Favorite City in the Midwest - Besides Chicago (Madison, Louisville: neighborhoods, to live)

[ProgMichael]

Hey everyone. This one's just for fun and curiosity. Besides Chicago, what's your favorite city (we'll say population >200,000) in the Midwest? It can be your favorite to visit, it can have some other emotional connection, etc.

If I had to pick just one, I'd go with St. Louis. It has some terrific, unique neighborhoods (Soulard, Lafayette Square, Central West End, The Hill), with great architecture. I feel a very different vibe from Chicago. It's almost more residential with a neighborhood tavern at every corner than thriving business districts. It's just an interesting, modest contrast to Chicago.

I also highly value Milwaukee and Detroit. I'm sure most of you have visited Milwaukee, but I would highly suggest checking out Detroit. It's definitely a struggling city in a lot of areas, but it has a ton of energy, and some great places to eat, drink. Also, incredible architecture downtown.

All right, pick your city and tell us why!

[Dport7674]

Good times can be had in Madison, Wi.

[It'sAutomatic]

St. Louis is really cool. I've never been to Detroit but Midtown and Hamtramck seem like they can hold their own against any quality Chicago neighborhood.

[chicagobear]

Minneapolis/St. Paul seems like a nice place.

[Chicagoist123]

For me St. Louis and Madison. Milwaukee is up there too. Only major midwestern cities I haven't been to are the Twin Cities and Detroit.

[andrew61]

I guess I'll say Cleveland, because I'm from there and also because, although it's been struggling and has been much maligned, it really does have a lot to offer (culture, recreation, entertainment) for a city its size. It has the big-city amenities but with the atmosphere (and friendliness) of a small town.

Milwaukee was fun enough the times I've been there.

I have very limited experience with Minneapolis -- I was only there once and spent most of that time in the suburbs visiting relatives -- but from what I've heard and read, I think I'd like it.

[tompope]

How exactly are you defining the Midwest? I really like, for example, Dallas, Louisville, and Pittsburgh, which are not in classically Midwestern states, but have substantial Midwestern cultural influences, and are arguably more culturally Midwestern than they are Western, Southern, or Northeastern. Or how about Toronto? It's on the Great Lakes, of course, and has strong cultural ties to places like Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago, but does being in Canada disqualify it? If Toronto counts, then that'd certainly be my choice. An amazing city.

If none of these marginally Midwestern cities count, then I'd say St. Louis. Not necessarily a place I'd want to live, but a fun and interesting place to visit, at least at times of year other than mid-summer. Lots of history, nice architecture, good food. The Arch is sort of overrated, but it still is a pretty cool landmark. Seeing a Blues or Cardinals game is always fun, especially when they're playing one of the Chicago teams (I'venever been to a Rams game there).

[Drover]

If I had to move to another city in the Midwest tomorrow, it would be Madison without hesitation.

[marothisu]

Minneapolis. I haven't spent a ton of time in Milwaukee though and know it's nice too so who knows. As of now though it's Minneapolis for sure. I'd say Madison is behind Minneapolis for me too

[Bird4Prez]

The Twin Cities for sure. And they're getting an expanded light rail in less than a year. Safer than just about any other city listed here except Madison.