[raisethehammer]

Hamilton presents both a 'big city' feel and a 'depressed city' feel sometimes mere minutes away from each other.
Both are urban, but it's quite plain to see when a street goes from full storefronts, nifty cafes and shops (such as James North) to half empty storefronts, buildings in bad shape and lots of poor folks walking around (such as Barton East a few minutes away).
Downtown along King and James you certainly get a big city vibe. And great architecture. Streets like Locke and Ottawa give you more of a neighbourhood vibe...not so much 'big city'.