CHICAGO is back ON TOP baby!!! Adding more jobs than any U.S. CITY

[TheTruth11]

We did it again. 2nd year in a row. Back on top again this year!

Correction: Adding more "COMPANIES" than any U.S. city for the second year in a row.



http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2015/mar/top-metros.cfm



Strength in Diversity

This year’s Top Metros have learned the wisdom of not putting all their eggs in one basket.

http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2015/mar/images/ChicagoSkyline_NorthLakeshore.jpg


From Site Selection magazine, March 2015





TOP METROS OF 2014

Chicago topped all US metropolitan areas with 385 projects in 2014.




by PATTY RASMUSSEN
and
ADAM BRUNS




Frank Sinatra once famously crooned, “My kind of town, Chicago is.” These days he would be joined by a chorus of business and industry executives who have chosen to invest in the Windy City. In fact, 385 companies either expanded or located in Chicago in 2014, resulting in the city being named Site Selection’s Top Metro in the US for the second straight year. The consecutive wins are a pleasant endorsement, says Jeff Malehorn, president and CEO of World Business Chicago.

“Winning back-to-back speaks to the economic leadership and the work being done here in the city and the region,” he says, tipping his cap to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, assorted partner organizations and the business community.

Chicago’s appeal is hardly surprising. The city’s boasts outstanding transportation and logistical assets, including two international airports, a rail hub and seaport, and stands at the crossroads of major Interstates. Chicago and the region are home to a wealth of talent educated at some of the nation’s premier colleges and universities. Foreign companies looking for a US home are drawn to the city’s diverse ethnic population. “Any company outside the US can look to Chicago and see a home,” says Malehorn.

Project highlights for Chicago in 2014 include:
• Valence Health — a health services company based in Chicago adding 500 jobs over the next five years;
• Yelp — the online review and advertising site based in San Francisco, Calif., is opening an office in Chicago and plans to hire 300 employees;
• Braintree — the global payments platform expanded into a 65,000-sq.-ft. (6,000-sq.-m.) headquarters on the eighth floor of the Merchandise Mart. The company is adding 360 new jobs by 2017.
• ADM — the food services company opened its new global headquarters in downtown Chicago in August 2014.

“We have momentum,” Malehorn says. “You can be nothing but bullish. You see it in the metrics.”

In figures released in January, Chicago posted its lowest unemployment rate since April 2008, 6.2 percent. The number of city residents employed in December 2014 increased by more than 38,000. The jobs were mostly attributed to professional and business services, education and health service and transportation and warehousing. Malehorn says diversity is a theme in Chicago’s growth, but so is innovation and disruption.

“No single sector dominates,” he says. “We’re one of the most diverse cities by industry, and yet every industry and company is either going to be technologically enabled or disrupted. That’s why we spend a lot of time making certain we’re competitive, whether in information technology, clean tech, advanced manufacturing, or bio and med tech. These firms are attracted to the Chicago region because they’re near the talent and this broad customer base and transportation.”

...


http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2015/mar/images/1503TopMetros-5_2.jpg


Also there is this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/upshot/more-new-jobs-are-in-city-centers-while-employment-growth-shrinks-in-the-suburbs.html?_r=2&abt=0002&abg=0

Chicago's core population is growing faster than almost any city in the United States.

And unemployment is now at 6.2%. Lower than NYC.


In another positive sign:

[QUOTE=chiphile;6884739]http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2015/01/21/chicago-ohare-retakes-worlds-busiest-title--sort-of/22125499/


Chicago O'Hare retakes 'world's busiest' title …

"O'Hare has overtaken Atlanta last year based on the number of flight operations...
...Atlanta is expected to remain the world's busiest in terms of passenger count.

