Have you ever visited a city and felt an instantaneous click? Walked off of an airplane or stepped out of your hotel and felt happy, excited, at home?
Is it the architecture, the weather, the croissants, the vibe? Why does one person adore San Francisco while another finds it utterly unappealing? I’ve found myself having conversations like this one on more than one occasion:
Me: So what did you think? Isn’t San Francisco amazing?
Friend: It was okay. Kind of dirty. I didn’t really love it.
Me: (Look of confusion) But what about the water, the hills, the cable cars, the colorful houses, the, the…you know…the vibe?
Friend: (Shrugs) It was just okay. Not my favorite.
Me: (Wonders if friend has been taken over by a San Francisco-hating alien pod.)
Dreamy San Fran–what’s not to love? Image by Myan Soffia. Click to purchase this gorgeous print on Etsy.
Maybe my friend is just not that into cable cars or cardigans or fog. But could there be something else to it? I’ve often wondered why people have such strong attachments and aversions to various cities.
Obviously, taste plays a role–some people simply prefer mountains to oceans and prairies to cities. But urban studies theorist and author Richard Florida believes there’s another factor at play.
He thinks that cities, like people, have distinct personalities.
In his book, “Who’s Your City?” Florida dissects the personality traits that people share with cities and posits that the more similar you are to a city, the likelier you are to be happy there.
Here are the “Big 5” dimensions of personality:
Open to Experience- curious, artistic, creative
Conscientious- disciplined, detail oriented, efficient
Extroverted- gregarious, assertive, enthusiastic
Agreeable- friendly, compassionate, trusting
Neurotic- anxious, hostile, self-conscious
And here is Florida’s corresponding U.S. personality map:
As you can see, it’s not that a city magically has its own personality, but rather that people with particular personality traits cluster in specific areas. The greater the number of people with a particular trait inhabiting a city, the likelier the city is to reflect those traits and continue to attract greater numbers of people with those characteristics. And so it goes…
Over the years, legions of people have taken off for New York City and Paris and London, searching for their “place” in the world. Perhaps it is the fact that so many creative, searching (and slightly neurotic) people also call these cities home that makes them so appealing to those with an adventurous spirit. After all, like attracts like.
My personal experience supports this notion. Vancouver, where I currently live, has always felt more like a so-so friend than a bestie. Using Florida’s personality types as a guide, I can see that Vancouver would score high on Conscientousness and Openness to Experience and low on Agreeableness and Extroversion. My ideal city would (like me) score high on Extroversion, Openness to Experience and Agreeableness. Unfortunately, that place might not look like this:
Vancouver: she’s not very outgoing, but she sure is pretty
Of course, all kinds of things get in the way of finding and inhabiting your ideal city: work, love, money, family. We don’t always get to choose. But if you’re just starting out or thinking about a big change, it might be worth examining whether your current or potential city is a good fit, personality wise.
And if you can’t uproot your life, maybe you can figure out where your personal travel nirvana lies. Is it in neurotic, open New York? Extroverted, agreeable Chicago? Or Paris? Because, agreeable or not, Paris is always a good idea.
Who’s your city?
P.S. You can check out Richard Florida’s cool interactive website here and play around with cities and statistics to find the spot that’s right for you.
Tagged: Choosing a City, Creativity, inspiration, Lifestyle, Moving, People, Personality Types, Richard Florida, travel, vancouver
I live in Miami and don’t feel at home at all here. But every time I go to Chicago it’s like we are meant for one another, it’s beautiful thing :)
I’ve never been to Miami, but I lived in Chicago for a while and it’s a fantastic city. I miss all of the extroverted people there, big time!
As a Chicagoan, I agree with you—I get that “home” feeling here, but also in Boston! It’s a blast to visit other places and see what fits and what doesn’t. Your gut is almost never wrong!
I’m feeling rather neurotic at the moment…and also missing Philadelphia. I guess the two things ARE linked. Interesting too that Neurotic & Open to Experience seems to overlap so closely. Are they mutually-exclusive character traits?
That’s an interesting point, Claire. It appears that the east coast is both open and neurotic but the west coast is just open. There’s also a big splotch of purple that’s extroverted but not open. From the map, it looks like Ohio is loud and cranky! I would probably add a dash of neuroticism to my ideal city equation too ;)
I’ve been in many cities, but Paris is the one. I’m so in love with this city!
Ahh, me too. Paris, je t’aime! Lucky girl :)
I love Dubai. Full stop.
I’ve never been, but I’d love to visit.
Everything you’ve heard about it is an understatement.
