If there's one thing Chicagoans absolutely hate it's being compared to New York. And the worst part is, we're not usually the ones making the comparison. Our fellow Americans are notorious for weighing the pros and cons of America's three largest cities—New York, Los Angeles and Chicago—and we're usually the ones who get the short shrift.
Yes, Chicago is surrounded by fields of soybeans and corn, the city is chock-full of contradictions and our taxes are otherworldly, but New York has its quirks too. And when we leave Chicago for NYC, we can't help but notice both the good and the bad.
We consulted our fellow Chicagoans to find out what goes through their heads when they spend time in New York. Here's what they had to say.
1. Was that a rat or a cat?
2. How has New York still not figured out a way to deal with its garbage?
3. Everyone dresses so much better than me.
4. Holy shit! I can get two slices of pizza and a can of Coke for $3?
5. On that note, there’s pretty solid pizza on every street corner.
6. What's with that dress shoes without socks thing?
Why?!?!
7. WHY DOESN'T THE SUBWAY GO TO THE AIRPORT?!
8. New Jersey and Indiana are basically the same place.
9. Sports fans are just as proud of their losing teams.
10. I thought CTA announcements were hard to understand.
11. Will I fall through the sidewalk?
12. Uber is so much harder to do here.
13. The tap water tastes surprisingly great.
14. Oh, how I wish bodega sandwiches were a thing in Chicago.
15. For that matter, Chicago needs more NYC-style bodegas in general. Their fresh flower game is on point.
Photograph: Kevin Coles/Flickr
16. I never thought I'd rather be stuck in Chicago rush-hour traffic.
17. There are TONS of super cool, tiny themed bars around here (try Amor y Amargo).
18. Brooklyn alone has about as many people as Chicago.
19. The CTA really should have never put fabric on its train seats.
20. Who's this Duane Reade guy?
21. I would avoid Times Square as much as possible if I lived here.
Photograph: MK Feeney/Flickr
22. So much water, so few beaches. What gives?
23. BAGELS. There are literally great bagels everywhere.
24. Why are all New Yorkers afraid of Chicago winters when it's just as cold and snowy?
25. Chicago needs a reading room like New York's Central Library.
Photograph: Parker Malenke/Flickr
26. I am currently in the man bun capital of the world.
27. Compared to MTA cards, Ventra is actually kind of nice.
28. Why can't Chicago look like this when you fly in?!
29. "Hot dog, please! Oh, wait, nevermind."
Photograph: Wikimedia Commons