"If you don't know Chicago, you don't know America" (Washington: 2014, city hall)

[henderson702]

Originally Posted by caverunner17

Completely disagree. It's the same line of "Chicago is the best city in the US"

Chicago is OK -- It's a big city with a lot of economic development, mostly-affordable cost of living, a good public transportation system, along with big dining and entertainment. On the flip side, there's a huge amount of violence in the city and many quickly forget that a world exists outside of the boundaries.

A significant amount of space in the US is farm land. The population may be centered around large cities, but the country as a whole is better represented by smaller cities, surrounded by Ag.

Chicago is very over-rated, because of the liberal slant and the goofy people, and terrible weather. Crime rates are over the top as well, and gets hidden. And the truth is, that it is as bad as Detroit and St. Louis.

[jwuk45]

Originally Posted by emathias

Most major cities are provincial. America is a violent place compared to the rest of the developed world. Understanding what drives that in Chicago goes at least part way toward understanding what drives that in the U.S. as a whole.

I wouldn't say that's necessarily true. Countries like England and Australia have higher violent crime than the USA, America is pretty average among developed nations. It's just that the easy availability of guns, and the gang culture in certain neighborhoods creates violence at a different level. In other words, Americans aren't more violent, but the ones who are will shoot you dead rather than just punch you in the face.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by jwuk45

I wouldn't say that's necessarily true. Countries like England and Australia have higher violent crime than the USA, America is pretty average among developed nations. It's just that the easy availability of guns, and the gang culture in certain neighborhoods creates violence at a different level. In other words, Americans aren't more violent, but the ones who are will shoot you dead rather than just punch you in the face.

Right - saw this yesterday:

https://twitter.com/haroldpollack/st...52926610616320

The US has more murders because there are so many more guns.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by steeps

It is just TOO STRONG a comment to say "If you don't know Chicago, you don't know America". Just too demanding and bound to infuriate others.

But I do believe that CHICAGO DOES FIT. For a title of being... "The Most American City"
It's middle America with a strong immigrant history, key transportation center and industrial base with a totally American layout, housing styles and its Downtown. Both good and bad of America.

Its emergence as a big city. Predated Urban Sprawl. Its Bungalow belt beginning in 1910 were AMERICAN Frank Lloyd Wright inspired in its Architecture. Unlike Eastern Row homes that were British in original style. Someone on C-D once labeled its Bungalow belt..."Quasi-American" or a Pre-suburban sprawl style.

Also the standard set-backs with front lawns. Was a NEW STYLE for a evolving Middle-class. Built with full basements and Central heating systems and full alleyway system where most built Garages. If not at first. Added them as the automobile became a American standard. No one sees Chicago housing and thinks European inspired????

Not meant to slight of lessen NYC as a American/World's city or even LA with its American image to the world.

Just Chicago encompasses aspects of it all. I expect some to totally disagree. Some will say it's not the only city. But I believe Chicago is the... "Quintessential American City".

The author also referred to Chicago as being "the glory and damnation of America". He wasn't demanding anything, though..

Chicago is essentially the first great, almost purely American city that emerged in the 19th century, especially after the Great Fire of 1871, after which housing styles were forever altered. You're right about the Eastern cities being densely-packed, as in Europe, and how Chicago represented a change from that style. And the bungalows were indeed "pre-suburban"...

[steeps]

Originally Posted by henderson702

Chicago is very over-rated, because of the liberal slant and the goofy people, and terrible weather. Crime rates are over the top as well, and gets hidden. And the truth is, that it is as bad as Detroit and St. Louis.

I would add to you liberal comment... IT WAS CORPORATE AMERICA AND INVESTORS THAT BUILT CHICAGO'S WORLD RENOWN SKYLINE....
Also, Chicago, NYC, LA, Boston and SF always had liberal slants. For that comparison. As for goofy people... too personal to call other cities on it. Crime, its been proven many times. Crimes/100,000 people remove Chicago from the top 10 crime cities.

Chicago's North Side the size of all of San Francisco. Has a crime rate as SF and most Labeled Conservative cities. Sadly most is Gang on Gang on their same ethnic group on the South Side. Also if White the rate is significantly lower, especially the murder rate.

