WHY isn't Chicago more high profile? (Paris: university, arena, vacation)

[waltlantz]

Perhaps we could broaden this out beyond films?

Anyways, it is true thanks to Mass Media a lot of our predisposed ideas of cities are formed.

NYC has always been the nation's major gateway. Melting Pot is still the best way to describe it. Not to mention it being the nations nerve center (like it or not).

LA was and still is the classic yet perrenial boom town. It's Bay Area neighbor to the north had the gold rush. But LA had it's own with the movement of Hollywood and Aerospace out there, sprawling out as far as it could. It soon made it's name as THE post war(s) american city.

Chicago lacks the grandeur and prestige of these two while still achieving enough mainstream recongition in it's own right given it's many enemnities and population. In that way of all the big 3, Chicago is the most "modest" in image and world connectivity. Fitting for a midwestern city.

Just my two bits

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by waltlantz

Perhaps we could broaden this out beyond films?

Anyways, it is true thanks to Mass Media a lot of our predisposed ideas of cities are formed.

NYC has always been the nation's major gateway. Melting Pot is still the best way to describe it. Not to mention it being the nations nerve center (like it or not).

LA was and still is the classic yet perrenial boom town. It's Bay Area neighbor to the north had the gold rush. But LA had it's own with the movement of Hollywood and Aerospace out there, sprawling out as far as it could. It soon made it's name as THE post war(s) american city.

Chicago lacks the grandeur and prestige of these two while still achieving enough mainstream recongition in it's own right given it's many enemnities and population. In that way of all the big 3, Chicago is the most "modest" in image and world connectivity. Fitting for a midwestern city.

Just my two bits

I like your post, very neat and accurate description.

[k.smith904]

Its all NY and LA. NYC is the first great American metropolis that really began in the industrial boom. LA is simply popular because of weather and Hollywood.

Chicago is the big town in the middle of the two, I can't think of a better word to describe it than modest. Sure, it doesn't have LA weather, or NYC fashion/commerce, but I'd sooner live in Chicago than either of the other two. Everything the city of Chicago could do to make itself a desirable city to live in, has been done. Sports, entertainment, culture, architecture, fine dining, shopping, upscale suburbs, beautiful parks and lakefront, beaches, etc.

The only downsides of Chicago the average person cites would be cost of living/taxes, and weather. Can't do anything about the weather, and the cost of living only reflects what a great city to live in Chicago is.

Just my two cents...

[Lookout Kid]

If Chicago were as popular as NYC and L.A., I wouldn't be able to afford the property I have near the lakefront and only a few miles from the Loop. I'm happy with Chicago the way it is.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

If Chicago were as popular as NYC and L.A., I wouldn't be able to afford the property I have near the lakefront and only a few miles from the Loop. I'm happy with Chicago the way it is.

Exactly.

The way I look at it is this: Chicago has never been one to toot its own horn. Modest is a good adjective. Those who live here, who grew up here: we KNOW about our place and the accomplishments made in science, education, architecture, literature, business, and culture...we just dont feel the need to brag. And we really dont care if someone from Pittsburgh or Omaha or NY has a warped uneducated perception. If they want, they can come here themselves and experience what life is like. Odds are, they will leave impressed.

I had a friend from NY who relocated here a few years back. This is what she had to say about Chicago in an email, and I think it perfectly sums up what we're about:

"I miss NY from time to time. But what I love and missed about Chicago was that that everyone is not obsessed with being on top or beating someone out for some prize, like in New York. Everyone here just makes it a point to enjoy living. Though you can’t specifically characterize the city as easily as New York or LA, Chicagoans aren’t concerned with winning anything (with the exception of beloved sports teams), but are more focused on soaking the most joy out of each day."

[Lookout Kid]

I guess I'm just kind of amused by these silly posts that assume every place needs to be New York or London. Most places in the world are not like this. So why do people keep attacking Chicago in this regard?

Here's my theory... Chicago is ALMOST there. It has a lot of the top tier city ammenities, culture, buildings, art, etc--which is just enough to invite comparison. But it's not QUITE at the same level as New York, London, Paris, etc. I guess we should be flattered that we even get compared to such cities by a few. Places like Phoenix and Dallas never do.

[hank0604]

I agree with what was said earlier that part of the reason is that there are not enough films and tv shows shot here. Sure, Batman was, but how many people outside of Chicago watched it for the first time and said "Chicago!" Probably not many, because it didn't really look like Chicago. The same with Wanted. Having a movie filmed in a city doesn't necessarily help the city be recognized. In fact, after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, most of the state's film industry moved to my hometown, Shreveport, LA. And many of the films you've seen over the past 3 years were filmed there: "The Guardian" "Factory Girl" "Premonition" "The Great Debaters" "Harold/Kumar 2" "Mr. Brooks" the list goes on and on. But I'm from that city, and I don't even recognize it by the time the movie is out.

Chicago isn't really featured as a "character" in the stuff shot here. Even "According to Jim" isn't really outfront about being in Chicago. Not the way "Law and Order" and all the CSI shows are about their cities. Though please, don't mistake me, I DO NOT want David Caruso here filming CSI Chicago!

[At1WithNature]

first off, high profile means glamor and glitz in today's day and age. chicago is none of that because it is a serious, business, money making global center. it doesn't have the hollywood tagline or the times square of new york. basically, it's in the middle of the country surrounded by virtually nothing compared to other regions in the west, south, and east that have the wonderful coastlines of the ocean and everything that goes with it. if chicago was focused on easy girls, warm weather, casinos, movies, etc. it would have that high profile. but there is a reason why many people in say Australia have heard of Vegas before chicago and that's because chicago isn't really a party, warm weather destination, where people look to go for fun. most people go to chicago (including commuters) to make money, it's all about serious business here in Chicago. and that's kind of boring, thus the lack of a high profile but the 2016 Olympics will bring that so do not worry.

[hamiltonra25]

Chicago has always been overlooked because of the previous statements, its not the size of NYC, and lets face it most people prefer 70s to 7 inches of snow. But while that was happening, Chicago grew up. I mean i think it truly shows something when the entire city nearly went up in smoke, but its back, and bigger. Chicago will always be a growing city, all of these new buildings that are popping up, bigger companies coming here (boeing). It probably will never catch up with NYC but who cares. We have a better city IMHO, same amenities you could go drop 300 bucks for a dinner, designer clothes, lamborghini dealerships, yet we have a third of the population. That to me means traffic is much smoother, tickets for a bulls game arent 175 like knicks games. And lets face it the burbs are a great place to raise a family

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by NJ Chutzpah

They need to make a show about chicago, to show everyone how great Chi-town is

The last great show about chicago was "21 Jump Street", that was great show

The Beast - A&E - Patrick Swayze

http://blogs.suntimes.com/tv/2008/10...s_chicago.html

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