Gallery: what makes a perfect city?
Johnny Town-mouse was born in a cupboard. Timmy Willie was born in a garden. Timmy Willie was a little country mouse who went to town by mistake …
Beatrix Potter
When Beatrix Potter adapted Aesop’s fable about the town mouse and the country mouse, in her picture book The Tale of Johnny Town-Mouse, she concluded that tastes differ. Some of us seem born to city life, others are happiest in the country. I fall firmly into the first group.
A city is a place where there is no need to wait for next week to get the answer to a question, to taste the food of any country, to find new voices to listen to and familiar ones to listen to again.
Margaret Mead
So for Terri’s Sunday Stills ‘Urban’ theme I thought I would explore what I look for in a perfect city. And don’t be surprised if you see a lot of images of London; it is after all the city I call home, and I love it!
Water
Ideally it will have water: a river, a harbour, maybe even a coastline.
The view of the Thames from Tower Bridge in London
The river Tyne and some of its bridges, Newcastle
Reykjavik’s harbour seen from the Hallgrimskirkja (church) tower
Buildings
It will have some beautiful buildings, both grand public ones but also more intimate structures, including homes.
Buildings in London’s Whitehall, seen from St James’ Park
Grand Central Station, New York City
Houses in London’s Notting Hill district (no, I don’t live here!)
Mews houses near Gloucester Road, London (nor here!)
Houses on the Ile Saint Louis in Paris (nor even here – if only!)
More lovely houses in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin
Parks
My perfect city will have at least one park; but ideally several are needed, to be the lungs of the city.
The Parc des Buttes Chaumont in Paris
In Green Park, London
Holland Park’s Japanese Garden, London
History
It should respect and have preserved a sense of its own history, both ancient and more recent.
Trajan’s Arch and the Colosseum, Rome
The Black Gate in Newcastle, one of the few remnants of the castle that gave the city its name
A visitor to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin
Stolpersteine in Berlin
Vistas
We need some views, some vistas on the city, so we can appreciate it as a whole, not just in its details. My featured photo shows the view of London’s Docklands from Greenwich; here are some more.
View of Paris from the suburb of Belleville
View over Naples at sunset
Manhattan from Liberty Island, New York City
New York City at sunset from the Top of the Rock
Street art
I’d like to see some vibrant street art, even though I know it’s not to everyone’s taste! Just one example, as I’ve posted so much elsewhere in this blog. I’ve chosen one that seems particularly appropriate.
Mural on the south bank of the Thames in London
Culture
Talking of art, what is a city without culture? Museums, theatres, art galleries, …
Zaha Hadid’s stunning extension at the Serpentine Gallery in London’s Kensington Gardens
Inside the Guggenheim Museum, New York City
Looking down at bookstacks in Seattle’s pioneering public library
People
But in the end it all comes down to the people; people make a city.
Young people on a warm evening in Bologna
Stall-holders in a Marrakesh souk
A family feeding the ducks at Tjörnin Pond in Reykjavik
Vienna’s MuseumsQuartier on a Sunday afternoon
Participants at the recent London Stand With Ukraine march, at Piccadilly Circus; a time to be proud of my city
59 Comments
rkrontheroad
I’ve lived in cities most of my life, but now in a small mountain town. I love being here and it’s home now, surrounded by nature, but I still need a city fix now and then. This was a good one! Glad to see the last couple of photos with the Ukraine flags.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Ruth 🙂 I believe most of us need a ‘fix’ of a very different environment now and then – urban if we live in the country or small town, rural if we live in a city or larger town. To spend all our time just in one or the other is limiting in some way. I feel I would miss all the conveniences of urban life were we to move to the country (and luckily my husband feels the same) but maybe we would adjust and come to love it????
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Excellent argument for city life. I’m definitely a committed city dweller too, and contend that what makes a perfect city is – Glasgow! You might detect a hint of bias there …
Sarah Wilkie
I think we’re all biased in favour of our own cities, or at least the ones in which we’ve chosen to live 🙂 And from my brief visit to Glasgow some years ago I have to agree it has a lot going for it!
Monkey's Tale
You’ve made the perfect city with your pictures by combining the best elements. I do love visiting big cities for the architecture and culture, but I prefer to live in a moderate city close to nature. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Maggie 🙂 I think smaller cities have a lot going for them too and can be the perfect compromise!
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Sarah, i grew up in rural Florida, (population 10,000) followed by a 25 year stint in Miami,(population 2M and counting) followed by a 20+ year stint in Martin County (population 160,000). Each place taught me lessons for a lifetime and I enjoyed, and still enjoy each place. I could return to live in Miami at any time, but Malcolm doesn’t have the patience for the city anymore. I love it for all the reasons you mentioned and more. Those varied experiences have certainly contributed to my wanderlust and help me recognize the true heartbeat of each place we visit.
