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Chicago deserves its own class and cant be compared to other midwest cities, but I will try. Chi is amazing in aesthetics and diversity of things to do...but also a very polarized city due to its history, and its too congested and lacks a comfortable day to day feel or setting for many . It has the most world class feel by far in the midwest...but...there is a major problem with lack of residential space (not great or affordable for families), hidden costs of living, sketchy politics, lack of freedoms, and now insane taxes too. Some places have even higher state tax, and all offer less urbaness...but in my humble opinion Chicago doesnt need to be lived in to be enjoyed. I admitted, I like to pick on the Chi because I simply got tired of rising costs, decreasingly livable, and annoying fake
urbanites.
.1 Milwaukee...yup. It has changed enough and continues to offer the very most of any city its size. Population lost very little in last census. Incredible food if you get out and poke around. People are a tad more provincial, but somehow it works to the citys advantage as it doesnt grow too fast and is far less congested and congenial. Chicago is not too far if you need to be submersed in world class a while and then get the **** out.
2. Cleveland. Not a mistake, its very underrated..but Milwaukee has more and is closed to CHI
3 Ann Arbor. Im serious.
4 Madison. Best overall for living, but no skyline and no pro sports...not urban enough.
.5 St Louis. Needs some work on aesthetics, but always something interesting going and not overwhelming to live
1. Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN) - I lived there from 2000 to 2005 and I loved it!
2. Columbus, OH (It has Ohio State University.)
3. Indianapolis, IN
4. Madison, WI (It could easily be #1 on my list if it's larger than its size.)
5. Chicago, IL (For me, it's a great city for visiting but not to live.)
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