Chicago or NYC
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- instrmntl0
I agree with 2002. If you have or want kids, live in Jersey or the outskirts of Chicago. If not, NY is a more rewarding city.
- No one should live in Jersey. Hoboken is up and coming tho.bainbridge
- i liked Hoboken.sea_sea
- Hoboken floorwaxmarychain
- come out to montclairdoesnotexist
- pinkfloyd0
I was actually in an abortion clinic with my ex 10 years ago.
- marchelo0
Ok... I signed in just to say two things. 1. Chicago is cold as balls 2. The average NYC rent is now $3,000 and Brooklyn is now the second most expensive city to live in within the U.S. (Second to Manhattan) I hope you get a bag full of money. In my opinion though... NYC is way nicer than Chicago, if you can afford it.
- bainbridge0
Do you think the real estate bubble will burst in NYC ever? These prices can't keep on going up if any students or retail people are ever going to survive.
- its going spread out more. like astoria, long island city etc spreading to woodside..yurimon
- brooklyn its spreading out...
The market for luxury property is booming. rich are buying.yurimon - in ny from all over alot of chinese with cash.. foreigners with money...
rich from all over the countryyurimon - bed stuy is hip now.freedom
- bedstuy used to be crack central..
you could pay someone to buy a house there.yurimon - err couldntyurimon
- 20020
what do you mean? the bubble bursted in 2009 and prices plummeted.
- Rents are higher than ever though?freedom
- Prices are high because of low inventory. No one is selling2002
- Even with this prices are falling again. Rents dropping.2002
- I just rented a 1000 sq ft apt on Lex for a price as low as 2008monospaced
- http://www.bloomberg…yurimon
- omg0
Feb 2- There is so much opportunity here in NYC!
Men Robbed Armored Truck Guard at HSBC in Queens gets $300,000
http://www.ny1.com/content/news/…
- seventys0
I've lived in both cities, and am currently back in Chicago. Many of the points people have made here are valid but here's my personal take:
1. Cost of living:
You are right to be wary of this. Depending on which part of New York you live, the cost of living is SUBSTANTIALLY higher than Chicago. The further away you live from the heart of Manhattan the cheaper it will be, but why in God's name would you want to move to New York if you're not really in the heart of the city. Living in Hoboken, NJ is NOT the same as living in New York. I don't care what those bride and tunnel people say. They aren't getting the full New York experience. Also, Brooklyn is very different and distinct in its character and lifestyle than Manhattan. If you like the pace of Brooklyn, then you can get the same experience in Chicago. If you want the fast paced life of Manhattan, then live in Manhattan proper.As a corollary to this point, if you decide that where you actually want to live in Manhattan, then the cost of living difference is around 30% higher than Chicago. So here's some quick math. If you get offered $80K in Chicago, but $100K in New York, from a pure numbers standpoint, it makes more sense to go with the Chicago offer. Why? Because the effective dollar amount that you're receiving when the cost of living is calculated is $70K in New York when compared to Chicago.
Also, while it's true that you can live further out from the heart of NYC to save money, you're also having to commute more. Never underestimate the value of your time.
And as for space, you get far more space for the same amount of money in Chicago. If you don't want to feel like you're living in a sardine can, then Chicago has far more value for you.
