What city is the San Francisco of Europe?
July 10, 2009 3:29 PM Subscribe
What city is the San Francisco of Europe?
The answers to my last question made it clear that I wouldn't be moving to SF any time soon. Perhaps I should look closer to home? I've been to surprisingly few cities in Europe and I should definitely remedy that. Maybe I'll even find a place I like more than SF!
Here's what I liked about San Francisco:
- Geeks everywhere! I had loads of interesting conversations about topics that are near to my heart with people I barely knew. This is something I haven't experienced anywhere else and is the main reason I loved the city.
- Open-minded people. Estonia is very xenophobic, most people here will think you're insane if you say you support gay marriage. SF was a breath of fresh air in this respect.
- Lots of cool events.
- The climate. This is a distant fourth, though.
The answers to my last question made it clear that I wouldn't be moving to SF any time soon. Perhaps I should look closer to home? I've been to surprisingly few cities in Europe and I should definitely remedy that. Maybe I'll even find a place I like more than SF!
Here's what I liked about San Francisco:
- Geeks everywhere! I had loads of interesting conversations about topics that are near to my heart with people I barely knew. This is something I haven't experienced anywhere else and is the main reason I loved the city.
- Open-minded people. Estonia is very xenophobic, most people here will think you're insane if you say you support gay marriage. SF was a breath of fresh air in this respect.
- Lots of cool events.
- The climate. This is a distant fourth, though.
I'm not well traveled, but Amsterdam is the only city I've ever been to that seems to be MORE liberal than San Francisco.
posted by cleverevans at 3:43 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by cleverevans at 3:43 PM on July 10, 2009
I believe Amsterdam also has a pretty big techie scene.
posted by ManInSuit at 3:44 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by ManInSuit at 3:44 PM on July 10, 2009
I'm a Bay Area native, and Barcelona's mild weather, seaside location, wonderful food, easygoing vibe, hills, and quirky vernacular architecture reminded me instantly of SF.
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 3:46 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by foxy_hedgehog at 3:46 PM on July 10, 2009
Scandinavian cities. Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, etc.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:48 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 3:48 PM on July 10, 2009
Amsterdam and Barcelona come to mind. Milan's got a amazing arts scene, and I've always been really fond of Brussels.
posted by deadmessenger at 3:51 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by deadmessenger at 3:51 PM on July 10, 2009
Berlin for its arts scene (although that's less so now)
Lisbon for its hilly oceanside setting with cable cars and Golden Gate replica.
Other cities I've heard compared to it are Vienna, Bergen, Amsterdam, Lausanne, and Barcelona.
posted by JauntyFedora at 3:52 PM on July 10, 2009
Lisbon for its hilly oceanside setting with cable cars and Golden Gate replica.
Other cities I've heard compared to it are Vienna, Bergen, Amsterdam, Lausanne, and Barcelona.
posted by JauntyFedora at 3:52 PM on July 10, 2009
What you describe sounds like Amsterdam and Vienna to me.
posted by cestmoi15 at 3:57 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by cestmoi15 at 3:57 PM on July 10, 2009
Amsterdam fails the climate test, however.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:58 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:58 PM on July 10, 2009
Nthing Amsterdam! Great city.
I've never been to Geneva, but it sounds like there is a pretty solid techy geek scene there.
posted by oinopaponton at 3:59 PM on July 10, 2009
I've never been to Geneva, but it sounds like there is a pretty solid techy geek scene there.
posted by oinopaponton at 3:59 PM on July 10, 2009
Barcelona, or so I've heard. Definitely somewhere I would like to try living for sure. But then, every city is different, and any particular mix isn't likely to be repeated exactly.
posted by Sova at 4:03 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Sova at 4:03 PM on July 10, 2009
likewise with barcelona. ocean fronted, artsy, geek-techy, restaurants, bars, and cafes galore, and a vibrant night life.
posted by holdenjordahl at 4:17 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by holdenjordahl at 4:17 PM on July 10, 2009
Brighton, UK. Hilly, webbie, gayie, occasionally misty.
posted by i_cola at 4:24 PM on July 10, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by i_cola at 4:24 PM on July 10, 2009 [2 favorites]
Aside from Barcelona, most of the cities mentioned in this thread either have shit weather, or don't match your list of things you like about SF very closely, IMHO.
posted by Crotalus at 4:40 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Crotalus at 4:40 PM on July 10, 2009
Bologna? Hilly, student-y, good weather. Barcelona? More people than Estonia - perhaps too large, but probably a pretty vital tech scene (in a better economic climate). Lisbon sounds great, though.
posted by mdonley at 4:46 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by mdonley at 4:46 PM on July 10, 2009
I've also heard of Brighton referred to (by Brits) as the San Francisco of Europe, as there's gay people, hippies and a tech scene, but after having lived in SF for the last 10 years, and spent 6 months in Brighton last year, just... no. It really is a lovely place and does have some of what you're looking for, but unfortunately, the price of housing seems to be the one aspect of Brighton that truly reminded me of SF.
