Quote:
Originally Posted by thatonegirl55
I have the opportunity to relocate to any city with a major airport. I was planning on Chicago, but going back and forth now on whether its the right fight. Any thoughts on Chicago vs. Denver vs. Atlanta? I have been to all three and liked what I saw, but trying to narrow down the visits to keep it affordable.
Things that are important to me:
1. Safety
2. Walkability; access to bars, restaurants, fitness classes
3. As a young, single professional, the ability meet other young, single professionals is pretty important (one of the reasons for the move, since I now live in a very suburban area)
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Denver is a great city for you if you want to live an outdoorsy lifestyle. You'll get plenty of that in spades within the general area around there, though it can be about a 25-40 minute drive depending on which direction you go. Denver is a modernesque city and generally wins the statistical contest amongst the three for safety, fitness, and the like. It's a very nice city if you value quality of life and a city that doesn't have much in the way of rough edges in swaths of the city or area. It's there just like rough areas are everywhere, just not nearly as much. I would recommend it to you if that is what you're after. That being said, that is all it has on Chicago and not by any leaps or bounds (Lake Michigan itself is great for outdoors activity and it is right in the heart of the city and Denver doesn't have a large wide open body of water like that).
However, Chicago is a complete city. Essentially a megacity. I was reminded on a recent trip, of which I'm still in Chicago, that Chicago offers more than what you'll even need. It's urban environments and even its suburban environments are spectacular. A true cosmopolitan city with a top shelf nightlife, shopping scene, restaurant and culinary scene, entertainment scene, and by American standards a sturdy and dependable public transit system to boot. It is also a top shelf city if you're interested in socializing, dating, or just the singles life in general. A very professional vibe in the city. Relatively speaking, Chicago is a pretty good deal price wise. I'd recommend it. For what you get and how much you end up spending for it all -- amazing choice. The nice areas of the city are very safe, you'll never have to worry about crime affecting you there.
I grew up in Chicago but moved on years ago, now live in London, even from a London perspective Chicago is a top shelf world class city (one of the only 5 world class cities in all of America IMO). The only world class city amongst these in your comparison and all around the city with the most to offer here. I really like Denver too, if I had to live in America, Denver is on my shortlist but it is not in Chicago's league at all. Not at all.
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