Something--anything?--wicked fine about Boston?

[TomDot]

Chicago is much hotter in the summer and much colder in the winter. They also get horrendous thunderstorms and the occasional tornado. So, as far as weather goes:
Edge Boston

Boston has the ocean on it's doorstep. Within 2 hours are the sandy beaches of Cape Cod, the rockbound coasts of Maine, The mountains of northern New England, the Lakes Region of NH and much more. Chicago has the Lake Michigan plus some very nice lakes regions within about 3 hours. It is a flat and featureless landscape.
Natural Setting:
Big edge Boston

Chicago is easier to get around and has cooler neighborhoods with lots of bars for young singles. It is also easier to meet people because, unlike Boston, there are a lot of people in their twenties and thirties who move there after school. The college scene in Boston is much better but most college people tend to hang with their fellow alum out at night.
Both cities have a higher percentage of women to men but not by much.
Nightlife Singles:
Edge Chicago

Sports scenes are a wash. Boston may be the current city of champions but both cities are the cream of the crop when it comes to sports fans and venues. Wrigley is great, in my opinion it is better than Fenway.

Downtowns: Chicago is big skyscrapers and chain boutique stores. Boston is old and very flavorful.
Edge Boston

Cost: Chicago and Boston are actually very similar in cost if you want to live in the cool areas

[theSUBlime]

Boston is a great city, but IMO Boston is much more fun to visit as it so focused on "old world America" that it's like you're doing the time warp, which is fun every once in a while, but being stuck....?

I find Chicago to be much a more genuine mix of old and new, which IMO is more refreshing.

To each his own!

[findingmesomeday]

Boston is a great city. I went to college here and had a blast. I left for almost 20 years and came back 11 years ago. I now live in Metrowest and though it's been great for raising kids, I would leave in a heartbeat. Can't stand the weather or high cost of living.

I love Chicago but couldn't live there because my tolerance of cold weather is just not what it used to be.

Life in Boston if you're young and making good money can be a 'wikked pissah'!

[caligirl1082]

Yep. people use “wicked” all the time!! I’ve even seen it on a menu as in “wicked hot wings”.

Boston is gorgeous – the architecture is spectacular. The trees in the spring are breathtaking (and I’ve heard it’s the same in the fall, just haven’t been here for that yet). The history, oh the history!! And the food!! So many great choices – Brazilian, Italian, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Irish/pub, seafood……. Great museums, great shops. It’s fun overall. There is a lot of culture and it is everywhere. Another thing that is awesome is Boston is so close to other states – 2 hours to NH and great hiking, Maine is also a great place to check out, and I’ve yet to go south.

Yes, the driving here is frustrating and gets me in a bad mood virtually every single day (I’ve never yelled so much in my car!!), and the people you run into on the streets, stores, etc. aren’t the friendliest (at least compared to sunny northern CA), and the weather is awful (it rains all the time, and we’re in frickin May, and I haven’t even been here for a winter. god help me), but I’m still really glad I made the move. I think you’d like Boston.

[darkone]

Keep in mind that if you live in Boston or the vicinity, that you are only a 3.5 to 4 hr. journey (by car or train) from Manhattan. You can enjoy the day there or spend a weekend there once a month. That should take care of your big city needs if you get a little bored in Boston after a while. Many people in the Boston area don't like to associate with NYC, but it is right there if you ever need it ...... think of it this way - you can enjoy the benefits of The City without having to live day-to-day life there.

[Chianti]

Chicago blows Boston away when it comes to the sports scene. Both cities are good for the pro sports scene, but there is no awareness of college sports in Boston. Most of the bigger bars in Chicago are affiliated with a university and Chicago is a haven for college football/basketball following if you can't make it to the game.

Honestly, there is no comparison between Chicago and Boston. Comparing Chicago to Boston is like comparing NYC to Boston- you shouldn't do it.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by Chianti

Chicago blows Boston away when it comes to the sports scene. Both cities are good for the pro sports scene, but there is no awareness of college sports in Boston. Most of the bigger bars in Chicago are affiliated with a university and Chicago is a haven for college football/basketball following if you can't make it to the game.

Honestly, there is no comparison between Chicago and Boston. Comparing Chicago to Boston is like comparing NYC to Boston- you shouldn't do it.

I don't really think so, I think there is actually a lot of awareness because there are so MANY colleges.

[Cart24]

Honestly, there is no comparison between Chicago and Boston. Comparing Chicago to Boston is like comparing NYC to Boston- you shouldn't do it.

I would love to know what criteria you are using to compare both cities.

Could it possibly be the economy?

Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH Economy at a Glance
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Economy at a Glance

I guess not since Boston outpaced Chicago is all sectors except one for economic growth in the past year.

Education:

USNews.com: America's Best Colleges 2008: National Universities: Top Schools

Boston and area: 9 in the top 100
Chicago and are: 2

Crime Rate:

United States cities by crime rate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Higher Crime rate for Chicago.

Cost of Living:

City Mayors: World's most expensive cities in 2008 - Ranking

Mercer ranks Chicago as a more expensive city to live overall than Boston.

GDP Per Capita:

http://www.demographia.com/db-gdp-metro.pdf

Boston ranks 4th in the world
Chicago 15th

I do not know why someone would come on a board and make such a general statement without looking at the facts, but maybe next time you should look a "little" deeper.

[KITHforlife]

This thread is a perfect example of Boston and Bostonians in general: We complain all the time about Boston and it's shortcomings- whether it be the weather, the overpopulation of collge students, or the unfriendly persons you encounter on a daily basis. But the original poster should be warned- it's just a method we use to keep people from moving to Boston, it's actually a freaking utopia here!

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by darkone

Keep in mind that if you live in Boston or the vicinity, that you are only a 3.5 to 4 hr. journey (by car or train) from Manhattan. You can enjoy the day there or spend a weekend there once a month. That should take care of your big city needs if you get a little bored in Boston after a while. Many people in the Boston area don't like to associate with NYC, but it is right there if you ever need it ...... think of it this way - you can enjoy the benefits of The City without having to live day-to-day life there.

Right - that's a BIG amenity that many don't take advantage of. I sure do. Better yet, you can get a Fung Wa or PP bus to NYC anytime for $15! That's right. Hop on the bus, do the crossword, have lunch, and hour nap, and voila - I'm strolling through Central Park - all without a moment's stress of fighting the traffic. See if you can do THAT in Dallas!