies!:D

Newbs can't comment on my use of emoticons until after 1,000 posts......carry on.....I'm sure Dan has added this rule to the Cyburbia play book right??:lmao:
 
Newbs can't c:)mment :)n my use of em:)tic:)ns until after 1,:):):) p:)sts......carry :)n.....I'm sure Dan has added this rule t:) the Cyburbia play b:):)k right??:lmao:

[ot]Fixed that for you. :D[/ot]
 
state pride

speaking of pride, here is what I dont get about Texas, folks from there seem to be very proud (nothing wrong with that), however when they move away, they still plaster Texas flags all over their houses and cars (in the form of stickers, etc.). I first noticed this in the college dorms (in Mississippi) and now I notice this all over. So my question is, if folks like Texas SO much, and think it is SO great, then why the heck do they leave? that just seems weird to me.

example, I was born in GA. I like GA. But, now I live in FL. If I hung a state flag on my house, it would be of FL. I am here now. It has what I need/want, and I like it and support it. If GA had what I needed/wanted, I would of stayed there. It didnt. end of story. Whats up Texas? why you yall do this?

(and for the record, I have been to Texas)

EDIT, the only other state I have noticed this with (for non sport purposes) is South Carolina, with their palmetto flag. I would love to hear from yall too.
 
speaking of pride, here is what I dont get about Texas, folks from there seem to be very proud (nothing wrong with that), however when they move away, they still plaster Texas flags all over their houses and cars (in the form of stickers, etc.). I first noticed this in the college dorms (in Mississippi) and now I notice this all over. So my question is, if folks like Texas SO much, and think it is SO great, then why the heck do they leave? that just seems weird to me.

example, I was born in GA. I like GA. But, now I live in FL. If I hung a state flag on my house, it would be of FL. I am here now. It has what I need/want, and I like it and support it. If GA had what I needed/wanted, I would of stayed there. It didnt. end of story. Whats up Texas? why you yall do this?

(and for the record, I have been to Texas)

EDIT, the only other state I have noticed this with (for non sport purposes) is South Carolina, with their palmetto flag. I would love to hear from yall too.

This is my non-scientific opinion about these two states. Both states were the birthplace of independence movements. Texas was their own country at one time and fiercely fought for their independence from Mexico in 1836. South Carolina was the first state to secede during the Civil War. The state pride is not as extreme in SC as TX, I actually see more Palmetto Stickers here in Indiana then I did in SC. The Palmetto sticker is popular for tourists to place on their vehicles.

I forgot about how strong the Texas Pride is until I went to Texas this past week for vacation. In some areas, every other house had a Texas star on it. The billboards for rent along I-35 had some little quip about Texas pride, heck even Dairy Queen had their own commercials and jingle for the Texas market. :tx: :D
 
This is my non-scientific opinion about these two states. Both states were the birthplace of independence movements. Texas was their own country at one time and fiercely fought for their independence from Mexico in 1836. South Carolina was the first state to secede during the Civil War. The state pride is not as extreme in SC as TX, I actually see more Palmetto Stickers here in Indiana then I did in SC. The Palmetto sticker is popular for tourists to place on their vehicles.

I forgot about how strong the Texas Pride is until I went to Texas this past week for vacation. In some areas, every other house had a Texas star on it. The billboards for rent along I-35 had some little quip about Texas pride, heck even Dairy Queen had their own commercials and jingle for the Texas market. :tx: :D

interesting points. the fact the texas was once a country makes sense to me. are there any other states (besides TX and SC) that are similar in pride? (I know they all have pride, but I am talking TEXAS SIZE pride. did we miss one?)
 
Destin FL - Baytowne Wharf

The ZG went over to Walton County this morning. I don't have the patience to link the pictures. Go look in the Florida other thread for the rest of the images..

url]



Oh crap, I can't even do this right tonight. What ever.
Alcohol and posting do not mix. Like I didn't know that.




