Major US Cities: New York City vs Chicago vs Los Angeles

[tocharian]

Yes Skronk. You're right. Gatsby is only relevant to New Yorkers and is in no way an American archetype.

Since we're bein' all literal here, by "Gatsby" I meant that decadent, doomed American striver.

Have a nice day EA!

[Minotaur029]

I'm pretty sure Skronk did not even post in this thread.

[tbone]

I gotta go with:

1. Chicago
2. NYC
3. LA

I am partial to Chicago, admittedly, since I grew up around here and it was kind of the default/logical/easy choice when I wanted to make the move to a big city upon reaching adulthood. But whenever I have visited anywhere else and attempted to look at it as a possible place to move someday, there's always something about it that doesn't compare to Chicago. Sure, we have some long, horrible winters, but my theory is that if it weren't for those, and specifically, the month of February here, the worst of the complainers would have no reason to get the hell out of our fair city. 10 million people would live here. Traffic's already horrible--I can't imagine what it would be like if millions more moved here because they weren't deterred by rough winters.

I'm just so used to the weather around here that it never reaches the "I need to get the fuck away from this" level of annoyance. Sure it isn't fun waiting on an exposed Blue Line platform when the trains are inevitably delayed on the coldest days of the year, but that's why man invented winter clothing. Wear some long johns and cover your damn ears, and shut the fuck up about it being cold. Also, after the first few days of that in December or maybe January if you're lucky, you're steeled for the rest of the winter. Then, when it hits 70 for the first time in, say, April, it's like HELLO BOOBS.

Honestly I'm moreso annoyed by the political corruption and mafia-like police force than the weather. Those reasons would force me out well before the weather would.

Other great things about Chicago:
- We're in the middle of the country, and we're a huge city. Every touring band, comedian, whatever, always hits Chicago on tour.
- You can afford to live here. You can afford to buy a place here in a neighborhood where you probably won't get killed much more easily than most enormous cities.
- Our museums are top notch
- Free outdoor movies and music at Millenium Park during the summer. As documented in great detail on this forum, Shellac played one of these this year.
- As much as the public trans can be a pain in the ass and kinda dirty, it's actually very easy to get almost anywhere in this city, and comparatively cheap. Flat rate of $2.25 to go all the way from O'Hare to the loop and out to Midway via the el. (As long as you don't get out and do something along the way).
- Hot Dougs, Kuma's corner. Fancy fine dining all over the place. Cheap as hell but amazingly delicious neighborhood restaurants.
- Neighborhood bars with Old Style signs everywhere.

NYC is a fun place to visit. Everyone knows someone that lives there. Too expensive for my tastes, and too big. Chicago's fucking big, but NYC is just a whole 'nother level. LA I admit that I've never been to, unless you count waiting in LAX for a connecting flight for an hour. But from everything I've ever heard about it, it doesn't seem to appeal to me. At all.

[tbone]

Also, sometimes, if the wind is just right, downtown smells like chocolate.

[Antero]

Also, sometimes, if the wind is just right, downtown smells like chocolate.

Possibly my favorite aspect of Chicago. Downtown LA does not smell like chocolate.

[Ernest]

I'm pretty sure Skronk did not even post in this thread.

I posted on page two, a couple of sentences. I guess she mistook me for Venkman.

[pwalshj]

Queens >or= Chicago.

Yes, I'm drunk. But! .. I'm right.

[jimmy two hands]

Also, sometimes, if the wind is just right, downtown smells like chocolate.

And if the wind is just wrong, downtown smells like chocolate and sewage. but it's still better than the smell of garbage in NY, or the smell of smog and assholes in LA.

[Junkyard]

Why compare? They're all great cities. I've lived in two of them (NYC AND LA) and I have visited Chicago multiple times. Each city has its own personality and vibe that can't be compared. If I had to choose between the three, where i would want to live, that would be NYC. But mainly because I know it well and have any friends there.

Boston and San Francisco are also as great in teir own ways, as the three cities you mentioned.

If I were to pick, in order of where i'd like to live it would probably go like this:

NYC
Boston/ San Francisco (toss up)
Chicago
Los Angeles

[japmn]

The Illinois liquor and wine tax will increase by 90% on 09/01/09.

Just in time for the 9 months of cold weather.

[Minotaur029]

The Illinois liquor and wine tax will increase by 90% on 09/01/09.

Just in time for the 9 months of cold weather.

I saw a sign about this at Binny's. I successfully sympathized with Republicans for the first time.

[PEPPER!]

I think I'm going to take up moonshining

[japmn]

I think I'm going to take up moonshining

I thought about it. It takes up a lot of space if you want to make enough to make it worth your while. I looked into Wine kits yesterday. I'd rather make beer or even a nice batch of dry cider. It is cheaper too.

[Schadenfreude]

I've only been to LA a thousand times and I don't like it.

I've met a lot of people from New York, many of them very good people, but I've met a fair amount that were too intense for me to lead me to believe it is a city I will not like much more than Los Angeles.

Compared to these two cities, Chicago seems normal. I'm going to have to go with it completely based upon assumption.

[Bradley]

[Minotaur029]

With respect to the Olympics, I think that most of the people here were jacked that we did not get them. See: "Thank The Maker, No Chicago Olympics".

[Antero]

Seriously.

[AnthonyCinder]

Please keep telling the rest of the country that LA sucks because all the assholes here are the ones who move from elsewhere to try to hit the big time in Hollywood.

FYP

[Antero]

Yeah that.

[enframed]

Will vote in May after visiting Chicago. As for NY vs. LA, tough call, actually.