How does a city like Chicago compare with New york or Boston?? (living, best)

[Mack wild]

Just wondering from people how a place like Chicago differs from New York? I visited New york a few times and I was not too impressed, although I was in the sketchy and dirty area's. Contrast that with Boston which I enjoyed a lot and have visited many times.

Now I hear that Chicago is an awesome vibrant city with lots to do, plenty of nightlife, and a lot of diversity -- but what exactly is it that sets Chicago apart from a place like New York or Boston?? What makes Chicago unique?

[surlycue]

Are you serious with this thread? GOD, what an original topic! You must've been up all night contemplating this humdinger.

//www.city-data.com/forum/city-...go-boston.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...here-live.html

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...hborhoods.html

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Mack wild

Just wondering from people how a place like Chicago differs from New York? I visited New york a few times and I was not too impressed, although I was in the sketchy and dirty area's. Contrast that with Boston which I enjoyed a lot and have visited many times.

Now I hear that Chicago is an awesome vibrant city with lots to do, plenty of nightlife, and a lot of diversity -- but what exactly is it that sets Chicago apart from a place like New York or Boston?? What makes Chicago unique?

Unlike Boston or New York, Chicago is located in Illinois. Oh, and Chicago is spelled differently that Boston or New York. Unlike those other two cities, Chicago has a "C" at the beginning, "O" at the end, and "HICAG" in the middle. Hope that helps!

[Lookout Kid]

Judging by the first two responses, Chicago is about as friendly as New York and Boston.

Here's my quickie answer to why Chicago is different from New York as Boston:

1. Less neighbohrood density outside of high-rise districts (but still more density than other midwestern or western cities)

2. Gentrification is in earlier stages in Chicago than in New York or Boston. But Chicago is more gentrified than most other U.S. cities.

3. We have the best 19th and early 20th Century high-rise architecture in the U.S. Google "Chicago School Architecture" for the reasons.

4. Um, we are city jam packed with unique cultural and culinary traditions. Too many to list.

5. Chicago has it's own feel that you can only understand if you visit frequently or live here.

[oakparkdude]

Hey, clearly my years of living in Boston have overwhelmed my genteel Southern upbringing. The OP is lucky if I don't run him off the road when he comes to visit.

[j33]

We wait .01 seconds longer to honk at you when the light turns green than in New York (being Midwestern and all), and one of our two baseball teams wear different colored 'sox' than in Boston.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Hey, clearly my years of living in Boston have overwhelmed my genteel Southern upbringing. The OP is lucky if I don't run him off the road when he comes to visit.

...or you might lose your "venerable" status....

Anyway, this topic has been done ad nauseum. But simply, Chicago is less congested, more sprawling, less expensive while offering many of the same things, friendlier, less car-honking (noticeably less), less obvious accent, good mix of urban/suburban, sports teams on subway lines, hefty portions in restaurants, good mass transit and overall, a little less cynicism.

Please inquire into the other threads mentioned above..

[northEnd]

Well, not to stereotype, but...

Chicagoans are often hung up on believing they are just as cool as people in other places. When you are worried about such a thing, it's a sign.

People in Chicago tend to be more passive-aggressive. It's part of that 'friendliness'.

Reknowned architecture, but it's not pretty or cohesive. More like giant dentist offices.

Winters are hellish.

Most segregated city in the US.

Incredible poverty and crime.

[coldwine]

On the national level, only New York City competes with Chicago for dense neighborhoods and a kick ass downtown. Boston has some amazing neighborhoods, don't get me wrong, but they never, ever lead into a Loop-like area. Listen to me when I tell you this, OP, because that's the essential difference.

I am not going to touch the Chicago vs. NYC competition again.

[NearWestSider]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

2. Gentrification is in earlier stages in Chicago than in New York or Boston. But Chicago is more gentrified than most other U.S. cities.

No way on this one.

Boston and New York never got anywhere near as screwed up as Chicago did, so maybe they just look "gentrified" to you in comparison.