Just visited Newport, couldn’t wait to leave, what’s your get me outta here place?

[TheChristmasElf]

Just have just visited Newport for an appointment, we weren’t there long, toilet stop and cuppa in Asda, half hour appointment in city centre and then got lost on the way out but felt very uneasy the whole time were there. It had quite a menacing feel to it and even on the bare aesthetics of the city seemed quite run down with a lots of old closed pubs, shops etc…

I would actually go as far to say it made me feel quite unwell but I guess that would just be coincidence!!

We actually live rural Devon so not even like I’m not used to the odd lay line of two but I was quite relieved to get back on the road…

Has anyone else felt that about a place before?

Blackburn.

Anywhere in West London.

Agree. I find it bleak. I'm there a lot with work and it's either the hotel at the top of the cliff where I'm scared shitless walking around in the dark and the gale to and from the car, or a dreadful aged B&B with frills and no breakfast before 9am. So I stay in Weymouth if I can.

Given the size of the prisons there, it does seem to take over the whole place.

I think you're right. I feel like that about very flat places, they freak me out somehow, and I always feel more "at home" and at ease in hilly places, and by the sea too.

Are we allowed to nominate London Boroughs ?

If so its gotta be Newham. Specifically Stratford. It used to be a howling wilderness of dystopia.

But since the development of the Eurostar terminal and massive shopping centre : it's exactly the same.

Exactly, the first time I went the young lad, looking worse wear on his BMX, stopped to show me the way to the Uni from the station and I thought “this isn’t a bad place”.

I’ve never been let down or disappointed by people from ‘boro. Golden.

I love how you used 'universally despised' as a selling point, properly made me laugh after a shit day.

Also I live in Walsall, so everywhere else looks like Elysium to me...except Rhyl.

Please explain
sounds fascinating

It's a dump now!

Now, now! It's not in any way fabulous, but the regeneration along the waterfront is wonderful. We spent a great few days last year (DN at uni there)- lovely cafes, a big student population , Broughty Ferry and St Andrew's so close and the V&A!!! You can't say somewhere with the V&A is comparable to.some of the places mentioned here!

I always pronounce Slough as Sluff, we once went into it off the M4 looking for petrol, it was long enough.

Definitely. I stayed near Montmartre and the crowds of men were easily 30+ each time. It's a horrible feeling as a lone female I think. They didn't bother themselves with me and were probably harmless, but it's intimidating.

See also: Banjul in The Gambia. I felt so unsafe. Every man in the place absolutely HAD to touch you and slip an arm around you, usually accompanied by "It's nice to be nice". When challenged, they become less nice. When told to fuck off, they become threatening. A group of 3 tried to drag a lady from my hotel into the shanty town opposite our hotel and I literally had to fight to get her back through the gates. Thank god I was there as no local gave a flying fuck. Never ever again.

Larne- if you’re not a full on drum banging, flute playing, bowler hat wearing, Masonic, orange, Buckfast drinking, flagshagger who’s in love with Arlene Foster and thinks Ian Paisley was a bit too liberal, you won’t like it.

I know what you mean. I lived there from 1985 to 2021.I loved it when we first moved there. Thriving market and town centre and everything. It has really gone downhill though. Some parts just feel abandoned.
When I left I thought I would be sad. But actually felt relieved. I really don't like going back on the occasional time I need to. Can't get out quick enough.

@MasterBeth I agree, Bristol is a great city.

Newport is great in lots of ways. I grew up round there. Brilliant position. Handy for welsh beaches, Cardiff, Bristol. Newport town centre is struggling, and always has, but it's so easy to get to other places.

Forest of Dean is a bit mixed- Coleford felt very 1950s, kind of good and kind of bad at the same time.

There's also a Newport in Essex, so at least three Newports!

Swindon.

The whole of the coast from Brighton all the way round to Hastings
Grim
I couldn’t leave Rottingdean fast enough
awful vibe
and Beachey head…

people jump off to get away !

I have a friend from Paisley. On his first visit home after 15 years he was very depressed. He's always been Labour but says they've had 100 years to sort the place out. Now supports SNP more in hope than anger.

Redcar and Hull. Both very grim and left me feeling very depressed.

Slough
Boston Lincolnshire
Basildon
Three towns I do not enjoy visiting.

Totally agree with Blackpool. Lived there for a few months in my 20's and hated every second of it.

Also the Fens... just flat, bleak nothingness as far as the eye can see.

Conversely, Newcastle felt like home the moment I stepped off the train.

Falmouth

Exeter. Really soulless and depressing.