I live in the Bay Area and have grown accustomed to trash in the streets, aggressive homeless people and panhandlers in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, and diversity to the extreme (The malls are mostly filled with Asian and Indian people. That is fine for many folks here, but I prefer more variety.) The place has as much class and culture as the trash in the streets. Chicago is completely different. While San Francisco boasts of the greatest public transportation system in the world, it has nothing on Chicago. Chicago is clean, the the streets are wide, the few panhandlers are not in your face, the suburbs are beautiful, and so are the midwesterm women. Santa Cruz women are grungy, unkept, and drugs are rampant. However, if you like Asian women move to S.F. All of my friends have Asian girlfriends there and it is widely celebrated. The Bay Area likes to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism. It is the highest value of the area. Everything else is secondary to this sacred value. In Chicago, diversity is also celebrated as fine and dandy, but at the end of the day there is a natural segregation to spend time with people we have something in common with. What a concept! If you like to stand in line at Starbucks and listen to Chinese, Vietnamese, and a host of many languages, people yammering on cell phones in many third world dialects, then move to the Bay Area. If you like overcrowding, fixer uppers for $800,000, and ugly strip malls, move to San Jose. If you like a slice of America, beautiful architecture, a high rise condo for half the price of a shack in East San Jose, move to Chicago.

This is absolutly the most livable city in the US. I cannot add to what has been mentioned already except to say that I have been living in Florida the last 14 years and MISS CHICAGO terribly.

Chigago has a very attractive downtown.. and thats about it. Its a winter wasteland and can be quite nasty the other times of the year(too cold, too windy/stormy or too hot being its only settings). Lake Michigan is nice and actualy gets almost warm late summer but its pretty polluted unless you go on a major drive(Guess that river diversion didnt work after all.). The parks are ok but absolutely nothing special compaired to anywhere else and if it wasnt for a few optimist who build high, this would have been another Detroit.

Cold winters, but collective attitude of Chicagoians cancel that out. Have only visited, but will move there permanently in near future. Have lived in (touristy area) in Florida for over a decade and, it's not a myth: Chicagoians have the nicest attitudes (next to Texans). In contrast, I can regognize people from my home-town region (northeast coast region) just by the chip-on-the-shoulder, superior, aloof, "Apaprently Done Something Really Horrible to Me in a Past Life or Something" attitudes. I'm a born and raised east coaster myself, so not biased. Just never noticed this until I moved to Florida. Chicago (the entire midwest & south, for that mater) have their fair share of issues, whether it be congestion, tragedies, bad weather, crime ... so what's the deal that people (everywhere) can't exhibit 2nd grade-level consideration when out and about? Their problems are no worse. This has intrigued me for 11 years now ... is there something funky in New England/Jersey (& neighbors) drinking water?

A nice downtown area. Some parts are pretty rugged. On I-90 I saw some of the meanest black people ever. Im sure that if the car would have broke down we would have been attacked.

boring midwestern city, its just big thats all

best all around city !

best city in the country... the skyline is awesome! Chicago has so much to offer in terms of culture, nightlife, etc. And its very easy to get around... the city's subways and famous elevated L lines go everywhere. The city is very dense, and not just in the downtown Loop. All the neighborhoods are urban and bustling and exciting. The Second City... Second to None.

Chicago is a very interesting city. Great museums, excellent architecture, good restaurants, and nice people. It has a very small town, midwestern feel to it, despite its size.

I moved to Chicago five years ago from Texas, and didn't know what to expect. I didn't expect the people to be as friendly as they are in the south, and they aren't, but they come pretty darn close. The only rude people I find aren't even from here...transplants from the NE or other areas. The city is gorgeous, and for it's size is pretty damn clean. I quickly tired of all the touristy crap, which there is a huge abundance. But Chicago has tons of other stuff to do as well. As I mentioned, I've been here for five years, and there's still so much I've yet to do. For such a big city, it's reasonably affordable and still retains it's small town roots. If you haven't been here, get here soon.

Overated a tad in my book. It is a very ugly town, with the exception of the downtown area which is nice. The weather is great in the summer, but brutal in the winter. The girls are great, people are friendly, but there are so many better world class cities to visit, especially in Europe.

Big, crowded and unsafe!

Have never been there when the weather is nice. Good restaurants and transportation is the best I have experienced. There are a lot of better places to visit.

What's excellent: The pizza, the architecture Wrigley Field, Lincoln park. What's good: The people, the cleanliness of the city. What's bad: Too concrete. If I were to live there, definetely Lincoln Park would be it. Hip young crowd, DePaul's there, and you're right next to the beach and a great social scene. I would get into trouble in the long term though I can tell. People Drink. I'm not talking San Francisco style, a glass of wine and a mojito and you're in bed at 1am. This place is hard core, beer slamming, vodka downing type of place, hammered at 3 and then off to the after hours bar that serves till 5.