---

Chicago, just like New York in the 1970's and early 80's, was written off far too soon. The Chicago metro area consists of roughly 10 MILLION PEOPLE. It is a MEGACITY. And population projections show the city is still growing. Also, there are many that think our census was undercounted and that the population within the city limits is more like 3.5 to 4 million people. With its great history and culture, it was just a matter of time before it got right back on top where it belongs.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/12735961594_db60d4fdb2_b_zps5428bdd1.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/12735961594_db60d4fdb2_b_zps5428bdd1.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Chicago8_zps95f7f788.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Chicago8_zps95f7f788.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/8110227262_65e7c0df2c_h_zpsdhtgofjx.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/8110227262_65e7c0df2c_h_zpsdhtgofjx.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/eHYe6fV_zpsx0lfbgwp.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/eHYe6fV_zpsx0lfbgwp.jpg.html)

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/4692594084_6e02fe4c0f_b_zpsda558686.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/4692594084_6e02fe4c0f_b_zpsda558686.jpg.html)

[Im Still Ballin]

Could I see the murder rates boss?

[TheTruth11]

Could I see the murder rates boss?

Chicago's murder rate is nowhere near the top. Don't believe the hype bro.:pimp:

Take a look at this:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/14/despite-recent-shootings-chicago-nowhere-near-u-s-murder-capital/

.

[Im Still Ballin]

But Kanye told me so

[Knicks101]

If Chicago had a beach it'd be the GOAT city.

[TheTruth11]

If Chicago had a beach it'd be the GOAT city.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/4653823577_f9d06fc32c_b_zps43a55e85.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/4653823577_f9d06fc32c_b_zps43a55e85.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Panorama4_zpsd4dc771a.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Panorama4_zpsd4dc771a.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/4654407975_fda32d064c_b_zps5f339fab.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/4654407975_fda32d064c_b_zps5f339fab.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/5043812064_1f4a353266_b_zpsd79e916f.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/5043812064_1f4a353266_b_zpsd79e916f.jpg.html)

[Knicks101]

:lebronamazed:

[Ratnik]

AmericaWorks!!! Thank you, Mr. Underwood :applause: :applause: :bowdown:

[Mirzas]

... but are you getting that fiber?

https://fiber.google.com/newcities/

[JerrySeinfeld]

Not a surprise, so many gun violence deaths in chicago are opening up more jobs.

[Bandito]

I might check some jobs after I graduate next year.

[TheTruth11]

This is the 2nd year in a row that the City of Broad Shoulders (Chicago) is in the #1 spot so no big surprise there. But to me the real big surprise has to be the Detroit metro area cracking the top 10. Very few people saw that one coming.

Maybe next up - Cleveland?? With Lebron back and with the boost he gave to that city in civic pride I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Cleveland metro area crack the top 10 one of these days.


.

[Tarik One]

This is the 2nd year in a row that the City of Broad Shoulders (Chicago) is in the #1 spot so no big surprise there. But to me the real big surprise has to be the Detroit metro area cracking the top 10. Very few people saw that one coming.

Maybe next up - Cleveland?? With Lebron back and with the boost he gave to that city in civic pride I wouldn't be too surprised to see the Cleveland metro area crack the top 10 one of these days.


.

The impact of high profile athletes and successful sports teams on their economy is extremely exaggerated.

[KevinNYC]

So you read Site Selection magazine?

Are you quoted someone who aren't acknowledged that he misunderstood and it wasn't about jobs?

So how many jobs did Chicago add and how does that compare to the rest of the country?

[TheTruth11]

So you read Site Selection magazine?

Are you quoted someone who aren't acknowledged that he misunderstood and it wasn't about jobs?

So how many jobs did Chicago add and how does that compare to the rest of the country?


Did you pickup on the disclaimer in the OP... where I essentially wrote, "correction - tops in the U.S. for adding companies".

I don't have the data on job creation but I do know that jobs follow companies. If Chicago is #1 for attracting new companies, that is damn good news for jobs.

Exhibit A - the low unemployment rate in Chicago.

.

[TheTruth11]

The impact of high profile athletes and successful sports teams on their economy is extremely exaggerated.

True... to a large extent. But make no mistake, Lebron choosing to return to the cold, dreary wasteland Cleveland (no matter how wrong that perception might be) was a shot across the bow to sunbelt cities and to the city of Miami. For years all we have heard is how people want to get away from the North and Northeast. Well, that is far from true. Sure, some want to leave but for the most part many Northern cities are thriving. Lebron choosing to return to Cleveland opened a lot of eyes and is most definitely an economic boost to that city. Whether that will be enough to propel it to top 10 status is highly unlikely but then again, I never thought metro Detroit would crack the top 10 either... so really, who knows:confusedshrug:


.

