My impression of Chicago after first time visit (crime, neighborhoods)

[NJmann]

So I’ve been in Chicago as first time visitor for 3 days now. I wanted to let you guys know that Chicago is a very beautiful and great mega city! I love the diverse architecture, the beautiful skyscrapers and its density, how super clean and well maintained the city is, all the amenities and plenty things to see/do and friendly people! Shopping is excellent in this city - better than New York City! You have basically every single chain and non-chain stores, restaurants and department stores as well as shopping malls. In New York City you must go to the suburbs for certain chain stores, restaurants and bigger malls unlike in Chicago all in the city center! Things were reasonable prices.

Christkindlmarket was amazing! Feels like being at a Christmas market in Europe! Magnificient Mile, Michigan Ave, State St, etc. great streets! The area by Trump tower was extra beautiful with the river and architectural view. Lake Michigan and Willis tower nice view as well. I liked the Christmas lights and decorations everywhere nicely done. Chicago’s shopping streets is much nicer and cleaner than New York’s Fifth Ave to be honest. Chicago’s grid locked streets were easy to navigate.
Only thing that should have improved in Chicago is to have nicer bridges and nicer/newer public transportation (buses & trains).

Overall Chicago is one of my favorite cities... very nice loved it! I’ll be honest I like Chicago more than New York. New York is too congested and too dirty!

[flamadiddle]

Glad you're enjoying your visit.

You're likely riding the CTA "L" trains. Yeah, they're barebones transportation.

The nicer trains are the Metra lines, which go to/from the suburbs. They are bi-level with big comfy seats and some even have bathrooms.

[orcateeth]

Hey, thanks for complimenting our city. However, it sounds like you were hanging out in the downtown area, where tourists tend to go. That's fine, and best practice, in terms of safety and comfort.

Unfortunately, that is only one area of the city. I have lived here all my life. I also have a job that takes me EVERYWHERE, from Howard Street (7600 North) to Altgeld Gardens (130 blocks south of downtown). Trust me, many areas are as different from downtown as the Olympics is from a Medicaid nursing home. Too many neighborhoods have significant amounts of decay: Dilapidated buildings, vacant lots, trash on the ground, gang members, aggressive panhandlers, homeless mentally ill people, gunfire, no grocery stores (only liquor stores, Dollar General, and fast food joints), etc. Resources are not evenly distributed to all areas, at all. Many have had years upon years of disinvestment and generational poverty.

I wish all neighborhoods were as nice as downtown, but sadly they are not.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by NJmann

...
Only thing that should have improved in Chicago is to have nicer bridges and nicer/newer public transportation (buses & trains).

Most people love most of the bridges - the lift-bridges in the center of Chicago are historic and it's one of the biggest collections of that type of bridge in the world. So, each to their own, but we're not changing those. Sorry you don't like them, but that's more about your taste than about their objective qualities.

As for transportation, I actually laughed when i read that, considering you're comparing us to New York. Yes, New York's trains are more extensive, but having been to both cities the trains in Chicago are as new or newer than New Yorks, the stations in Chicago are, on average, in MUCH better condition than New York, and Chicago buses are much, much, MUCH better than New York buses. So, I don't know what you're seeing that makes you say what you did, but Chicago's transit is objectively in better condition than New York's, but New York has more subways and more stations, so its rail is more comprehensive. In Chicago you can still get around fine with transit, but you have to use buses more often, but our buses are better than New York buses, so that's not sooo bad.

Originally Posted by NJmann

Overall Chicago is one of my favorite cities... very nice loved it! I’ll be honest I like Chicago more than New York. New York is too congested and too dirty!

I'm glad you like Chicago - I do, too!

[Master Jay]

NJmann, I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed your visit. I am not a resident, by Milwaukee Wisconsin is only a 1.5 hour journey so I typically visit weekly. By now, I just blend in as a native and often people think I'm from here when I am able to pinpoint where the streets are, parks, libraries, etc.... I have never been to new Jersey, so I can not compare. But Chicago is amazing. the diversity, the people, the energy of the city. please take back your positive comments to others who may have this negative view that Chicago is completely dirty and crime ridden and unfriendly. I've had to put Milwaukeeans in their place with this attitude, many times! Take care, Master Jay in Milwaukee

[frimpter928]

Great review. If you loved Chicago NOW, you need to come visit in the summer. It's even 10x better.

[Master Jay]

frimpter928, how true! Agreed, NJmann see if you can make it back for a summer trip. So many street festivals to enjoy!- Master Jay in Milwaukee

[pete6032]

What is the allure of Christkindle market? It seems like all the stalls there are selling the same 3-4 different items and it's very expensive to buy anything.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by pete6032

What is the allure of Christkindle market? It seems like all the stalls there are selling the same 3-4 different items and it's very expensive to buy anything.

It's Christmasy, my family goes every year and we love it. I noticed they have raclette this year, which I absolutely love. Haven't seen it before there

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by frimpter928

Great review. If you loved Chicago NOW, you need to come visit in the summer. It's even 10x better.

yes. but also 10 times of more crowded. Chicago in the summer is a huge tourist magnet. That's great...but it does come at a price.