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Hmm... I've asked my Chicago friends about jaywalking and they've said they don't do it, at least not downtown. One Chicago friend said she learned to jaywalk in DC. It's possible my friends are too suburban?
That said, Chicagoans aren't as frustrating to walk with as Californians.
I don't think jaywalking is a cultural or geographic thing. I think it's largely an individual thing (like speeding). Besides, it's hard to be on every corner and assess how many people jaywalk and how often it occurs, particularly if you've never lived or worked in the city in question.
You made a few subtle hints that DC was less of a northeast city and southern/mid atlantic whatever that means. In fact, DC is an anchor on the Northeast corridor. The city's lifestyle and attitude is east coast all day long. I gave you a few characteristics of why it is more fast paced than Chicago. Jaywalking is an east coast characteristic. People in the Midwest and West coast don't jaywalk by the masses like you see on the east coast. It's the norm in places like Philly and NYC. You may see a few people jaywalk in Utah but it's not a part of the culture. If you go into the Chicago forum, people were complaining about street food. "Where do they wash their hands or use the bathroom?" LOL. On the east coast, street food is the norm. LA is a huge city and has subways like east coast cities but the culture is different. They had an honor system in place where there were no fare gates. They gave riders the benefit of doubt that they purchased a ticket to ride. Sometimes police would stop and ask to see your ticket. This is unthinkable on the east coast. These are the differences that I keep harping on.
You make it seem like DC is this city where everyone is "Go! Go! Go!" and "Outta my way!" as they scarf down a half smoke with mambo sauce on their way to their 7:00am-3:00pm job at the Department of the Interior (flex schedule). If by "fast paced" you mean people walking fast and pushing people with a cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, then I'd say no, DC is not "fast paced" by that definition. JFK called it a city of "southern efficiency" for a reason.
you make it seem like dc is this city where everyone is "go! Go! Go!" and "outta my way!" as they scarf down a half smoke with mambo sauce on their way to their 7:00am-3:00pm job at the department of the interior (flex schedule). If by "fast paced" you mean people walking fast and pushing people with a cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, then i'd say no, dc is not "fast paced" by that definition. Jfk called it a city of "southern efficiency" for a reason.
LA is a huge city and has subways like east coast cities but the culture is different. They had an honor system in place where there were no fare gates. They gave riders the benefit of doubt that they purchased a ticket to ride. Sometimes police would stop and ask to see your ticket. This is unthinkable on the east coast. These are the differences that I keep harping on.
Funny thing about this. I remembered this comment. I'm currently visiting Baltimore for the artscape festival. The "honor system" is exactly how their light rail works. You buy a ticket before you board and sometimes the transit cop/worker checks it.
But maybe Baltimore isn't part of the NE, just like DC isn't...(opening up a can of worms).
LMAO small town D.C. is faster paced than a bustling epicenter like Chicago?
I like D.C., it's one of the best tiny towns in the world but come on now.
Little city because the population size is deceiving. Given that DC has 10% of the land area of London and has no power to annex, you have to look at the metro population as a whole. As a whole, there's about 6 million people here, which does not include Baltimore's figures. The density of DC is also just a little less than London, so I'm not sure what your measuring stick for "little" is. Little compared to Hong Kong or NYC? Yes, but certainly not little when compared to London.
Funny thing about this. I remembered this comment. I'm currently visiting Baltimore for the artscape festival. The "honor system" is exactly how their light rail works. You buy a ticket before you board and sometimes the transit cop/worker checks it.
But maybe Baltimore isn't part of the NE, just like DC isn't...(opening up a can of worms).
NJ transit also has this on their light rail lines.
I'm gonna say DC to live and Chicago for vacation. As a larger city, Chicago just has more to do. But DC has better weather and is in a great location, plus, closer to the ocean. I also know DC has a lot of crime, but I think it's better than Chicago, not sure though. Chicago definitely has the advantage in walkability and public transit compared to the sprawled DC suburbs in Maryland, WV and Virginia, maybe even better than DC proper.
Funny thing about this. I remembered this comment. I'm currently visiting Baltimore for the artscape festival. The "honor system" is exactly how their light rail works. You buy a ticket before you board and sometimes the transit cop/worker checks it.
But maybe Baltimore isn't part of the NE, just like DC isn't...(opening up a can of worms).
Lucky you. I've gotten checked multiple times when I've taken the Lightrail. The MTA Police do their job I can say.
A city of 600k+ ppl like D.C is more fast paced than Chicago, one of the top financial centers of the world?
When did DC's Finest become a comedian?
Is this the same gentleman who claimed Georgetown University is more world famous then U.of Chicago? The last time I checked, G.U ranked #174 and UoChicago was somewhere in the top 10 according to World University rankings.
I love Chicago & D.C, but I think Chicago is more exciting and interesting than D.C. Indeed, I believe Chicago arguably has some of the coolest neighborhoods in the country.
Last edited by downtown1; 07-21-2013 at 12:09 AM..
Reason: typo
Little city because the population size is deceiving. Given that DC has 10% of the land area of London and has no power to annex, you have to look at the metro population as a whole. As a whole, there's about 6 million people here, which does not include Baltimore's figures. The density of DC is also just a little less than London, so I'm not sure what your measuring stick for "little" is. Little compared to Hong Kong or NYC? Yes, but certainly not little when compared to London.
London sets aside something like half of its land as green space. Pretty good planning for reals.
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