Why are American towns so ugly compared to European towns

In Europe you’re supposed to see this:

We were sold the lie that American towns are ugly. It is true that many American small towns “centers”, especially in the Midwest, look all the same, and by that, I mean they look a lot like this.

Now, They have the fortune to travel all around Europe, and the United States. I remember when I visited the US for the first time, he would encounter nothing but tall buildings, and I wasn’t wrong, my first visit was New York City, but it wasn’t just bland tall buildings, there was magic in many of them, let alone other parts of the city where architecture is… chef kiss. And I say this as someone born and raised in Madrid. In Spain. In Europe.

When it comes to architecture, and maybe other things, Europeans love to be arrogant, and I think is reasonable to say our architecture is historical and beautiful, but we’re always trying to look down other countries, and we love to think, other countries CANNOT have nicer architecture than we do. We cannot stand the fact that other countries might even have nicer places to go to.

Anytime people imagine Europe, they believe everything is as beautiful as this (Prague)

In reality, most parts of ANY COUNTRY in Europe, especially where people live, out of the historical centres, look more like this

Yep, that’s Germany and, the second one in my hometown, Madrid. We don’t live in castles or 1,000 year old buildings for the most part.As matter of fact, our historical centers are relatively small and newer. That’s it.

As for the United States, the country is very different. If an European goes to California for the first time, the “American architecture” impression would be completely different to someone going to Massachusetts or Philadelphia. It’s simple, you shouldn’t say “American towns are ugly” if you haven’t visited 25% of America (US).

I have been to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and other cities. I have to say, architecture is many of these places are equally good to a big city in Europe.

Georgetown (first) in Washington DC is beautiful, and I think DC as a whole offers wonderful levels of architecture

Let’s not forget Boston here. I have been to London, and I have to say, Boston is equally, if not a better choice, although smaller

I could go on, and on, especially with cities in the Northeast.

As for American small towns. Well, as I said, a lot of them are boring and look the same (first picture) but other are beautiful and charming. Take a look at Vail, Colorado as an example

And even though some towns and cities are beautiful when it comes to architecture, the full potential and most beautiful side of the United States is nature, from the deserts in California and New Mexico, to the canyons in Utah and Arizona, the forests in Oregon, the mountains in North Carolina, the beaches in Florida, the beautiful fall in Vermont, or the the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. That’s the real soul of your country, and there’s no architecture in the world that would compare to the wonders given by Mother Nature in the US. Take it.

I’ve always been under the impression that the central business districts of large cities look pretty similar regardless of whether you’re in the U.S. or Europe.

And I’m reasonably confident it’s possible to find major cities that have devoted huge amounts of land to public parks on both continents.

Cities with canals can be found on both continents.

Narrow, brick-covered streets can be found in the older sections of cities on both continents.

Riverwalks with cafes and giant umbrellas are a thing on both continents.

Not this:

In the USA you’re supposed to see this:

Not this:

In Mexico you’re supposed to see this:

But never this:

In Canada you’re supposed to see this:

But not: Wait.. I really can’t tell the difference between Canadian and American cities and towns lol

Picture Source Google