Tormented NYC Soul — Is SF even more expensive than NYC?

[artdesignlou]

bbbrrrrr! that's what has kept me from chicago in the past. but I suppose even though I get deep, bone-wrenching chills in the cold, I can layer abundantly. and wear ski masks.

[NewToCA]

Originally Posted by artdesignlou

bbbrrrrr! that's what has kept me from chicago in the past. but I suppose even though I get deep, bone-wrenching chills in the cold, I can layer abundantly. and wear ski masks.

I've spent winter times in both New York and Chicago, and Chicago is a bit colder due to the wind. However, they get less moisture, especially snow. That is because they are on the "correct" side of the Great Lakes.

Now Cleveland, Buffalo or Rochester...

[beone]

Originally Posted by irvm

Don't be so sure. I worked with a fellow from Siberia. When asked what the weather was like, he'd say "Not as bad as Chicago".

That's funny. I think the winters in Chicago are much harsher than those in NYC. I have a friend who lives in Chicago now, lived in Boston and NYC before Chicago...she said the winters are much colder in Chicago.

One thing those average temperature/weather charts fail to show is wind chill....and wind chill is a HUGE factor. Coming from Minneapolis, I know very well what a good wind chill can do. Plus, I have been in Chicago to experience some of those wind chills.

I believe that may be why my friend thinks Chicago is colder than NYC or Boston.

[beone]

Originally Posted by NewToCA

I've spent winter times in both New York and Chicago, and Chicago is a bit colder due to the wind. However, they get less moisture, especially snow. That is because they are on the "correct" side of the Great Lakes.

Now Cleveland, Buffalo or Rochester...

I think saying Chicago is a bit colder is generous. New York does not have the wind chills Chicago has. That makes a huge difference, and Chicago's call "The Windy City" for a reason. Meaning, wind chills are a constant factor during the winter in Chicago - not so much in New York.

Personally, I'm a temperature person - I'd rather be buried under 6 feet of show, have the skies grey, and the temperatue 30 (I'm thinking Buffalo, NY) then have less snow, clear skies, and a temperature of 10 below.

That's just me.

But, I do agree Chicago is a good option. While the winters are brutal, they are easy to survive.

[Lurker]

Originally Posted by artdesignlou

I'm considering chicago as well. you say you prefer the weather in chicago to ny?

No, sorry if the sentence was awkward. I meant that I like NYC weather better than Chicago weather, but I like some other things about Chicago better than NYC. Chicago gets colder in the winter and stays cold longer, and it seems to get just as uncomfortably hot as NYC does in the summer. I mentioned Chicago only because it has lower RE costs than either coast and still has a big city feel to it (as opposed to more surburbanized cities like Atlanta). I don't think you'd find the culture or entertainment lacking in Chicago, so long as you don't make a point of forcing the comparison with NYC. You'll want to have friends there, right?

[beone]

Originally Posted by Lurker

No, sorry if the sentence was awkward. I meant that I like NYC weather better than Chicago weather, but I like some other things about Chicago better than NYC. Chicago gets colder in the winter and stays cold longer, and it seems to get just as uncomfortably hot as NYC does in the summer. I mentioned Chicago only because it has lower RE costs than either coast and still has a big city feel to it (as opposed to more surburbanized cities like Atlanta). I don't think you'd find the culture or entertainment lacking in Chicago, so long as you don't make a point of forcing the comparison with NYC. You'll want to have friends there, right?

You are right, but San Francisco and NYC have a higher density population than Chicago. That, to me, makes SF feel bigger than it really is. I love feel like I'm in the center of the universe where ever I am in SF because there are always tons of people out and about.

You have to weigh the pros and cons, but I believe you get a lot for you money in SF...more than Chicago. The same can be said for NYC - you get a lot of benefits for the cost. IMO.

Only you can make the decision. Chicago is a great city. If I ever move back to the midwest, I will go to Chicago. But, I prefer the climate in SF, the beauty of SF, the countless things to do in and around SF, and being near the ocean.

[Milliano]

Originally Posted by beone

I think saying Chicago is a bit colder is generous. New York does not have the wind chills Chicago has. That makes a huge difference, and Chicago's call "The Windy City" for a reason. Meaning, wind chills are a constant factor during the winter in Chicago - not so much in New York.

It's not called "the Windy City" because of wind.

(from city-data)
New York:
//pics2.city-data.com/w4/wnd14808.png (broken link)

Chicago:
//pics2.city-data.com/w4/wnd5242.png (broken link)

You're incorrect about the wind difference. New York actually has stronger winter winds than Chicago.

[artdesignlou]

thank you all for your comments and advice. i'm still completely confused! may just go back to nyc because I have friends there and I love a lot of what the city has to offer. it sucks to be "poor".

[jscore]

stay in nyc imho