In Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert relates a conversation between herself and a Roman friend named Giulio. Giulio explains that “every city has a single word that defines it, that identifies most people who live there.”

Elizabeth and Giulio then come up with words for the following cities:
Rome – Sex
The Vatican – Power
New York City – Achieve
Los Angeles – Succeed
Stockholm – Conform
Naples – Fight

I live in Austin where the motto is “Keep Austin Weird.” I don’t think I match my city.

Where do you live and what single word would you use to describe your city? Do you fit your city?

I've lived in...

Paris - Romantic
London - Rat-race

and now I'm living in

Cagliari, Sardinia - Antique (I feel like i'm living about 20 years behind the rest of the developed world, but it does have its advantages :D )

Teramo - Where in Tuscany is that?


Casale in Abruzzo (http://villacasale.net)

I currently live in the Washington DC Area.

Washington D.C. - Political
It's all about the politics!

Hmmm... doesn't fit me at all. ;)



London - Rat-race



I've also lived in...

London and I totally agree! Definitely have a love-hate relationship with that city, and can never live there again. The absence of the quality of life is just appalling!

Philadelphia - Rocky
The Rocky theme song and the steps at the Philly Museum of Art come to mind.

Harrisburg - Wannabe
Wannabe artsy, wannabe trendy, wannabe ethnic but just not quite there yet. Give it another 10-15 years.

Milan - Futuristic
It's a city of contradictions, a nice blend of the old and new often overlooked by tourists as smoggy/ugly/full of cold people, but I beg to differ. The apperitivos are out of the world amazing. It has a great contemporary art scene, amazing architecture and a little more fast-paced than the rest of Italy but it still looks and FEELS like Italy.

Orvieto - Paradiso
Thriving small town life, not too secluded, on the Roma-Firenze train line, friendly people who have lived there for generations, world famous vino and ceramics, "living history" that dates back to the time of the Etruscans, Slowfood concept, breathtaking views of the countryside and delicious, regional cooking... its the ideal Italian town to live in.

Hi Martha
I am pleased you had a good time in Rome...by the way i am going there next week -)

hi,

I can say about:
Rome - beauty, love
Zurich - freedom
Moscow - money, noise
Cologne/Germany - stillness
Florence - culture

I like very much staying in Rome, it's my favourite city. :)

New York Cosmopolitan
Washington DC Power, politics
Bolsena relaxation
Rome fun beauty love caos

Singapore: Super-clean, stuck-up, efficient
Kuala Lumpur: Laid back, green, chaotic
Shanghai: On-the-move
Beijing: Ancient and modern
Brisbane: Sun and surf
New Delhi: Ancient and indifferent
Mumbai: Cosmopolitan, compassionate
Hong-Kong: Fashion, Speed, Cuisine

Warsaw-business city
Washington D.C- cultural and artistic life
Cracow- beautiful mysterious streets in Old town
New York-cosmopolitan
Rome-relaxing, rich with unique historical relics which reflects trends in European culture

I've also lived in:

Houston - Cosmopolitan
San Antonio - Family
Syracuse, NY - Frigid temps, warm people
Fayetteville, Arkansas - University
Mountain Home, Arkansas - Retirement