We live a quiet life in a small town surrounded by rivers and an ocean just 20 minutes away. Access to several major Florida cities within a short car ride – Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Palm Beach make it easy to visit those cities any time I feel inclined. Returning to my rural roots once or twice per year is always fun. All in all, I think I have the best of all worlds.
As always, your pictorial is as fascinating as it is beautiful.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you for this thoughtful response Suzanne. It sounds like you’ve found the perfect balance for the two of you 🙂 Luckily my husband is a city-lover too, and although not originally from London he loves living here for all the opportunities it offers – galleries, cinema, restaurants etc. Plus as travellers we really appreciate the proximity to airports (we’re only 20 minutes from Heathrow).
RosalieAnn Beasley
Bob and I both grew up in a city, but he is definitely a country mouse. And I’m happy in the country. But I think Margaret Mead’s definition has been OTBE. We certainly don’t have to wait a week for answers anymore.
A city is more photographically dense than the country I think.
Sarah Wilkie
It’s interesting isn’t it that some of us grow up preferring the environment we were born to while others crave the opposite! You’re right that we no longer have to wait a week for answers but it’s certainly still true that tasting the food of other countries is much easier in a city (well certainly that’s the case in England, apart from Indian and Chinese food perhaps). And I think finding new voices is easier too, as in the country you tend to see the same people every day and it’s less culturally diverse. Of course we can find these things online but it’s not quite the same imho.
Annie Berger
Sarah,
Don’t mean to piggyback on someone else’s comment but I didn’t see a spot at the bottom to add another comment.
One other thing I’d add to the advantages of living in or near a city is the ready access to transportation to other places.
You summed up beautifully in your text and photos why we also love living in a city or having the opportunity to visit others when we travel.
Sarah Wilkie
That’s not a problem Annie, although there should be a box for comments right at the foot of the page 😀 I completely agree about transport links. One reason we love living in west London is that we’re only 20 minutes from Heathrow Airport!
sheetalbravon
What an amazing post, Sarah! You thought of everything that makes the city life so vibrant and your photos convey all so beautifully. I’ve never been to any of the places mentioned in your post so you can see how fascinating it is to take a peek.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Sheetal, I’m very glad you enjoyed seeing these places through my eyes 😀
Tanja
I am a city mouse too.Loved your photos. I agree with you about a city needing some waterfront.and a nice big park.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Tanja, I’m glad I’m not the only city-loving blogger 😆
Tanja
😉
Yvonne+Dumsday
Many thanks for that wonderful cities’ tour. Second best to seeing those for myself (tmough some I have so thanks also for the memories).
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Yvonne – also for the book recommendation via FB 🙂
restlessjo
Something for everyone, Sarah! Love that view of New York at night. A city I’ve never been to- always felt it would be too much ‘bustle’, but it certainly doesn’t lack for life.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Jo 🙂 You’re right about New York – I can’t think of a city, in the western world at least, with more bustle!!
restlessjo
😚💕
Leela Gopinath
I would add some good eateries to your list ….
Sarah Wilkie
Good point – but see my reply to the Eternal Traveller below 😀
thehungrytravellers.blog
Great post again Sarah.As you will have noticed, we nearly always include major cities on our travels, it’s all part of understanding different cultures and the feeling of “getting to know” a new city is always really stimulating. Remember your post linking city scenes with song lyrics?…..”you always were a city girl, though you were country raised”…springs to mind. Always reminds me of my daughter – who’s now lived in London, Manchester and Los Angeles. Don’t think I’ll ever lose the thrill of uncovering a new city. And yep, London remains a firm favourite no matter how far afield we travel.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊 I agree, you can’t completely understand a country without visiting its cities, although on occasion we do find ourselves skipping them if time is limited (San Jose being a recent case in point). Oddly I don’t recall that I did a post linking city scenes with song lyrics – are you sure you’re thinking of me? The closest I can find is the one with the words of ‘Coming home Newcastle’ – is that what you’re thinking of perhaps? Or a different blogger altogether?!!
thehungrytravellers.blog
Definitely you Sarah…and I suggested “let me rake you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London”….ringing bells?
Sarah Wilkie
Definitely rings bells but I’m blowed if I can find any post of mine that linked city scenes with song titles! I may well have quoted a song or two from time to time but I can’t find a London post in which I did that either. Very odd! Could it be a conversation we had on someone else’s blog, possibly even your own???
Sarah Wilkie
Ah, found it! It was the reference to the post being about city streets that threw me – it was actually about all sorts of roads: https://www.toonsarah-travels.blog/gallery-on-the-road-to-the-future/
thehungrytravellers.blog
From memory I don’t think it was London specifically, I think it was more to do with street scenes. For two or three of the shots (not all of them) you had sone song lyrics (lyrics rather than titles) accompanying the photo. I think you then said you might expand the theme for a further post later.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I found it – I think our comments ‘crossed’ 😆
salsaworldtraveler
All of those well-illustrated things make for great city living! 😃
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I’m glad you like them!
the eternal traveller
Yes, you’ve covered all the necessities perfectly. I’d like to add the need for excellent dining establishments – they shouldn’t be fancy or expensive, just offering delicious food in lovely surroundings.
