Better scenery: Los Angeles or Chicago (quality, school, job, Phoenix)

[thePR]

Originally Posted by Fleet

Regarding the leaves, LA has a lot more evergreen trees than the type that loses leaves each season. That is why there seems to be very little. However, many neighborhoods in L.A. do have the types of trees which lose their leaves and the colors are very nice.

As for the snow, not meaning to nitpick, but the person I replied to said, "In L.A., you have to travel outside the city and into the mountains to see the snow." He didn't say to be in the snow in person.

And the fact that it doesn't snow in the L.A. basin and surrounding valleys is fine by me! It means I can drive one of my classic cars to the weekly (Friday night) car show year 'round.
Much more fun than storing classic cars during the winter.

I wouldn't make an argument about evergreens and seasons, it doesn't matter about that. It's having the deciduous trees that have leaves that change colors, fall off and regrow every year.

And snow, like I said before, it doesn't matter if you can see it, it matters if you can be in it.

[worldwanderer]

Originally Posted by thePR

I wouldn't make an argument about evergreens and seasons, it doesn't matter about that. It's having the deciduous trees that have leaves that change colors, fall off and regrow every year.

And snow, like I said before, it doesn't matter if you can see it, it matters if you can be in it.

People from Chicago got to know when to pick their battles. Listen, I agree there's almost nothing as beautiful as fall, when the leaves are changing. Ever drive thru my home state of Pa.? It gorgous during fall. That being said, what about after all the leaves are gone? Chicago looks downright depressing during the winter (unless there's a lot of snow). Those bare trees and grey skies can compare to LA's scenery.

[Chicago60614]

Jeez, this is a messy topic.

Natural Scenery? Easy - LA. Chicago has an awesome lakefront and amazing parks - but compared to everything cramed into LA's area with the ocean, mountains, etc. No competition.

As far as buildings and the impact of the urban environment I'd go with Chicago. The skyline is killer.


Overall - LA. I just think of natural scenery when I think of "scenery".

[thePR]

Originally Posted by worldwanderer

People from Chicago got to know when to pick their battles. Listen, I agree there's almost nothing as beautiful as fall, when the leaves are changing. Ever drive thru my home state of Pa.? It gorgous during fall. That being said, what about after all the leaves are gone? Chicago looks downright depressing during the winter (unless there's a lot of snow). Those bare trees and grey skies can compare to LA's scenery.

You clearly have not been to Chicago if you say things like this about it. And you're not one to talk about "picking battles."

[BigLake]

To me-- it's pretty obvious. LA hands down. One of the more beautiful settings of any major city in the U.S. I like it more on a clear day than a smoggy day obviously.

Chicago is pretty humdrum Midwest. No elevation changes make for a fairly dull setting. The lake is beautiful and the seasons add a lot of visual variety. I will also take the green, tree-lined streets of Chicago over the boring palm tree streets of California any day.

That said, the typographical variety (mountains, ocean, valleys, deserts) of LA's setting make this an easy one.

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

Jeez, this is a messy topic.

Natural Scenery? Easy - LA. Chicago has an awesome lakefront and amazing parks - but compared to everything cramed into LA's area with the ocean, mountains, etc. No competition.

As far as buildings and the impact of the urban environment I'd go with Chicago. The skyline is killer.


Overall - LA. I just think of natural scenery when I think of "scenery".

I'm in the same boat as you. That's why said it was LA, hands down in the first post. Now that the OP has clarified that he meant both natural and man-made scenery, I obviously give the man-made category to Chicago.

The architecture, skyline, etc absolutely dominates Los Angeles in every category. Overall, I agree with you that when I think of "scenery" I think of natural environments, so I still choose Los Angeles.

[Fleet]

Originally Posted by thePR

I wouldn't make an argument about evergreens and seasons, it doesn't matter about that. It's having the deciduous trees that have leaves that change colors, fall off and regrow every year.

And snow, like I said before, it doesn't matter if you can see it, it matters if you can be in it.

As the member worldwanderer said, the bare trees in the colder climates are not very pretty to look at.

Here are two photos which give an example of the vegetation and general scenery during a Los Angeles winter. The first one was taken in January, 2008 and the second one early March, 2008. The first photo was taken in the early afternoon with light Santa Ana winds and a temperature of 79 degrees. I don't remember the temperature in the 2nd photo. Both photos taken within one mile of my house.

Would I prefer the areas seen in the photos to be covered with snow? No way. That would mean cold weather, more difficult to drive/walk/bicycle and possible power outages.

I know some people like snow where they live but you can have it!

[thePR]

Originally Posted by Fleet

As the member worldwanderer said, the bare trees in the colder climates are not very pretty to look at.

I like bare trees, they're serene. The seasons allow for me to experience a lot and not get bored of one thing.

[kcee510]

Originally Posted by thePR

I like bare trees, they're serene. The seasons allow for me to experience a lot and not get bored of one thing.

I went to Memphis in early March and the bare trees made the city look so depressing.

Trust me you don't get bored of 300 days of sunshine It's nice to be able to go to the beach in November or go on nice walk in January without freezing to death.

[Gtownoe]

First of all, I love living in Chicago. I'm also sure that the LA posters love living in LA. So everybody just relax a little bit. I could care less who wins this poll.

For natural environment, LA.

For urban environment, Chicago.

I can't really say which one wins overall. On a clear day driving down lakeshore drive in the summertime, Chicago.

On a cloudy, grey day with no snow in Chicago, LA wins.

Both great cities.