Cities similar to Chicago? (neighborhoods, university, centers)

[York40]

Hey all!

In your opinion(s), what are US cities that you would say are pretty similar to Chicago?

[chicagobear]

Toronto is very similar although not in the US. New York is the closest, I think.

[Gemini1963]

It may sound like a strange comparison, but I think Houston is pretty similar in some ways.

[beaniemac]

new york is the most similar city I have been to except for it's much much more crowded, and I dont' remember seeing many alleys out there.

[MannheimMadman]

Originally Posted by Gemini1963

It may sound like a strange comparison, but I think Houston is pretty similar in some ways.

How is Houston similar?

[Vanderbiltgrad]

Toronto is the closest but no US City is like Chicago. NYC and Chicago are not much alike at least IMO.

[pvande55]

In some ways, Los Angeles. Population similar, beaches, multiple commuter rail lines, diverse population. Lots of sports teams.

[rrah]

Agree with the others that said Toronto in some ways, but of course not a U.S. city. NYC and Chicago are similar in historical ways--immigrants, both on bodies of water, both have comprehensive public transportation, both are based mainly on a grid street system, etc. NYC is, of course, older. There are big differences though. I've been to Toronto and NYC multiple times. Grew up 30 miles away from Chicago and spent 1/2 my life nearby. There isn't another U.S. city quite like Chicago. The same holds true for other U.S. large cities.

As I think about it, actually the city that seems most similar currently is Boston. Different sizes, but similar in many ways. Both on water, both have/had a large immigrant population, both still have many identifiable neighborhoods, both still have a numerous residents that identify based on heritage, good food in both places, long time residents of both have a distinct accent. Boston is older, but as I think more about it, it is the most similar.

[Gemini1963]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

How is Houston similar?

It's very large and spread out and but there are many distinct neighborhoods, some of which (like the ones around Rice University) are really fun and interesting to be in. And being a port, with an economy so tied to the oil and gas industry, somehow gives the downtown / economics of Houston a similar feeling. They are both strong and gritty and interesting/varied and unpretentious. The "City of Big Shoulders" feeling applies to Houston, too.

The weather / climate of the two is SOOOOO different that I think it's easy to miss the similarities but I think it's there. Both are hard-working cities with a gritty swagger. Oh, and they both have great medical centers and cultural organizations.

[Mister68]

It's true, there is NO city like Chicago in the whole world, let alone the US! Chicago happens to be the cultural epicenter of the world! There is no place in the world that harbors more cultural diversity than any city anywhere, just visit and find out!