I really screwed this up.... it was supposed to be a new thread. I'll try again.. No I won't
 
Last edited:
Of course, I'm going to have to say Chicago. We're proud about our food, our sports teams, our skyline & skyscrapers, our lake, our parks, our "L", our arts & music, our museums, our cheesy local commercials, our media, and so much more. We boast about being tough enough to stand our volatile, harsh climate. And nobody understands political corruption like we do. We're also a lot friendlier than our counterparts on the Coasts, but not too friendly.

Other prideful places from my experiences include:
Boston
Detroit
New York
Atlanta
Memphis
St. Louis
New Orleans
Fort Worth
 
NYC without question! When they refer to the "the city" its NYC, according to them there is no other city in America. Every New Yorker I know will let you know how what ever you are doing fails in comparison to what they have in the city....whether its food sports, transportation, culture. NYC is compared to Rome at its height in ancient times.Within that level of pride there is the higher level of pride of those living in Manhattan. Even when I am in NYC I reminded by its residents that I am visiting the greatest city in the world.

Ask a New Yorker about 9/11 and they will tell you on how the rest of the country does not get what they went through unless you were in DC.
 
Chicago - for most of the reasons IllinoisPlanner said, and because a lot of people feel it's up there with the great cities of the world but never gets the respect of New York, London, Paris, etc. etc.

Others, mostly based off observations from being there or knowing people from there:

Boston
Philly
Detroit
Pittsburgh
New York City
Dallas (fits into the whole "Texas pride" thing)
St. Louis (Cardinals fans)
New Orleans (I think this was bolstered even moreso after Katrina)
 
Every New Yorker I know will let you know how what ever you are doing fails in comparison to what they have in the city....whether its food sports, transportation, culture.

This goes over real well in NC. NOT! If I hear one more transplant from NY or NJ tell people here how it should be done...

That's the difference between pride and arrogance. People from Boston have pride, but they know when to shut it. Can't say the same for New Yorkers. [P.S. Go Sox!]
 
This goes over real well in NC. NOT! If I hear one more transplant from NY or NJ tell people here how it should be done...

That's the difference between pride and arrogance. People from Boston have pride, but they know when to shut it. Can't say the same for New Yorkers. [P.S. Go Sox!]

The same was true in DC...they would even brag that they had a 212 area code which is far superior to the lowly 202 of DC. Bostonians were almost as bad...I always thought they were much more smug in a backhanded sort of way.
 
Oakland CA
or the entire Bay Area.

I have found that they have a huge inferiority complex with southern CA
 
Oakland CA
or the entire Bay Area.

I have found that they have a huge inferiority complex with southern CA

But at least they got Pro-Football.

If given a choice between LA and the Bay, I'd take the Bay anyday. The Bay is also closer to the Sequioas and Yosemite. Unfortunately my first trip to CA I will end up in Orange County as my sister now lives there. I am dreading this, I doubt if I will be able to see LA, Hollywood, or any of the stuff I want to see and be forced to go to Disney, McDonalds, and Starbucks.
 
One way you might be able to evaluate pride in a city is the degree to which people who move away still relate to that city. Steeler Nation anyone?

Or the Buffalo expat community, with Bills bars and Buffalo-themed restaurants throughout the country. Go to .. oh, North Carolina, and compare a Buffalo expat with a Rochester expat; the ex-Buffalonians will be far more nostalgic and "homerist", for lack of a better word.

I think another sign of pride in a city is to look at the presence of well-defined and documented expat colonies. What equivalents are there to the colonies of Buffalonians in Charlotte (see http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_218_323.cfm) and Sarasota?
 
What equivalents are there to the colonies of Buffalonians in Charlotte?

New Englanders are all over southeast Florida. Eastern NC is loaded with New Jerseans. This is more a function of the level out-migration from a city than pride.

It could be painted in the opposite way: people with true pride don't leave a city.
 
Florida colonies:

-Port St. Lucie/Jensen Beach/Palm City, FL is a huge Long Islander colony. The Mets have their spring training facilities in PSL.

-Palm Beach Co. is heavily NYC/NJ metro transplants

-Broward Co. is still heavy with New Yorkers but has the most New Englanders is southeast FL, IMO
 
Everyone around here knows that "You Just Can't Hide That SOMERVILLE Pride!"

