Chicagoland is a better place to LIVE than NYC area (Madison: oceanfront, beaches)

[C&B]

UAnd we're not void of outdoor activities here:

The Park at Big Marsh

CAMBr - Chicago Area Mountain Bikers

A manmade whitewater course in chicagoland and some in almost all the surrounding states, natural whitewater vermillion river in IL and several in WI, plus waves of Lake Michigan.


And we're one of the best disc golf states in the US

https://www.dgcoursereview.com/mobil...der=ASC&page=1

[IrishIllini]

There is plenty of sight seeing to do outside of metro Chicago. There are some great state parks in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Michigan and Wisconsin are probably two of the most underrated states in the U.S. in regards to natural beauty.

[chicago0311]

I love these dorky catfights about who's city is better. The arguments sound so pretentious on both sides.

[DC's Finest]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

True wilderness is NOT at Manhattan's doorstep. That's a silly notion. Urban parks are one thing, beaches are one thing, but you have to drive or take the train several hours to be in true wilderness.

New York state and some of the other East Coast states have better parks and you have the famous Appalachian Trail nearby, but IMNSHO it's not that great. The West Coast has so much more to offer and nature is so much more accessible to cities on the Pacific. My point is that "wilderness access" is not really a selling point in NY because it lags so far behind otherwise inferior cities in that regard. Also, you seem to be focused on downstate Illinois. There is an entire lakefront stretching for hundreds of miles on either side of Chicago, replete with state and national parks and lakeshores, and the further you drive, the prettier it gets. There is a decent amount of outdoor opportunity within a few hours of Chicago, particularly in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Same with weather. Sure, NYC winters may be marginally milder than Chicago winters, but what about summers? Hotter and more humid in NYC plus because most of the apartments are run down and dated the AC may not work very well or is nonexistent. Same with suburb housing when you are comparing apples to apples in terms of price point.

I agree with the OP's premise though he left out one important aspect: Chicago is more livable for the average joe. Sure, if you're in the top 5-10% of income earners in the nation, you probably have a better QOL in NYC than Chicago if you take advantage of the amenities NYC offers and can afford a nice place. But that is out of reach to far more people in the NYC metro than the Chicago metro. For someone who is middle to upper middle class, Chicago is by far a better place to live and its amenities are more accessible.

So a middle class person in NYC can't enjoy The Met, Rockefeller Plaza, Radio City, Central Park, Broadway Shows, Fashion Week, MOMA, etc.... Got it.

[DC's Finest]

Originally Posted by C&B

We have WI and MI.

Wisconsin is about as exciting as a root canal. No one goes to Wisconsin.

[DC's Finest]

Originally Posted by chicago0311

I love these dorky catfights about who's city is better. The arguments sound so pretentious on both sides.

No one is arguing what city is better. New York has more of everything. Chicago has a better quality of life.

[loose cannon]

Crime may be an issue in Chicago these days, but I'd enjoy living there mopre than NYC. Plus Jeff Tweedy and Billy Corgan are there too.

[C&B]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

Wisconsin is about as exciting as a root canal. No one goes to Wisconsin.

Families go to The Dells, the waterpark capital of the US, and it has other attractions . Midwestern kayaking and rafting enthusiasts also go to WI.

[BigLake]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

Wisconsin is about as exciting as a root canal. No one goes to Wisconsin.

It's not that bad. Wisconsin is a pretty good state overall. A little dorky, but good nonetheless.

[damba]

Originally Posted by C&B

Families go to The Dells, the waterpark capital of the US, and it has other attractions .

That has merely reinforced the point of the person you replied to.

The Dells is not where I would send folks who are used to east coast trappings. Too cheesy.