Any NYers regret moving to Chicago? (Lincoln, Washington: vacation, home, art)

[Guerita]

I grew up in Chicago and left after grad school. Since than, I have lived in various cities/countries and the last 4 I have been in NYC. I was all fed up with NYC and looking to return to Chicago but after my last visit began having some doubts. (Don’t get me wrong – I LOVE Chicago!) Do any people living in NY have any regrets about moving to Chicago? If so, what are they? Not looking for reasons here of why Chicago is better than NYC…I can already think of some myself! More concerned with the regrets. Thanks!

[Lookout Kid]

I can't speak for myself, but I know a lot of New Yorkers here in Chicago. Most I've talked to miss the subway more than anything else--especially with the CTA repairs going on right now. Also, the Parks in Chicago (with the exception of Olmtead's intact design in the old part of Lincoln Park) don't have the same subtle human scale as many New York parks have. And, the lower density and car use can be frustrating...

[coldwine]

I lived in NYC for a long time, and it was very good indeed to come home to Chicago. I don't miss NYC at all.

I do, however, dearly miss good public mass transit

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Also, the Parks in Chicago (with the exception of Olmtead's intact design in the old part of Lincoln Park) don't have the same subtle human scale as many New York parks have..

I'm a native born Chicagoan, but this is definitely something I would agree with. Lincoln Park and Washington Park imo are the only truly great ones here in Chicago, along with perhaps the sublime Promontory Point (which is also in danger of losing its character). For a place that touts being so green, theres scant few places that you can really dip into in Chicago, and really feel isolated and seperated from the hustle and bustle. They are a dime a dozen in NY. Even the small formal parks in NY have so much more life, and yet you still feel like your in a small oasis. Take Bryant Park

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

A lot of the most beautiful parks are on the south and west sides, in areas that were once upscale areas while much of the north side was industrial. Garfield Park. SHerman Park. Jackson Park. Humboldt Park (which is north. And gorgeous).

Let's also not forget Grant and Millenium Parks.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

A lot of the most beautiful parks are on the south and west sides, in areas that were once upscale areas while much of the north side was industrial. Garfield Park. SHerman Park. Jackson Park. Humboldt Park (which is north. And gorgeous).

Let's also not forget Grant and Millenium Parks.

Again, I thin Grant Park is vastly overrated. Its essentially a cluster of softball fields, and Buckingham Fountain. Now, its not entirely fair for me to compare Grant Park to Central Park, since they were built for entirely different purposes. But if we are going to compare, well it dosent hold a candle. It dosent help that its intersected by several busy streets: those things need to be either closed off, or buried beneath the park. it would make a huge difference. And it also dosent help that lakeshore drive cuts GP off from the lake.


Millenium Park is great, but again, it resembles a theme park (lots of "attractions" that you go to look at), but not much in the way of escape.


I agree that the West side has some beautiful parks as well.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by via chicago

Millenium Park is great, but again, it resembles a theme park (lots of "attractions" that you go to look at), but not much in the way of escape.

I see what you mean, but will add that the section of M Park with all of the prairie grasses obscured by the tight stand of evergreen shrubs is a real mini-vacation. As long as you don't look up, you're transported.


Fair points, all.

[Lookout Kid]

I'd like to see Grant Park redesigned to include more small intimate spaces and a more broken-up landscape. Right now it seems like more of a huge festival grounds. There are huge formal moves, but they are largely broken up by wide busy streets.

Central Park in New York is able to handle large events and shaded afternoon escapes. Could we resurrect the ghost of Olmstead to fix Grant Park? Or perhaps a modern version of Olmstead?

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I see what you mean, but will add that the section of M Park with all of the prairie grasses obscured by the tight stand of evergreen shrubs is a real mini-vacation. As long as you don't look up, you're transported.


Fair points, all.

i totally agree with you on the Lurie Garden. And it will only keep getting better as it matures, and everything begins to fill in. Its incredible.

What worries me more is the bridge that will connect Millenium Park to the Art Institute. the design looks nice, but outside of being a money maker for the Art Institute, i think it poses a big risk of ruining the tranquility of that spot.

[Guerita]

Thanks for the replies but the topic was not meant to be a debate about the parks in the cities. I want to find out besides parks, what other NYers have missed when moving to Chicago – ie transporation, the flatness, easy access other cities along the East Coast, easy access to hiking in the Catskills, Adirondacks, etc. Thanks!