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The biggest advantage Philly metro has over Chicago is that the northeast region is more "hip/trendy" than the Midwest. Philly metro also has less gang problems than Chicago. Gangs are a nuisance in the city and suburbs here. Other than that, I prefer Chicago metro.
I'm looking at Philly on google streetview and Philly has a more urban housing stock per sq. mile than Chicago. Despite that, Philly lacks diversity in the home department. It look like at least 80% of Philly is row homes. They're is not one type of housing that dominates Chicago the way row homes do in Philly. Chicago has 2 and 3 flats, greystones, bungalows, new infills, frame houses, regular brick homes, and even a few streets have row homes.
Chicago has Lake Michigan vs. Philly's small river that seperates the states PA and NJ. And does Philly suburban region has any burbs equivelant to the popular urban suburbs of Evanston and Oak Park in Chicago suburban region? There are Casinos in Joliet, Aurora, and Elgin. Chicago metro area has Six Flags Great America and one of the biggest shopping malls in the country in Schaumburg, IL.
Last edited by Chicagoland60426; 03-20-2010 at 12:40 AM..
^^^ Philly Metro has the largest shopping complex in the country, King of Prussia. But of course Philly lacks a Magnificent Mile.
KOP is an example of the difference. The most prominent shopping area in the metro is in the suburbs. As opposed to Chicago, shopping is way better in the city.
I think this represents the major difference. City proper rules in Chicagoland, and City proper and suburbs are on par in Philly metro. And I think City proper being on par with Philly burbs is a pretty recent development. Before, the burbs were the more impressive force, but the city has improve so much over the past decade it is now equal to the burbs.
I know you're talking about metro areas, but I want to live in a metro where the city rules. In Chicago metro the city is the focal point. In Philly the city is becoming the focal point, again.
definetely Chicago!! philly rowhouses are run down is so many places and look ugly lol chicago itself has a lot more nicer areas to live with differen types of housing. Lake michigan is great too. Suburbs are better in chicagoland ;p however winters are better in philly but thats not good enough haha
Chicago for sure. Chicago is one of my favorite cities. It has so much to offer. Shopping, eating, public transit, etc. all is better in Chicago. Another thing I like about it is that you can be in a big city and yet, still have that small town midwestern vibe once you leave the city limits.
I dont dislike Philly, I dont really like it either. Its a straight 5 out of 10 for me.
definetely Chicago!! philly rowhouses are run down is so many places and look ugly lol chicago itself has a lot more nicer areas to live with differen types of housing. Lake michigan is great too. Suburbs are better in chicagoland ;p however winters are better in philly but thats not good enough haha
A.Lake Michigan+ Midwest farmland?
B. Atlantic Ocean + Midatlantic Piedmont?
I dont necessarily agree that Chicago has better suburbs either. Back in the day while Chicagoland was a fur trading outpost Philadelphia was creating and innovating the First______ in the USA. Industrial barons,Railroad tycoons,Shipping magnets,Retail heirs. The best scholars, doctors, great thinkers all gravitated to Philadlephia in the early years of this country and that rich heritage still shines through today eventhough the Philadlephia areas humbleness keeps it under the radar.
I'm not saying Chicagoland isnt a magnificient area or a great place to live but what I am saying is that Chicagoland should not win this poll in a matchup with Philadephia metro.
Although I love Chicago, the Delaware Valley offers everything that Chicagoland offers plus an excellent Bos-Wash corridor location and access to the ocean. My choice is the Delaware Valley.
Although I really like Philly Im a homer, Chicago it is.....
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