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Everything you would expect a dynamic, growing Metro area to have. The beautiful tropical landscape and some of the best beaches in the Country are an added bonus.
Everything you would expect a dynamic, growing Metro area to have. The beautiful tropical landscape and some of the best beaches in the Country are an added bonus.
If you think you want to do city living, especially where your life does not revolve around driving and parking in order to accomplish every task, then Chicago well over any city in Florida. $50k salary is enough to live comfortably in either city.
Coming from Toronto, you're used to winter. If you're considering Chicago, that must not be a determining factor. This is interesting to read. I've heard this before, and this is an article, you can read for yourself.
If you think you want to do city living, especially where your life does not revolve around driving and parking in order to accomplish every task, then Chicago well over any city in Florida. $50k salary is enough to live comfortably in either city.
Yes, a very similar life as Toronto. Tampa would be a major change, and that salary would go further there.
And just like every major city uber, Lyft and e-scooters exist in Tampa.
Yes, a very similar life as Toronto. Tampa would be a major change, and that salary would go further there.
And just like every major city uber, Lyft and e-scooters exist in Tampa.
The OP did state a preference for cities. I think one thing that is hard to overstate is just how suburban many US cities are even compared to their close brethren in Canada. While many US cities are improving, and rideshare and scooters are sometimes helpful in that context, most still have a long way to go before I’d consider them fairly good cities.
The salary will go further for the basics, but Chicago isn’t that expensive for a city of its scale and offerings, and being able to take transit or walk to everything one will need can greatly change the costs portion of things. One of the best savings is to ditch having a car completely which is very doable in Chicago, but in Tampa it isn’t as advisable as the transit system needs work, the neighborhoods aren’t on the same scale of being walkable, and all those rideshares will start to add up.
If young and educated. Choose the job/city that best might further your career advancement. Chicago definitely is World-Class. Its Core still booming. Though as eventually comes. A possible point of needing to give a bit of time for absorbing space. New skyscraper-living still starting construction though. Same for areas around the Loop high-rises.
Chicago isn't cheap. One person can do it on $50,000. But NOT top sought after areas unless probably with a roommate. If young. That should not be problem to experience another Big City as Toronto has grown into also.
Chicago is a grown out city that gentrification has renewed Core outward. But that process also raises COL.
I'm not sure either city is best to buy in today. Chicago Real Estate is currently not increasing as much as some areas. Void and bad. Tampa is growing. Still many retirees but also may not be best to buy into.
Beach and Tropical scene is definitely exiting it one has time to enjoy it with their career choice?
I'd still chose Chicago for city-life and car-free if desired. But still $50,000 is a more minimum there for living in ones own Apt. or will need a roommate to share cost and have money to save and utilize to spend for what a Big city has to offer.
I'd create a thread in the Tampa forum for living there on $50,000 too. I'm sure you will get in the Chicago forum a low-side without a roommate. For closer areas to the Core.
World-class city vs. medium size city. Climate vs. amenities and clout.
'World class city and clout' don't mean much when it comes to daily life. Access to World class beaches and the ability to enjoy breakfast on your deck in February however does.
And the Tampa Bay region isn't lacking in many amenities.
Your age is what makes Chicago definitively win this I think. Tampa has a lot of retirees and is definitely an older city with less "hot nightlife". In fact the only cities in FL with that level of young nightlife are Miami and to a lesser extent Orlando. But late 20's..... I'd absolutely say Chicago. In fact the only question would be... can you even afford to live in Chicago?
Now.... Florida in general??? Then I'd put this at Miami vs Chicago, which is a much, much more apt comparison. Both cities have a lot going on but Chicago has way more of everything. If you prefer seasons, go with Chicago. Hate the cold??? I think the choice is obvious.
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