As for Aesthetics of the Southside. Where once areas looked like bombed in was. That worst of light from the 60s 70s racial turmoil and White flight to the Newer Southwest and Northwest sides and suburbs. HAS BEEN CLEARED OUT by the previous Mayor. Many empty lots and blocks returned to Prairie. Bold well for the future when better times and economy demand more housing.

As to Chicago as Detroit. Chicago has the most diverse Economy. . Chicago has a booming Downtown.
In its Core 2-mile Radius of its City Hall, which includes Grant/Millennium Parks. According to the US census. Added the most people.
Chicago had largest downtown population growth from 2000 to 2010. This 2-mile radius has a population increase from 133,426 to 181,717. US census numbers.

Also CHICAGO is listed as #1 METRO FOR NEW AND EXPANDING COMPANIES and No one Industry employees more then 14% of its workforce.
Economy 2014 and 2015.

CHICAGO STILL is listed as the #9 ECONOMY in the WORLD. This sight even claims raised 3 places surpassing Boston.
The 20 best cities for global finance GFCI index - Business Insider
It still reasons in the future it will be lower as Asian cities continue to rise. SF and Boston with Tech firms will rise. Even LA will drop.

In ARCHITECTURE. CHICAGO LISTED AMONG These 7 cities of BARCELONA, BEIJING, ISTANBUL, CHICAGO, DUBAI, ATHENS and ROME. Though this sight is 2010.
Best Architecture Cities in the World | BootsnAll

This sight says 18 structures that prove Chicago is Americas Best Architecture City.
18 Structures That Prove Chicago Is America's Best Architectural City

So these still DOES NOT SHOW CHICAGO as OVER-RATED....
As you Suggest as this SKYLINE SUGGEST IT IS NOT.

[jwuk45]

Originally Posted by henderson702

Chicago is very over-rated, because of the liberal slant and the goofy people, and terrible weather. Crime rates are over the top as well, and gets hidden. And the truth is, that it is as bad as Detroit and St. Louis.

You say liberal as if it's a bad thing.

adjective
1.
willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
"liberal views towards divorce"
2.
(of education) concerned with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training.
"the provision of liberal adult education"
3.
given, used, or occurring in generous amounts.
"liberal amounts of wine had been consumed"

I wouldn't want to live in the sort of place where those things were considered bad. Also, the weather isn't that bad. At least there are seasons and decent number of sunshine hours. Try living in a festering oven like Florida or Arizona.

Crime is only bad in certain neighborhoods, so is easily avoidable. Even as a whole, Chicago crime isn't as bad as Detroit or St. Louis.

To sum up: you don't know what you're talking about.

[henderson702]

Originally Posted by jwuk45

You say liberal as if it's a bad thing.

adjective
1.
willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas.
"liberal views towards divorce"
2.
(of education) concerned with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training.
"the provision of liberal adult education"
3.
given, used, or occurring in generous amounts.
"liberal amounts of wine had been consumed"

I wouldn't want to live in the sort of place where those things were considered bad. Also, the weather isn't that bad. At least there are seasons and decent number of sunshine hours. Try living in a festering oven like Florida or Arizona.

Crime is only bad in certain neighborhoods, so is easily avoidable. Even as a whole, Chicago crime isn't as bad as Detroit or St. Louis.

To sum up: you don't know what you're talking about.

My family in Chicago is always complaining about the weather and the traffic as well.

And yes, Midwest Chicago people are boring.

Over-rated.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by henderson702

My family in Chicago is always complaining about the weather and the traffic as well.

And yes, Midwest Chicago people are boring.

Over-rated.

well, if you're family complains about Chicago, of course, they must be right.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by NOLA101

Doesn't your response basically contradict your initial statement? You say that Chicago isn't representative of America, then you list all the ways Chicago is indeed representative of America.

I was going to point this out, too. Chicago's violent crime problem is pretty much an American problem in microcosm. The OP didn't say that only Chicago's *good* qualities are representative of America's *good* qualities....it was a discussion about everything that makes Chicago Chicago, and America, America....good or bad.

From my view, every city is unique. I guess Chicago feels more "typically American" than, say, New Orleans or Miami. Since Chicago is one of the largest US cities, and also feels "typically American," I guess one could argue that the quote is accurate.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by henderson702

...Chicago people are boring..

All of us? Man, we suck.