Fun, energetic midwest metropolis. Great public transportation system for tourists to get around without auto. Probably 2nd best looking skyline in the world behind Hong Kong's. Great lakefront/downtown district with parks, museuems, theaters, shops, etc. Weather is actually better than you might think, except for winter, which does suck.

My brother lives there and overall,probably my favorite city-but not in February.

In most cases, I happen to like this city, but it is starting to look a little shanty. Of course, I see it whenever I take the Amtrak going south or east. The downtown is breathaking and memorable whenever you see Buckingham Fountain and Sears Tower, but ths is a fact- the city is decreasing in population because of crime. Overall, despite the cold winter, it is great to see the picturesque city by the lake from late spring to early winter.

Not just a terrific sports town, but a beautiful city. Go downtown and it will take your breath away. It has a bad part, but what city doesn't??? So many attractions it isn't even funny. I am glad and honored to live in the great state of Illinois (home of Chi-Town).

All great lakes cities are some of the greatest places to live (except cleveland and detroit). Chicago is the king of great lakes cities. There is tons to do, and it has Americana coming out of its ears.

I have never been to Chicago, so I am jumping to some pretty stupid conclusions. Oh well, somebody' got to do it. If Chicago is so good of a place to live, why do all you frickin' Chi-towners move to MN to live off our welfare? We do not need that here, thank you. Please find something to do with them, besides putting them on a bus to Mpls. Other than that, Chicago sounds like a good place to visit.

puke!

Chicago isn't bad per se, but not really good. I find the people there to be rude and unwelcoming. The city does offer lots to do though...as does any major city. Lots of cultural activities and some great food... I just have a hard time w/ the fact that a lot of Chicagans (sp?) think they are better than everyone else.

Chicago is a good city (like Philly) to stuff yourself with foods that will kill you by the time you are 40. And...they are all GOOD! Abandon your diet for a week while you are there....you wont regret it. Plenty of Polish and German places too...on top of all the pizza, dogs, and Gibson steaks. I'm from the NY area...and I think NYC is in danger of losing its edge..too pricey. The artists are leaving NY. Chicago has kept its grit even though its a modern city. Seems like a great place to raise kids too.

I've only been to Chicago a couple times during the last year or so on business, but my initial impressions are very positive. The downtown area is clean and feels safe, even at night. The people are by and large friendlier than in NYC or LA. The pizza is the best. And, the weather is not as frigid as everyone thinks (both of my recent trips were in winter)--certainly no less bearable than NYC or Detroit, and from what I can tell better in general than Minneapolis or Boston. I hope to get back to Chicago for fun one of these days, and take in a game at Wrigley and see some museums.

Chicago is a great place to visit or live. It is not as windy as everyone thinks. The pizza is the best. And despite what everyone says there are NOT gansters, mob, or the syndicate everywhere you look. They do have 4 seasons, unlike southern cities.

Great Sports city

Love the city. Been there plenty of times. Mostly to see my Knicks taking on Jordan's Bulls back then. ... Food's great: Deep-dish pizza, dugout hot dogs, mustard, sauerkraut, french fries.

there is nolthing going on in chicago, midtown manhattan in nyc alone is better than chicago, hey cubs fans when are you finally going to win a world series

Chicago is pretty cool. I like how the suburbs are all about being Chicagoland, and not all about being, suburban chicago, if that makes any sense. Pizza is kind of gross though.

Chicago combines the amenities of a big city - great architecture, shopping, sports, public transportation, restaurants, theater, music, and art - with a surprising amount of the amenities of a small town - it's drivable, walkable, livable, and has acres and acres of green parks set along a stunningly pretty lakefront. The winters are bad, sure, but the activities just keep right on going. The crime rate is dropping, and there's a sense of energy here as the city continues to gentrify. Chicago may very well be the overall best city in the United States.

This place is cool. not great, but cool

Chicago is a great American city! It has to be one of the, if not, The Best city in the USA. It is a large city that is rather easy to get around. It has a distinct look and feel to it with the most amazing Archiecture you'll find in the US. There's plenty to see and do. There are lots of people from all over that flock there and it has some of the best bars and restaurants you'll ever go to. It's a city on a lake that has a beach. How cool is that? It's a big city without the stuffiness or aggressiveness of a New York. I cant say enough about how much I like the city. There also are some really good, cool people who grew up and come from the city. Meet them and you'll realize they're just good folks. People say the weather is a drawback, and from what I've seen and heard about it, it is, but that doesnt distract from this town being a wonderful-all-around place.

lalapaulosa, dirty city? I went all over the city, including bad neighborhoods and it was clean. You can't dis them for that. I liked Chicago. Best city in the U.S.A (at least that I've been to). Plus, other than the pizza, the food was great.

It does kind of seem like the norm for the american family to live. I guess i could live there. BUT THE PIZZA SUCKS!!!!! New York pizza is way better, i think they should just start using Chicago pizza for paperweights, or a cheaper alternative of tires or something.

What a great city Chicago is...I felt immediately at home and it was easy to find your way around. I've heard the winters are awful, but the people were welcoming.