Amsterdam, though, does fit your criteria really, really well, except as noted upthread, in the climate department. Yes, I've lived in California most of my life so I am a relative wimp concerning weather, but I've never been anywhere colder than Amsterdam in early February. On the other hand, besides the good geek/open-minded population and tons of cool events, Amsterdam is also really similar to SF in that both cities have the very diverse population that comes from being the city center of a major port area, which translates to lots and lots of delicious food options. And on top of that, the Dutch concept of gezellig is kind of a less-flaky version of the laid-back California lifestyle. The price of housing is also an issue in Amsterdam, it should be noted, but I imagine it would be well worth the cost of living.
posted by KatlaDragon at 4:49 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
Amsterdam, though, does fit your criteria really, really well, except as noted upthread, in the climate department. Yes, I've lived in California most of my life so I am a relative wimp concerning weather, but I've never been anywhere colder than Amsterdam in early February. On the other hand, besides the good geek/open-minded population and tons of cool events, Amsterdam is also really similar to SF in that both cities have the very diverse population that comes from being the city center of a major port area, which translates to lots and lots of delicious food options. And on top of that, the Dutch concept of gezellig is kind of a less-flaky version of the laid-back California lifestyle. The price of housing is also an issue in Amsterdam, it should be noted, but I imagine it would be well worth the cost of living.
posted by KatlaDragon at 4:49 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
I live in the Bay Area, and while I have only briefly visited Amsterdam, it reminded me of here a lot. Besides, you know, the weather.
posted by bradbane at 4:59 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by bradbane at 4:59 PM on July 10, 2009
Amsterdam's canals add a flavor to the city that nothing in SF really matches.
On the other hand, the canals freeze solid in the winter. Which is why the Dutch invented ice skates.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:02 PM on July 10, 2009
On the other hand, the canals freeze solid in the winter. Which is why the Dutch invented ice skates.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:02 PM on July 10, 2009
Seconding Bologna. Very open-minded, technologically forward-thinking, fantastic food, very friendly and well-educated people, and much warmer than Amsterdam.
posted by Superplin at 5:17 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Superplin at 5:17 PM on July 10, 2009
Another significant advantage of Amsterdam is that everyone is fluent in English, and they don't mind speaking it.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:48 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 5:48 PM on July 10, 2009
Bologna, based on my 2 days of visiting, is awesome!!! gorgeous university town full of students, fantastic art, architecture, food etc.,
zurich is in some ways reminiscent of sf (and its a very cute little city) but definitely less diverse, and colder!
posted by supermedusa at 5:57 PM on July 10, 2009
zurich is in some ways reminiscent of sf (and its a very cute little city) but definitely less diverse, and colder!
posted by supermedusa at 5:57 PM on July 10, 2009
Last time I went to San Fran, I thought I was in Barcelona.
posted by Espoo2 at 6:38 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Espoo2 at 6:38 PM on July 10, 2009
Pretty much every major capital city (and some others) in Europe are like San Francisco, in that San Francisco is like them.
posted by jedrek at 6:41 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by jedrek at 6:41 PM on July 10, 2009
I may be the only one here who wasn't really that impressed by Amsterdam, but since I'm living in Berlin it didn't seem to have that much more to offer in the culture/café/nightlife aspect, I found the gay scene underwhelming and the city too small, expensive, cutesy and overcrowded by tourists to consider moving there. But there is a huge tech scene... Maybe you should make a trip and see for yourself though.
After I've been in Lisbon a month ago I would definitely recommend checking that out!
It's vibrant, beautiful city in a beautiful country with the nicest unpretentious people you can imagine, a warm, mild climate and in contrast to spain you will also get by a lot better with english (at least that was my experience). I cannot vouch for the geek/tech culture though...
posted by kolophon at 6:42 PM on July 10, 2009
After I've been in Lisbon a month ago I would definitely recommend checking that out!
It's vibrant, beautiful city in a beautiful country with the nicest unpretentious people you can imagine, a warm, mild climate and in contrast to spain you will also get by a lot better with english (at least that was my experience). I cannot vouch for the geek/tech culture though...
posted by kolophon at 6:42 PM on July 10, 2009
Lisbon has cable-cars.
