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You made some really good points there pal, until the very end. There is nothing - I repeat, NOTHING - in which Toronto is the greater city. You can go down the line through the various criteria you listed and more - arts, culture, media, finance, global recognition, popular culture, architecture, education, transportation, influence etc. Pick whatever criteria you want. Chicago is the more significant city by a sizable margin. And that is reflected in virtually every global survey that has been done.
Toronto is the NY of Canada, so I think in that regard it would have more amenities and be more worldly. Chicago is still a world class city and great place for a weekend city break.
Toronto is the NY of Canada, so I think in that regard it would have more amenities and be more worldly. Chicago is still a world class city and great place for a weekend city break.
Well we have already established that it is more "worldly". I have no argument with that. Zurich may be more international and worldly than Chicago as well. But is it greater? And what amenities does Toronto have that Chicago is lacking? I would be really curious to know.
The argument that Toronto is the "signature city" of Canada, and therefore must be greater, is not convincing. Oslo and Helsinki are also "signature cities" of well respected nations. That does not mean much because they are tiny countries. Canada is not tiny of course, but it is pretty tiny - population wise - compared to the US. Only 10%. Besides, I am not sure at all that it is accurate to say that Toronto is the signature city of Canada. When most people around the world think of Canada they think of Toronto and Montreal essentially as equals, even if the balance of power has shifted to Toronto in the last 20 years or so.
Let's put it the other way...what amenities does Chicago have that Toronto is lacking?
All I know is Toronto has been on the "upswing" the last 30 years or so
Chicago ...not so much, it used to be the 2nd largest city in the US
but was passed by Los Angeles back the 1960's.
Opposite for Toronto, it was 2nd to Montreal until 1970's, since then it's left Montreal well behind.
About half of all immigrants to Canada settle in the GTA.
There are currently approx. 122 highrise buildings under construction in Toronto (most in north america, top ten in the world).
If Toronto isn't greater than Chicago now, it soon will be.
You made some really good points there pal, until the very end. There is nothing - I repeat, NOTHING - in which Toronto is the greater city. You can go down the line through the various criteria you listed and more - arts, culture, media, finance, global recognition, popular culture, architecture, education, transportation, influence etc. Pick whatever criteria you want. Chicago is the more significant city by a sizable margin. And that is reflected in virtually every global survey that has been done.
What a load of BS. Of the things you listed - arts, culture, and transportation are arguably greater in Toronto. Media is definitely greater in Toronto, it's Canada's media centre. Finance is very close between the two cities.
What a load of BS. Of the things you listed - arts, culture, and transportation are arguably greater in Toronto. Media is definitely greater in Toronto, it's Canada's media centre. Finance is very close between the two cities.
If you haven't seen it already, take a look at this. This is the pros speaking.
Toronto isnt anywhere close to Chicago, in culture or finance or in anything else.
Transportation? Did you forget that Chicago has the busiest (or second busiest) airport in the World and is one of the busiest rail hubs in the US, a country 10 times larger than Canada? How could you have possibly concluded that Toronto is a more significant city in terms of transportation?
As for media, there are no definitelys about it. No offense but "Canada's media center" does not mean a whole lot. Canada's center of anything doesn't mean a whole lot as Canada is not a very important country on the world stage.
Toronto isnt anywhere close to Chicago, in culture or finance or in anything else.
Transportation? Did you forget that Chicago has the busiest (or second busiest) airport in the World and is one of the busiest rail hubs in the US, a country 10 times larger than Canada? How could you have possibly concluded that Toronto is a more significant city in terms of transportation?
As for media, there are no definitelys about it. No offense but "Canada's media center" does not mean a whole lot. Canada's center of anything doesn't mean a whole lot as Canada is not a very important country on the world stage.
You tell him lol...Toronto doesn't compare to Chicago in anyway Skyline, Finance, Transportation, Influence
Toronto definitely. Chicago is cosmopolitan but having lived there for a few years I wouldn't call it worldly at all. It's the definitive American city. I would say it was in between being liberal and conservative. Worldly? Not really. Toronto takes that prize.
I wouldn't say Chicago is "the definitive American city" though it feels more typical American compared to Los Angeles or New York. I think a quintessential American city would be Kansas City, Denver, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, St. Louis, Nashville or Fort Worth.
Toronto isnt anywhere close to Chicago, in culture or finance or in anything else.
Transportation? Did you forget that Chicago has the busiest (or second busiest) airport in the World and is one of the busiest rail hubs in the US, a country 10 times larger than Canada? How could you have possibly concluded that Toronto is a more significant city in terms of transportation?
As for media, there are no definitelys about it. No offense but "Canada's media center" does not mean a whole lot. Canada's center of anything doesn't mean a whole lot as Canada is not a very important country on the world stage.
I think perception in the US hasn't quite caught up with the realities of Toronto's rise. I do think Chicago is "greater" in most respects, but Toronto has a lot going for it. It is a strong cultural and media region right now, especially in comparison to Chicago.
I think perception in the US hasn't quite caught up with the realities of Toronto's rise. I do think Chicago is "greater" in most respects, but Toronto has a lot going for it. It is a strong cultural and media region right now, especially in comparison to Chicago.
Sorry, did not mean to diminish Toronto and I agree it's on the up. It's a great city for sure. But it's still got ways to go to catch up to Chicago.
On the cultural side, Chicago is one of the preeminent cultural centers in the US. Probably the best symphony orchestra, very strong performing arts scene, some of the best museums and a musical heritage that is second to none. The Foreign Policy survey ranks Chicago top 10 in the World in "cultural experience".
As for media, Toronto is indeed a very important center but only for Canada. It does not have much of a global influence or reach.
Let's put it the other way...what amenities does Chicago have that Toronto is lacking?
All I know is Toronto has been on the "upswing" the last 30 years or so
Chicago ...not so much, it used to be the 2nd largest city in the US
but was passed by Los Angeles back the 1960's.
Opposite for Toronto, it was 2nd to Montreal until 1970's, since then it's left Montreal well behind.
About half of all immigrants to Canada settle in the GTA.
There are currently approx. 122 highrise buildings under construction in Toronto (most in north america, top ten in the world).
If Toronto isn't greater than Chicago now, it soon will be.
Most U.S. cities have also been on an "upswing" since the 1970s, Chicago no exception. Keep in mind the around the 1970s American cities were hemorrhaging population, suffering from horrible urban blight and enduring a violent drug epidemic. In most American cities these days are largely gone, and people once again want to live in urban environments. For example, NYC has gained over a million residents since the 1970s.
Toronto has also been on the upswing, albeit for other reasons. The city is definitely experiencing a building boom, however I think that the 122 buildings buildings under construction also reflects the strength of Canada's economy not just the attractiveness of the GTA region. The U.S. economy also just experienced one of the worst real estate crashes ever, so once the U.S. economy picks up (some day), construction in places like Chicago will also pick up.
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