which is a better city: Chicago or New York?

crazyquik · Feb 10, 2009

By popular request

Which is a better city? Does Chicago offer most of the good points of New York, along with being cheaper, having a current US President, and not having to stumble over unemployed bankers on the way to work?

New York, ruthless. Chicago, nuturing. New York, churn. Chicago, stasis. New York, great ******* restaurants. Chicago, restos that are not as good as everyone thinks they are. New York, stinky. Chicago, alleys for garbage. New York, bombastic. Chicago, modest. New York, defense mode. Chicago, eye contact and smiles. New York, pretentious. Chicago, serious. New York, a racetrack for ambition. Chicago, a place to settle down and play the long game. New York, pizza. Chicago, hot dogs. New York, Yankees. Chicago, Cubs. New York, Prada. Chicago, Marshall Field's. New York, subway. Chicago, SUV. New York, vodka. Chicago, beer. New York, the Atlantic. Chicago, Lake Michigan. New York, junior four. Chicago, 4BR, 4.5 BA, double-wide lot.

singhstyle · Feb 10, 2009

In my opinion, New York City. Chicago has a lot of history, but I have tons of friends who interned in Chicago and they liked it for the financial analyst aspect. Its a booming business center. Now, NYC pertains to every aspect of a person's life. Bars, Gyms, very fast paced life overall. Also, if you left the NYC area, there are still a lot of cities to go to, Princeton, trenton, Philly, D.C. Once youre in Chicago, you cannot really go to any other cities that provide as much entertainment or opportunities as those on the East Coast or even West coast.

rnoldh · Feb 10, 2009

Should be a poll.

I lived in NYC through HS, and I loved it.

Of course that was long ago and I had nothing to compare it to.

I still think it's an amazing place to visit and I would recommend it to anyone for a visit.

I'm on Houston, Tx. now and I wouldn't move back to NYC.

I've only traveled through Chicago and it seemed very appealing but I don't know enough about it to answer your question.

A lot would depend on how you define "better".

If better is defined as cost of living and accessibility to good health care, Houston would beat both of them. If better entails, nightlife, beauty, cultural aspects, etc., then Houston would come in # 3.

Connemara · Feb 10, 2009

Originally Posted by singhstyle

In my opinion, New York City. Chicago has a lot of history, but I have tons of friends who interned in Chicago and they liked it for the financial analyst aspect. Its a booming business center. Now, NYC pertains to every aspect of a person's life. Bars, Gyms, very fast paced life overall. Also, if you left the NYC area, there are still a lot of cities to go to, Princeton, trenton, Philly, D.C. Once youre in Chicago, you cannot really go to any other cities that provide as much entertainment or opportunities as those on the East Coast or even West coast.
That's true. Chicago doesn't have a close network of other major cultural centers like NYC does (the Boston to NY to Philly to D.C. corridor). Then again, with air travel, it's not exactly hard to get anywhere in the U.S.

JayJay · Feb 10, 2009

I spend a lot of time in both cities but a lot more in Chicago than NYC. Although I really love Chicago, NYC is the better, IMO.

yachtie · Feb 11, 2009

Chicago, hands down. Fortunately the threat of weather keeps the wimpy coasties away.

And remember, when the ice caps melt it'll still be 420' above sea level.

83glt · Feb 11, 2009

Originally Posted by rnoldh

Should be a poll.

I lived in NYC through HS, and I loved it.

Of course that was long ago and I had nothing to compare it to.

I still think it's an amazing place to visit and I would recommend it to anyone for a visit.

I'm on Houston, Tx. now and I wouldn't move back to NYC.

I've only traveled through Chicago and it seemed very appealing but I don't know enough about it to answer your question.

A lot would depend on how you define "better".

If better is defined as cost of living and accessibility to good health care, Houston would beat both of them. If better entails, nightlife, beauty, cultural aspects, etc., then Houston would come in # 3.
Houston? You must like driving and strip malls.

83glt · Feb 11, 2009

Originally Posted by Connemara

That's true. Chicago doesn't have a close network of other major cultural centers like NYC does (the Boston to NY to Philly to D.C. corridor). Then again, with air travel, it's not exactly hard to get anywhere in the U.S.
And flying is just so convenient these days.

83glt · Feb 11, 2009

Although I've heard many good things about Chicago, I've never been. I'd really like to check it out though. So for now anyway, NYC gets my nod.

kwilkinson · Feb 11, 2009

Originally Posted by 83glt

Although I've heard many good things about Chicago, I've never been. I'd really like to check it out though.
You should come. I love it.
Might want to wait a few months though...

JSC437 · Feb 11, 2009

In terms of academia (i am super geek boy, so this $hit concerns me)... i tend to think University of Chicago is better than Columbia and NYU. Although Columbia and UofC are pretty close. ok.. just my 2 cents. More Nobel Prizes in Economics out of Univ Chicago than anywhere else.

rnoldh · Feb 11, 2009

Originally Posted by 83glt

Houston? You must like driving and strip malls.

More so than State and City income taxes. Also housing prices that are literally a fraction of NYC housing costs.

There are trade offs anywhere you live. Houston may not be the best place, but it's consistently voted the most liveable ( or close to it ) big city to live in the USA.

Gus · Feb 11, 2009

NYC is more global, Chicago better represents the heartland of America.

crazyquik · Feb 11, 2009

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

NYC is more global, Chicago better represents the heartland of America.

And yet, the people are so provincial

brlfvr · Feb 11, 2009

I grew up in Chicago and have only visited NY. From that I think that Chicago is cleaner, safer and the people are more to my liking. Brooklyn Heights was really nice though.

which is a better city: Chicago or New York?

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