Well, I've officially become a Hillsider. OK, sure, I moved to the Hillside last April, but lately I've caught myself thinking in Hillsider terms -- namely, that 40th Avenue West is a really, really long way from Downtown Duluth. (It's ten minutes, people. And by "people" I mean also myself.)

Anyway, I've visited West Duluth two or three times in the past week to visit family and friends, and I've realized several things I miss about my old neighborhood. West Duluth definitely has the Hillside beat on the following points.

1. Everything is cheaper. Do you know who primarily lives in West Duluth? Old people. Do you know what old people care about? That additional $0.13 on a pound of tomatoes. Do you know what old people have? A lot of free time. You do the math.

2. People are nicer. Sure the Hillside can be friendly at times. But when you go to a restaurant or a gas station in West Duluth, the people who work there are often genuinely happy. Likewise, the people you meet on the street are genuinely happy. This is refreshing. Plus, there are very few knifings.

3. Driving and parking are easier. Most people in West Duluth have off-street parking, which means the streets actually get plowed thoroughly. When people do park on the street, they tend to park legally. The terrain is flat. It's awesome.

4. The bars are more fun. As a person who hung out at the NorShor every other night while it was in its peak, I'm surprised at myself for saying this. But let's face it: the North Pole is better than 100 Lucés. You can get any drink in the world there, and they are all cheap. Lucé doesn't even sell a 34-ounce mug of beer, and if they did, it wouldn't be $3, it would be $8. You can see Hairball at Charlie's Club if that's your thing, or charming quiet acts at Beaner's if that's your thing. Don't even get me started on the VFW. Of course, the bars aren't nearly as cool as those in Superior, but that's irrelevant.

5. The cars are better. I see four kinds of cars in my current neighborhood: shitty compacts, sissy hybrids, minivans, and SUVs. In West Duluth, I see Cadillacs, Lincoln Continentals, and kickass restored GTOs, El Caminos, and Mustangs.

The choice is clear.