3 ms·

> I have a question for people who say this: Have you ever actually lived in any metropolitan area outside New York? For me, Chicago and Boston. I spent a ton

> I have a question for people who say this: Have you ever actually lived in any metropolitan area outside New York? For me, Chicago and Boston. I spent a ton of time hanging out in SF between 2008-2015 when I worked for a startup out there. I've spent a lot of time in LA for both work and pleasure. [edit] I also spent a lot of time in Miami for work at one point in my life. And yeah, to me it's true. There's really no comparison with NYC in the US. That doesn't mean there aren't really awesome cities in the country, they're just not New York. > New Yorkers think that San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles are "tier 2." Not that these rankings really mean much, but whenever people try to quantify it, NYC is often at the top [1]. Again, lots of the "tier 2" cities have similar things as NYC, it's just not often on the same scale. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city

caddemon 3y ago
If the NYC <> Boston bullet train ever happens, Boston will be such an ideal place to live. I already prefer it to NYC personally, but it's true there are "tier 1 global city" things it can't offer. But if it becomes feasible to get door to door in under 2 hours? I suppose that could also change the entire character of the city over time though.
- mtalantikite 3y ago
  I vaguely remember reading the announcement about Acela when I was a teenager, originally thinking it was going to be high speed rail between Boston and NYC. It's really embarrassing as a country that it takes 4 hours to get between the two cities by train. And on top of that, it often is at least as expensive as a 30 minute flight.
- wolverine876 3y ago
  > But if it becomes feasible to get door to door in under 2 hours? I suppose that could also change the entire character of the city over time though. Philadelphia is about 1.5 hours by train from NY (and probably ~2 hours driving). While it's very underrated - really a special place of its own - it's not NY or part of it.
0xy 3y ago
Can you get to some specifics? Specifically, what is in NYC that you cannot possibly get in Chicago for example?
- misun78 3y ago
  Not the OP but as someone who grew up in Chicago, but then spent a large time in NYC, here are some examples: 1. Talent Density: Chicago is optimized talent-wise at a regional level (the midwest), while NYC is optimized at a global level. Chicago simply doesn't have the same pull if you don't live in the midwest the way NYC does for folks living anywhere across the world. This creates an obvious talent gap. 2. Culture: Chicago operates as a much more of an all-American city, reflecting cultural attitudes not too dissimilar from the rest of the country. Examples here include a heavy sports culture, emphasis on drinking/going out. You see a similar trend with NYC transplants (like myself in my early 20's) but you're eventually forced to grow out of it in NYC and create a more unique and diversified identity. I haven't seen much of this in my social circle from Chicago who never left. 3. Industry Density: Chicago is considered top at a few select industries including insurance, commodities etc. OTOH, there are very few industries that NYC would not be considered top in. Strong talent begets strong talent and this creates the sort of network effect that's present in the bay (for tech), and in NYC, but not in Chicago minus a few industries. These network efforts, over a long enough timeframe, fundamentally alter the landscape of one's career. 4. Local v.s. global maxima: Chicago allows you to reach a relatively easier maxima (career or culture wise), which likely means Chicagoans are happier on average. That concept doesn't exist in NYC or the bay. It pushes you to reach a global maxima which is inherently more challenging. For example, getting a job at Google likely sets you for life in Chicago. In NYC or the bay, that's simply a starting point. This isn't for the faint of heart but is highly rewarding if you're ambitious and work-oriented. 5. Arts and Fashion: The same concept of local v.s. global maxima exists here too. 6. Food: Far more global and unique in NYC than in Chicago (which in-itself has great food)

caddemon 3y ago

If the NYC <> Boston bullet train ever happens, Boston will be such an ideal place to live. I already prefer it to NYC personally, but it's true there are "tier 1 global city" things it can't offer. But if it becomes feasible to get door to door in under 2 hours? I suppose that could also change the entire character of the city over time though.

mtalantikite 3y ago
I vaguely remember reading the announcement about Acela when I was a teenager, originally thinking it was going to be high speed rail between Boston and NYC. It's really embarrassing as a country that it takes 4 hours to get between the two cities by train. And on top of that, it often is at least as expensive as a 30 minute flight.
wolverine876 3y ago
> But if it becomes feasible to get door to door in under 2 hours? I suppose that could also change the entire character of the city over time though. Philadelphia is about 1.5 hours by train from NY (and probably ~2 hours driving). While it's very underrated - really a special place of its own - it's not NY or part of it.

0xy 3y ago

Can you get to some specifics? Specifically, what is in NYC that you cannot possibly get in Chicago for example?

misun78 3y ago
Not the OP but as someone who grew up in Chicago, but then spent a large time in NYC, here are some examples: 1. Talent Density: Chicago is optimized talent-wise at a regional level (the midwest), while NYC is optimized at a global level. Chicago simply doesn't have the same pull if you don't live in the midwest the way NYC does for folks living anywhere across the world. This creates an obvious talent gap. 2. Culture: Chicago operates as a much more of an all-American city, reflecting cultural attitudes not too dissimilar from the rest of the country. Examples here include a heavy sports culture, emphasis on drinking/going out. You see a similar trend with NYC transplants (like myself in my early 20's) but you're eventually forced to grow out of it in NYC and create a more unique and diversified identity. I haven't seen much of this in my social circle from Chicago who never left. 3. Industry Density: Chicago is considered top at a few select industries including insurance, commodities etc. OTOH, there are very few industries that NYC would not be considered top in. Strong talent begets strong talent and this creates the sort of network effect that's present in the bay (for tech), and in NYC, but not in Chicago minus a few industries. These network efforts, over a long enough timeframe, fundamentally alter the landscape of one's career. 4. Local v.s. global maxima: Chicago allows you to reach a relatively easier maxima (career or culture wise), which likely means Chicagoans are happier on average. That concept doesn't exist in NYC or the bay. It pushes you to reach a global maxima which is inherently more challenging. For example, getting a job at Google likely sets you for life in Chicago. In NYC or the bay, that's simply a starting point. This isn't for the faint of heart but is highly rewarding if you're ambitious and work-oriented. 5. Arts and Fashion: The same concept of local v.s. global maxima exists here too. 6. Food: Far more global and unique in NYC than in Chicago (which in-itself has great food)