Authored by: vtstream on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 07:34 PM GMT+4

I'm not exactly sure what "charming" means. I suppose it could mean different things to different people.
Flagstaff is OK. The best thing about it is that it is situated in a place that is convenient to other great places, for instance, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Sedona, etc. Its quite a lot larger than Bratt though.
Rockport is a different kind of charm all together. Definitely MAINE and oriented toward the harbor.
I'll have to check out Ashland, Ore when I'm out there in late August.
Personally, I think Burlington is pretty much the most charming and happening place I've visited in the east, for a small town. Asheville NC is a really hip place too. Lots of charm, lot of variety. Very cool.

Authored by: janed on Thursday, June 04 2009 @ 12:56 PM GMT+4

Of the places on this list, Brattleboro is the one I yearn to visit most.

But I will put in a thumb's up for Oxford, Mississippi, which has come a long way in 40 years. Among other things, an independent bookseller, proprietor of Square Books in downtown Oxford, is the mayor. And Oxford has faced its racial history with a depth few communities have achieved. It feels really alive, creative and smart there.

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janed

Authored by: annikee on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 07:41 PM GMT+4

New Hope is nice, but pretty touristy. I wonder what their criteria are?

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Down with Goldstein!

Authored by: cgrotke on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 11:08 PM GMT+4

It says it is "weekly" so it could be just about anything.

Authored by: cgrotke on Thursday, June 04 2009 @ 11:53 PM GMT+4

I should add that, it being weekly, we should be able to see how
charming we are week to week. : )

Authored by: BrattMan on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 09:30 PM GMT+4

Hey, #2 is a lot better than being at the bottom of the list like Ashland, Oregon or not being on the list at all. Charlottesville, VA which is near me is #8.

Authored by: Frederic on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 10:42 PM GMT+4

I've been to numbers 5, 8 and 10 and consider them to be fairly interesting and charming so this is quite a compliment I think.

Authored by: Tad Montgomery on Wednesday, June 03 2009 @ 11:05 PM GMT+4

Intriguing.
Half of those towns I've never even heard of.
I've been to the other half, and liked them all, for different reasons.
The town I'd put at the top, though, isn't even on the list -- Arcata, CA.
Ithaca might want to be recognized as charming, too,
and Port Townsend.

Authored by: tiny on Thursday, June 04 2009 @ 01:25 PM GMT+4

Ashland is a lot like Bratt!

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009294723_webnudeman03m.html

Authored by: pjmelton on Friday, June 05 2009 @ 10:45 AM GMT+4

Am I the only person who doesn't see the word "charming" as particularly complimentary? I do get a little thrill seeing us so prominently featured, but still. Woodstock, Vt. is "charming." We have a lot of really nice boutiques, which may be what they actually mean, but "charming" is not the word that comes to mind for me. Still, nice that people notice we exist, since we rely so much on people noticing. If they think we're charming, that's great!

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"Economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings." -- FDR

Authored by: cgrotke on Friday, June 05 2009 @ 10:49 AM GMT+4

"charming
adjective
pleasant or attractive : a charming country cottage.

• (of a person or manner) polite, friendly, and likable : he was a
charming, affectionate colleague."

...

Could be worse... we could be quaint.

Authored by: pjmelton on Friday, June 05 2009 @ 11:27 AM GMT+4

I don't think the dictionary definition really gets at the cutesy connotation, but fair enough! I think we are rather grungy (in an entirely positive way), while "charming" suggests to me a much more manicured and rather ritzy, exclusive feel. But like I said, if other people find us charming, that is probably a good thing.

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"Economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings." -- FDR