Is it something in the water? What makes the locals of one city so consistently attractive or not?
That's what Tennessee marketing exec Natalie Roberson wonders every time she visits one South Carolina city. "I look and feel like a troll every time I'm in Charleston," she says. "Their bone structure, the preppy clothes, and the consistent--almost persistent--friendliness make everyone prettier."
Last year, Travel + Leisure readers agreed and ranked Charleston No. 1 for attractiveness in the America's Favorite Cities survey. But now Charleston has lost its best-looking title to another comely city -- and one with a very different vibe.
Across this year's most attractive American cities, we found distinct personalities: In San Diego, the perfect weather has perhaps given locals a sunny glow while Salt Lake City, known for its clean living, may lend itself to a corn-fed, well-rested appeal. In San Francisco -- with its high rankings for culture, intellect, and fine dining -- the locals exude an aura of urbanity.
Just because you're "cool," however, doesn't mean you have to swat away admirers. Portland, Oregon, scored high on many features in the survey -- environmental awareness and cool food trucks -- but landed near the bottom of the list for looks. Perhaps some regional tendencies just don't translate.
"Why does the soul patch 'work' in Portland," wonders San Francisco-based Web publisher Sara Ost, "but it repulses women in any other metropolis of the world?"
A city's ranking in the friendliness category might also play a part: New York City landed well outside the top 10 this year for good looks, despite its winning fashion sense. Readers also perceived, shall we say, an attitude problem.
Like New York, many cold-winter cities suffered from a lack of warm smiles--and perhaps the chance to get outside and stay in shape. Denver, however, was an exception. With plenty of hiking, biking, and skiing, the Mile High City is home to the fittest folks in the land, according to the survey.
"The entire city of Denver has been indoctrinated by bizarre health and fitness regimes, such as kettlebell swinging," says British Web marketer Matthew Barker. "They're all completely bonkers -- but they look great."
-Katrina Brown Hunt
See the rest of America's Most and Least Attractive People
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You will definitely run into some great looking locals and have a great time. Hope it helps!
Let me let you in on a dirty little secret, one of my most beautiful Christian cousins, (& I have several),who BTW was born & bred in Birmingham, AL. who was Miss Alabama 2 years ago, NO WAY is her beauty only skin deep, she is FAR from being unattactive & is one of the sweetest people you could ever meet in your life. She has been raised in a good Christian home with loving kind parents & she is studying to be a DR. @ UAB.
Although she is 35 years younger than I, when I grow up, I want to be just like her.
The best looking people are in LA and San Francisco...period....no contest anywhere else.
the overall intellect is sub-human.. .and i could go on and on.. i spent several years there for a job.. so i consider myself a veteran of the life in puerto rico.. god willing i will never have to return there.. don't get me wrong.. i ended up with some of the most attractive females in the area.. but inside where it counts.. was nothing beautiful.. trust me! ;-)
all beingsare,
we need to look for it, and not the ugliness.
beauty is and always was
inthe
EYE of the
Beholder.
Stereotypes are silly aren't they.
No tweet needed for this History lesson.
I couldn't.