Feedback on urban rating site concept

Hi everyone,

I’m new to the forum, and I’m writing today to ask the community for feedback on a site concept I’ve been working on for a few weeks.

The idea is to create a worldwide map (starting with France) where anyone can rate a city—or even a neighborhood in a large city—based on a set of criteria (cleanliness, safety, green spaces, cost of living, etc.) and add a comment highlighting the positives and negatives of the area. It’d be like rating a city or neighborhood the way we currently rate restaurants or hotels.

The goal is to inform other users about the nicer (or less nice) neighborhoods in a country and help them choose where to book their next hotel or Airbnb—so they don’t end up in a sketchy area. Beyond that, it’s also about letting people pick their next travel destination based on what matters most to them (cost of living, safety, shopping, transportation, etc.). Ratings will, of course, be moderated to prevent abuse, and users will need to provide proof (like a utility bill or evidence they’ve visited the city) before they can leave a comment.

I’ve had a test version developed for Paris with the core features, and I’ve named the site CityRate.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! The site is aimed at both locals looking to move to a new neighborhood or city and travelers who want to carefully choose where to spend their next vacation.

Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi there, have you done a search to see if this kind of site already exists? As far as I know, yes.

Yes, absolutely, sites like this already exist, but honestly, I find them a bit outdated: the navigation isn’t very smooth, the interface feels old... I think this concept needs some fresh energy ^^ What do you all think?

hi there, it’s probably a good idea, but I’d still recommend at least estimating the costs for server storage, development time, and programming the site, etc... Because all that—well, creating a website—represents a significant cost. And then, you should also consider whether the site will be paid or funded by ads.

Hi there,

The idea isn’t bad at all. It could also appeal to students and people looking to move somewhere new.

Hi Mathews, I’ve already estimated the development cost with my team—it’s not cheap, but I think the platform could be worth it. It’ll be completely free for individuals, and I’m definitely considering funding it with a bit of advertising on the site! Thanks for your message anyway

Good evening Attila, thanks for your message too. The platform aims to serve both travelers looking to choose their next vacation spot and those who want to relocate, including students!

Hey Mathieu, will this site include a forum? 😉