New York social circles vs. Chicago social circles (middle-class, real estate)

[trackstar08]

From what I know about my friends in New York City it appears that they and their families belong to an upper-echelon, wealthy social class of people who all live in uptown Manhattan throughout the year and then retreat to the Hamptons in the summer. I was wondering if the same type of social dynamic existed in Chicago in which there is a strong wealth concentration in certain parts of downtown, or is this an NYC phenomenon.

[18Montclair]

In my experience, the social scene is a big deal in NY, Chicago, SF, Houston, Dallas, Boston and Philadelphia.

[dementor]

Originally Posted by trackstar08

From what I know about my friends in New York City it appears that they and their families belong to an upper-echelon, wealthy social class of people who all live in uptown Manhattan throughout the year and then retreat to the Hamptons in the summer. I was wondering if the same type of social dynamic existed in Chicago in which there is a strong wealth concentration in certain parts of downtown, or is this an NYC phenomenon.

That's a big generalization: there are simply not enough houses in The Hamptons to accommodate the entire NY or even Manhattan population.
There are those who have and those who have less and even much, much less. The major difference about social circles in New York and Chicago is that New York is still more affluent, older and has a multitude of celebrities living in the city therefore "society" in Chicago is not the same as "society" in New York. But saying that everyone in New York has a house in Hamptons is a non-sense.
Most of New Yorkers are much more "down-to-earth" working class people that most of the people outside of the city can imagine.
Another thing about New York "society" is that as opposed to other cities NY socialites and celebrities often live right in the city and not in some suburban estates, shielded by high fences and iron gates. They walk the same streets and shop in the same stores. There is something really democratic about New York. But where else the mayor is a real life billionaire who works pro publico bono

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by dementor

That's a big generalization: there are simply not enough houses in The Hamptons to accommodate the entire NY or even Manhattan population.
There are those who have and those who have less and even much, much less. The major difference about social circles in New York and Chicago is that New York is still more affluent, older and has a multitude of celebrities living in the city therefor "society" in Chicago is not the same as "society" in New York.

Ive found that 'celebrity' is actually looked down upon by high society types.

[lammius]

Originally Posted by dementor

That's a big generalization: there are simply not enough houses in The Hamptons to accommodate the entire NY or even Manhattan population.
There are those who have and those who have less and even much, much less. The major difference about social circles in New York and Chicago is that New York is still more affluent, older and has a multitude of celebrities living in the city therefor "society" in Chicago is not the same as "society" in New York.

Timeshares, dahhling, timeshares.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by lammius

Timeshares, dahhling, timeshares.

AKA summer retreats.

[dementor]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Ive found that 'celebrity' is actually looked down upon by high society types.

Well, its a big generalization and there are many society circles. There have always been a big convergence between celebrities and high society: celebrities eventually become high society and high society types become celebrities. Examples? The Governator and Paris Hilton.
Ultimately celebrities, especially those extremely succesful financially become part of society unless they really try not to...
Then again, you want your kids to go to the best schools and you want access to the best healthcare and real estate and this is where being connected or part of society, as you will, becomes useful.

[trackstar08]

there are simply not enough houses in The Hamptons to accommodate the entire NY or even Manhattan population

I wasn't talking about all of Ny or Manhattan, I was speaking of the Upper-East side social scene specifically, and I hear most of them do have houses in the Hamptons. I was mainly wondering is there a similar social network existing in Chicago especially amongst those living in the city NOT the suburbs.

[hsw]

Need to define "society" vs wealth....many in rubber-chicken dinner "high society" aren't the wealthiest (or smartest) guys

Much of Manhattan (both UES and 15 Central Park West) is dominated by the financial industry; most hedge fund and private equity titans are self-made guys, often Jewish or random whites or Indian-Americans, from middle-class roots, often originally raised in NYC suburbs or from various suburbs all over US; many don't socialize w/non-financial industry people

Chicago wealth in GoldCoast or LP is dominated by both financiers (hedgies and investment bankers) and industrialists...again, lots of self-made money, often raised in middle-class suburbs from all over Midwest or elsewhere, which often doesn't socialize w/those outside their industries....and given Chicago's location, many have summer (and winter) wkend houses in LA or Malibu or Montecito

Many of wealthiest in NYC or Chicago despise the charity dinner social nonsense of "socialites"; most are workaholics and prefer business dinners or other events where they can talk business w/peers (who often are also current neighbors, good friends, former college classmates, former colleagues at same I-bank early in career, etc)

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by hsw

Need to define "society" vs wealth....many in rubber-chicken dinner "high society" aren't the wealthiest (or smartest) guys

for once I agree with you.