USA
The United States is too large and varied to make sense as one single destination. Life in New York has very little in common with Florida, California offers a different set of costs and lifestyles again, and smaller cities can be completely different from the places most international visitors know. Our USA guides are designed to grow around cities, states, unusual destinations, expat life, remote work, culture and the practical realities of travelling or spending longer periods in different parts of the country.
The USA Is Better Understood as Many Different Destinations
The scale of the United States makes broad travel and lifestyle advice difficult. Climate, cost of living, transport, housing and even the way people structure everyday life can change dramatically between states. A city where owning a car is almost essential can feel completely different from one where public transport and walking are realistic parts of daily life.
The same applies to travel. The United States contains tropical beaches, desert landscapes, mountain regions, dense cities, islands and small coastal towns, which means that the country can produce experiences that look surprisingly different from the stereotypical version of an American trip.
The City Theory’s USA hub is designed to grow around those differences. Future guides can cover expat life, remote work, city comparisons, cost of living, neighbourhoods, seasonal travel and unusual destinations rather than reducing the country to a handful of famous cities.
Places in the US That Look Like the Maldives
A guide to American destinations with clear water, pale beaches and tropical scenery that can feel surprisingly close to the visual experience people associate with the Maldives.
Explore the places →
Beaches · Unique Destinations
Places in the US That Look Like England
From Carmel-by-the-Sea’s storybook cottages to Beacon Hill’s brick streets and Princeton’s English-inspired university architecture, these are 12 American places that can genuinely feel surprisingly British.
Explore the places →Places to Walk Around in Los Angeles
A first-hand guide to the Los Angeles neighborhoods and streets I actually enjoyed exploring on foot while living in the city, from Venice and Santa Monica to Melrose, West Hollywood and other walkable pockets.
Explore Los Angeles on foot →
Los Angeles · Walking Guide
Where to Stay in LA Without a Car: 7 Areas That Actually Work
After living in Los Angeles for six months without a car or even a driver’s license, I compare seven practical places to stay based on walkability, Metro access, nearby attractions and how often you’ll actually need an Uber.
Find your car-free LA base →
Los Angeles · Where to Stay
Best Coffee Shops for Working in Los Angeles
After spending six months living and working remotely in Los Angeles, I look at practical laptop-friendly coffee shops where Wi-Fi, seating, outlets and the ability to stay for more than a quick coffee actually matter.
Find a place to work in LA →
Los Angeles · Remote Work
Where to Stay in Portland, Oregon for the First Time: 6 Areas Compared
After spending 10 days in Portland, I compare six areas for a first visit based on walkability, public transport, restaurants, nightlife, access to nature and how convenient each neighborhood actually feels once you’re there.
Find your Portland neighborhood →
Portland · Where to Stay
Is Portland Worth Visiting in 2026? An Honest Look at the Good and Bad
After spending 10 days in Portland, I share what I genuinely liked, what disappointed me, how the city feels for a first-time visitor and who I think will actually enjoy a trip here.
See my honest Portland verdict →
Portland · First-Time Visit
Multnomah Falls Hike to the Top: My Experience on the Trail
I hiked from the busy viewpoint below Multnomah Falls into the forest and up toward the top, with switchbacks, Columbia River Gorge views, moss-covered trees, creeks and a completely different perspective on the waterfall along the way.
Hike to the top →
Oregon · Hiking
Where You Go in the US Changes Almost Everything
Choosing a destination in the United States is not just about deciding which city has the most attractions. Housing costs, climate, transport and the need for a car can change the practical experience completely. New York offers density and public transport, while many cities and coastal destinations are built around driving. Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago and Austin all create very different versions of everyday American life.
The same variation appears in natural landscapes. Florida and Hawaii can offer tropical-looking beaches, while the western states contain deserts and dramatic mountain scenery. Oregon adds another side of the country, with forested landscapes, waterfalls and places such as the Columbia River Gorge that can be reached easily from Portland.
Future USA guides will look at these destinations individually rather than assuming one city or state can represent the entire country.
Living in the USA Depends Heavily on Location
For someone considering a longer stay, remote work or a move, location affects almost every part of the budget. Rent, healthcare, transportation, food and entertainment can vary enormously from one city to another, while state and local differences can shape the experience in ways that are not obvious from a national average.
Remote workers may also prioritise very different things from conventional tourists. Reliable internet, walkability, coworking spaces, transport and the ability to build a normal routine can matter more than famous attractions. A destination that works brilliantly for a one-week holiday may not necessarily be the place you would choose for several months.
As this hub expands, The City Theory will use city and state guides to make those differences easier to compare.
What You’ll Find in Our USA Guides
The USA collection is designed to grow around both topics and destinations. Current guides cover unusual American places that can resemble the Maldives or England, alongside first-hand guides for Los Angeles, Portland and Oregon. They include exploring Los Angeles on foot, choosing where to stay in LA without a car, finding laptop-friendly coffee shops for remote work, deciding whether Portland is worth visiting, comparing Portland neighborhoods for a first visit, and hiking from Multnomah Falls to the top through the Columbia River Gorge.
Los Angeles now has three dedicated city guides, while the Portland and Oregon collection includes an honest first-time Portland overview, a neighborhood-based stay guide and a first-hand Multnomah Falls hiking guide. New York, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago and Austin can eventually develop their own collections, while state-level coverage can expand across places such as Oregon, Florida, California, Texas and Hawaii.
The aim is to build a USA country guide that makes it easier to understand how dramatically different parts of the country can feel, whether you are planning a trip, working remotely or considering a longer stay.