Chicago definitely uses a lot of ground space for surface parking; used to live in the South Loop, and the grocery store in that area is just all parking. Ther

Chicago definitely uses a lot of ground space for surface parking; used to live in the South Loop, and the grocery store in that area is just all parking. There is also an irritating walk across a railroad yard if you want to go to Whole Foods. You really have to bike and not walk to cover the distance. I biked a ton when I lived in Chicago; the distances were just long enough that walking was a pain but biking was trivial. In NYC, there are plenty of places exactly like Chicago. Not everywhere is a walker's paradise, and even in areas that are, car traffic is a dominating part of your life. NYC is great, but I am very jealous of Barcelona and even Paris. Very excited about congestion charging.