Does Chicago "feel" like a megacity? (Lincoln, Worth: apartment, condos)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I strongly disagree. Places like Wayne, Long Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Elgin, Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, etc, are far from Chicago yet offer a lot and all are unique. People might disagree with Naperville, but you cant argue that its a happenin' place.

I can agree that many are very bland (ie Hanover Park, Carol Stream, etc), but thats how most suburbs are across this country. Trust me, go spend time in Houston's burbs or Phoenix's burbs or Oklahoma Citys' burbs and youll beg and crawl on broken glass to come back here. There is a variety here that you cannot get elsewhere for the most part.

Well, Steve-O, notice I said "with a few notable exceptions". I'd say Long Grove, downtown Naperville, much of Wheaton, Hinsdale, older parts of Aurora, parts of St. Charles, Geneva, and parts of Glen Ellyn are the exception. But even many of the suburbs you've listed have hoardes of subdivisions that could be plopped down in a another metro and not look out of place. Elgin and Aurora were their own cities before "Chicagoland" gobbled them up, so they obviously have some unique qualities. And most of the older suburbs are oozing with Chicago-ness.

Okay, so there are a LOT of notable exceptions. We didn't even touch on the gorgeous older suburbs of Oak Park, River Forest, Berwyn (yes, I think Berwyn is gorgeous), Riverside, Evanston, Winnetka, Lake Forest, etc. But I don't think these unique places in suburbia make up the bulk of suburbia by any means! I'm not saying Chicago suburbs are worse than others, just not all that different, for the most part. You've made the same point yourself!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

But I don't think these unique places in suburbia make up the bulk of suburbia by any means! I'm not saying Chicago suburbs are worse than others, just not all that different, for the most part. You've made the same point yourself!

Basically my point is that I think Chicagoland has far more interesting suburbs than most places. Places like Plainfield, IL are the norm for most of this country's newer areas. Other areas of the country that have older suburbs are rustbelt-ish and not upkept. Like I said earlier, Ive traveled basically everywhere, and have yet to find a place that has as many suburbs that Chicago does, let alone as many unique ones. Calling Chicagoland "snoozeville" was wrong on many accounts. And if people want to go that far, then you can call America's entire suburbs "snoozeville" because Chicago's burbs are, for the most part, excellent.

Id also add Minneapolis as another urban area that has several nice, unique suburbs.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I strongly disagree. Places like Wayne, Long Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Elgin, Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, etc, are far from Chicago yet offer a lot and all are unique. People might disagree with Naperville, but you cant argue that its a happenin' place.

I can agree that many are very bland (ie Hanover Park, Carol Stream, etc), but thats how most suburbs are across this country. Trust me, go spend time in Houston's burbs or Phoenix's burbs or Oklahoma Citys' burbs and youll beg and crawl on broken glass to come back here. There is a variety here that you cannot get elsewhere for the most part.

I definitely I agree with you here Steve. These are unique towns. If Elgin and Aurora keep on getting more cleaned they would IDEAL. And those other towns would be heaven if just a little more affordable.

Naperville however does have a wider range of housing options. I could definitely live there, seems like there is more of a singles life (I am not yet married).

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I strongly disagree. Places like Wayne, Long Grove, Naperville, Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Elgin, Aurora, St. Charles, Geneva, etc, are far from Chicago yet offer a lot and all are unique. People might disagree with Naperville, but you cant argue that its a happenin' place.

I can agree that many are very bland (ie Hanover Park, Carol Stream, etc), but thats how most suburbs are across this country. Trust me, go spend time in Houston's burbs or Phoenix's burbs or Oklahoma Citys' burbs and youll beg and crawl on broken glass to come back here. There is a variety here that you cannot get elsewhere for the most part.

I like Phoenix burbs for the natural environment. Have really only been to Houston, and it was very brief. Hey you like snakes, don't you? In that aspect, you'd probably have a blast there.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I definitely I agree with you here Steve. These are unique towns. If Elgin and Aurora keep on getting more cleaned they would IDEAL. And those other towns would be heaven if just a little more affordable.

Naperville however does have a wider range of housing options. I could definitely live there, seems like there is more of a singles life (I am not yet married).

Well, Aurora and Elgin are indeed cleaning up. I just went through downtown Elgin a week ago and its coming along. A lot of nice new neighborhoods, too. There are still problem areas of course, but overall I like the direction the city is taking. Aurora is slow as far as revitilizing goes, but its done a few things that I think are worthwhile.

Naperville's singles scene is very good, IMO. Downtown on a weekend is hectic and crazy, lots of crazy crap down there.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I like Phoenix burbs for the natural environment. Have really only been to Houston, and it was very brief. Hey you like snakes, don't you? In that aspect, you'd probably have a blast there.

Some PHX burbs, yes. I LOVE North Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek, Fountain Hills. Theyve done a good job at keeping the whole desert theme going. Places like Mesa, Glendale, Peoria, Tempe? BLECH. Small homes all crammed on top of one another, cinder block fences (that have obscene amounts of graffitti in places), rinky dinky yards that are gravel, and nothing but chains for the most part. North Scottsdale rocks, very well integrated into the Sonoran Desert, very natural in appearance. Most neighborhoods there have banned grass and non-native flora, which I fully appreciate.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Basically my point is that I think Chicagoland has far more interesting suburbs than most places. Places like Plainfield, IL are the norm for most of this country's newer areas. Other areas of the country that have older suburbs are rustbelt-ish and not upkept. Like I said earlier, Ive traveled basically everywhere, and have yet to find a place that has as many suburbs that Chicago does, let alone as many unique ones. Calling Chicagoland "snoozeville" was wrong on many accounts. And if people want to go that far, then you can call America's entire suburbs "snoozeville" because Chicago's burbs are, for the most part, excellent.

Id also add Minneapolis as another urban area that has several nice, unique suburbs.

Minneapolis sounds like an interesting place to check out.

I think a MAJOR influence on any smack-talking I might make may be because of being a little frustrated with finding women that I have a lot in common with around here. I'm in my late 20s, and I got my sights on someone ten years older that have tons in common with, especially outdoor stuff, so you might see my posts change!!

Girls my own age or younger in the city and suburbs seem a little too much like the character of "Kelly" (the Indian girl) in "the Office" (my new favorite TV show).

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Minneapolis sounds like an interesting place to check out.

I think a MAJOR influence on any smack-talking I might make may be because of being a little frustrated with finding women that I have a lot in common with around here. I'm in my late 20s, and I got my sights on someone ten years older that have tons in common with, especially outdoor stuff, so you might see my posts change!!

Girls my own age or younger in the city and suburbs seem a little too much like the character of "Kelly" (the Indian girl) in "the Office" (my new favorite TV show).

haha Sorry, I dont know who Kelly is, but if I ever see the show Ill keep you in mind.

Have you tried Naperville's nightlife scene? Most women there are younger, but there are also tons of cougars floatin around, too.

[Lookout Kid]

Do we need to move this to the suburbs board? Let's get back to talking about how chicago is a super awesome @ss-kicking mega, no giga, no TERRA city!

Once again, I kid.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Do we need to move this to the suburbs board? Let's get back to talking about how chicago is a super awesome @ss-kicking mega, no giga, no TERRA city!

Once again, I kid.

Absolutely.

Viva Chicago!!!!!!