What an interesting post, Rian. There are definitely cities that I’ve instantly felt “at home” and others that were nicer to pass through than stay for a while. That’s precisely how I decided where I wanted to go to college. With a welcoming attitude, gorgeous campus, and friendly squirrels (yes, wildlife was a small factor in my decision), I immediately knew UC Berkeley was the right place for me the minute I stepped out of the tour bus. Before my college tour, I had never even considered it, but after my visit, I knew there was no place in the world I’d rather study. It’s not always about a particular place, but how a place makes you feel.
Berkeley is beautiful, what a great place to spend your university years. Do you think you’ll ever move back?
Probably not because most of my family lives in Southern California. At the end of the day, family is home to me. But who knows what the future holds?
So I lived in metro Atlanta most of my life. Then I went away to rural, western North Carolina for college. With the choice to stay or go, I traded in the busy city to make these Carolina cotton fields home. If I had to put myself on Florida’s maps, I would consider myself mostly agreeable and conscientious with a streak of extroversion. So the fit makes sense.
I’ve always wanted to be that open-to-experience person, but here’s to embracing and celebrating who we are anyway!
Yes, a definite cheers to celebrating who we are and not who we think we *should* be. You write such beautiful descriptions of the rural south on your blog that it almost makes me want to pitch up next door and become your neighbour. Almost. Truth is, I’m a city girl, through and through ;)
Loving your post:) I have 3 cities that speak to me – Mendocino, CA, Santa Barbara, CA and most recent Portland, OR. Love cities that just speak to you and make you fall in love:) Have a Great One!
Those are all such beautiful cities. I visited Portland for the first time last summer, and I just loved it: the food trucks, the quirky shops, the laid back vibe, the books. Swoon.
My city is London. I don’t know what it is, but when I get off the plane, I feel like I can breathe better, like it’s where I’m supposed to be. I live in San Diego, so it’s very different from home, but to me, London is home.
Talk about a change in weather! How cool that you’ve found your *place*. London is such a fantastic city, and the very first place I ever travelled abroad, so it also holds a special place in my heart.
Hi Rian, thanks for putting us in touch with this website, very interesting stuff! Well I’m living in Cape Town which I think has a great work life balance and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Over here in South Africa the big city debate is always between Cape Town and Johannesburg. CT is the more scenic and relaxed city and most probably coincides with creative, open, agreeable type people. Whereas Jo’burg I’ve heard has a livelier buzz, and probably appeals to more extroverted, neurotic, go-getter types. Jo’burg is the bigger corporate city. Whereas CT has a mountain in the middle of it!
I haven’t spent a lot of time in Joburg, but I’m not sure it can compete with the beauty and vibe of Cape Town. SUCH a pretty place. Now, if only that darn water wasn’t so cold. What do you think of Durban?
The moment I got off the plane in Dublin, it was like being home. I almost seemed to naturally know my way around. Other cities that feel right are Melbourne Australia and San Francisco.
Cheers,
Laura
Dublin seems like a popular choice–I’m curious to check it out!
Highly recommend it!
It’s such a great city. :)
Cheers,
Laura
Dublin for me too please! I live in Ireland’s rural north west but lived in Dublin for eight years. Your post is so timely Rian as I wrote about my love of Dublin in a blog post just today!
Everyone who knows me knows how passionate I am for Dublin so I was intrigued to read the line ‘the more similar you are to a city, the likelier you are to be happy there.’ Food for thought : )
Cool post, Jane. I’m really intrigued by Dublin now and would love to pay a visit. Thanks again for sharing my post on your fb page :)
I live in Portland, Oregon and while I love the city, I don’t love the weather… all the time. She is beautiful in the summer and fall, the rest of the time rainy and gray. The arts, entertainment, cuisine etc appeal to me. I just booked a trip to Paris, I’ll be turning 35 while taking in some of my favorite sites. J’adore Paris aussi. I swear I was switched at birth with an American family!
I can totally relate, Kristy. I think the weather there is only moderately better than it is here. And I am so not a rain person! Ahh, well–I’ve been trying to find the romance in misty days. It’s definitely gotten easier. Lucky, lucky girl–a birthday in Paris. I can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
I love how the “agreeable people” map centers in the South, drapes through the Midwest, and stops JUST short of where I currently live. I tend to think I’m an agreeable person, which is perhaps why I’m not thrilled about living where I am.
This was a fun post – thanks for sharing!
Ha, where’s the luck? Maybe there’s a more agreeable place out there calling your name :)
There definitely is! I matched quite high for San Francisco, Denver, and Paris … not exactly agreeable places, but good matches nonetheless! Perhaps I should have tried Vancouver and Buenos Aires as well …
Buenos Aires, that could be interesting!
