Boston to Chicago or Washington DC, which is best

[GoodCoffee]

It was sarcasm, which never comes across well in print (At least when I write it!). Of course big political decisions are made in DC.

Still, overall, for the original poster Chicago > DC.

[evrgrnjaye]

Originally Posted by GoodCoffee

Still, overall, for the original poster Chicago > DC.

Definitely agree! As a native of the DC Metro area, my time spent in Chicago made me feel life could be so much sweeter. It's down-to-earthedness is completely heartening. I'm thinking of it, too!

[aheadofthecurve]

There is a funny sense of irony--and self definition (proving the critics right)--that occurs when DC people insist on proving that their city is most important. That said, I could move anywhere in the US, and I'm moving to DC in 6 months. I'm hoping for the best, sans traffic.

[vanyali]

The reason we're not talking about NYC is because the OP doesn't have a job offer in NYC. It doesn't matter if NYC is better if the guy doesn't have a job there.

As far as Chicago vs DC, neither city has decent public schools, except for one neighborhood in Chicago's north side (I think it's called Lincoln Park) where the schools seem pretty good. That's a really expensive neighborhood though, so that might blow the cost-of-living advantage Chicago has over DC.

In DC, there are a handful of OK elementary schools (though every now and then the city will shut one down to grab the land it sits on) but you have to forget it for middle school and beyond.

DC has some very close-in urban-feeling suburban neighborhoods with good schools -- Arlington in VA and Bethesda/Chevy Chase in MD, and people mention a few others, but I think those are the main ones for an urban feel and walkability with good schools -- so if you want to feel like you're in a city, but actually be able to use the public services, you can do that in DC. I don't know if Chicago has the same thing.

I was recently looking to move to Chicago, but then the Chi-town job fell through and a DC job popped up, so it's back to DC for me!

[DC's Finest]

For the factors mentioned, I think Chicago is a better fit.

[TheseGoTo11]

I've lived in Boston, and DC is much less clique-y, probably because so many people here are from somewhere else.

While not tropical, weather's noticeably different, especially the shorter winter. 65 and sunny here yesterday, snow in Boston, 35 in Chicago.

Also prefer DC's metro to Chicago's L, it actually has 50% riders in spite of being a smaller city and metro area.

DC also has a lot less of the annoying provincialism you get in Boston and Chicago.

That said, Chicago's neighborhoods blow DC's away. Here, people get excited about Adams-Morgan. But the whole 2-3 mile stretch from North Avenue to Wrigley Field is filled with unusual bars, restaurants, etc. Plus they have a beach.

I prefer it here because it's the perfect compromise between decent weather, urban living, and pro-business government. Any further south, and you're in the chain restaurant paradises of Charlotte, Raleigh, and Atlanta. Any further north, and it gets too cold, gritty, with a lot of low-growth industries.

In an ideal world, I'd do Chicago or Boston from June to August, DC the rest of the year.

[DC's Finest]

Chicago's has a greater abundance of cool neighborhoods across the board than DC's but DC has more interesting neighborhoods. Chicago has nothing like Dupont Circle, Embassy Row or Georgetown. Wrigleyville & Lakeview are cool. It's a different vibe. Some parts of the southside are suburban looking (Cicero & Pulaski near Midway) with strip malls. You don't get that in DC.

[Silvertiles]

Pretty much what it comes down to is that its all what you make it. Some people hate DC, some people love it. Same with Chicago. There is plenty to love about both.

[globetrekkeress]

Lived in London, DC and Chicago. Overall the closest city to London in the US in feel is probably New York. But, that being said...what everyone is saying about Chicago in terms of it being friendly is very true. It is one the friendliest big cities...without being superifically laid-back. It has wonderful restraunts and nigthtlife. It does have good cultural attractions for both adults and kids. It does feel more urban...but that is because it is bigger as well. On the other hand DC is much closer to London in its international/cosmopolitan feel....culturally...there are oodles of events for free even beyone the smithosonian....I have heard it is less cliqueish than Boston..but wont be as friendly as Chicago....but then again DC has more of an international population...depends on what you want really??

[LIS123]

I spent most of my life near Chicago and recently moved here to WDC. DC has better public transit and not having my car is by far my favorite part about living here. Number two would be the free museums, cultural venues, etc. DC beats Chicago in these categories. Haven't had a DC Winter yet, but it should be much milder than one in Chicago and another point for DC.

Chicago has a noticeably lower COL than DC. I love the skyscrapers, while these short squatty buildings don't do it for me. Chicago has the edge for inexpensive-to-moderate food of the mom/pop sort. Both cities have good high-end cuisine, though Chi probably has the edge. DC may have more diversity/internationalism, but Chicago will have friendlier people and it maybe easier to make friends there than here.

Both cities definitely have their pros and cons. Hopefully, the choice is clear as there are distinct differences. Sometimes NYC and parts of Philly feel like Chicago but DC does not feel that way at all.