[nathanjizzle]

alot of tech companies are being started in chicago.

chicago is really attractive right now. we are like the new cool kid on the block and new york is the washed up older brother. when i do business with customers around the country even internationally, they always want to take a trip here.

[KobesFinger]

I wanna go to America after I turn 21 next year. Why should I go to Chicago instead of other large cities like New York City?

[Joyner82reload]

http://rt.com/files/news/2e/0a/80/00/091714_yougov_stats.jpg

Leading the US cities in homicides per year as well :bowdown:

[TheTruth11]

^^^^^ Check your source bro. Sounds like a weakass source!:oldlol:

Here you go playa - Pew Research is a top notch source (often used by major news outlets)... and according to Pew Research, Chicago is not even in the top 20 in murders per capita - coming in 21st:


http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/14/despite-recent-shootings-chicago-nowhere-near-u-s-murder-capital/


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/FT_14_07_14_HighestMurderRates_zpsgkan77hf.png (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/FT_14_07_14_HighestMurderRates_zpsgkan77hf.png.htm l)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/FT_14_07_14_MurderRatesbyMetro_zpslopwhiwf.png (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/FT_14_07_14_MurderRatesbyMetro_zpslopwhiwf.png.htm l)


Chicago's murder rate is nowhere near the top. Chicago's murder rate came in 21st in the nation. Don't believe the negative hype bro.:pimp:



But Chicago also has some 2.7 million residents, more than any other city except New York and Los Angeles, and you’d expect it to have more murders (and other crimes) than most other cities for that reason alone. Adjust the raw numbers for population size to get a murder rate, and a very different picture emerges.

According to the FBI figures, Flint, Mich., had the highest murder rate of any sizeable U.S. city in 2012, the most recent year available. There were 62 murders per 100,000 population (which, coincidentally, was just about Flint’s estimated population that year). Trailing Flint were Detroit (54.6 murders per 100,000), New Orleans (53.2 per 100,000) and Jackson, Miss., (35.8 per 100,000). Chicago, whose population is several times bigger than any of those cities, came in 21st, with 18.5 murders per 100,000 — nearly quadruple the national average, true, but still nowhere near the highest in the country.

In fact, what’s striking is that from 1985 through 2012 only six cities have held the anti-honor of having the nation’s highest murder rate: New Orleans (12 times, most recently in 2011); Washington, D.C. (eight times, most recently in 1999); Detroit (four times, most recently 2006), Flint, Mich. (twice, also in 2010); Richmond, Va. (once, in 1997) and Birmingham, Ala. (once, in 2005).

Another thing that jumps out from looking at the murder-rate data: How the threshold for having the nation’s highest murder rate has fallen since the early 1990s, when the nation’s crack epidemic helped push violent-crime rates to record highs. In 1994, for instance, New Orleans led with 85.8 murders per 100,000; the next two cities, Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C., had rates of 70 or more per 100,000. Even in terms of raw numbers, Chicago has come a long way: In 1994 the city had 928 murders.



Pew Research is a top notch source... often used by major news outlets when they reference statistics.

Chicago's per capita murder rate is 21st in the nation - not bad for a city of its size.


.

[KevinNYC]

http://rt.com/files/news/2e/0a/80/00/091714_yougov_stats.jpg

Leading the US cities in homicides per year as well :bowdown:

you're basically talking about perception, not evidence.

[BasedTom]

True... to a large extent. But make no mistake, Lebron choosing to return to the cold, dreary wasteland Cleveland (no matter how wrong that perception might be) was a shot across the bow to sunbelt cities and to the city of Miami. For years all we have heard is how people want to get away from the North and Northeast. Well, that is far from true. Sure, some want to leave but for the most part many Northern cities are thriving. Lebron choosing to return to Cleveland opened a lot of eyes and is most definitely an economic boost to that city. Whether that will be enough to propel it to top 10 status is highly unlikely but then again, I never thought metro Detroit would crack the top 10 either... so really, who knows:confusedshrug:


.
I honestly don't think anyone is too bothered by it. Bran didn't take the beaches and rum back to Cleveland with him, did he?

