We topped another list (Chicago, Normal: best cities, 2009, brokers)

[surlycue]

AskMen.com's Top 29: Best Cities To Live In - 2009 Edition

Why you should live in Chicago


Fine culture and greasy food As the largest city in the Midwest, Chicago strikes the perfect balance between cosmopolitan and comfortable, combining all of the culture, entertainment and sophistication of an internationally renowned destination with an affordable lifestyle and down-to-earth work hard/play hard character.

World-class cultural fixtures like the Art Institute, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago International Film Festival and a vibrant theater scene are complemented by popular festivals like Jazz Fest, Blues Fest and the recently revitalized Lollapalooza, Outdoor Film Festival, and Second City, which happens to be the source of 39% of the U.S.’s greatest comedians (a scientifically calculated fact!). Chicago possesses one of the world’s most vibrant, diverse and innovative restaurant scenes, from culinary luminaries like Charlie Trotter, Grant Achatz and Rick Bayless to an astounding variety of hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joints to Chicago’s signature greasy trinity of deep dish pizza, Italian beef and Chicago-style hot dogs.

A hardcore sports town, Chicago covers all of the professional leagues (some twice) with teams that actually have history, both famous and infamous. And while the winters are rough, Chicagoans make the most of the warmer months, taking their love of sports to the beaches, courts, paths, and parks of Chicago’s beautiful lakefront, set aside as public land for the entire city’s enjoyment.
Read more about Chicago


Why you should live in Chicago in 2009


Lollapalooza, the Hawks and the Cubs This year, Chicago is a city abuzz. The International Olympic Committee announces the 2016 host city this October, and Chicago’s glitterati and power brokers are schmoozing it up as they create numerous support committees in the hopes that Chicago is selected. Lollapalooza is already a music fan’s Mecca, and with Jane’s Addiction now back together, where better to catch Perry Farrell this year than headlining his own festival?

On the cultural front, the new modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago will be opening in May, and history buffs living in the Land of Lincoln will be busy checking out the numerous exhibitions celebrating his bicentennial. Chicago is always fertile ground for political junkies, but Obama’s election paired with the Blagojevich and Burris fiascoes have turned an always entertaining political scene into a full-blown three ring circus that even those who aren’t armchair pundits will find fascinating.

After years in the standing's wilderness, the Blackhawks -- one of the original six teams in the NHL -- are once again a force to be reckoned with. Meanwhile, the Cubs are projected by most to be tops in the National League, and a World Series victory would set off a citywide party of the century -- literally.
Read more about Chicago


These last couple of positive lists should balance out the barrage of "depressing" city lists we've had in the past.

[Venom]

yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Hole in the wall restuarants

[Drover]

Normally I hate subjective best of/worst of lists like this... but there's no doubt Chicago is the king of hole-in-the-wall restaurants with outrageously tasty food. Now, whether that makes it a great place to live is certainly subject to interpretation. To some crunchy granola nut from California, this town is probably a culinary nightmare. But it's a paradise for foodies.

[ajolotl]

Actually, that's a pretty impressive list of cities that we came out on top of. I guess I hate these stupid and pointless lists a little less today.

[Venom]

All the people commenting are mad.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by Venom

All the people commenting are mad.

I liked that too. The comments were better than the actual list.

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by Drover

Normally I hate subjective best of/worst of lists like this... but there's no doubt Chicago is the king of hole-in-the-wall restaurants with outrageously tasty food. Now, whether that makes it a great place to live is certainly subject to interpretation. To some crunchy granola nut from California, this town is probably a culinary nightmare. But it's a paradise for foodies.

As much as I HATE to agree with you........Chicago is probably "King of hole-in-the-wall restaurants". In NYC, specifically Mannhattan, they're far and few between. In the outer-boroughs there's a ton, but in Mannhatan?

I had this VERY problem last week when trying to seek one out in Mannhattan.... 2 cheeseburgers, 1 order of cheese fries, 1 20oz coke for $29 bucs? And it was a take-out place, no tables or booths!...

Jay Leno even said that Chicago was a "food town". NYC is also, but probably more thought about in the 'fine dining' sense. Cause most people ONLY think about Mannhattan when thinking about NYC.

[Hendu]

The Cubs. I guess it makes sense though since there's no place to pick up a drunk trixie like Wrigley in the summer.

I think that Chicago is a great city for guys but no way we're #1 in the world. Not complaining because it beats being named the "Most Miserable" city right after the Blago scandal broke.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by pittsteelerfan

As much as I HATE to agree with you........Chicago is probably "King of hole-in-the-wall restaurants". In NYC, specifically Mannhattan, they're far and few between. In the outer-boroughs there's a ton, but in Mannhatan?

I had this VERY problem last week when trying to seek one out in Mannhattan.... 2 cheeseburgers, 1 order of cheese fries, 1 20oz coke for $29 bucs? And it was a take-out place, no tables or booths!...

Jay Leno even said that Chicago was a "food town". NYC is also, but probably more thought about in the 'fine dining' sense. Cause most people ONLY think about Mannhattan when thinking about NYC.

Well if Jay Leno says so...

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Well if Jay Leno says so...

Jay Leno is 'known' for being a 'food' lover. In fact, besides his car collecting, it's his only vice. He doesn't drink, smoke, or gamble. He was interviewing Jennifer Aniston when she was promoting the movie "The Break-Up". That was one of the first things he brought up about Chicago, the food!