The Decline of Chicago: The City that Doesn't Work (Rockford: fit in, real estate)

[frankenberry]

Originally Posted by MoItaly

In theory if we go just by size, you could include in Chicago's category also Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, not sure about Philly, surely Washington DC.

All LA might have on Chicago is the weather, but if "sprawling" is a bad thing, LA is worse than Chicago. I'll take Chicago over LA any day. Never been to Frisco so can't say, but Chicago is also much better than Atlanta, Houston and Dallas (just my opinion).

Honestly I can't even say for sure NY beats Chicago, because I know Manhattan very well but that's about it. Beside the cost of living in NY which is flat ridicolous, but I also think that sometimes Chicago is penalized when compared to NYC because most will compare it just to Manhattan. Start adding the other boroughs including areas like East New York for example and perceptions might quickly change.

Not taking shots at NY, I love going there. But many refers to Manhattan when they say NY and that would be like considering Loop and River North only when talking about Chicago.

Most areas of Chicago outside the Loop and River North are pretty sketchy these days. The south Loop looks terrible. Chicago is a mish mash of a few good looking and vibrant neighborhoods (Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview) which butt up against the run-down, blighted, or ghettofied neighborhoods. There are far more of the latter unfortunately. With the exception of Atlanta, any of those other cities you mentioned are nicer outside their downtowns.

[frankenberry]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

1. Mchenry isnt 80 Miles Away

2. From Mchenry to Ogilvy is over an hour trip.

I swear the train took us only 45 minutes on the weekend but I could be wrong. By car for sure. Anyway my point was that I live in McHenry(not Mchenry) which isn't 80 miles away and it's still cheaper than Chicago for just about everything. I do not need to live 4 feet from my neighbor's house and eat Americanized middle eastern food in order to feel cultured.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by frankenberry

Most areas of Chicago outside the Loop and River North are pretty sketchy these days. The south Loop looks terrible. Chicago is a mish mash of a few good looking and vibrant neighborhoods (Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Lakeview) which butt up against the run-down, blighted, or ghettofied neighborhoods. There are far more of the latter unfortunately. With the exception of Atlanta, any of those other cities you mentioned are nicer outside their downtowns.

it's possible the chicago you describe is on another planet. the one here on earth looks nothing like you describe. the south loop looks terrible? i've read recently (the last couple of years) that the south loop is america's fastest growing urban neighborhood. your spotty, patchy view of Chicago amazes. I could stick close to the lakefront and make it from the heart of the Loop to Evanston and hit virtually all good-to-very-good neighborhoods. the patchiness is in reverse...I might hit a spot or two in Uptown, Edgewater, or Rogers Park that are questionable, but that's virtually it.

And the Loop's drawing power has made areas west and south of it part of its sphere. Go west as far as the UC and med center and things look good. The South Loop all the way down to McCPl booms (or did until recession/depression...take your pick...hit). South from McCPl to the Hyde Park only waits a better economy to revive and revive strongly with the city doing its part to make the south side parks look more like the north.

and speaking of the economy and energy costs and new realities, Chicago's role within its own metro area can only improve, not sink. Those new realities will bless a city like Chicago that has the type of coverage that Metra and CTA rapid transit provide. It's a gold mine and gives Chicago an infrastructure that few cities can match.

i said virtually the same thing above: all american cities are suffering now. big time. they're american and that says it all.

you don't get it, do you, frank? american cities are all in the same boat. and it has sprung a leak. they're all in trouble. and each and every one is suffering an economic crisis, even if that crisis is still only restricted to no money in the municipal coffers and people out of work.

no city can emerge to the final four of Olympic competition and not have a lot going for it and truly global status. Ironically, that lost bid? Don't blame the city. Blame the nations. Chicago's faith was sealed like New York's was 4 years before...the world was not about the grant a nation that throws its weight around and affects its global neighbors so badly as the US does. America lost the Olympic bid; not Chicago.

