re: Name your top 5 dull cities with a lack of identity

I guess it depends on one’s meaning of the word “identity”. When I think of identity, with respect to cities, what comes to mind is:
1. Distinct and instantly recognizable architecture
2. Distinct accents
3. Memorable landmarks that are widely known
4. Historical relevance
5. References in literature and popular culture
6. Cuisine that originated in that city, is synonymous with that city, or for which the city is known.
7. Attitudes of citizens that are considered a trait inherent to that city.

Houston’s only real defining trait is its size. Other than the Astrodome (which no longer exists), it doesn’t have any real distinct architecture or landmarks. There’s no Houston accent, attitude, or signature cuisine (Houston is a great food city because it has a lot of international cuisine due to its large size, but has no styles of cuisine or known dishes developed there). There’s no Houston attitude, unlike Dallas, just a larger Texan identity. It does have NASA Mission Control, which is historically relevant, so it has some pop culture references as a result, but it really does pale in identity compared to all other similarly sized American cities and many much smaller cities.

Houston is only known for two things:
1. Mission control
2. It’s big

That’s it. That’s what it’s like to be a city that lacks identity.

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You're talking about the state stores. They are the only place where you can buy liquor. You can get beer in the grocery stores across the Commonwealth, but not liquor or wine.

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I was staying at the Hilton near the 3 rivers and wanted a 6pk of beer at like 10pm. It was cold so I took a cab and had him bring me to 7/11. No beer.

I asked him to take me somewhere where I could buy some and he brought me to a bar. I had to go get 6 beers to go and pay bar prices. Maybe he was just screwing with the out of towner

Houston’s identity was the first North American city with two drop top arenas. NRG stadium and Minute Maid park.

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Great skyline. I’m a big fan of the 4 downtowns

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When you walk out of the NRG Stadium facing the north and see the central cluster, with a couple 1,000ft. buildings to the right, the Texas Medical Center which is its own mini skyline in the center, and the Galleria area with the Williams Tower, (which I think I read is or was the tallest building outside of a central downtown area), to the left, the Houston skyline is nothing to sneeze at.

Easily the most impressive skyline in the south.

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Omaha Tulsa Indianapolis Cleveland Kansas City

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Only one I agree with is Indianapolis. Maybe Tulsa.

Kansas City is a fantastic town plenty to explore. Cleveland has soul, which most towns do not.

I lived in Minneapolis for a while. That place has absolutely no identity and has the most dull bar scene I've experienced.

I was there during Super Bowl LII and it was terrible. -10 degrees outside with a foot of snow.

There should never be another Super Bowl in a northern state. Every Super Bowl should be in a mild tourist destination like New Orleans, Miami, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas.

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Des Moines

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Heh, it took 9 pages to get to Des Moines. I've lived in Iowa and like the people there, but Des Moines is easily my pick for #1.

After Des Moines:

Omaha
Indianapolis
Fresno
Oklahoma City

I could live in all of them and have for a couple. Dull does not necessarily mean bad.

Other points:

ATL vs. HOU. For a city of its size Atlanta is pretty damn boring, and crappy to be honest. I was a long time Georgia resident and am happy to be further from Atlanta these days. Houston is one of the few large cities that I could live in. Traffic sucks (not as bad as Atlanta) but it can be managed. Restaurants are fantastic. I enjoy working with Texans more than anyone other than maybe Louisianans. Close call on that.

Denver - I lived in Boulder for a bit and was never impressed with the place (either one really). Having the mountains nearby is great. But it's not really a part of the city. Both are just fine for places to live but horribly overrated.

1. Montgomery, AL - dirty as hell

2. Indianapolis, IN - sucks shite

3. Louisville, KY - sucks even more shite

4. Cleveland, OH - cold and grimy

5. Dearborn, MI - moose lambs everywhere

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Easily the most impressive skyline in the south.

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Yes, Houston's skyline is badass. I think Dallas's skyline is on par with it though and any disagreement between the two is purely personal preference. But, between Dallas, Houston, Nola, B-ham, Tampa, Nashville, Austin, Miami, and Atlanta. I'd say Houston/Dallas are the coolest. That being said Miami's looks very unique in a way and nice but I think its just the water, most of it seems to be high rise hotels/condos or something.

Pittsburgh might be the most unique city in America from a topographical/terrain standpoint. Extremely hilly with tunnels rivers and bridges everywhere. Anyone describing it as bland has clearly never been