Chicago vs San Francisco: Which city is more cultural, exciting and central?

I was born and raised in Chicago but moved to San Francisco over a year ago. Based on what you are looking for, I think that Chicago is the better choice. For one, Loyola is one of the best schools in the country and has an excellent reputation. The weather in the Bay is not much better throughout the year. It does not snow but it is usually pretty chilly even in the summer. It is not typical of what you'd think California weather to be. San Francisco may have a larger Asian population but as a whole Chicago is more ethnically diverse. Also, San Francisco is MUCH more expensive! I pay one hundred dollars more per month for a studio in SF than I payed for a 2 bedroom in Chicago!

Good luck, both are beautiful cities.

First of all, San Fran does NOT have better weather. Being in the bay, the weather can be even more brutal and unpredicable than Chicago sometimes. High winds, bitter cold from the Pacific wind, etc. Granted Chicago has harsh weather sometimes too, but at least you have a pretty good idea when it's coming (anytime from September to March).

As far as diversity, I think Chicago might have San Fran beat on that. I know that San Fran has a large white, latino and asian population, but Chicago has eastern European, Indian (both kinds), south American, Puerto Rican, all types of Asian, African, Jamaican, you name it. The various restaurants and night clubs reflect this vast diversity.

Culturally, they both have their distincive feature. San Fran has culture, but a different type, a more bohemian culture. Chicgao is more blue collar but has a ton of live theater venues, music, architecture, literary events, social nightlife, etc.

Can't speak to the school. You'll have to investigate that yourself.

If at all possible, I'd say visit each city for a weekend. Decide for yourself. Talk to the local residents to get an idea of how they feel about it.

The first thing you have to think about is the size of the city you want to go to. Chicago is much much bigger than SF. SF has under 1,000,000 people, Chicago is several times bigger. You mentioned the weather, and indeed SF the weather is much more mild. I went to Chicago one time in March and froze. It gets very very very cold there. In SF by contrast you get cold in the summertime (old joke) but not in the winter. I doubt it really ever drops below 0 C in SF, but it there are many days in Chicago in the winter where it never gets OVER 0 C. Then the summer. Very hot and humid in Chicago in the summer, not so much in the SF summer (August-October). I'm not really sure about the poster saying SF wasn't diverse, because nothing could be further from the truth. SF is about 35% Asian with a decent sized Korean population. There is a large Mexican/South American population, a good sized black population, Arabic, Irish, English, Russian, etc... Chicago as well is very diverse, not going to say it isnt. What I like about SF is that its so compact. Its population is very dense, great restaurants, good clubs, etc... I'm biased because I live in California, but I wouldn't want to live in Chicago, mainly because of the weather. Its a great city though, but the main advantage SF has is that its in California. The weather is nicer, and you can drive in only a few hours to ski in the mountains, surf at the beach, climb volcanos, camp in the desert, etc... Huge forests, high mountains, the ocean, lakes, etc... My vote is SF.

I'd have to say Chicago. Especially since you're an immigrant. San Fransisco is a bit more racist than Chicago is, because Chicago is much more culturally diverse. You'll find a great Korean community if you're into that stuff, mostly in Chicago because I have a TON of Korean friends. I'm 13, and most of them are 13, 14, 15, 16. And they all have older siblings ranging from 17 yrs old to 30 yrs old. Chicago has a lot to offer, and has a lot of everything. Theatre, music, art, science, everything! Chicago is really really fun because you get the best of both worlds. You get the really really industrial side of America, and the beachy side like California because of Lake Michigan which boarders all of chicago. Chicago also has the world's most amazing architecture. I can't explain much, so you'd have to see to believe. Did I mention, Chicago is a world class city? San Fransisco also has VERY HIGH living costs.

If you get a chance, visit both cities to see which one you like the best.

Best wishes and I hope this hleps!

Chicago is by far more diverse. San Francisco has it's points, but Chicago is a much better city, the food alone is worth living there for!

Chicago is lots of fun; there is such a wide array of activities to engage in here.

What do you plan to study?

I attend Loyola. I transferred in and have had a positive experience; I recommend it. The class sizes are perfect, my instructors actually know me, and I like that we have two campuses --- one in Rogers Park (which is in itself fun) and one downtown, just off the Mag Mile, with all the fun shopping, restaurants and nightlife. If you want to discuss Loyola (or Chicago, for that matter) more in-depth, feel free to contact me.

Wow.. good question! Loyola is a very good school but I hope you have some warm jackets for winter! San Fran. I think would be more to your liking!

San Francisco is the way too go it has everything you would want and more. Very diverse lots of things to do all year round. San Francisco is the third largest city in the United States so there's a lot of people and lots too do also a lot prettier then Chicago.

Go to Chicago. Loyola University is good. Chicago is very diverse. I lived in both states. I grew up in Chicago, now I live in California. I'd say Chicago is much better.

You can't get more diverse than San Francisco. All races, economy and social groups...they blend like milk shake in this city. Picked as the friendliest city in America, it's also (from my experience) the most open minded and most culturaly indepth. Korean, japanese, indian, and any other food for the palate. Plus, many social places...many korean clubs.

Never been to Chicago, but trust me... You want to be around a rich environment of culturally diverse people and surroundings, Bay Area is the place.