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Why New Yorkers Shouldn’t Look for Sweet Home in Chicago

A recent discussion thread in the popular, urbanist City-Data Forum asked for reasons why some people shouldn’t move to Chicago. Speaking as an ex-New Yorker who very annoyingly used to measure every city by the standard of the five boroughs, I can think of eight million people who might want to consider a reason to stay home.

Box of Fear

Exactly when I decided to leave New York has always been one of the biggest mysteries of my life. To this day, I still can’t identify the moment when I made or was set upon by the decision to leave behind Gotham and all of its angst and adopt the relentlessly friendly American Midwest as my home. However, a recent encounter on the roofdeck at Marina City chiseled into sharp relief for me one of the biggest reasons why I did it.

“I’m sorry you can’t get your bagel at 3 a.m.”

In today’s Crain’s Chicago Business online, another look at New Yorkers versus Chicagoans, from the perspective of Gothamites who move here and do — or don’t — fit in.