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I have to agree with the majority opinion; Chicago and Minneapolis are head and shoulders above the rest, in terms of the sheer number of opportunities available. I have lived in both for several years, so here is my comparison of the two in the areas that concern you:
SIZE OF HEALTH CARE JOB MARKET - Both cities have huge markets (Chicago is renown for Northwestern + UChicago, and Minneapolis for Mayo Clinic, but ultimately they both have a huge number of reputable hospitals.) I call it a draw.
LACK OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL - Chicago is a little better in this regard. It has a higher population density. The difference, however, isn't huge, and Minneapolis has the best biking infrastructure in the country if that is something of interest. Chicago has the slight upper hand here.
WALKABILITY - Goes along with Sprawl I suppose. Minneapolis has a huge number of parks and walkways which make walking really enjoyable, at least during the summer when it is warm enough. In the winter, there are heated walkways through downtown. Ultimately, I'd say Minneapolis is more walkable for this reason alone: the city is smaller. Everything I would want to access is within five miles of my residence, so walking is never out of the picture. Chicago's institutions are much more spread out. Slight advantage to Minneapolis.
SAFETY AND FEELING OF SAFETY- This is more dependent on the neighborhood than the city, but there is no doubt that Minneapolis has lower crime and less gang activity. It is generally perceived to be a very safe city, and its crime rate is about half of Chicago's. The only downside is that the lower population density means that the downtown is less crowded at night, which is kind of eerie. Overall, the safety advantage definitely goes to Minneapolis.
TIME OF TRAVEL TO INDY - Chicago is about 5 hours. Minneapolis would be about 12. Obvious advantage to Chicago.
ATTRACTIONS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT - This is where these two cities smash the other competition. You can't go wrong with either one, since they both offer world-class entertainment (the Mall of America to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, and the world-renown Museum Campus in Chicago.) Both cities offer professional teams in every major sport. However, in Chicago, it will take you twice as long to get to the attraction, and it will cost you twice as much. Slight advantage goes to Minneapolis.
PUBLIC TRANSIT - The El makes Chicago much better in this regard. Chicago.
SUPPLY OF NEWER LOFTS AND CONDOS - Minneapolis has tons of charming and well-located lofts for a much more reasonable price than Chicago. Minneapolis.
I love both cities for different reasons. Depending on how much value you place on each of the criteria, I hope the choice has now been made clearer. I am can be happy and raise a great family in either city.
I have to agree with the majority opinion; Chicago and Minneapolis are head and shoulders above the rest, in terms of the sheer number of opportunities available. I have lived in both for several years, so here is my comparison of the two in the areas that concern you:
SIZE OF HEALTH CARE JOB MARKET - Both cities have huge markets (Chicago is renown for Northwestern + UChicago, and Minneapolis for Mayo Clinic, but ultimately they both have a huge number of reputable hospitals.) I call it a draw.
LACK OF SUBURBAN SPRAWL - Chicago is a little better in this regard. It has a higher population density. The difference, however, isn't huge, and Minneapolis has the best biking infrastructure in the country if that is something of interest. Chicago has the slight upper hand here.
WALKABILITY - Goes along with Sprawl I suppose. Minneapolis has a huge number of parks and walkways which make walking really enjoyable, at least during the summer when it is warm enough. In the winter, there are heated walkways through downtown. Ultimately, I'd say Minneapolis is more walkable for this reason alone: the city is smaller. Everything I would want to access is within five miles of my residence, so walking is never out of the picture. Chicago's institutions are much more spread out. Slight advantage to Minneapolis.
SAFETY AND FEELING OF SAFETY- This is more dependent on the neighborhood than the city, but there is no doubt that Minneapolis has lower crime and less gang activity. It is generally perceived to be a very safe city, and its crime rate is about half of Chicago's. The only downside is that the lower population density means that the downtown is less crowded at night, which is kind of eerie. Overall, the safety advantage definitely goes to Minneapolis.
TIME OF TRAVEL TO INDY - Chicago is about 5 hours. Minneapolis would be about 12. Obvious advantage to Chicago.
ATTRACTIONS, SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT - This is where these two cities smash the other competition. You can't go wrong with either one, since they both offer world-class entertainment (the Mall of America to the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, and the world-renown Museum Campus in Chicago.) Both cities offer professional teams in every major sport. However, in Chicago, it will take you twice as long to get to the attraction, and it will cost you twice as much. Slight advantage goes to Minneapolis.
PUBLIC TRANSIT - The El makes Chicago much better in this regard. Chicago.
SUPPLY OF NEWER LOFTS AND CONDOS - Minneapolis has tons of charming and well-located lofts for a much more reasonable price than Chicago. Minneapolis.
I love both cities for different reasons. Depending on how much value you place on each of the criteria, I hope the choice has now been made clearer. I am can be happy and raise a great family in either city.
First it does not take 5 hours to get from chicago to Indy stop looking at mapquest. Second people seem to forget cincinnati and cleveland have probably the best health care market in the country and close to the top in the world. Dude all you said was minneapolis and Chicago and i know those two dont fit into every single criteria.
First it does not take 5 hours to get from chicago to Indy stop looking at mapquest. Second people seem to forget cincinnati and cleveland have probably the best health care market in the country and close to the top in the world.
Minneapolis has the Mayo Clinic 90 minutes away, it is one of the best hospitals in the world. Everybody thinks they have the best health care.
First it does not take 5 hours to get from chicago to Indy stop looking at mapquest. Second people seem to forget cincinnati and cleveland have probably the best health care market in the country and close to the top in the world. Dude all you said was minneapolis and Chicago and i know those two dont fit into every single criteria.
According to google maps, it's 3h, 18 min from Chicago to Indy, a number that doesn't take into account from where in Chicago to where in Indy, need to stop for gas, food, bathroom breaks, etc. As my daughter once said, "You can eat in the car, you can pee out the window, but you have to stop for gas!" At that distance, 183 mi, you ought to be able to do it on one tank, unless you forgot to fill up before you left.
1. Minneapolis
2. Chicago
3. St. Louis
....
9998. Wall Drug
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