Chicago vs saint louis (Marshall: live, kosher, company)

[linicx]

Yeah, it was a lousy time in history for a lot of people and in a lot more places than just Chicago. .

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Yeah great. You'll have to excuse me if I don't share your enthusiasm for the "good ol" days where people like me knew their place in society.

[smoking357]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Yeah great. You'll have to excuse me if I don't share your enthusiasm for the "good ol" days where people like me knew their place in society.

I don't know what "people like you" are.

Originally Posted by Dport7674

The same people who were young enough to run around Chicago in the 50's-70's are the same people who made it what it is today.

Not true. Chicago was changed by a lot of people from outside. These outsiders never became Real Chicago, and they had children. In about 40 years of non-assimilation, you kill an identity.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by smoking357

I don't know what "people like you" are.

That's okay. I know.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by smoking357

You get it. Back it up to the 50's, too. You would have met the old-timers that remembered Chicago when it was coming up, and you would have run with the crew that was the heydey of Chicago.

Sorry, guys, but trendy gender-ambiguous enclaves and nouvelle post-modernist Swedish-Ethiopian vegan cooperative bistros just isn't Real Chicago.

God I get so sick of this "back in 19__ is the era of the REAL Chicago" crap. Today's Chicago is just as real as the Chicago of the 1970s, 1950s, 1920s, 1880s, or any other decade/era. You know why? Because from the day it rose out of the swamps, the "real" Chicago has always been about constant change. If you favor stagnation, then you don't have a bead on the "real" Chicago.

OP, take the complaints from old-timers that the "real" Chicago is gone as a sign that Chicago is every bit the dynamic, forward-moving city you expect of a first-rate international city.

[Avengerfire]

Transplants just do not know the truth. And most never will.

[smoking357]

Originally Posted by Drover

God I get so sick of this "back in 19__ is the era of the REAL Chicago" crap.

You can tire of reality, all you want. Everyone who knows Chicago will keep telling you this, and you can keep getting frustrated. You can also get annoyed that 2+2=4.

Today's Chicago is just as real as the Chicago of the 1970s, 1950s, 1920s, 1880s, or any other decade/era.

Not a chance, kiddo.

OP, take the complaints from old-timers that the "real" Chicago is gone as a sign that Chicago is every bit the dynamic, forward-moving city you expect of a first-rate international city.

Thank you. That's the point. All this "dynamism" toward internationalism has made Chicago now just a Crate and Barrel, Macy's, Trader Joe's, IKEA amalgam that has a common experience and flavor with so many other cities.

The distinctive Chicago character of Mike Royko is gone, long gone.

And I ain't that old, but I caught some of the Real Chicago, and I met many of the Real Chicagoans.

Kiddo, what you've got now ain't it. America lost a lot when it lost Chicago.

So long, Slats, wherever you are.

[smoking357]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Transplants just do not know the truth. And most never will.

How right you are.

I hate to invoke the Harley motto, but "If I have to explain, you wouldn't understand."

[Dis99]

I was born in STL, but spent most of my life in Florida. Also spent some time in LA, New Orleans, and Atlanta (military brat). Currently living in Chicago, been here for many years. I visit STL around 6 times a year as most of my family is still there. It's convenient being only around 4.5 hours by car, but I tend to take Amtrak as I hate to drive.

I love both cities.

If you are looking for the big city experience and all that it entails then Chicago is a no-brainer.

If you are looking for a smaller, more laid back type of town, that still has tons to do and plenty of amenities then check out STL.

Honestly no-one can tell you what to do because this is very much a personal choice in which city would be more appealing to you. I would suggest that you visit both and do some exploring and then you can decide which is the better fit. Cross country moves are not something to be taken lightly. You don't want to end up with regrets.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by smoking357

You can tire of reality, all you want. Everyone who knows Chicago will keep telling you this, and you can keep getting frustrated. You can also get annoyed that 2+2=4.



Not a chance, kiddo.



Thank you. That's the point. All this "dynamism" toward internationalism has made Chicago now just a Crate and Barrel, Macy's, Trader Joe's, IKEA amalgam that has a common experience and flavor with so many other cities.

The distinctive Chicago character of Mike Royko is gone, long gone.

And I ain't that old, but I caught some of the Real Chicago, and I met many of the Real Chicagoans.

Kiddo, what you've got now ain't it. America lost a lot when it lost Chicago.

So long, Slats, wherever you are.

Right. There were no chains in Chicago until yesterday, and all the mom-and-pop businesses are all gone now.

The "real" Chicago is the dynamic Chicago it has always been. There's your "2+2=4" reality, "kiddo."

[smoking357]

Originally Posted by Drover

Right. There were no chains in Chicago until yesterday, and all the mom-and-pop businesses are all gone now.

Yeah, there were chains: Marshall Field's and Wieboldt's.

How are those Chicago institutions doing today, Sport?

Jay's Potato Chips even folded and was moved to Pennsylvania.

Best Kosher and Sinai 48 are gone.

Dad's Root Beer is now owned by a specialty company in Jasper, Indiana.

Maxwell Street is now a bland dorm complex.

Did you ever even have a Sinai dog with a side of Jay's while drinking a Dad's? Do you know what any of this is, Son?