[thePR]

Originally Posted by frankenberry

I swear the train took us only 45 minutes on the weekend but I could be wrong. By car for sure. Anyway my point was that I live in McHenry(not Mchenry) which isn't 80 miles away and it's still cheaper than Chicago for just about everything. I do not need to live 4 feet from my neighbor's house and eat Americanized middle eastern food in order to feel cultured.

If you live in McHenry then why was your zip code that of Antioch's? I don't believe you live around here.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by frankenberry

I swear the train took us only 45 minutes on the weekend but I could be wrong. By car for sure. Anyway my point was that I live in McHenry(not Mchenry) which isn't 80 miles away and it's still cheaper than Chicago for just about everything. I do not need to live 4 feet from my neighbor's house and eat Americanized middle eastern food in order to feel cultured.

Oh, noes! I didnt capitalize the H.

You like the suburbs, its cool. That said, theres a reason why its cheaper to live in McHenry than it is to live in Lakeview, and its not greed.

To add, where in Chicago are you getting to in 45 minutes from Mchenry?

[chicagojoe23]

Originally Posted by edsg25

it's possible the chicago you describe is on another planet. the one here on earth looks nothing like you describe. the south loop looks terrible? i've read recently (the last couple of years) that the south loop is america's fastest growing urban neighborhood. your spotty, patchy view of Chicago amazes. I could stick close to the lakefront and make it from the heart of the Loop to Evanston and hit virtually all good-to-very-good neighborhoods. the patchiness is in reverse...I might hit a spot or two in Uptown, Edgewater, or Rogers Park that are questionable, but that's virtually it.

And the Loop's drawing power has made areas west and south of it part of its sphere. Go west as far as the UC and med center and things look good. The South Loop all the way down to McCPl booms (or did until recession/depression...take your pick...hit). South from McCPl to the Hyde Park only waits a better economy to revive and revive strongly with the city doing its part to make the south side parks look more like the north.

and speaking of the economy and energy costs and new realities, Chicago's role within its own metro area can only improve, not sink. Those new realities will bless a city like Chicago that has the type of coverage that Metra and CTA rapid transit provide. It's a gold mine and gives Chicago an infrastructure that few cities can match.

i said virtually the same thing above: all american cities are suffering now. big time. they're american and that says it all.

you don't get it, do you, frank? american cities are all in the same boat. and it has sprung a leak. they're all in trouble. and each and every one is suffering an economic crisis, even if that crisis is still only restricted to no money in the municipal coffers and people out of work.

no city can emerge to the final four of Olympic competition and not have a lot going for it and truly global status. Ironically, that lost bid? Don't blame the city. Blame the nations. Chicago's faith was sealed like New York's was 4 years before...the world was not about the grant a nation that throws its weight around and affects its global neighbors so badly as the US does. America lost the Olympic bid; not Chicago.

Good post but....your own description is even more extreme than that of the breakfast cereal person. I notice you did not mention the decimated south side, which is a virtual war zone at times. Also you can head due west through a long stretch of ugliness/poverty, with the exception of places like Wicker Park. The CTA and Metra have been running forever and people still choose to drive. They will simply drive more fuel efficient cars and hybrid SUVs. Chicago has terrible schools overall, high cost of living and taxes, the political system is designed to rape its citizens but good. Everything nice and rosey you spoke of is available in most major cities across the globe. But Chicago still is hemmoraging population. Why is that?

[chicagojoe23]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Oh, noes! I didnt capitalize the H.

You like the suburbs, its cool. That said, theres a reason why its cheaper to live in McHenry than it is to live in Lakeview, and its not greed.

To add, where in Chicago are you getting to in 45 minutes from Mchenry?

I don't think count chocula booberry or whatever his name is lives in Mchenry. I live in Palatine and it takes me 45 minutes!

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by frankenberry

Most areas of Chicago outside the Loop and River North are pretty sketchy these days.

hahahaha.



This thread has gotten WAY WAY whacko WAY WAY too fast.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by chicagojoe23

but chicago still is hemmoraging population. Why is that?

wtf?

[Avengerfire]

One of our past trolls has returned.