Chicago or San Diego (neighborhood, living in, beach)

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

yeah right

Two positives make a negative.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by surlycue

I liked San Diego the couple times I have been there but I don't understand how folks get into this city vs city dilemma. It's one thing when it's Omaha vs Council Bluffs or Milwaukee vs St. Paul because they share commonalities but San Diego vs Chicago? Both are completely different cities and each has its pros and cons. Aside from a fairly liberal population and a large gay demographic I don't see many other similarities.

I think it's safe to say that SD on the whole leans considerably more conservative than Chicago. When's the last time a Republican presidential candidate carried Cook County or a Republican was elected mayor of Chicago? In SD, both happen pretty frequently.

[Nafster]

Weather and Beaches: San Diego

City life, vibrancy, culture, food, nightlife, theatre, arts: Chicago (though Chicago does have nice beaches as well, but nothing beats San Diego's)

[NavyGal00]

I lived in San Diego for two years right out of college, and while I did love it, I missed Chicago....that being said, my list of pros and cons...

San Diego
Pros:
-Weather (which I did not appreciate until I had to survive this past Chicago winter....) I lived in flip flops and it was much easier finding motivation to go running outside in December when it was 75 vice -5.
-There is a great social scene, whether you prefer laid back beach bars or upscale places, there is a neighborhood. I lived in Pacific Beach my first year and then moved down by PetCo my second year; both are great neighborhoods with plenty to do.
-Scenery. Drive up to La Jolla and have dinner on the beach, have brunch at the Del, watch the surfers near Mission Beach....absolutely beautiful.
Cons:
-EXPENSIVE! My dive apartment by the beach was $3200 for a two bedroom, and my one bedroom near PetCo was $2000. Most of the more senior officers I worked with, had to live out near Paris (about 90 minutes from SD) to afford a SFH.
-Homeless..yes, we have the issue here, but the population tends to stick to a few main areas and exits of the Kennedy. In San Diego, no matter where you go, you will see homeless.
-Lack of good public transportation. The trolley is good for getting around downtown San Diego and out to Mission Valley, but to to any of the beach areas, you need to transfer several times.


I do miss San Diego quite frequently, but I am very happy here in Chicago. Sure, the weather is awful at times, but I love being home. There is a reason most people from Chicago brag about how awesome of a big city it truly is.


CHICAGO
Pros:
-ETHNIC FOOD! Nothing beats the fresh fish tacos and Mexican you can get in San Diego, but you will have a much harder time finding great Middle-Eastern, Thai, Greek, Indian...food in San Diego than here in Chicago.
-Weather. When it is nice in Chicago, EVERYONE takes advantage of it and appreciates it...so summertime is jam packed with concerts, street fests etc.
-Transportation. Yes, we all complain about the CTA, but between the CTA and Metra, it saves a lot of time and money for people. I commute 70 miles a day, and I would be a lot more broke from gas and angry from traffic, if it wasn't for these options. In addition, having two major airports is a plus as well.
Cons:
-Weather. I cried when it snowed for about four months straight.
-Lake Michigan is great, but it will never compare to the Pacific Ocean.
-Traffic. I dealt with the 5/8/15 living in San Diego, and it is no where as bad as the Eisenhower is 75% of the time.

Let me know if you have any questions. I sometimes still think about moving back to San Diego, and if my family was not here, there is a chance I would.

[Lovegun]

San Diego hands down. Unless your stuck on big city living, then I would live in Chicago.

1) Weather is better
2) Ocean can not compare to Lake Michigan
3) natural scenery is better then concrete buildings
4) people are more laid back
5) traffic in Chicago horrible, include small streets and hard to find parking.

I could go on, but you get the point...

[Drover]

Yeah, I think it really comes down to lifestyle and/or aesthetic preference and cost of living. Those are the most glaring differences I can think of and they're so irreconcilable that it's a personal choice that can't easily be resolved by a a point-by-point comparison. Do you like sun, beaches, interesting topography and a slower pace of life more? And are you willing to pay more for it? Then SD is your place. Do you prefer a more urban environment, density, walkability, four seasons and the like? Then Chicago's the winner.

[coldwine]

I chose Chicago over San Diego iRL.

Between the two, I feel that the zombies in Chicago were superior in that they didn't try to fix me up with their grandsons. Who's a nice Jewish boy, don't you know, and he has his own practice, isn't that something? He's already made partner or finished his residency, oh we're so proud of him, you should go see him sometime, eh? Eh? No pressure, a woman approaching your years has had so much time to seek out a good one, it'll probably happen for you, and did you know that he is already looking to buy a spacious home? Oh yes, with bedrooms for all the little children he wants!

I could go on, and on, and on, and on...

[Drover]

Ah coldwine, always ready with the random zombie tie-in.

[coldwine]

Originally Posted by Drover

Ah coldwine, always ready with the random zombie tie-in.

As a blond shiksa, I'd rather be torn limb from limb by actual zombies instead of being accosted by another Jewish mother

[Venom]

Hot sucks.