Actually, I think the issue of pride is a little overrated. All places have something to be proud of - even the small towns with the largest spool of twine in the tri-state region. What matters more is whether people are prosperous and happy.
 
I think another sign of pride in a city is to look at the presence of well-defined and documented expat colonies. What equivalents are there to the colonies of Buffalonians in Charlotte (see http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_218_323.cfm) and Sarasota?

Another region that sends a lot of their residents to Charlotte is Western PA/Pittsburgh. When I was an undergrad in the Charlotte area, the non-kitchen staff at the restaurant I worked at was about 50% from Western PA at some point. I ended up in the Carolinas from 2nd grade through college after being born about an hour east of Pittsburgh.

The Pittsburgh connection is so strong in Charlotte that even if the Panthers are playing, if the Steelers are playing at the same time, at least half the TV's are tuned to the Steelers game.

My uncle was born in Pittsburgh, but now lives in Houston. There are so many Pittsburgh natives in Houston that the bar he goes to has the Steelers game on the big screen, while the Texans are relegated to the smaller TV's. (Could be that the Texans are a pretty crappy team! :D)

While it is good these ex-pats have pride, it is troublesome to witness the great exodus from the Great Lakes and Northeast. :( The mixing of cultures does make for an interesting city, i.e. the heavy Buffalo and Pittsburgh influence in Charlotte, beef on weck, perogies and sweet tea!

I miss Charlotte! :( :)
 
Last edited:
Go out to areas of Phoenix and it's basically "Chicago in the desert". My own in-laws bought a second home out there because it's close to the Cubs spring training facilities and half their retired friends moved out there. There are areas on the Florida gulf coast where it's the same way (there is a huge Illinois/Chicago contingent in places like Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, etc.). The DC area also has large enclaves of former Chicagoans, and naturally large areas of southern Wisconsin and western Michigan where Chicagoans vacationed to for years and then decided to retire.
 
Cities

Or the Buffalo expat community, with Bills bars and Buffalo-themed restaurants throughout the country. Go to .. oh, North Carolina, and compare a Buffalo expat with a Rochester expat; the ex-Buffalonians will be far more nostalgic and "homerist", for lack of a better word.

I think another sign of pride in a city is to look at the presence of well-defined and documented expat colonies. What equivalents are there to the colonies of Buffalonians in Charlotte (see http://www.wfae.org/wfae/1_218_323.cfm) and Sarasota?

Here is a web site where you can find the Steeler bar nearest you!
http://www.post-gazette.com/steelernation/steelersbars.asp
 
Go out to areas of Phoenix and it's basically "Chicago in the desert". My own in-laws bought a second home out there because it's close to the Cubs spring training facilities and half their retired friends moved out there. There are areas on the Florida gulf coast where it's the same way (there is a huge Illinois/Chicago contingent in places like Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples, etc.). The DC area also has large enclaves of former Chicagoans, and naturally large areas of southern Wisconsin and western Michigan where Chicagoans vacationed to for years and then decided to retire.

Yeah, definitely agree with all of the above. I'd also add St. Petersburg/Pinellas County FL, Sarasota FL, Orange Co. CA, Riverside Co. CA, Eastern IA, Northern & Central Indiana, and Southwest Missouri (Springfield/Branson) to that list. For an example of Chicago colonies and Chicago pride alive & well in Southern California, one only needs to see that Buena Park and Moreno Valley have Portillo's restaurants...the only ones outside Chicagoland.
 
I think Pride is varied by area about what they cherish.

I have lived in 4 places in my life and each had pride in something different...

Boston - historical significance, Red Sox, and Pats

NYC - financial capital and one of the most urban places in the world (New Yorkers think they are the center of the world)

Rhode Island - You can be at the ocean in any direction within 10 to 15 minutes (slightly exaggerated) and unique RI cuisine - stuffies and coffee milk!

Atlanta - prides itself on its history as a progressive city, civil right history, and the "center of the south".
 
Back
Top