Chicago has a beautiful skyline with amazing architecture and I love the lake just to the east of the city. The food is great, but I wouldn't want to live there because the crime rate is high and the wind is really cold.

FUK IT

When I passed through Chicago, I thought of it as just a huge midwestern city. As in midwestern, I mean tons of decay, dysfunctional neighborhoods and segregation. Chicago despite being four times bigger seems to have less than Denver, Colorado. Chicago isnt a city, its just 100 miles of sprawl in each direction to even more depressing cities like Fort Wayne, Davenport, Milwaukee and Kankakee.

I enjoy visiting Chicago more than NYC, mainly because the people are NICER. That really makes a difference. The downtown area is more compact--all of the stuff you'd want to see (Sears Tower, the old water tower, John Hancock building, Wrigley building, the Chicago River boats) are within walking distance (but wear a good pair of shoes!) I visited during the summer--so I imagine a rating would be docked a half to full star had I visited in the dead of winter.

Crime ridden dirty city. Good Pizza though!

Just a dump in the midwest. But good food.

Hot and humid summers and frigid winters, but plenty to see and do. Love the architecture. World class city with a great big, busy bustling downtown. Check out Marshall Field's at 111 N. State st. Absolutely beautiful. Great museums and galleries. The shops of the Magnificent Mile are magnificent. Bloomingdales, Marshall Field's, Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Saks Fifth Avenue and tons more. Great food and fun. Lovely and interesting neighborhoods. Chicago has it all. Great jazz too. Could I live here? No, harsh winters are not for me, but a world class, fantastic, most enjoyable place to visit.

I was in the Windy City in 2000 and I can't say I didn't like it. It seems to be a very busy, bustling city with a lot of culture and things to do for everyone. The view at the top of the Sears Tower skydeck is virtually indescribable... just see for yourself, you can see fifty miles in every direction, and you have a great view of the city of Chicago. New Yorkers will undoubtably disagree, but Chicago is the skyscraper capital of the West. There is also nothing like an afternoon at Wrigley Field. It's arguably the quintessential sports venue in all of America, it's like you're going back in time fifty years (heck, light weren't even installed until 1988). Unlike football stadiums, I don't think baseball stadiums need all those video screens and other electronic stuff, it's a pastoral game tha should be played in a simple setting that should take you back 50 or even 100 years. All in all, Chicago's a wonderful city to visit, it's huge, has something for everybody, and aside from New York and LA, it truly personifies the American culture.

What a great city. It is the most American city in the country...Huge,guardedly friendly and filled with incredible things to see and do.

I have mixed feelings about Chicago. It is a good place to visit as long as you avoid certain areas.( Don't go anywhere near the far south or west side unless you have relatives who live there. Even then, watch your a$$!) The downtown and loop area is impressive enough and there is enough things to do ( ball games, movies, museums, dining, and shopping) to keep you busy for atleast a week. On the downside, as a previous reviewer stated, there is too big of a line between the rich and the poor. You have your yuppie, rich people, outrageously high rent areas to the north and a wealth of ghettos to the south and the west. There seems to be no in between. Plus, since I was raised not too far from Chicago, I know what the weather is like. It is Shi*ty almost year round. It can get 20 below in January and they don't call it the windy city for nothing! ( actually most of northern Illinois is windy as heck) There is nothing like a nice breeze on a 20 below zero day. It is so bad you can barely breathe and any exposed flesh will sting and then go numb if outside for more than 20 seconds. Summer is really bad, too but instead of cold it can get close to 100 frigging degrees with 1000 % humidity. Sprng time... awww... hope you love rain. It rains almost every day as soon as the weather warms up. Fall is nice, not too much rain, but it does not last very long at all. By November you are going to need a coat. If you want to live here and enjoy freezing your tushie off five months out of the year and can afford that tiny 1000 a month north side apartment, then go ahead and move... but be sure to bring a big wad of cash and lots of heavy clothes... you are going to need them. Good luck.

Great city.

I am rather indifferent to this place. There is a lot to do here. However, most of the attractions fail to meet the hype. The Art Institute is sensational and so are the resaurants. Chicago probably is the best city in the midwest. However, I enjoyed cities with less rousing reputaions, such as Cincinnati and Minneapolis, almost to the same degree.

I grew up in Chicago and in no way is it the great city it once was. The middle class has basically fled the city. What you have left is yuppies, yuppie wannabes and the urban poor. The neighborhoods are all gone. What you have left is plastic and a pale imitation of what once was. Still, with all the deterioration, Chicago remains head and shoulders above most other American cities. It just isn't nearly as good as it was in the time of Sandburg and Algren.

Awesome night life, awesome skyline, awesome architecture but the murder capital of the world, with over 2 *reported* murders a day. Yay.

the good includes the amazing food, the sports teams, the skyline, and the nightlife. the bad includes the weather year round(except for indian summer), traffic, and there are neighborhoods in the city where the crime is worse than baghdad or beirut.