Perhaps it helps you cope with piling snow and bodies in the street, but I think Lebron was exaggerating just a bit when he called his return "One of the biggest moments in all of sports." Especially when he went on to lose that day to the poverty Knicks, but that is a different story. Aside from Nike's ad campaign, I rarely hear anybody act as if Lebron's return to Cleveland is on anywhere near the level as Jordan retiring and coming back, any World Cup, Super Bowl or World Series, etc.

It's good for Cleveland of course, but the impact isn't as big as you seem to believe.

[KevinNYC]

you're basically talking about perception, not evidence.
From NeighborhoodScout’s 100 Most Dangerous Cities in the US - 2015 (http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/neighborhoods/crime-rates/top100dangerous/)

These are the only cities that make the list. The top 4 most dangerous cities in that survey aren't even top 100 in the country.

Rank City
69 Houston, TX

55 Philadelphia, PA

47 Miami, FL

29 Atlanta, GA


The 100 most dangerous cities in America with 25,000 or more people, based on the number of violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crimes include murder, forcible rape, armed robbery, and aggravated assault. Data used for this research are 1) the number of violent crimes reported to the FBI to have occurred in each city, and 2) the population of each city.

[Bigsmoke]

If Chicago had a beach it'd be the GOAT city.

:banghead:

Do your research

[Bigsmoke]

That's great news but the cost of living will go up.

[Bigsmoke]

I wanna go to America after I turn 21 next year. Why should I go to Chicago instead of other large cities like New York City?

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Chicago%2C+IL&country2=United+States&city2=New+York%2C+NY

U can get your own house in a good area for 200k in Chicago while a 1 bedroom apartment will run you $500,000 in a shitty neighborhood in New York City

[KobesFinger]

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&city1=Chicago%2C+IL&country2=United+States&city2=New+York%2C+NY

U can get your own house in a good area for 200k in Chicago while a 1 bedroom apartment will run you $500,000 in a shitty neighborhood in New York City

To visit, not live.

[Bigsmoke]

To visit, not live.

U should visit Gary Indiana. U will love it there

[KevinNYC]

To visit, not live.
How long are you coming to the US for?

[KobesFinger]

How long are you coming to the US for?

A week, two at most

[TheTruth11]

I honestly don't think anyone is too bothered by it. Bran didn't take the beaches and rum back to Cleveland with him, did he?

Perhaps it helps you cope with piling snow and bodies in the street, but I think Lebron was exaggerating just a bit when he called his return "One of the biggest moments in all of sports." Especially when he went on to lose that day to the poverty Knicks, but that is a different story. Aside from Nike's ad campaign, I rarely hear anybody act as if Lebron's return to Cleveland is on anywhere near the level as Jordan retiring and coming back, any World Cup, Super Bowl or World Series, etc.

It's good for Cleveland of course, but the impact isn't as big as you seem to believe.

I think what it showed is... although Miami is a nice place to visit on vacation, it is really not a home. At least that's how many people feel. Unless you have lived up North or Northeast, you really won't understand what I mean. It is something about those cities that are about COMMUNITY... pulling together... neighborhoods... knowing each other, etc.

When I moved to Miami and then Tampa for 5 years because of my job, people were distant. There was no camaraderie/no community. And surprisingly once I got past the beach, I was bored as f*ck. There were a few nice clubs but nothing I couldn't get back home. I couldn't wait to get back to Chicago.

And lastly, give me snow any day before humidity. But that's just me. I hate humidity... and Miami is freakin swelterin hot! I will never forget it... I remember sweating in the shower down there. I couldn't believe it. I was in the shower with the water on full blast cold and sweatin my ass off.

Yep, face it, Lebron jilting Miami was a major body blow:eek: Nothing you won't recover from but to deny it was a major blow is just not keepin it real.

.

[KyrieTheFuture]

It needs the most fixing, not terribly surprised

[TheTruth11]

I wanna go to America after I turn 21 next year. Why should I go to Chicago instead of other large cities like New York City?

I can't knock NYC. There are some things I could say against them just like they could say some things against us... that's the case with any major city. But bottom line, they are both world class cities... you can't go wrong visiting either one playa:pimp:

But if you do choose The City of Broad Shoulders - here is what I recommend:

Visit downtown - tons of things to do downtown. And then visit pretty much any area on the North Side... particularly Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Lakeview, Wrigleyville or Wicker Park.

