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plus its not like philly doesnt have lakes too lol even if smaller
If you're talking about the city, then no...it doesn't really have lakes. It has the Delaware River and Schuykill River. The nearest lake may be near Levittown for example or a few smaller ones in the opposite direction, but they're all not very large. The closest thing to a sizable lake close to Philadelphia is the Delaware Bay or more towards Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay.
Speaking strictly about MSAs, Chicago has a lot more water area than Philadelphia, even if you were to take out the Lake Michigan parts that are counted.
some fresh water lake aint a beach. U cant surf, skim board, smell the salt air, exfoliate that skin for a nice shiny summer glow from the salt water.
yall beaches are just try-hard. Sorry, chicago
While I am not sure what "yall beaches are just try-hard" means, there are definitely advantages/disadvantages to both types of beaches. My wife is from Minnesota, so we are on the lakes there every summer, and I just bought a house in Dewey Beach, DE and grew up going to the beaches in South Florida my entire childhood.
I find boating, jet skiing, fishing, swimming, waterskiing to all be better on a lake, while I prefer surfing and general ocean town vibe to be more appealing. I typically find things that actually have to do with the WATER to be better in a lake, while activities with a ocean as the backdrop to be better.
As for the beach argument, you truly don't understand the difference unless you've grown up near an ocean. It's easy to say, what's the difference?… but there is. Oceans and lakes cannot compare IMO and in the opinion of most people I know who've grown up in NJ. Is Lake Michigan beautiful? Of course. But it's not the Atlantic. I visited Chicago for the first time when I was about 10 and I knew the difference between the Jersey Shore and those lake beaches and which I preferred: ocean beaches.
That being said, I still voted Chicago. Beautiful city, reminds me much more of NYC than Philly does which isn't a deal breaker but it's nice to be in a city that feels more like the one I am very familiar with. Also, Chicago was pretty clean which always surprises me because as I said I am used to New York. Wonderful architecture, great food, and I did enjoy the lake as well but much much prefer ocean beaches. I love Chicago and can't wait to go back.
As for the beach argument, you truly don't understand the difference unless you've grown up near an ocean. It's easy to say, what's the difference?… but there is. Oceans and lakes cannot compare IMO and in the opinion of most people I know who've grown up in NJ. Is Lake Michigan beautiful? Of course. But it's not the Atlantic. I visited Chicago for the first time when I was about 10 and I knew the difference between the Jersey Shore and those lake beaches and which I preferred: ocean beaches.
Yes, sure, an ocean beach is totally different than the type of beach we have in Chicago. However, the lake beach is still a beautiful beach. The argument for Chicago in this regard is that Chicago literally sits on the beach whereas Philadelphia doesn't. I can be at the beach from my place in a 3-4 minute walk. Where in Philadelphia can you say that? Chicago is much more accessible to its large waterfront and its beaches than Philadelphia.
Yes, sure, an ocean beach is totally different than the type of beach we have in Chicago. However, the lake beach is still a beautiful beach. The argument for Chicago in this regard is that Chicago literally sits on the beach whereas Philadelphia doesn't. I can be at the beach from my place in a 3-4 minute walk. Where in Philadelphia can you say that? Chicago is much more accessible to its large waterfront and its beaches than Philadelphia.
Oh you definitely can't. But for those who prefer the ocean, Philly isn't too far. And a lot of people from the coasts wouldn't even consider a lake to be a "real beach" which is where I think you're running into problems here. And I won't lie, I do sort of have that mentality. But I do see your point and you are correct - PA isn't even on the ocean, PA people use NJ's beaches, as well as DE's, MD's, and VA's while Chicago does have a nice big lake. It's an argument no one will win because it's a matter of opinion and what you're used to.
Oh you definitely can't. But for those who prefer the ocean, Philly isn't too far. And a lot of people from the coasts wouldn't even consider a lake to be a "real beach" which is where I think you're running into problems here. And I won't lie, I do sort of have that mentality. But I do see your point and you are correct - PA isn't even on the ocean, PA people use NJ's beaches, as well as DE's, MD's, and VA's while Chicago does have a nice big lake. It's an argument no one will win because it's a matter of opinion and what you're used to.
The thing is it's not really a matter of opinion, beaches on lake michigan are still beaches, whether some person from Pennsylvania agrees or not.
Meh. The other thing about Chicago is that it's not on the prettier side of the lake. While the urban beaches are actually quite awesome, Michigan's "west coast" actually has some stunning beaches with varied coastal topography and more natural beauty. I.e. I don't see how someone could say somewhere like Sleeping Bear Dunes doesn't have "real beaches" just because it's on a lake.
The thing is it's not really a matter of opinion, beaches on lake michigan are still beaches, whether some person from Pennsylvania agrees or not.
Well, it is a matter of opinion. A lake beach and an ocean beach are not the same thing. Someone may prefer one over the other which is perfectly fine but if they were the same we wouldn't be having this conversation. You cannot compare a freshwater lake to an ocean, like it or not. You may like a lake better, but it's still not an ocean like an ocean's not a lake.
I'm not ragging on Chicago or people from Chicago and I'm certainly not choosing people from Philly or PA - I just happen to agree with them. I love Chicago, much more than Philly. And no matter what people from Philly say, the beaches they go to are not even in their state. Even though it's not an ocean, people from Chicago still have a very nice lake beach right there, something that people from Philly cannot ever say no matter how much they promote NJ's beaches.
Meh. The other thing about Chicago is that it's not on the prettier side of the lake. While the urban beaches are actually quite awesome, Michigan's "west coast" actually has some stunning beaches with varied coastal topography and more natural beauty. I.e. I don't see how someone could say somewhere like Sleeping Bear Dunes doesn't have "real beaches" just because it's on a lake.
Are you from Michigan, Chicago, or another great Lake state/city? If yes, that's how. There's your answer.
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I visited Chicago for the first time when I was about 10 and I knew the difference between the Jersey Shore and those lake beaches and which I preferred: ocean beaches. 
Wonderful architecture, great food, and I did enjoy the lake as well but much much prefer ocean beaches. I love Chicago and can't wait to go back.
