Very, very much more crowded! We visited for a month in June and December of 2010 and moved here permanently in May 2011! We were very surprised to see how crowded it has become since the first of this year! I would say it might be pretty bad to deal with if you are in a hurry, but we are retired and in no hurry. We have noticed very long lines at the bars on the squares during happy hour! It's worth it! Come on down!