Chicago - "Meanest city in the US"? (Jacksonville: relocating, travel)

[Drover]

I've never seen Toronto described as boring until just now. What I have heard is that it compares quite well to Chicago in terms of urban energy, diversity, density, cosmopolitan touches, and nightlife, and it has a lot fewer seedy neighborhoods to boot.

[summer22]

To me this whole conversation is really interesting and I see some things I can agree with from a lot of the different posters.

Now this quote here made me think. I am an upfront person who likes to keep it real and socialize. What's a good city for me?

Originally Posted by What!

Also, many people say Minneapolis isn't that friendly. And that can be true. If you're an upfront person who really likes to keep it real and socialize, Minneapolis's (and the entire state of Minnesota's) passive-aggressive environment will really **** you off.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by summer22

Now this quote here made me think. I am an upfront person who likes to keep it real and socialize. What's a good city for me?

(I know you probably can see this coming a mile away, but...)
Chicago.

[What!]

It depends on what you're looking for in Toronto. It can truly be boring. The atmosphere definitely isn't that diverse and the people can be ho-hum.

And Minneapolis clashes with Chicago as far as personality goes. Seriously. If you want upfront personalities then Minnesota isn't a good place for you.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by What!

It depends on what you're looking for in Toronto. It can truly be boring. The atmosphere definitely isn't that diverse and the people can be ho-hum.

And Minneapolis clashes with Chicago as far as personality goes. Seriously. If you want upfront personalities then Minnesota isn't a good place for you.

I've read this entire thread and have come to the conclusion that Chicago is definatly for me. I am relocating in June from Memphis Tn. and the personality and energy of Chicago is whats drawing me (other than my job). I am an up front person that believes in keeping it real and I have had a tough time socially and professionally in Memphis because of that. I guess it goes to show that a city is what you make of it but one would have to choose a place that is conducive to their lifestyle.

[supernerdgirl]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

I've read this entire thread and have come to the conclusion that Chicago is definatly for me. I am relocating in June from Memphis Tn. and the personality and energy of Chicago is whats drawing me (other than my job). I am an up front person that believes in keeping it real and I have had a tough time socially and professionally in Memphis because of that. I guess it goes to show that a city is what you make of it but one would have to choose a place that is conducive to their lifestyle.

aha! another Tennessean has been lured in by Chicago.

[Mdevince]

I read over parts of this thread and felt compelled to reply. I've been speaking to other friends about this same subject...regarding the "nice nature" of Chicago residents. I've heard people say it many times....wow, I've heard the people are so nice there.

Of course, I don't want to generalize, but to tell ya the truth, they aren't. There are for more hospitable and welcoming towns and cities around the country than Chicago. If you want to compare urban to urban or look at it based on size compared to another city, thats your business. I'm simply stating that I've personally witnessed and felt far more welcome in other cities than Chicago. So, what do I mean by that. People are generally more friendly, outgoing, putting up less of a front, more willing to talk to someone new, more polite, etc.

I've said this about a thousand times, but how friendly or nice do you expect people to be in a city where everything costs twice as much and takes twice as long to get. Traffic is awful, housing and food costs are high, crime and corruption are plentiful, areas are overcrowded, parking is a mess, public transpo issues, etc. How nice would you feel like being?

Of course Chicago does have many great aspects. Lovely views, food, attractions, sports, sights, etc. Its a personal decision if those things you enjoy outweigh the negatives. However, anyone touting that the people here as a whole are just delightful is full of it, in my opinion.

[aragx6]

I'm not sure one single person called Chicagoans delightful! That would be a stretch to be sure. It's a big city, and a healthy amount of cynicism and skepticism should be expected. They don't believe every word that comes out of someones mouth, because they've seen liars. They don't wave to all of their neighbors, because well... it's creepy.

That's a big city thing, period. Hell even most medium-sized cities don't have people running around waving at each other for no reason.

What you do see is: People joking randomly with one another on the el (probably about traffic, the weather or a really stinky bum), smokers standing outside becoming friends while griping about the new smoking ban, and people holding a door open for someone else who's struggling with a delivery or furniture.

What you also see is: If someone cuts me off on the Ike I'm gonna honk, scream a plethora of obscenities and tail them for at least a mile.

If you can't handle that, if you feel the need to hold deep conversations with strangers, then Chicago probably isn't right for you.

Friendliness, like most things in this world, is really subjective.

[nJohn]

Originally Posted by Mdevince

I read over parts of this thread and felt compelled to reply. I've been speaking to other friends about this same subject...regarding the "nice nature" of Chicago residents. I've heard people say it many times....wow, I've heard the people are so nice there.

Of course, I don't want to generalize, but to tell ya the truth, they aren't. There are for more hospitable and welcoming towns and cities around the country than Chicago. If you want to compare urban to urban or look at it based on size compared to another city, thats your business. I'm simply stating that I've personally witnessed and felt far more welcome in other cities than Chicago. So, what do I mean by that. People are generally more friendly, outgoing, putting up less of a front, more willing to talk to someone new, more polite, etc.

I've said this about a thousand times, but how friendly or nice do you expect people to be in a city where everything costs twice as much and takes twice as long to get. Traffic is awful, housing and food costs are high, crime and corruption are plentiful, areas are overcrowded, parking is a mess, public transpo issues, etc. How nice would you feel like being?

Of course Chicago does have many great aspects. Lovely views, food, attractions, sports, sights, etc. Its a personal decision if those things you enjoy outweigh the negatives. However, anyone touting that the people here as a whole are just delightful is full of it, in my opinion.

It's a city. What do you expect? People usually base their opinions on a single event or what they have read and/or heard from others. Where in the United States is there a place that has whole city population brimming with a smile? Nowhere. Not even suburbs with top ACT/SAT scores lined with brick mansions.

[scongress1234]

Originally Posted by What!

It depends on what you're looking for in Toronto. It can truly be boring. The atmosphere definitely isn't that diverse and the people can be ho-hum.

And Minneapolis clashes with Chicago as far as personality goes. Seriously. If you want upfront personalities then Minnesota isn't a good place for you.

Don't you love those Minnesota-isms, like "You Bet!", or the slightly cooler
"You betcha"!