2. Opportunities for growth and career advancement:
If part of your decision-making is impacted by how this move will affect your career, then I would say the following. New York is unparalleled when it comes to access to opportunities. There's way more world-class agencies and a large community of talented people to learn and grown from. With that said, it is also very competitive. There's equally just that many more people all trying to make a name for themselves. There's more opportunities but also more people competing with you for them.3. Weather
Chicago's winters are much worse than New York's. Of that, there's no question. But that's really just 3 months out of the year. If you want to work and live somewhere for the weather, then you should go to places like Miami or Los Angeles. New York gets a slight edge here, because of their relatively milder winters.4. People and Community
People in Chicago are MUCH friendlier than New Yorkers. I don't know what people are talking about. There's just no comparison between jaded, irascible East Coasters and Midwesterners. Don't get me wrong. New Yorkers have good people too, but there's also a ton of douche bags. Take Wall Street assholes, for example, or pretentious would-be artists, OR self-important hipsters. There's a ton of those folks in New York. Far less in Chicago.5. Culture and other intangibles
New York has some of the best events, concerts, ceremonies, etc. The sheer number of things that you can do in any given week is overwhelming. There's no shortage of things to explore and do. On this point, I would give this to New York.6. Food and restaurants
I personally found the restaurant scene in New York to be over-hyped. The really great places tend to have long lines and waits. The best places in Chicago also have waiting lists, but it's not nearly as bad, in my personal opinion. Also, the food is equally world-class. Chicagoans like to eat, especially when they're trying to pack on some fat for those cold winters. For me, this is a wash.7. Lifestyle and pace
This is purely a matter of personal preference. New York is the city that never sleeps. If you absolutely want to live in a place where there's always something open, then New York is the city for you. However, there really isn't that many places open 24 hours. Bodegas, food cars, and diners, yes. But really, the pickings get slim right around 3am.8. Natural environment and surroundings
New York is a concrete jungle. There's a dearth of parks outside of Central Park. Their waters are muddy and polluted. You have far more forests, open spaces, and parks in Chicago. For complete urbanites, this doesn't matter, but if you like seeing green where you live, then Chicago is a better choice. Chicago's Lake Michigan is beautiful and great to spend time on. I doubt the same can be said of the East or Hudson River. There are beaches, but you have schlep to them.9. Transportation:
Chicago has a pretty good public transportation system. It's nowhere near of ubiquitous as New York, but it is feasible to live in Chicago without a car, depending on where you live. The way that I would phrase it is like this. You can have a car in Chicago and it won't cost you an arm and a leg. However, to have a car in New York is an absolute luxury. You have to spend a lot more money to maintain and keep a car. I personally like having the ability to drive when I want to. In New York, that is hardly an option. But after a while, you may find yourself adapting to a car-less lifestyle.10. Crime:
Someone mentioned crime in this post so I will briefly address it here. Chicago's crime rate is very sensationalized. The worst crimes occur in the poorer neighborhoods as you might imagine. To me, New York is a slightly more dangerous place to live. But this all depends on WHERE you live.11. Diversity:
Chicago has decent ethnic and culture diversity, but New York is a true melting pot. If you want to be exposed to people of all stripes, then New York is definitely better on that count. Chicago tends to be more white and stratified.
- omg0
Feb 2 - Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead in Manhattan Apartment
- yurimon0
everything you need to know about new york is in this show..
- YetiMade0
seventys, that's a great, great point. I really appreciate your feedback and dissection of the cities. Thank you very much :c)
- No problem. I know I made a lot of mistakes when I first moved to New York. One additional tip: if you do decide to go to NYC, make sure your relocation package covers your agent fee. They charge 15% just to find a place to rent.seventys
- seventys0
One additional tip:
If you do decide to move to New York, make sure your relocation package includes the agent's fee. In New York, agents who help you find a place to live may charge you up to 15% of the annual rent.
- it's usually just a month's rent though, and now even that is negotiablemonospaced
- vaxorcist0
Chicago, you can get cheaper places without having to inherit them from your parents rent controlled paperwork paranoia....
- 20020
I just heard that New York is full.
Sorry dude, better luck next time.
- omg0
Feb 3- Lots of snow
- johndiggity0
I've lived in both and the two do not compare. They are vastly different. Which city being "better" for you is more of a question about where you are in your life and what you like to do outside of the 9–5. Is it important to be close to family? Do you have kids/married? Like to do outdoorsy stuff? Into something niche? Sports lover?
They are both great places to live for the right type of person. Conversely they are really tough places to live if you don't fit the bill for each.
- utopian0
I here that Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment is now available for rent.
- cannonball19780
If you are:
Still in your 20s - NYC
In your 30s and haven't lived in a major metropolitan area - NYC
In your 30s and know all about city living - Chicago
In your 40s and not married - NYC
In your 40s and married - What your wife says
Kids - Chicago
- stoplying0
I may have an opportunity in Chicago and was wondering if someone can tell me some good neighborhoods to look at for a family. Not too far out of the city but just to get an idea of real estate...
- Wicker Park / Bucktown is probably a good start.rosem
- I don't know much about Chicago, but what about near that park with the Zoo? We walked there from downtown.monospaced
- I thought it was a nice little neighborhood area.monospaced
- Lincoln Park, River North, South Looputopian
- Very Resourceful:
http://www.streetadv…utopian - Thanks, Yous guys!stoplying
- I love Chicago, I would move there for the right opportunity or woman.utopian
- Yeah I've visited a few times and liked it a lot.stoplying