On the west side you are good too as long as you stay on the near west side were restaurant row is and where the night club scene is. If you go past the United Center (where the Bulls play) you should be with someone who knows the city. But really there is no need to venture outside of this area on the west side because this area is quite large.

The south side is making a major comeback with lots of new projects on the board and Motor Row is booming with new restaurants and night clubs but until the south side gets completely turned around I would stick to the near south side (Motor Row) and Hyde Park.

Have fun brother and enjoy the city! You never hear about tourists finding trouble in Chicago. Likely the only way that you will find trouble is if you go looking for it. Stick to downtown, the north side, the west side and the near south side and you will be fine.

.

Here is a little teaser for you:

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/8755781638_c59589c24a_h_zps0b2bf68b.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/8755781638_c59589c24a_h_zps0b2bf68b.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/2581930130_10f8ecc62c_b_zps586d157e.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/2581930130_10f8ecc62c_b_zps586d157e.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/11139563166_779654f4f5_h_zps497c0e5c.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/11139563166_779654f4f5_h_zps497c0e5c.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/6874026031_0b72437ac9_b_zps9b831055.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/6874026031_0b72437ac9_b_zps9b831055.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/6084977702_ddd007b1f9_b_zps135c0956.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/6084977702_ddd007b1f9_b_zps135c0956.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/2500042535_f53243cdac_b_zps5f968b81.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/2500042535_f53243cdac_b_zps5f968b81.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/4592162265_005da6f1cf_o_zps86cede05.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/4592162265_005da6f1cf_o_zps86cede05.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/4592170981_dc08718cfa_o_zpsf5584ece.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/4592170981_dc08718cfa_o_zpsf5584ece.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/3812305990_256ca88886_b_zps15f584a1.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/3812305990_256ca88886_b_zps15f584a1.jpg.html)

[TheTruth11]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/3779283682_bf91ac80d0_b_zpsa8ead9d5.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/3779283682_bf91ac80d0_b_zpsa8ead9d5.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/7883146902_0c3f75532e_b_zps609559e4.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/7883146902_0c3f75532e_b_zps609559e4.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/tmg-slideshow_xljpg1_zps06bd51e0.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/tmg-slideshow_xljpg1_zps06bd51e0.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Sears3_zpsc9a86d35.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Sears3_zpsc9a86d35.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/14861486718_d5109f11a8_b_zps635c2aa1.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/14861486718_d5109f11a8_b_zps635c2aa1.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Chicago23%202_zpsz1xudqna.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Chicago23%202_zpsz1xudqna.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Chicago36_zps4bd00818.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Chicago36_zps4bd00818.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/Chicago35_zps29320980.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/Chicago35_zps29320980.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/boat_slideone_zps03061fbe.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/boat_slideone_zps03061fbe.jpg.html)

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e244/contractsmart11/boat_slideeight_zpsfd7e31ee.jpg (http://s40.photobucket.com/user/contractsmart11/media/boat_slideeight_zpsfd7e31ee.jpg.html)

[BasedTom]

I think what it showed is... although Miami is a nice place to visit on vacation, it is really not a home. At least that's how many people feel. Unless you have lived up North or Northeast, you really won't understand what I mean. It is something about those cities that are about COMMUNITY... pulling together... neighborhoods... knowing each other, etc.

When I moved to Miami and then Tampa for 5 years because of my job, people were distant. There was no camaraderie/no community. And surprisely once I got past the beach, I was bored as f*ck. There were a few nice clubs but nothing I couldn't get back home. I couldn't wait to get back to Chicago.

And lastly, give me snow any day before humidity. But that's just me. I hate humidity... and Miami is freakin swelterin hot! I will never forget it... I remember sweating in the shower down there. I couldn't believe it. I was in the shower with the water on full blast cold and sweatin my ass off.

Yep, face it, Lebron jilting Miami was a major body blow:eek: Nothing you won't recover from but to deny it was a major blow is just not keepin it real.

.
I have lived in the Northeast, briefly- and I am originally from Europe. So I think I have some perspective on the matter.

