Cities you'd never return to

Spring Onion · 23-04-2014 03:12PM

Ann Landers wrote: »

You're from the UK, right? Safety-wise, give me Dublin over most UK cities I've been to.

I think the question should be would you feel safer walking down O'Connell Street at 1am than say Leicester Square/Piccadilly or the Champs Elysses or the Via Del Corso etc etc. I think there would be safer main streets in Europe than O'Connell Street over the last 5 years. But again I would guess that most Dubs avoid O'Connell St last at night for obvious reasons.

EazyD · 23-04-2014 03:38PM

Birroc wrote: »

I take it you and Rory are dreary Dubs!

Damn right sir, I don't dislike Galway, the city is actually a decent enough place with enough to do but people do tend to exaggerate its merit's.

Ann Landers · 23-04-2014 03:39PM

Spring Onion wrote: »

I think the question should be would you feel safer walking down O'Connell Street at 1am than say Leicester Square/Piccadilly or the Champs Elysses or the Via Del Corso etc etc. I think there would be safer main streets in Europe than O'Connell Street over the last 5 years. But again I would guess that most Dubs avoid O'Connell St last at night for obvious reasons.

O'Connell Street and Leciester Square? Safety-wise, much of muchness. I haven't been to Paris so can't comment on that. But regional cities in the UK tend not to be great.

O'Connell Street at night can sometimes feel a bit dodge but it's mostly grand. I find Eyre Square in Galway more dodgy at night than O'Connell Street!

I'd avoid the quays either side of O'Connell Street and north and south of the river around O'Connell Street at night as much as possible though.

thereitisgone · 23-04-2014 03:56PM

St Petersburg, Russia. Been all over the world but this place is unreal, completly unsafe feeling and most of it comes from the authorities. Dodgy dodgy place

AlanG · 23-04-2014 03:59PM

Dubai - beautiful if you don't see the labour camps and the effective slavery of Asian immigrants who work let us live like kings. The most racist and sexist society I have ever come across.

GenieOz · 23-04-2014 04:04PM

AlanG wrote: »

Dubai - beautiful if you don't see the labour camps and the effective slavery of Asian immigrants who work let us live like kings. The most racist and sexist society I have ever come across.

I first read that as Dublin and genuinely said "what the fûck" out loud.

John_Rambo · 23-04-2014 04:20PM

Flippyfloppy wrote: »

This thread is about cities you'd never return to. Hence the 'negative' stuff.

I should have said incorrect or untrue stuff then!

lufties · 23-04-2014 04:32PM

thereitisgone wrote: »

St Petersburg, Russia. Been all over the world but this place is unreal, completly unsafe feeling and most of it comes from the authorities. Dodgy dodgy place

To hear this saddens me

Ghost Buster · 23-04-2014 04:32PM

Pompei

Nerdlingr · 23-04-2014 04:36PM

lufties wrote: »

To hear this saddens me

Me too. Had plans of one day going there.

Beijing would be on my list. Dirty dirty dreary grey city, people hocking and spitting all over the shop. Awful smell off the place too!

losthorizon · 23-04-2014 04:37PM

Nerdlingr wrote: »

Me too. Had plans of one day going there.

Beijing would be on my list. Dirty dirty dreary grey city, people hocking and spitting all over the shop. Awful smell off the place too!

Sounds like Cashel

lufties · 23-04-2014 04:41PM

losthorizon wrote: »

Sounds like Cashel

No sure there's hardly anyone left in Cashel, the place is like a ghost town at night

I am pie · 23-04-2014 04:42PM

AlanG wrote: »

Dubai - beautiful if you don't see the labour camps and the effective slavery of Asian immigrants who work let us live like kings. The most racist and sexist society I have ever come across.

One of may places in that region which I couldn't bring myself to visit, not that they'll care of course, given the conservative, oppressive nature of the prevaling governments. Saudi Arabia being top of the list of places in that region I hope never to set foot in.

Ann Landers · 23-04-2014 05:06PM

thereitisgone wrote: »

St Petersburg, Russia. Been all over the world but this place is unreal, completly unsafe feeling and most of it comes from the authorities. Dodgy dodgy place

If I was black, I wouldn't got there! :eek:

celticcrash · 23-04-2014 05:08PM

david75 wrote: »

Las Vegas. Utterly pointless. You can feel your soul being sucked away. Never again.
Dallas. There is something so completely charmless about this town and its weird cos it should be lovely.
Little rock Arkansas. It's limerick. But in America. Nuff said.
Miami. Plastic hellhole full of plastic people. Though little Cuba was cool.
Birmingham. Truly the biggest sh!thole in Britain.. Oh wait
Manchester. Never ever ever again. Ever.
Rotterdam. Sad about this town. It was totally levelled in WWII and when rebuilt, it's just got no soul or center. It's like a deserted movie set of skyscrapers. Really strange.
Limerick. You know why.
Cork. Double dose of what's wrong with limerick.
Sligo. The worst town in Ireland?

The wise men say that your perception of things is a reflection of the state of mind. What does it say about yours.

mosstin · 23-04-2014 06:07PM

Nerdlingr wrote: »

Me too. Had plans of one day going there.

Beijing would be on my list. Dirty dirty dreary grey city, people hocking and spitting all over the shop. Awful smell off the place too!

