The most fantastic cities in the US, from California to New York, prove that America is a truly picturesque country. There are lots of activities you can do across the states, including dining options, impressive architecture, and natural wonders. But visitors will notice that some cities have all of these things as well as magnificent aesthetics.
Heartlands like Los Angeles and New York are the most famous of the group. They are melting pots of cultures, with world-class museums, distinctive neighborhoods, and cutting-edge fashion. Even modest cities in Florida and California have some stunning things that are worth visiting. Consider Miami and Las Vegas as examples, both stimulating the mind with captivating scenery.
When foreigners visit the US for the first time, chances are the new experience will leave them open-mouthed. When your only information about America comes from television, movies, and other forms of pop culture, it’s easy to fall victim to stereotypes and misinterpret a few truths about the country.
So we’ve decided to set the record straight. Read on to find out 8 of the most common misconceptions about major US cities, as well as the truth behind them.
It’s Difficult to Drive in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a sprawling city that stretches from East LA to the beaches and has several neighborhoods within its perimeter. Depending on which direction you drive, you could travel nearly 50 miles without ever leaving the city.
In general, driving in this beach city is fairly unchallenging. Most streets follow a pattern with a few prominent curves and angles. Some areas have one-way streets, and downtowns make an exception.
Despite freeways being pretty well marked, drivers must pay close attention to stay on the correct side. You should make sure you follow the freeway numerals instead of the titles because names vary depending on where you stand.
Most Us Cities Look Like New York City
You definitely must have heard this at least once! If your only exposure to America has been through television and movies, it’s easy to believe that every US city mimics New York.
Although New York is quite unique, housing many more skyscrapers, several US cities have tall buildings and concrete jungles too. But that doesn’t mean that they all look the same. For instance, some people say Chicago comes closest to New York, and they may be right as both cities have a Manhattan effect.
However, New York has some unique towns that Chicago doesn’t have, and vice-versa. Countless smaller cities and towns located away from an urban jungle don’t resemble New York. It’s undeniably a significant oversight.
Chicago Is Dangerous
Chicago has several passes available to explore the city while saving money. Ever since the days of Al Capone, the city has been known as a dangerous place. While it’s true that gun violence has increased significantly over the years, it tends to focus on less popular tourist areas of the city.
We’ve run some numbers to find out how many homicides there are per 100,000 residents in Chicago. Here’s what we’ve discovered: the Windy City actually doesn’t rank among the top 10 most dangerous ones in America. Surprisingly or not, St. Louis holds the top spot.
When it comes to crimes, Chicago is no worse than any other major metropolitan area in the country and is actually significantly better in some categories.
San Diego Is Full of Homeless That Moved There From Somewhere Else
Everyone who lives in San Diego is familiar with the region’s warm climate, which has fewer cold nights than other cities in the country. But another thing that makes America’s Finest City stand out among other US cities is its homelessness issue.
More and more people are seeking homeless services in this region than in other parts of the country. It is indeed a homeless crisis that local officials are struggling to combat. Unfortunately, this isn’t a myth but a sad reality. But there’s another thing that many people tend to misunderstand: the origins of these homeless citizens.
According to some, many of these people come from less welcoming locations. For instance, one hypothesis is that these nomadic folks seek refuge from colder climates on southern California’s warm bays and beaches.
According to them, San Diego is like a gathering place where these travelers reconnect, reunite, and plan for their next move. That would imply that a sizable proportion of San Diego’s homeless are outsiders, which is, for the most part, incorrect.
San Francisco Was Built On 7 Hills
Another misconception that we’d like to bust is the one that says San Francisco was established on seven hills. Many people equate this city to others like Athens and Rome, which were also built on seven hills.
The truth is that it’s located on approximately 49 designated hills (some would say there are only 48 hills). One reason the other 42 are lesser-known tourist attractions is that most lack titles. There are about seven hills that immediately come to mind when one thinks of San Francisco, including Telegraph Hill, Nob Hill, and Russian Hill.
But besides these seven hills, there are also several less famous neighborhoods, including Rincon Hill, First Hill, and Corona Heights, as well as around 40 or some others.
No Building Can in DC Can Be Taller Than the Washington Monument
Now that’s a huge misconception in Washington, DC. The Washington Monument measures 555 feet high, while the tallest residential and commercial structures are only 200 feet high.
A building the height of the Washington Monument would be about 50 stories tall, and some say that it would diminish the emblematic building’s grandeur. But this has nothing to do with the Washington Monument, but with the Height of Building Act of 1910.
It was the Cairo apartment building that made this law come into being. In the 1890s, the tall structure opened as a 16-foot-high hotel. However, the nearby neighbors weren’t happy that this new, huge building had emerged close to their residences.
So they went to Congress, demanding a law that would prohibit additional tall construction.
Las Vegas Is Cheap
Perhaps about 40 years ago, Las Vegas was the best place to find affordable hotel rooms and $2.99 quick-service restaurants before the major hotel brands established themselves along the city’s main boulevard.
It wasn’t unusual to take a low-cost short trip during the weekend while eating well and watching Hollywood performances. This no longer exists. Well, you may still find cheap rooms, but other things like live shows, gambling, restaurants, and bars are quite expensive.
For instance, popular shows featuring well-known acts may easily cost $150 per ticket. It’s also pretty difficult to have a great steak dinner for under $5.
Everybody In Charleston Has An Accent
Not everyone in Chandler has a southern drawl. Here’s why: Not all of the people who live in this wonderful city were born and raised here. Indeed, chances are you’ll meet some Charlestonians who speak as if they’re running some of the lines of “Gone With the Wind”.
But, surprisingly or not, many residents hail from other cities. In fact, Charleston has a sizable population of outsiders. But who can blame them? Charleston is consistently ranked as one of the best US cities to live in.
Coming back to the South Carolina accent, there’s no such thing as a “true” Charleston accent. Similar to New York, Chicago, and Boston, everyone’s accent depends on where they are from.
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