Chicago is the REAL 2nd biggest city (Naperville: 2014, live)

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

I mean, look at this.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0y73...RlODBiNWFlZA==

I remember, years ago, I had started a new job and walked out of my River North office one evening and saw that view - THAT VIEW - all twinkling lights and sunset over the river surrounded by such beautiful glimmering architecture. I was getting all misty eyed engulfed in the beauty of it all…

As someone who grew up in Chicago, went to one of the aforementioned Chicago universities, and works for a company with both Chicago and LA offices (and lived in both cities), I find it peculiar that previous poster “BlowM3” (a real class act - does not represent us) thinks Chicago is so much less “energetic and outspoken” as compared to LA. Seriously? The east coast and midwest business climates have the reputation as being faster paced, more aggressive, more hard-working/nose to the grindstone than the perceived LA market.

Trigger warning - some stereotypes ahead:

Not saying LA isn’t “energetic and outspoken” but c’mon it also has the “reputation” (deserved or not) as being a very laid-back, yoga zen living, pointless Instagram posting, vegan acai spinach smoothie cleansing, Botox pumping, Kardashian emulating, chill dude let’s smoke a doobie, start work 2+ hours later than everyone else, and surf during lunchtime culture.

In Chicago, a lot of people are fueled mainly by coffee and red meat, lots of red meat, and often emulate the aggressive energy of “The Bear” culture over the low energy, vegan latte Kardashians. I mean, have you not seen the SNL skit “The Californians” and its perception of “LA people.” There’s a grain of truth to it. Note even the much slower cadence of low energy LA speak.

[Das_Interwebz]

This looong nearly 5 hr video still is full of skyline views from the lake and from above by drone. Scrolling you get the scope and heights of the Chicago skyline. From after the 2:14 hr mark it runs into a due west view from Lake Michigan onto the skyline as the supertalls take on profiles like the NYC skinnies in peaks. Then it looks up the mouth from the lake into the Chicago river and the canyon view with the Trump in the middle.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u_YZdp8cdM

Clearly all the views thru the video show why 2nd city by is core and skyline definitely can fit....

[IronWright]

Originally Posted by sf_arkitect

I think it would still be a losing battle for LA if we take into account neighborhoods beyond downtown. Remember, Chicago was the fastest growing city in the world during the later half of the 19th century. A construction boom always coincides with a population boom, so Chicago has a much larger quantity of pre-World War I housing stock compared to LA. Chicago neighborhoods are older and denser - filled with 2 and 3 flats, courtyard apartments, and newer multifamily buildings.

Chicago is a 19th century city and Los Angeles is a 20th century city.

This is it. Everyone focuses on Chicago's downtown but L.A. has no equivalent to the historic built environments of neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park, Uptown, Hyde Park and South Shore.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by Das_Interwebz

Clearly all the views thru the video show why 2nd city by is core and skyline definitely can fit....

A misleading enhanced vid, for starters; there's no pollution.
There are almost no days during summer, when it's rocky mountain clear air downtown.

[CBOTfan]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

A misleading enhanced vid, for starters; there's no pollution.
There are almost no days during summer, when it's rocky mountain clear air downtown.

Pollution or humidity? Outside of summer, the air is crystal clear.

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

A misleading enhanced vid, for starters; there's no pollution.
There are almost no days during summer, when it's rocky mountain clear air downtown.

Huh? Chicago's not exactly known for its terrible air pollution, especially downtown where there are virtually no smoky anything.

I'll tell you from experience, I've been on the Chicago riverfront, in person, many times. Everything sparkles just like that video unless it's foggy/rainy out.

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

A misleading enhanced vid, for starters; there's no pollution.
There are almost no days during summer, when it's rocky mountain clear air downtown.

I disagree. I feel like the majority of my summer days are spent sitting on the lake (on a boat deck) taking in the clear blue skies and beautiful skyline over Monroe Harbor. So very many clear summer days.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

Huh? Chicago's not exactly known for its terrible air pollution

https://phys.org/news/2023-03-smog-c...ois-worst.html
"Newly released data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show air pollution from the city and 120 of its suburbs contributes more to smog violations in other states than any other county."

[ChiGuy2.5]

Originally Posted by Sunbiz1

https://phys.org/news/2023-03-smog-c...ois-worst.html
"Newly released data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show air pollution from the city and 120 of its suburbs contributes more to smog violations in other states than any other county."

I don't think you have any clue what you're talking about. The article you sourced only refers to the contribution that ALL of Cook County has towards Smog as it relates to Wisconsin. That has nothing to do with how much smog chicago itself has nor does it help make your point about Chicago being heavily polluted. Just because a city is a top contributor to smog in another area, does not mean it is a heavy smog producer. In fact, your article even states that Sheboygan (pop: 49,931) sees more smog than Chicago. Chicago is the largest metro area in all of the midwest so of course it will contribute "the most" to other local areas in terms of pollution.

That video echoes exactly what many of us Chicagoans see at this time of year. Downtown is gorgeous MOST days. Luckily we aren't like Seattle where it rains or is foggy often throughout the year. Usually downtown is very clear.

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

nor does it help make your point about Chicago being heavily polluted. Just because a city is a top contributor to smog in another area, does not mean it is a heavy smog producer.

Nonsense, every city is heavily polluted.
One only need look at live cams during summer months to see, or in this case; not see.

As for Chicago vs. LA, LA is too spread out; and simply cannot compare to Chicago architecture and history.
There's very little in common between these 2 cities, other than pollution.