<p>It's definitely not for me. It oozes such Americana that it makes me sick. The people, both the urban dwellers and the suburbanites, are WAY too proud of their frankly overrated city. Basically, I'm rejoicing the fact that I'm moving from Chicagoland to Vancouver, British Columbia for university, where I can purge myself of Americanism AND be rewarded for it.</p>
<p>Uh, okay? I'm from Michigan (in fact, I live on the Canadian borden near Ontario) and I attend school in Chicago (Northwestern). Chicago is an amazing Midwestern city in my opinion. Lots of significant and cultural history that correlates to the expansion of the West in the United States.</p>
<p>Prethumous, you're exactly opposite of what I plan on doing.</p>
<p>I hate this place and its stupid socialist atmosphere. It's so boring and I can't go anywhere without smelling pot (and the sad thing is that I'm not even exagerrating that much). I can't wait till I can get out of this crappy city and this crappy country........</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>I have not witnessed that which you describe - yes, I know the whole thing behind the "Windy" city, but really, I haven't met many (or any) people that are as "proud" as you describe.</p>
<p>And it's too bad that you find the area to be overrated. Granted Chicago isn't like New York or Los Angeles, but I think you've missed out on the opportunity to see the uniqueness of Chicago. I certainly would not characterize myself as proud, I just simply think Chicago is a pretty cool place.</p>
<p>And I'm not so sure about oozing Americana. Have you visted the city's Chinese, Indian, Greek, Polish ethnic neighborhoods, to name a few? They're pretty huge - Chicago is one of the most diverse cities.</p>
<p>It's funny you say this prethumous. I'm also looking forward to moving out of Chicago. Not that I hate the city, I just don't think it and I are a good match. Chicago, in my opinion is a very solid city and is definitely on it's way to becoming great. Also, I will be attending school in the northwest. Seattle not Vancouver - although I have always wanted to go to Vancouver. There is something about the mountains and the pacific ocean that draws me toward it. Anyways, it always seems like people hate the places they grew up, and end up going somewhere that is a polar opposite. So I guess I can understand where you and jrcho88 are coming from. Home can get a little old, but it doesn't mean you have to hate it.</p>
<p>i love walking on magnificent mile...i often do that, all the way from harold washington library to water tower place. i pass by the art institute, millennium park, the chicago river, the nbc news and chicago tribune building, the indoor mall and all the world class stores around there. i like chicago for reasons that are hard to explain, but i think i like its newness and grandeur. i have a small basis for comparison though because the only other major US cities i've been to are st. louis, san francisco, and boston. i like chicago best.</p>
<p>Americana? Are you aware that Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world besides Warsaw, Poland!</p>
<p>I've always felt like I'm in the minority for not liking Chicago. I know so many people who swear by it, but it does absolutely nothing for me. I briefly considered the University of Chicago, but I can't imagine living there. The few times I've been, I couldn't wait to get out. I'm definitely a Northeasterner, I guess.</p>
<p>Eh, Vancouver's not that great. It can be pretty at times, but it feels like it has no substance. If you've seen Seattle, you've pretty much seen Vancouver.</p>
<p>Wow, you sound like a half-wit. You want to purge yourself of Americanism for what? To revel in the dynamic, pulsating, glamourous glory of....Canada???</p>
<p>no its too cold for me.</p>
<p>You loser, Chicago is awesome.</p>
<p>cswim06: you'd best believe that I will enjoy becoming Canuck, quarter-wit.</p>
<p>athlonmj: tell me, between Vansterdam and Chi-town: which city was ranked more livable?</p>
<p>Those "liveability" surveys are a joke what with the random and often esoteric criteria they use to determine the outcome. I saw one that included how "cyclist-friendly" the cities were in its formula. I mean, that's sweet if you're training for the Toure de France, but 95% of people could not give a damn...</p>
<p>Chicago is a sorry excuse for a city. People pride Chicago on being "diverse". Ha! Chicago may be diverse, but statistically out of all the nations biggest cities, chicago is the most segregated. There is a reason there are so many polish, mexican, jewish, italian, black, etc neighborhoods. And that reason is because they cant live with any other nationalities in harmony. </p>
<p>People in chicago can be down right racist too. At times i wonderd if i was in Carolina as opposed to Chicago.</p>
<p>The city of chicago has horrible weather too. The only thing attractive about chicago is that its pretty cheap to live out there. (Atleast compared to us in California)</p>
<p>Hmmm. I'd say that pretty mucy all big cities are somewhat segregated by race. In NYC you have Harlem (the blacks), Spanish Harlem, Bensonhurst (Italians), Chinatown, Chelsea (gays) etc. Boston's got historically black Roxbury, the Italian North End, gay South Boston, Irish Southie etc. </p>
<p>Of course there are alway exceptions, but Chicago is not at all unique in having ethnic neighborhoods.</p>
<p>Chicago is amazing. It's one of my most favorite places I've ever visited. I'm not an expert on Chicago because I was only there for three days but it seems very fun and cosmopolitan. Yeah, it is definitely cold and windy, but so is Boston!</p>
<p>I would say Chicago is one of the top 5 cities I have been to, and I have lived in Paris, Berlin, London, San Francisco, and frequently visited NYC, DC, Boston, Barcelona, Madrid, Montreal, Toronto.</p>
<p>I love Chicago, but I'll have to admit, I love my home town of St. Louis better. Reason I like it more, is because we still have the same attractions as a large city, only our population is about 300,000, so it tends to be less crowded.</p>
<ul>
<li>I would say im a bit bias since it's by hometown*</li>
</ul>
<p>
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I will enjoy becoming Canuck
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</p>
<p>Honestly, what's the difference between American and Canadian? Bonus air miles?</p>