As for your second point, that is because it is just strange to talk to random strangers on the train or on the street like a lot of Americans do. Everyone has their own business and group of acquaintances, so interrupting a person's life so you can say your own bullshit about Dancing With The Starsor whatever is just rude. There is still plenty of community if you go to a gym, are a student or employee for a big institution, know people with similar interests. But no, it is not normal here- or in any other place that I have lived- to go up to random people or to knock on their doors unless you are trying to sell shit or are a jehova's witness.

If you need to constantly be titillated by meaningless conversation, then the Midwest and The South are better for you. It's a bit ridiculous on your end to suggest that it is a requirement for being a "real" home, when most urban places around the world do not share such a custom. If you want to justify being buried in snow, dilapidated industry, people putting on fake smiles, and a baseball team that hasn't won since the Ottoman Empire existed, then there is no need to constantly brag about it to the the rest of us.

[Bigsmoke]

It needs the most fixing, not terribly surprised

Name a great lake city that's doing well?

All are doing worse than the chi

[TheTruth11]

I have lived in the Northeast, briefly- and I am originally from Europe. So I think I have some perspective on the matter.

As for your second point, that is because it is just strange to talk to random strangers on the train or on the street like a lot of Americans do. Everyone has their own business and group of acquaintances, so interrupting a person's life so you can say your own bullshit about Dancing With The Starsor whatever is just rude. There is still plenty of community if you go to a gym, are a student or employee for a big institution, know people with similar interests. But no, it is not normal here- or in any other place that I have lived- to go up to random people or to knock on their doors unless you are trying to sell shit or are a jehova's witness.

If you need to constantly be titillated by meaningless conversation, then the Midwest and The South are better for you. It's a bit ridiculous on your end to suggest that it is a requirement for being a "real" home, when most urban places around the world do not share such a custom. If you want to justify being buried in snow, dilapidated industry, people putting on fake smiles, and a baseball team that hasn't won since the Ottoman Empire existed, then there is no need to constantly brag about it to the the rest of us.

Lol. Dude, you really need to laugh a little more. So serious :rant

I don't know where you get this walking up to random people and engaging in meaningless conversation from. Chicago was recently ranked the 5th most economically powerful city in the world. We don't engage in bullshit. And anyone who knows someone from the CHI will tell you that. You are getting it twisted.

As for sense of community, you have it in NY - I experienced it. You have it in Phillie - I experienced it. You have it in Chicago - I experience it. I did not get it in Florida. Maybe because it is home to so many transplants? :confusedshrug: I don't exactly know the reason but it definitely did not exist.


The Chicago Board of Trade: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Board_of_Trade

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Mercantile_Exchange



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[Bigsmoke]

Its Chicago n*igga!

[Balla_Status]

A week, two at most

Then just do NYC, Boston, Chicago and then Las Vegas the last few days and head back to England.

Or NYC, Boston, Chicago then Miami and back to England.

[TheTruth11]

My bad. Chicago is actually ranked one spot higher than I thought.

...............4th most economically powerful city in the world:

http://www.citylab.com/work/2011/09/25-most-economically-powerful-cities-world/109/#slide4


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[TheTruth11]

Then just do NYC, Boston, Chicago and then Las Vegas the last few days and head back to England.

Or NYC, Boston, Chicago then Miami and back to England.

This is good advice. Lots of great cities in the US. I am no hater. Plenty to see and do all around. I would add DC, SF and LA to the list as well. I personally liked DC and SF more than I liked LA but that is my personal choice. I like real things and real cities. LA was a little too suburban, fake and plastic for me but you might like it. As a tourist I would definitely add it to the list. It might just be your cup of tea.


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[NBAplayoffs2001]

I rep NYC but Chicago is by one of the best US cities I have ever visited :rockon:. Would live there :pimp: .

[NBAplayoffs2001]

This is good advice. Lots of great cities in the US. I am no hater. Plenty to see and do all around. I would add DC, SF and LA to the list as well. I personally liked DC and SF more than I liked LA but that is my personal choice. I like real things and real cities. LA was a little too suburban, fake and plastic for me but you might like it. As a tourist I would definitely add it to the list. It might just be your cup of tea.


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True true. SF and DC are sick cities. Been to LA in the late 1990s... was never a big fan of it.