Isnt this a popular opinion of sorts, outside the USA? Im a non-american a Chicago always comes up in "cities we should visit in USA" trip planning conversations.
idk about outside the US, but i think the general opinion is that its fun to visit, but bad to live in if your not upper middle class. I loved it when i visited but it seems to have issues in its poorer communities. Also like OP said, it is very clean, felt fine to walk anywhere, and was pretty.
I live here as well, and make a decent salary. I am doing everything I can to get out of here. I guess some people are just big city people and can tolerate the problems.
Got it. I've always live in the neighborhoods (Lakeview west and now north center) and prefer that but everyone is different. We have our issues but I like the pros more than the cons. I love the walkability and public transportation, and of course the architecture and water. I used to live in NYC and it's rare to find all of this in the US (outside of NYC and Chicago). I know I can find a bigger place for cheaper but I hate driving and you need to drive in most US places.
People tend to avoid the US due to of course the violence that happens here but if you actually visit and ignore what media says you'll have a better time
My daughter goes to a school in Chicago. It's great for touristy stuff but don't kid yourself - it is dangerous. There was a shooting at a gas station she could see from her dorm. A stabbing victim was pulled into the student union building to get help.
I live in NYC and have visited Chicago and used to live in Michigan. Agree it's one of the most fun cities but still way under NYC in terms of excitement. It may be the capital of the midwest but still the Midwest.
Lived in Eastern MI (about 4 hours away) from the time I was born until I moved for college and lived in Western MI for a bit too (about 2 hours from Chicago) and I still don't understand what living in Michigan has to do with Chicago, a city two states away… 🤷🏻♀️
I absolutely loved visiting Chicago too. But just because tourists don't go anywhere near the bad neighborhoods,doesn't make it any less tragic for the people living there. Should people make a clear distinction that most of the city is not dangerous, yes. But I hope people continue to talk about how horrible those bad neighborhoods are so that maybe someday someone will actually do something about it
Isnt this a popular opinion of sorts, outside the USA? Im a non-american a Chicago always comes up in "cities we should visit in USA" trip planning conversations.
idk about outside the US, but i think the general opinion is that its fun to visit, but bad to live in if your not upper middle class. I loved it when i visited but it seems to have issues in its poorer communities. Also like OP said, it is very clean, felt fine to walk anywhere, and was pretty.
It's popular in the US.
It's popular. Chicago apparently had 30.7 million visitors in 2021.
Chicago is also easily one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
Visit, not to live.
I live here and love it so I disagree. Like most places, it depends on where you live and how much you make.
I live here as well, and make a decent salary. I am doing everything I can to get out of here. I guess some people are just big city people and can tolerate the problems.
Where do you live?
River North. I used to live in Lincoln Park which wasn't too bad. Honestly, I'm also tired of living in a box. I need a house and some land.
I'm in alabama and we got plenty here! Will gladly trade you
.... Those are two super nice neighbors with some expensive property. Of course it's not going to be cheap.
Have you ever considered looking farther out?
Got it. I've always live in the neighborhoods (Lakeview west and now north center) and prefer that but everyone is different. We have our issues but I like the pros more than the cons. I love the walkability and public transportation, and of course the architecture and water. I used to live in NYC and it's rare to find all of this in the US (outside of NYC and Chicago). I know I can find a bigger place for cheaper but I hate driving and you need to drive in most US places.
Hard disagree
People tend to avoid the US due to of course the violence that happens here but if you actually visit and ignore what media says you'll have a better time
Is this unpopular? I love Chicago.
its like GTA irl
You've...never been there have you?
Fun to visit horrible to live.
From there and it does have good food and great museums but just too darn cold and gray and flat.
No, thanks.
My daughter goes to a school in Chicago. It's great for touristy stuff but don't kid yourself - it is dangerous. There was a shooting at a gas station she could see from her dorm. A stabbing victim was pulled into the student union building to get help.
Agreed. It gets a politicized bad rap. Its like any other huge city. Theres parts you dont go to. In any state.
I love going to Chicago.
Especially in the non-winter seasons (e.g. summer, spring, fall, autumn, baseball, etc)
Stick around the downtown loop and don't stray too far south, or west, and you will just fine.
Visitors should definitely visit the neighborhoods and not just see the loop.
North side is fine too
The sketchiest thing a tourist in Chicago will encounter is one of those monk scammers tying a bracelet onto your wrist at the bean.
I lost a friend there. Never going.
Drive-by shooting out there very fun
lol no tourist is going to go to south Chicago
Shhhh don't ruin the secret!
Ah, that's too bad, it's a great comedy city.
I live in NYC and have visited Chicago and used to live in Michigan. Agree it's one of the most fun cities but still way under NYC in terms of excitement. It may be the capital of the midwest but still the Midwest.
What does living in Michigan have to do with Chicago?
I mean I lived about 4 hours away from Chicago plus it's a closely related great lakes midwestern state. 🤷♀️
Lived in Eastern MI (about 4 hours away) from the time I was born until I moved for college and lived in Western MI for a bit too (about 2 hours from Chicago) and I still don't understand what living in Michigan has to do with Chicago, a city two states away… 🤷🏻♀️
Never been to the USA, so I'll take your word for it. Frank Sinatra sure makes it sound like a fun place.
Not that unpopular, Chicago only gets a bad rap because it's used as a dog whistle from certain types who act in bad faith.
I absolutely loved visiting Chicago too. But just because tourists don't go anywhere near the bad neighborhoods,doesn't make it any less tragic for the people living there. Should people make a clear distinction that most of the city is not dangerous, yes. But I hope people continue to talk about how horrible those bad neighborhoods are so that maybe someday someone will actually do something about it
If you only stay on the north side and have money