The Future of Cities

[ZiggysFryBoy]

The difference between SF and Chicago is that in Chicago, for the most part, the "bad areas" are still, for the most part, away from the tourist areas.  Yes, teens occasionally ransack Michigan Ave, but that is (for now) the exception

SF has addicts and homeless people living everywhere, including the tourist areas.  Crime is everywhere.  (My BIL is in law enforcement in SF).

No doubt 🐷🐷 will claim that SF's poop spraying squads are invented by Fox News, but they exist and should be tripled.  Parts of SF smell worse than a slaughteryard or a tannery, except the smell is coming from humans.

[real chili 83]

Need Harry Callahan to make SF great again!

Settle down...just kidding.

[dgies9156]

Cool. But this -- especially your last line -- seems to run counter to your earlier posts.

Have a great time in LP. I'll be surprised if you don't.

Brother MU:

I've never been afraid of Chicago. I know just about every inch of the city and really am not afraid of much of anything.

Brother Goose:

One of my best clients and a really great business referral source is in Portland, so I've been out there a lot over the years. I love the city but the inability to deal with its problems is causing it to lose its luster. It isn't Antifa -- as a visitor I don't care what a city's politics are as long as I can walk or drive to where I'm going without being killed and that I feel welcome.

What's causing Portland problems is the homelessness and inability to humanely deal with it. Homelessness is a particular problem on the west coast because of the cities' temperate climate. The homeless problem has spilled over into the tourist areas. With the de-retailing of downtown Portland, it's not as appealing as it once was.

[Goose]

Ziggy

Watch it. My family owned a tannery near MU campus, and I miss that smell.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Ziggy

Watch it. My family owned a tannery near MU campus, and I miss that smell.

It's still in my nostrils from 25 years ago, Goose.

Similar to diving through Kimberly when the paper plants are in full swing.  "The smell of money."

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Ziggy

Watch it. My family owned a tannery near MU campus, and I miss that smell.

You always knew which way the wind was blowing on the Marquette campus by the smell.

[tower912]

South, tannery
West, Miller
ENE, Pabst.
SE, the lake
Just north of due east, Ambrosia

[Goose]

Guys

A couple of little known facts on the smells in MKE. The meatpackers south of campus were worse than tanneries and Red Star Yeast was in the middle of three tanneries, including my Dad's, and that added a great deal to the mix.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

South, tannery
West, Miller
ENE, Pabst.
SE, the lake
Just north of due east, Ambrosia

I believe the west smell was the yeast plant, not Miller. 

[rocket surgeon]

You are underestimating the power of propaganda, particularly long-term relentless repetition.

Sprocket has heard literally hundreds of times that San Francisco and Portland are burning HellZones. He is no longer open to learning otherwise nor would he even believe his own eyes if they contradicted the dross he has willingly, gratefully swallowed.

  i've been to both a few times and chicago many times.  loved them years ago.  it's really unfortunate what has happened to them i choose not to spend my money there.  is that ok with you jack wagon?  i would much rather spend my time and money where i feel it's worth my while.  go ahead and join your buddys in the chit holes they've made for themselves. 

[Uncle Rico]

  i've been to both a few times and chicago many times.  loved them years ago.  it's really unfortunate what has happened to them i choose not to spend my money there.  is that ok with you jack wagon?  i would much rather spend my time and money where i feel it's worth my while.  go ahead and join your buddys in the chit holes they've made for themselves.

I’m not moving to Arizona

[rocket surgeon]

I’m not moving to Arizona

  excellent!  we've all seen how you guys have f'd up enough of our cities as it is.   

[Uncle Rico]

  excellent!  we've all seen how you guys have f'd up enough of our cities as it is.

I like cities with water

[ZiggysFryBoy]

I like cities with water

Arizona has plenty of water.

But, enjoy Portland, hippy.

[Uncle Rico]

Arizona has plenty of water.

But, enjoy Portland, hippy.

Good luck with that.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

  i've been to both a few times and chicago many times.  loved them years ago. 

Yes, before Faux News made them culture war item #752, and you mindlessly, gleefully, swallowed every lie and asked for more.

[🏀]

I’m sure the population is devastated by this development

This is why the dental conference is in nice, safe and quiet Fond du lac.

[rocket surgeon]

I like cities with bong water

clarification

[ZiggysFryBoy]

clarification

Rico uses tranq.

[Plaque Lives Matter!]

ZaLin

I have been to Portland many times, mostly years ago because Nike was a big customer of ours in the 1990's and loved it. I have no problem with my daughter living there, especially because is a very active outdoors person and runs, hikes and skis all over the area. I was just somewhat surprised her change of heart about Portland. Granted, she is not looking to move away, and her SUV being stolen when she unloaded her skiing gear has influenced her to some degree. That said, she definitely has a slightly different opinion today vs. three years ago.

Fair enough, there is some extra vigilance needed around car security for sure.

[The Lens]

I was in San Francisco last month and it was fantastic as usual. Will be in Chicago in a couple of weeks and am expecting the same.

Too bad you allow your fears to be manipulated and you miss out on good times.

My wife and I stay in downtown Chicago about once a quarter.  Amtrak down and find a hotel in the city...dinner, sometimes a show...late nights and brunch before a train back.  I'm amazed at people that think its dangerous or really even changed.  It's Chicago.  It's a city.  And its way better than anything we have in Wisconsin (and most of America if I'm being honest).     

[MU82]

My wife and I stay in downtown Chicago about once a quarter.  Amtrak down and find a hotel in the city...dinner, sometimes a show...late nights and brunch before a train back.  I'm amazed at people that think its dangerous or really even changed.  It's Chicago.  It's a city.  And its way better than anything we have in Wisconsin (and most of America if I'm being honest).     

Yep.

We get to Chicago often because our son and his family still lives there. It's a bummer that they moved to the burbs a couple years ago, but we still get into the city at least once or twice every trip. Always enjoy it, never feel threatened.

Our secret (shh-don't tell anyone!): We avoid the bad areas, most of which have been bad for decades.

BTW, our son didn't move to the burbs because of crime or any other macro reason. They loved living in the city and wanted to raise their family there (just as we raised our family there). At the time, they simply couldn't find a house in their price range in their favorite neighborhoods.

[Hards Alumni]

san francisco, chicago, seattle, portland used to be really neat cities.  i miss chicago and san fran especially.  won't be going back very soon.  not worth the risk considering the costs...too bad

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cities_by_crime_rate

Educate yourself, you silly old man.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

My wife and I stay in downtown Chicago about once a quarter.  Amtrak down and find a hotel in the city...dinner, sometimes a show...late nights and brunch before a train back.  I'm amazed at people that think its dangerous or really even changed.  It's Chicago.  It's a city.  And its way better than anything we have in Wisconsin (and most of America if I'm being honest).     

Yup

[Hards Alumni]

Ziggy

Watch it. My family owned a tannery near MU campus, and I miss that smell.

You're probably the only one!