Christ don t be put off going there because of one post in this thread. St Petersburg is a stunning city. Had an amazing time there.

NSAman · 23-04-2014 06:09PM

Moscow... I have never EVER been so glad to get on a plane out of a country. 5 days working there and I thought I would never get out of the place. talk about cowboys.

lisasimpson · 23-04-2014 06:19PM

Paraty in Brazil, once the tide goes out the combination of salt seaweed and horse ****e would knock ya out. Been to Paris twice not overly impressed but maybe the last time I was there was with the ex when the relationship was falling apart

artvanderlay · 23-04-2014 06:55PM

Ottawa - what a boring sh*thole.

Balmed Out · 23-04-2014 07:00PM

lisasimpson wrote: »

Paraty in Brazil, once the tide goes out the combination of salt seaweed and horse ****e would knock ya out.

Yeah you need to go back there ive been a few times and never ever experienced a bad smell though if the smell of seaweed and salt water is so bad for you then maybe stay away from any coastal area.

I am pie · 23-04-2014 07:05PM

Balmed Out wrote: »

Yeah you need to go back there ive been a few times and never ever experienced a bad smell though if the smell of seaweed and salt water is so bad for you then maybe stay away from any coastal area.

Colonial architecture, fine sand, warm water, sun, decent food, cachacha...awful place!

BuilderPlumber · 23-04-2014 08:08PM

I am pie wrote: »

One of may places in that region which I couldn't bring myself to visit, not that they'll care of course, given the conservative, oppressive nature of the prevaling governments. Saudi Arabia being top of the list of places in that region I hope never to set foot in.

The Middle East is both very interesting and beautiful but also very depressing and horrible. Yes, all these intolerant conservative voodoo regimes predominate and (while they don't admit it) they are all handpicked by the West to keep them from becoming rich, to scare the USSR at the time, and to keep the Western oil companies rich instead. A region where the regimes of Saddam, Khamenei and Assad would be among the better ones pretty much says it all!

Saudi Arabia is the worst offender (only the Taliban did it worse!).

Spanish Eyes · 23-04-2014 08:09PM

Was anyone in Tallinn? Would you go back?

Was thinking of going for a few days and taking the train to that other Sh!thole (according to reports here)....St. Petersburg...

Lord Trollington · 23-04-2014 08:11PM

Lightbulb Sun wrote: »

When were you there last?

RE Damascus.

Few months before it all kicked off.

BuilderPlumber · 23-04-2014 08:14PM

AlanG wrote: »

Dubai - beautiful if you don't see the labour camps and the effective slavery of Asian immigrants who work let us live like kings. The most racist and sexist society I have ever come across.

Was there a few years ago and did not like the place at all. Unlike other places such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai try to hide all their repressive laws which makes it more scary actually. While not the worst city, I think it was the least enjoyable country I was ever in. It has no culture, no history and no social life worthwhile. A fake nightlife for tourists yes but laid on for them. I was never so glad to get out of it and go to Iran! Iran I found far friendlier and a kinder society despite their similar regime.

Gott · 23-04-2014 08:17PM

Canberra

The buildings are nice and all, but it's just so dreary. It's like people go to work there and leave in the evening

NoPainNoGain · 23-04-2014 08:18PM

Hamburg, very strange place. Wouldn't go back if I was paid!

Gott · 23-04-2014 08:19PM

BuilderPlumber wrote: »

Was there a few years ago and did not like the place at all. Unlike other places such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai try to hide all their repressive laws which makes it more scary actually. While not the worst city, I think it was the least enjoyable country I was ever in. It has no culture, no history and no social life worthwhile. A fake nightlife for tourists yes but laid on for them. I was never so glad to get out of it and go to Iran! Iran I found far friendlier and a kinder society despite their similar regime.

Thank you for reminding me. I spent a week in Abu Dhabi and found it the exact same way you describe Dubai, but with less ridiculous towers and nonsense nouveau riche projects

BuilderPlumber · 23-04-2014 09:29PM

Gott wrote: »

Canberra

The buildings are nice and all, but it's just so dreary. It's like people go to work there and leave in the evening

Was never in Australia but what you say about it reminds me of my experiences in Washington. Washington is a work city and you feel it is set up only for the US government and tourists and that everyone lives elsewhere. I enjoyed Washington but did not see it as a real alive city.

BuilderPlumber · 23-04-2014 09:35PM

Gott wrote: »

Thank you for reminding me. I spent a week in Abu Dhabi and found it the exact same way you describe Dubai, but with less ridiculous towers and nonsense nouveau riche projects

I would not go back to this godforesaken country for anything. United Arab Emirates never gets the negative coverage that Saudi Arabia get and you get the feeling everything there is an act for tourists masking a repressive religious monarchy.

Iran make a better effort for their tourists and is a more interesting country culturally. Getting out of UAE and into Esfahan and Shiraz was a relief. Politically, hopefully things will continue to improve but any steps towards improvement are genuine here and the people are lovely. Tehran is a bit of a disappointment as it is just a modern ironically Western style city whereas Esfahan and Shiraz have much more culture.

Overall, United Arab Emirates was the worst country and Lagos, Nigeria the worst city I was ever in. But, I think there are some places in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia connected to the drugs trade that would be worse than any of them. But, I can't see any place being worse than Lagos!

Cities you'd never return to

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