Sarah Wilkie
Ah yes, I’m with you on that 😀 In fact my first draft had a section on places to eat but I decided that it was getting overlong and the photos for that part weren’t very interesting!
the eternal traveller
We love finding interesting little cafes on our travels.
Sarah Wilkie
So do we – I just didn’t have many interesting photos of them!
Wind Kisses
I love everything about the way you presented this Sarah. The photos are beautiful, and the story from your heart. All beautiful cities. I love the apartness building from Berlin especially as I watched that city change so much over the years. Always lovely posts. donna
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Donna, I really appreciate that feedback 😊 I know what you mean about Berlin. The first time we went was in the 1980s when the city was divided, so to go back and see the districts in the east of the city so liveable was a real pleasure!
Susanne Swanson
Magnificent photos, Sarah! I love your take on the ‘Urban’ theme. I also love to visit a vibrant city and this makes me want to visit New York City again (I went there once years ago, my husband’s never been) and also return to London which you capture wonderfully! I especially like your featured photo. 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Susanne 🙂 I made myself want to visit NYC again while compiling this 😆 Hope you make it back there and also to London – and as I said to Terri, if you do get over here the drinks are on me!
Susanne Swanson
Wouldn’t that be fun? 😊😊
Heyjude
Cities by the coast are my favourites. I’m thinking Cape Town, Vancouver, San Francisco, Sydney and Auckland. Places that have the culture vibe, but also close to a beach getaway.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m with you on that Jude – I loved San Francisco in particular for that reason but we were there so long ago I didn’t really have any decent enough photos that would have fitted this blog. That’s one of the things I love about Newcastle too – it’s not exactly ON the coast but you can be there in 20 minutes on the Metro or by car 🙂
Terri Webster Schrandt
Now I know you a lot better, Sarah, although I suspected you leaned more toward city life. Wow, your images tell such a story from so many angles. My faves are London and Berlin, places I would love to travel to sooner than later. I Love how you worked in the park areas and green spaces, such important leisure spaces in which to get some respite from the hustle and bustle. I’m definitely a country mouse but I love to visit anyplace new!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Terri 😊 I’m biased because I live here but I do think London is an amazing city either to live in or to visit! I hope you make it here one day – and if you do the drinks are on me!!
Terri Webster Schrandt
You’ve got a deal!
kzmcb
Wow, what a lot of angles you’ve portrayed to promote cities. You seem like a thoughtful traveller.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, I try to be – or maybe more accurately, I try to be thoughtful more generally (or am naturally so?) Living in a city almost all my life I guess I’m very aware of all aspects – and I could have added more!
Rose
I agree with you about what makes a perfect city. I think I’m both – country and city – perhaps 60% country, 40% city. Or maybe more accurately, I like change. It’s fun to be in the City with the bright lights, the art and culture, the wide variety of people, the architecture and gorgeous cityscapes… And it’s fun to go into the country and look up at star-filled skies, and listen to frogs, and enjoy all of the peace and the natural landscapes, without other people.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Rose. I think many of us love both environments, but when it comes to a choice of which to live in, that’s where we differ. I love the countryside for all the reasons you cite, so I enjoy visiting it, but I wouldn’t want to live there. And I’m sure many country-dwellers enjoy a day out, or a weekend, in a big city – but at the end of it can’t wait to get home for some peace and quiet!
margaret21
You make a very strong case for cities. And I agree with you. Marvellous to visit for a while. But then this Country Mouse needs to retreat to the calm of her little corner of the countryside and re-group!
sustainabilitea
I’m in your corner, Margaret. Although we’ve always lived in the suburbs, my favorite city is one I visit but don’t actually live in. My ideal suburb would be somewhere close to places that aren’t even small towns. 🙂 And my ideal anywhere populated should have lots of parks and natural places to get away from the city.
janet
margaret21
Absolutely! It’s good that we’re all different, and that many of us are lucky enough to have a choice.
Sarah Wilkie
Completely agree with you both 🙂 And after all, if we ALL opted to live in the country it wouldn’t be the country any more 😂 I feel about it the same way you do about cities Margaret – I love visiting the country for a few days but know I couldn’t live there. The thought of having to get in the car every time I needed anything is enough on its own to keep me where I am! For the record Janet, I too live in a suburb so I have plenty of parks on my doorstep, but I can be in central London in 30 minutes on the Tube 😀
Paul
Love your photos. A very comprehensive selection of ‘urban’. You’re absolutely right about it being the people that give towns and cities their character, life and human quality.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Paul, I’m happy you liked my post 🙂 And yes, I couldn’t talk about the pleasures of city life without mentioning the people. The crowds in London get on my nerves at times (the quietness of lockdowns was at first a nice change and even a pleasure, but soon became disconcerting). But it wouldn’t be the city it is without them!
Anne Fraser
I love this post
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Anne 🙂