I had exactly the same experience as Jessica did in my university city – for me, it was Leicester here in the UK. I came on an open day on a really grim day when it was chucking it down and the university was half under scaffolding, but I just had such a good feeling. Lots of my friends don’t like Leicester, they think it’s ugly and too small, but it definitely has my heart. Does this clever map chappy do one for the UK?
No, unfortunately he’s only mapped the U.S.–but he does have a few different types of maps for Europe and Canada (focused more on jobs, income and relationship status). Hopefully he’ll expand out and map more of the world! But you may be able to apply the concepts to some of the places you’ve already visited.
I loved Kauai like that, but I like anywhere my hubs is, cos to me its him and not the place that makes it special. sugary, but true!
I fell in love with York in England the first time I went there! It’s full of bakeries and teashops, and is very quirky. Also, it feels like you are walking through Diagon Alley as you move through some of the narrow streets. I love the sound of the Minster bells as well. If I wasn’t so in love with Scotland, York is where I would stay, but I visit regularly!
Sounds very cool. You had me at “Minster bells”.
Montana (and probably BC) is made for adventurous, independent, introverted types…such as myself ;) Bozeman is my city, or rather, my small town. I enjoy big cities and far away lands, but when the plane touches down and I see my mountains, my heart is happy.
Great post!
It’s awesome that you know you’re in the right place, Tobi! I would agree that the natural beauty of these places lends itself to introspection and physical activity. I love the outdoors and relish being so close to nature while still living in a city. But, as a (mostly) agreeable extrovert, I get frustrated when I’m riding my bike or walking on a beautiful trail and the lone other person that passes me doesn’t smile or make eye contact. I imagine Montana is a bit friendlier than Vancouver!
I can understand that :) We are pretty friendly around here, although I’ve had several people not look up, let alone say hi.
I think all of those years in Virginia spoiled me…I got so used to the ‘southern wave’ :) I would love to visit Montana sometime, Tobi. Your photos are breathtaking.
I was born and raised in Vegas – It never felt right to me, kind of cold. I loved Portland, San Francisco, Columbus – friendly cities. Funny how fun a place like Vegas feels to visitors, when you live there it doesn’t feel that way at all.
That’s an interesting point–some cities are definitely better for visiting than inhabiting. You don’t always get a real taste of what the people are like, especially if you’re just hanging out in touristy areas around other tourists and those who are catering to tourists.
I remember having an interesting discussion about cities with you and Grant not so long ago :-)
Does the book focus mainly on American cities, or does it also take into account the rest of the world? I’m not sure how well this theory would work for me though: I lived in a highly conscientious city (Zurich) for 4 years and loved it even though I’m not conscientious at all. I often felt like being in a well organised and disciplined place allowed me to develop my creativity and openness. Very interesting post in any case :-)
His maps and statistics focus mainly on the U.S. (and, on his website, also Canada). But the concepts in the book are global–he talks about world “mega-regions” and argues that where you live will affect who you date and marry, your job opportunities and your overall happiness in life. He writes a lot about the new “creative class.” Interesting stuff.
P.S. Your comment about Zurich got me thinking because, although I score low on conscientiousness, I don’t mind that Vancouver is conscientious. So maybe it’s not what a city *has* but what it lacks that can make it a poor fit? Just a thought…
Maybe you’re right: the lack of conscientiousness might be more decisive in a city ‘match’ than getting a lot of it.
I really want to read the book now!
This was really a great post! I am sure that I belong ti the first category but I have not been ever in USA. :)
Yeah, I wish his maps covered the rest of the world. Maybe they will eventually!
I’ve never really thought about this. I love everything about my life in London, I know that much. I also really loved Hanoi, Beijing and Marrakech. I also wholeheartedly agree. Paris is always a good idea! http://lazylauramaisey.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/midday-in-paris/
How awesome that you’ve found such a perfect fit!
Yeh. The last year or two, I realised that I’m in a really really good place at the moment, mentally and physically. I’m very lucky.
i’m not sure how i would classify boston, but i’m definitely more of a creative introvert and boston has been such an awesome fit for me (which reminds me of my atlanta roots)—it has city amenities while still being neighborhoody with lots of character…while we are still somewhat new to this sweet city, we definitely hope we can be here for a long while :)
I’ve always wanted to visit Boston. Two of my friends are moving there next month so now I’ll have a great reason to visit! It sounds like a very cool city.
It looks like I am living in the right place, since my city shows up on the conscientious map. That is definitely me. I would love to step outside of that though and become more open to new experiences or become more extroverted! And for what it’s worth, I love San Francisco, too!
I can definitely see that characteristic in you, even though I’ve never met you in real life, Emily :) I wish I was more conscientious! Then maybe I would remember to put things back in their proper places ;)
That is really interesting! I was just thinking yesterday about the first time I visited Maine, when I was 15, and how I immediately thought, “This is home.”
