Is Chicago America's most stressful city? (living in, buses, move to)

[surlycue]

Why are there two of the exact same post going on?

[whinniethezen]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

...biased.
Chicago got bad remarks because of the weather - because we're all required to hate colder weather and snow, Chicago has a high population density, and because of traffic congestion. It doesn't happen to factor in the vast majority of people working in the loop who take bus/train/walk.

Not that I am justifying the silly list, but how is pointing out the bad weather biased? Isn't Forbes based out of New York? Isn't New York also on the list?
Sure people are taking the bus, train everyday in Chicago. But obviously there are a ton of people who drive, otherwise there would not be such huge,long snarls on Chicago expressways. Chicago is ranked one of the top worst traffic clusters in America. It is also ranked high in incidents of "road rage"
For all mammoth cities, the commute is more likely to be stressful, not a leisurly drive to be sure.
Nobody is required to hate freezing weather and snow, but it is a stress factor. How do I know? I've never met people who complain more about the freezing cold than people from the Chicago area. They also tend to complain about extreme heat in places like Arizona.

Complaining=stress.

[Banx]

I love Chicago as much as the next person, but it is a stressful place to live. The taxes, the weather, and not to mention this joke of a job market here right now, and the fact this city is run by complete idiots. Chicago is a great place, but just because it's home, doesn't mean it's not stressful... Cause it is.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

Not that I am justifying the silly list, but how is pointing out the bad weather biased? Isn't Forbes based out of New York? Isn't New York also on the list?
Sure people are taking the bus, train everyday in Chicago. But obviously there are a ton of people who drive, otherwise there would not be such huge,long snarls on Chicago expressways. Chicago is ranked one of the top worst traffic clusters in America. It is also ranked high in incidents of "road rage"
For all mammoth cities, the commute is more likely to be stressful, not a leisurly drive to be sure.
Nobody is required to hate freezing weather and snow, but it is a stress factor. How do I know? I've never met people who complain more about the freezing cold than people from the Chicago area. They also tend to complain about extreme heat in places like Arizona.

Complaining=stress.

The problem is this: they take a bunch of subjective criteria (weather among them) and then rank cities according to their own subjective biases, or without trying to balance out those biases against positive quality-of-life issues like other rational adults who conduct a cost-benefit analysis when making a major decision such as where to live. They don't actually ask the people who live in these cities how stressed they are. They just say "hmm... lots of traffic... cold weather... yep, those people must be miserable" without asking if we're actually, you know, miserable.

[whinniethezen]

Originally Posted by Drover

The problem is this: they take a bunch of subjective criteria (weather among them) and then rank cities according to their own subjective biases, or without trying to balance out those biases against positive quality-of-life issues like other rational adults who conduct a cost-benefit analysis when making a major decision such as where to live. They don't actually ask the people who live in these cities how stressed they are. They just say "hmm... lots of traffic... cold weather... yep, those people must be miserable" without asking if we're actually, you know, miserable.

I agree--sort of. It's all subjective really. I mean, whose right is it to "officially proclaim" that there is anything better or worse about Chicago? The people who live there think it's the top. There are many more millions who will choose other great places in the world.
Those positive quality-of-life things you speak of can be found in most decent sized cities. There is no need to go shop the Magnificant Mile in Chicago or 5th Ave New York. Most of those stores can be found in any upscale mall in America. There are terrific museums and culture in many other cities.
I don't think I equate being stressed with being miserable either. You can be super stressed and not even know.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

I agree--sort of. You are missing the main point though. It's all subjective really. I mean, whose right is it to "officially proclaim" that there is anything better or worse about Chicago? The people who live there think it's the top. There are many more millions who choose other great places in the world.
Those positive quality-of-life things you speak of can be found in most decent sized cities. There is no need to go shop the Magnificant Mile in Chicago or 5th Ave New York. Most of those stores can be found in any upscale mall in America. There are terrific museums and culture in many other cities. I don't think I equate being stressed with being miserable either. You can be super stressed and not even know.

What IS the point exactly? Of course its all subjective. Some people like it here, some people don't. Some people like the weather, others don't. Everybody's unique has as unique set of circumstances which may or may not be best served in Chicago.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

Sure people are taking the bus, train everyday in Chicago. But obviously there are a ton of people who drive, otherwise there would not be such huge,long snarls on Chicago expressways. Chicago is ranked one of the top worst traffic clusters in America. It is also ranked high in incidents of "road rage"
For all mammoth cities, the commute is more likely to be stressful, not a leisurly drive to be sure.

Boo hoo.

But yeah, I'd hate myself and living here if I had to drive the Kennedy every day. That's why I made the conscious decision to live somewhere where I didn't need a car! what a novel idea!

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

Boo hoo.

But yeah, I'd hate myself and living here if I had to drive the Kennedy every day. That's why I made the conscious decision to live somewhere where I didn't need a car! what a novel idea!

I structured my life here so I don't need to drive vast distances to get to work. Others opt to do so and perhaps feel the trade-off is worthwhile.

[whinniethezen]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

Boo hoo.

But yeah, I'd hate myself and living here if I had to drive the Kennedy every day. That's why I made the conscious decision to live somewhere where I didn't need a car! what a novel idea!

Good for you! You deserve an award or something! haha

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by whinniethezen

Good for you! You deserve an award or something!

I know, RIGHT?



you guys aren't feeling my sarcasm today.

except for the part where I would hate myself and my decision to live here if i had to drive the Kennedy every day.
that's not sarcasm at all.