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Agreed on both fronts. Newton feels like a very separate suburban area in a way Cambridge Somerville and northern brookline do not. Most of Broookline also feels quite different and looks quite different than Boston. Brighton has thsis feel too.
As a native you can definitely tell what makes Cambridge and Somerville different. Younger populaces and much livelier, denser, brighter residential areas.
WHAT!? For someone who’s always so defensive about the definitions of Boston proper, you can’t just write Brighton off as being, feeling, or looking “different than Boston”.
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Originally Posted by Enean
OMG, take it to the Massachusetts/Boston Forum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by IronWright
Chicago's 230 sq miles compared to Boston's 50 doesn't play a role in this? It's just the core? What metric is Boston's core larger than Chicago's since you said Chicago is presently larger in "almost" every metric?"
^Apparently this is a contentious issue for not just the Boston posters. I think Chicago wins in entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, etc. even if you include neighboring cities with Boston. If you don’t, then Chicago mauls Boston in every category.
But why wouldn’t you? Someone living in Roslindale has just as much access to Central Square bars as someone in South Lawndale has access to the bars in Lincoln Park. More even as the two Boston areas are closer than the Chicago ones despite being in two separate cities.
WHAT!? For someone who’s always so defensive about the definitions of Boston proper, you can’t just write Brighton off as being, feeling, or looking “different than Boston”.
^Apparently this is a contentious issue for not just the Boston posters. I think Chicago wins in entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, etc. even if you include neighboring cities with Boston. If you don’t, then Chicago mauls Boston in every category.
But why wouldn’t you? Someone living in Roslindale has just as much access to Central Square bars as someone in South Lawndale has access to the bars in Lincoln Park. More even as the two Boston areas are closer than the Chicago ones despite being in two separate cities.
Brighton is Boston and always should be included but something about ti feels like Brookline or, Watertown idk. It just feels not Boston in some parts. Cant put a finger on it. That being says it also can feel like Rozzie
WHAT!? For someone who’s always so defensive about the definitions of Boston proper, you can’t just write Brighton off as being, feeling, or looking “different than Boston”.
^Apparently this is a contentious issue for not just the Boston posters. I think Chicago wins in entertainment, restaurants, nightlife, etc. even if you include neighboring cities with Boston. If you don’t, then Chicago mauls Boston in every category.
But why wouldn’t you? Someone living in Roslindale has just as much access to Central Square bars as someone in South Lawndale has access to the bars in Lincoln Park. More even as the two Boston areas are closer than the Chicago ones despite being in two separate cities.
Because Chicago and other areas are built to incorporate far flung areas into the city and make them feel a a part of the city.Chicago is bult in a way that of course South Lawndale feels a aprt of chicago 100% and its grid and rail system make iit integrated into the urban network. I Cambridge was built and founded to feel and be like Cambridge-not Boston. understand this is lost on most people here but it is truth. We all get the proximity argument and most people agree with you. But its an overly simplistic view of historical municipal boundaries IMO
All of this arguing over boundaries doesn't change the fact that based on the criteria, Chicago is the logical choice. And frankly, based on any criteria, Chicago wins the head to head against any city other than NYC.
Now, I suspect the Chicago MSA would get the majority vote over Boston's MSA. Which, to me, is a result of Chicago getting the nod over Boston. But, there really isn't one thing I like about Chicago's MSA over Boston's (outside of the efficiency of the commuter/express train stops).
All of this arguing over boundaries doesn't change the fact that based on the criteria, Chicago is the logical choice. And frankly, based on any criteria, Chicago wins the head to head against any city other than NYC.
Now, I suspect the Chicago MSA would get the majority vote over Boston's MSA. Which, to me, is a result of Chicago getting the nod over Boston. But, there really isn't one thing I like about Chicago's MSA over Boston's (outside of the efficiency of the commuter/express train stops).
If we are comparing cities themselves, I'm not sure LA would come out on top of Chicago in a single category. Maybe music/arts? It's not even close for me.
Chicago is bigger..I understand this. If the west loop or wicker park were not Chicago but were their own cities or towns would it feel they weren’t Chicago to someone not from the city? As you may know there are towns bordering Boston that share the same urban fabric and that are 500 or so feet from downtown...we aren’t talking about areas 15-20 minutes to downtown that are close to city limits.when comparing Boston to Chicago it makes no sense not to include these areas ie cambridge somerville Chelsea etc
I understand what you are saying as Chicago is a city of many villages and suburbs that are essentailly neighborhoods, we also have areas that are completely surrounded by Chicago such as Norridge yet aren't incorporated. To answer your question if the West Loop was it's own municiplaity than I wouldn't count it as being Chicago. Just like Oak Park and Evanston now. Norridge is completely surronded by Chicago on all sides yet isn't incorporated. I don't know another city that has more "villages" and towns/suburbs than Chicago. We could have well over 3 million easily if these border burbs that are totally Chicago in terms of proximity, urban form and culturally were incorporated.
Long Island isn't NYC and Oakland isn't San Francisco.
Brighton is Boston and always should be included but something about ti feels like Brookline or, Watertown idk. It just feels not Boston in some parts. Cant put a finger on it. That being says it also can feel like Rozzie
I know what you mean. Lived in Brighton 7 years. For the record, I don't think any of this means Brighton is somehow "bad" or "lesser" than other neighborhoods. I actually really liked it there.
I know what you mean. Lived in Brighton 7 years. For the record, I don't think any of this means Brighton is somehow "bad" or "lesser" than other neighborhoods. I actually really liked it there.
Agreed on all fronts here. Brighton blends seamlessly into Newton to the west, and does in some ways feel more like Watertown.
Which kind of ties back into the original point- Kendall Sq., for example, feels more like Boston than most of Boston.
Because Chicago and other areas are built to incorporate far flung areas into the city and make them feel a a part of the city.Chicago is bult in a way that of course South Lawndale feels a aprt of chicago 100% and its grid and rail system make iit integrated into the urban network. I Cambridge was built and founded to feel and be like Cambridge-not Boston. understand this is lost on most people here but it is truth. We all get the proximity argument and most people agree with you. But its an overly simplistic view of historical municipal boundaries IMO
This is exactly what I meant when I said 230 sq. miles compared to 50. In Chicago you can't help but sense how massive it is because the continuity of urbanity and density that radiates for miles and miles from the core. You can be 10 miles from downtown in Rogers Park and you are still very much in the city with 3-flats and row houses densely packed on a grid as well as great prewar architecture, mid/high-rises, parks and retail corridors that feel no different than Logan Square, Bucktown or Wicker Park.
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