Chicago/New York city similarities and differences (comparison, America, population)

[Avondalist]

Originally Posted by IronWright

The High-Line vs. the 606 Trail is a great micro comparison of the difference in ambitions between these two cities. NY builds an amazing public space with new mid & high-rises buildings canyonizing the line forming an awesome urban backdrop. The actual path changes textures, has sculptures/art displays, varieties of seating and landscaping etc. while Chicago builds a neighborhood/family friendly trail where 2-4 story townhomes and tons of parking makes-up the surroundings. Chicago's antiquated and convoluted zoning laws and development process is weaponized to assure our neighborhoods never really see radical transformation or growth.

Could the neighborhoods the 606 runs through support any density higher than what is there?

Also, the blue econoboxes downtown may be at the cost frontier given what rents can be charged in the loop. I could be mistaken, and I'd love more ornamentation and verve. But I'm not sure you could justify a midtown Manhattan level of finish in the loop.

I don't think it's just a lack of vision or will. Demand for living in Manhattan is much higher than anywhere in Chicago. That increases the budget for every project there.

[thefallensrvnge]

Am I the only one who thinks Billionaire's Row in New York is ugly as hell? I mean those buildings would look good...in Dubai, but New York is more regal and classic than the modern Dubai style: grandiose, tacky, and empty. Also, the idea of Chicago not matching NY metrics is a sign of its failure is an unfair comparison. Chicago is largely a revived Rust-Belt city that lived deeply through the pain of deindustrialization and has continued to survive to maintain world-class institutions, a place of global finance and trade, and one of the highest GDPs in the world economy. Far from a perfect recovery, but give the city a little credit.

Point taken though because Chicago could be more daring architecturally with new projects, especially considering that many of the world's tallest buildings were built by Chicago-based firms. We have the in-house talent to build more beautiful buildings. No question.

[hendersj31]

Maybe I am wrong but I do not believe the outfit was ever La Cosa Nostra. That was a Sicilian thing.

Originally Posted by Master Jay

I really need to check out NYC!!!

I wish I COULD do a compare and contrast!

I only know they both had quite the reputation of having La Cosa Nostra (LCN) in their histories, and that both cities' LCN "enterprises" are no where near enterprise, status; but they ARE still there.

I know both cities have similar patterns of racial migration (and unfortunately racial discriminations), and to date are both very diverse.

My understanding is in East Harlem, a Chinese population is growing where it was somewhat recently mostly Puerto Rican, and also Italian. THAT reminds me of what I have seen in the Armour Square neighborhood, south of Chinatown, where a blended Croatian/Sicilian neighborhood seems to have more and more Chinese establishments and residents every time I go there. (Not qualifying this as any THING; but rather, just pointing out my observation).

I believe new York has retained many of its high rise low-income housing buildings, to date, where Chicago demolished theirs, some 10 + years ago.

[Master Jay]

hendersj31, good day.

Well, I believe La Cosa Nostra IS, in fact, the American component of the Sicilian "Mafia."

Chicago has/had a Representative on the Commission.

[hendersj31]

Thanks MJ. I was aware of the commission part but the Cosa Nostra part was always fuzzy to me.

[Master Jay]

hendersj31, I know a little bit of criminal history, especially working in a jail

Shoot me a message if you want to chat some things, Chicago related.

[Ycomoque]

Originally Posted by thefallensrvnge

Am I the only one who thinks Billionaire's Row in New York is ugly as hell?

No.

[jpdivola]

NYC is the more renowned/romanticized city in pretty much every way.

But Chicago has two great advantages over NY. It's far more affordable and it has a more relaxed quality of life. NYC apartments are tiny, the restaurants/bars/shops are jam packed and overrun with tourists.

NYC can be fun and I would probably recommend it if you are looking for a life experience. But, unless you are in the 1%, I would recommend Chicago for putting down roots.

[raleightransplant]

I love both for different reasons. I'd say NYC likely gets more praise than it deserves. Chicago likely gets more crap than it deserves. Most of it perpetuated by big media, since those narratives seem to sell.

Both are beautiful in their own right, similarities and differences. The most spectacular and elegant cityscapes in America. Great culture, architecture, neighborhoods, museums, food, people from all over the world living in both.

Similarities:
Old and robust transit systems, places where you can live car-free
Dense and walkable neighborhoods
Skyscrapers/notable skylines
Great food cities (NYC more of everything, Chicago better hit-to-miss ratio)
Diverse cities with people from all over the globe (NYC moreso, but Chicago is plenty global in this sense as well)
Finance hubs of the US
Both top film hub cities in the US
Both have nice waterfront getaways 1-2 hrs out of the city
Rich musical heritage--Jazz, blues, etc. in both

Differences:
Chicago much colder in winter
Chicago more segregated
Chicago much more affordable and livable/relaxed
Chicago feels a bit less safe overall, NYC is almost city-wide the end-game of gentrification
NYC hub of fashion and Chicago doesn't match that
NYC adored globally, Chicago can't match that
Old world vs. newer infrastructure: Alleys--Chicago has them, NYC doesn't
Waterfront meets city---Lake Michigan gives Chicago an almost coastal feel especially in summer when it's most active, wide open blue water..actually much bluer than most US east coast beaches. Very different feel from East River or the Hudson

[ToriaT]

The lakefront in Chicago is priceless and NY has nothing like it despite the fact it is surrounded by water. NYC has more of everything. But Chicago has quite enough of everything anyone could want and it is cheaper. The alleys are an improvement to having garbage piled in the front streets despite Chicago's rat problem. NYC has rats too. The people of Chicago are nicer. In my job I worked with people from NYC and they would be willing to fight you at every turn. The people I met and worked with from upstate NY, were nice and more like Midwesterners. With the price of real estate in NYC and suburbs I can't imagine anyone wanting to move there.