Not true. Check the wikipedia on Railway Cable Cars. Like San Francisco, Amsterdam, and any of a number of European cities, Lisbon has trams, AKA trolleys; but unlike SF, Lisbon has Funiculars, which are a kind of cable railway, but not the same type. As of this late date, San Francisco's cable car system is unique, the last of its kind.
Oh, and Amsterdam.
posted by Rash at 6:46 PM on July 10, 2009
Not true. Check the wikipedia on Railway Cable Cars. Like San Francisco, Amsterdam, and any of a number of European cities, Lisbon has trams, AKA trolleys; but unlike SF, Lisbon has Funiculars, which are a kind of cable railway, but not the same type. As of this late date, San Francisco's cable car system is unique, the last of its kind.
Oh, and Amsterdam.
posted by Rash at 6:46 PM on July 10, 2009
Bologna. I stayed there for a month. Very progressive- and it's the perfect train hub if you want to visit other cities.
posted by Zambrano at 6:54 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by Zambrano at 6:54 PM on July 10, 2009
I am European and I am not sure that anywhere in Europe has SF's kind of street culture. And by street culture I mean "put on a silly costume (or no costume) and run around drunk in the streets at the drop of a hat". It's hard to imagine Bay to Breakers in Amsterdam or the authorities letting you shut traffic for a random neighborhood party in Madrid.
SF on a nice sunny weekend has a mellow anything-goes vibe that is all it's own.
posted by fshgrl at 7:22 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
SF on a nice sunny weekend has a mellow anything-goes vibe that is all it's own.
posted by fshgrl at 7:22 PM on July 10, 2009 [1 favorite]
nthing Copenhagen. It's just always had the same feel as SF for me.
Amsterdam not as much. This may be because of some of the things that I've heard come out of the mouths of Dutch people I've gotten to know in a cafe. I've had numerous instances where some off-hand, but extremely racist thing has been slipped into a conversation almost as a non-sequitur. now I'm not saying this is a Dutch thing, or that non-Dutch folks aren't racists. I'm just saying it may have sort of clouded my experiences with Amsterdam.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:51 PM on July 10, 2009
Amsterdam not as much. This may be because of some of the things that I've heard come out of the mouths of Dutch people I've gotten to know in a cafe. I've had numerous instances where some off-hand, but extremely racist thing has been slipped into a conversation almost as a non-sequitur. now I'm not saying this is a Dutch thing, or that non-Dutch folks aren't racists. I'm just saying it may have sort of clouded my experiences with Amsterdam.
posted by Pollomacho at 8:51 PM on July 10, 2009
Does it have to be Europe? Because I thought that everyone knew, it's Baghdad-by-the-Bay.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:29 PM on July 10, 2009
posted by ActingTheGoat at 10:29 PM on July 10, 2009
Utrecht is a nice alternative to Amsterdam; you still get canals but it's a bit less crowded with tourists. The mall-slash-train-station is lame, though.
posted by transporter accident amy at 12:18 AM on July 11, 2009
posted by transporter accident amy at 12:18 AM on July 11, 2009
Both Toulouse and Montpellier have large universities, high tech industry, liberal people, walkable downtown areas, modern tramways and nice weather.
posted by iviken at 12:59 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by iviken at 12:59 PM on July 11, 2009
No ocean but I'd suggest Munich...Max Planck Institute as well as numerous universities, near the Alps, and...um...beer.
posted by Hypnotic Chick at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by Hypnotic Chick at 1:14 PM on July 11, 2009
I'd say Barcelona. I lived there and loved it. GO!
posted by Stewriffic at 3:21 PM on July 11, 2009
posted by Stewriffic at 3:21 PM on July 11, 2009
Barcelona, or if you don't mind a somewhat grittier SF-equivalent, Marseilles. Giving a negative point to Copenhagen, though, perhaps the most boring and sterile, un SF-like European city I've ever visited, but perhaps others see a similarity.
posted by wackybrit at 5:36 PM on July 12, 2009
posted by wackybrit at 5:36 PM on July 12, 2009
I spent a week in Barcelona and loved everything about it - the temperate weather, great food with emphasis on fresh, local ingredients, open markets, walkable neighborhoods with distinct feel, small restaurants, cute shops, friendly, easy-going people, stylish but not overly styled citizens, easy public transportation, nearby park areas, architectural sights, and a variety of activities.
It wasn't until I read this thread that I realized it's everything I love about living in San Francisco.
posted by junesix at 1:25 PM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
It wasn't until I read this thread that I realized it's everything I love about living in San Francisco.
posted by junesix at 1:25 PM on July 13, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Justinian at 3:34 PM on July 10, 2009