I had this whole post planned to talk about my trip to Chicago this weekend. And then life (and my first week of work!!!) happened. So instead, here's a little comparison of the Windy City and NYC:
Cleanliness
I mean, duh. Chicago wins. New York is down and dirty.
Cost of living
Chicago wins again. Things are cheap (except the taxis, apparently). I saw 3 friends' apartments and HOLY JESUS ARE THEY HUGE. And they cost a fraction of the tiny cramped things we New Yorkers like to call our humble abodes.
Public transportation
No one beats NYC in the train department. Though when we were on the L and it took the loop in the opposite direction from where it was supposed to go, it made me feel like home. Anyone who has ever taken the New York subway on weekends knows that it never does anything correctly. Glad it's not an NYC-only problem.
Public art
Chicago has awesome art all over the place. New York, not nearly as much.
Brunch
New York has some of the best brunches ever, but I have to say I had one sick ass time at Duffy's in Chitown. 16 bucks for unlimited buffet and unlimited mimosas, plus a DJ and a completely rowdy dance party starting at 10 AM. Best. Time. Ever. I mean, total and complete insanity. This is a toss up because NYC definitely has far more unlimited drink brunches, but I have yet to go to a brunch where we dance to DMX. New York has quantity, but Chicago wins out for quality for just this one place.
Nightlife
People in Chicago do NOT party like New Yorkers. End of story. Though my friends and I did randomly end up at a salsa club one night, which I have to say, has never happened to me at home.
Overall sense of adventure
I felt comfortable in downtown Chicago after about 3 hours. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it's not totally ideal. Where's the mystery?
In general, my trip was super fun. Chicago is a cute city with some cool people, but I have no idea what I would have done with my time there if I had stayed more than 3 days. In that sense, Chicago is sort of like Boston - a great place to visit, but it doesn't excite me enough to make me want to live there (also, it's COLD). It does, however, make me look forward to going back in November 2011 for my friend's wedding - and for Duffy's. Seriously.
2 comments:
I haven't bene to CHicago since high school, when I visited with my mom & grandma. Needless to say, I don't think I got the full experience. And New York? I love it, but I could NEVER feel at home there. It's amazing & fast-paced & beautiful & absurd, but it's also a little bit too much for me; it would eat me alive. I prefer my cities D.C.-style, though I think only D.C. is actually D.C.-style... Can you tell I miss it?!
Last weekend was so boss. I agree with pretty much all of this. And plus maybe we didn't party like NYCers cause you hung out with old people like Jess and I all weekend (haha). Can't wait for your January trip.
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