Is Chicago America's most stressful city? (job market, taxes, where to live)

[oakparkdude]

You actually trust the Forbes rankings? Or do you only trust them when they support your preconceived notions?

Interesting link: http://www.newgeography.com/content/...ings-are-wrong

[oakparkdude]

BTW, the methodology seems incredibly biased against dense Northern cities.

[whinniethezen]

I just looked at the silly Forbes list. I don't know how I missed that one when we were thinking about moving to Chicago. Not that it would have been a factor at all, but it does have its bits of truth. If you are not the type who likes harsh winters, a swarming bees nest of people, having to rely on public transportation, idiotic tourists, and all the negatives that go with a congested area.. then the giant cities like New York and Chicago are not for you. Some people cannot live without that feeling of being immersed. It's a little bit insane though that someone would call Chicago "laid back and down to Earth" Visiting there, the people varied from fake nice to rude IMO. I met alot of great people in Chicago, but I think you might have to leave a while and then come back to see the foul attitudes.

[whinniethezen]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

You actually trust the Forbes rankings? Or do you only trust them when they support your preconceived notions?

Interesting link: Why The 'Livable Cities' Rankings Are Wrong | Newgeography.com

People in Chicago have used the Forbes ratings to tout Chicago as the #2 restaurant city. I think that's a bit high. I don't trust Forbes either.

[oakparkdude]

I find the whole idea of ranking of cities (or colleges) to be a dubious exercise at best. More often than not, it obscures the truth rather than sheds light on it. Probably helps sells magazines, though, which is really the primary reason for them.

[whinniethezen]

If Forbes had listed Chicago as #1 in anything, you know Chicago folks would be using it to their advantage. What city wouldn't? Forbes would then have all the credibility in the world am I wrong?
This reeks of sour grapes. Just take the lists with a huge grain of salt.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

If Forbes had listed Chicago as #1 in anything, you know Chicago folks would be using it to their advantage. What city wouldn't? Forbes would then have all the credibility in the world am I wrong?
This reeks of sour grapes. Just take the lists with a huge grain of salt.

If you actually do a search on the various threads regarding Forbes lists, I think you'll find that the regulars (with a few obvious exceptions) on this forum don't put much stock in them regardless of whether Chicago is up or down.

[Chicago60614]

No, Forbes ranking are completely biased.

Chicago got bad remarks because of the weather - because we're all required to hate colder weather and snow, Chicago has a high population density, and because of traffic congestion. It doesn't happen to factor in the vast majority of people working in the loop who take bus/train/walk. Its example was the person who drove the Kennedy everyday....

It was pointed out in many sources, as well as asked on the Forbes website about the air quality. Chicago isn't even in the top 10 for bad air quality.



For the most part Forbes ranks cities based on if a sunbelt person who lives/loves sprawl and drives a car alone to work downtown would be stressed. That's why the northern cities all come out "bad".

[Chicago60614]

^ maybe the foul attitudes you encountered were drawn for another reason.... I have a friend who whines about everything, then complains because no one wants to hang out with him.

[Grandata]

Pittsburgh is the sleeper city in America. A Chicago without all the stress and problems, pollution and traffic, race-strife and corruption, and it's beautiful in Western PA.