I’m dying to visit San Francisco.
I love New York City, but I think I need more nature. Trees, mountains and water. I don’t know if I’ve found “my” city/town, yet! Where I live now, in NJ, is pretty great – 2 hiking trailheads on our street, and 3 Christmas tree farms!
3 Christmas tree farms on your street, Jules–it must smell amazing! Trees, mountains and water–that sounds like Vancouver. Maybe you should pay a visit? ;) San Francisco also sounds like it would be right up your alley–amazing redwood forests and wineries right around the corner. I think you’d really like it.
I have, pretty much, always been happy in Indiana. Looking at the charts you gave, it looks like Indiana is not a bad fit for a spiritual, conscientious type who used to be neurotic and is now, somewhat, extroverted.
Thanks,
Scott
You are so on top of your comments, Scott–I knew you must be conscientious! So glad to hear your town is a good fit.
:-)
My home is beautiful Moscow (Russia),where I was born,- but I love and feel at home in London, too. They are the way too different cities, but the wibes are the same, – active and elegant….
“Active and elegant”–what a cool combination. I’d love to visit Moscow one day..
That is really interesting! It actually does make sense, I live in Georgia, and the people are very conscientious and agreeable, but they would not really get out of their comfort zone for anything ha!
I was looking at the maps & wondering whether a conscientious, agreeable, open place even exists. It seems like people are either friendly, outgoing and closed or open, outgoing and hostile. Guess you can’t have it all!
I’m in love with Boston and Alexandria, VA. Alexandria has just enough buildings, shops and REALLY good restaurants to feel like a city, but it’s charming and quaint as well. Boston’s the same way–on a larger scale. I’m also in love with Plymouth, MA–that’s home for me. It has the ocean, the harbor, restaurants, shops, and accessibility. I love small cities.
Plymouth sounds lovely :) Many of my friends live in NoVa, but I haven’t spent a ton of time in Alexandria. It’s a really cute place, though. I lived in VA (Richmond & Newport News) for a combined 10 years, but never felt at home with its somewhat conservative nature. NoVa and Charlottesville are definitely a bit more open and quirky!
San Francisco haunts me. I love it. Paris is the only place I’ve felt that same “This is it. This is the place.”
Twice in my life I was supposed to move there and twice things fell through. Now I’m married and my wife hates hates hates the climate there (which, okay, is fair). Sigh.
I think we’re city soul mates, Byronic Man. Those are my two faves as well. I would get up and move to either one tomorrow (and so would my husband, if he could work in either). I used to think the climate in san fran would get to me, but after living in Vancouver for a few years, I’m pretty sure it would feel like a tropical paradise ;)
So cool. I actually thought of San Francisco when I read your title. I love the place, everything about it. I went there once with a friend who had an awful time. The weather, the eccentric people, the hills: everything irked her.
Ha! So funny–so you totally got the alien pod thing, right? Crazy how much we can adore a place and when we look over at the person next to us, they look like they just want to hop the first plane home!
My two opposite choices would be New York and Florence. There’s a patisserie there called Gigli’s so oppulent, with cakes like in a dream.
Ahh, Florence. That is one of the most gorgeous cities in existence. You’re right–the vibe there is maybe the antithesis of NYC. But it’s just so lovely. Gigli’s: going on the list. Thanks!
Fantastic post, Rian. I would love to read Florida’s book. It’s also interesting that if you grow up near a major metropolis, you’re likely to be influenced by its personality, and thus be more likely to “fit” with it as you become an adult. That’s kind of what happened to me with Chicago, having grown up about 25 miles outside the city and now living in it as an adult. Though, Boston, DC, and San Fran will always have a hold on me too :)
Such an interesting topic and I’m glad you brought it up!
Hey This is my first comment! I did the test from Florida’s website and as I lived in Manchester in the UK for 6 years it turns out I should probably stay in Manchester but consider moving to London! Although I’ve always wanted to move somewhere outside Europe! Some of the characters of the city is not what I care about thought (such as political leaders), I guess it would be better if we give a importance score to each of the factor. Anyway I’m going to do it again! I’m curious what cities you chose to test with?
What an awesome perspective! I am definitely on board with the notion that all cities have their on personality and sometimes, once you set foot on its soil, you just never want to leave! Before I moved to Texas, I lived in downtown Philadelphia, and although I’ve grown to love this new atmosphere immensely, I do find myself longing for the hum of the city :)
I was smitten by San Francisco from my very first visit as a young child. China Town, cable cars, Fisherman’s wharf, Coit Tower and Market Street. It’s the most romantic city ever, and Toni Bennett lives there! t’s held the number one spot ever since.