Chicago vs Phili

[Pegasus]

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😕

I am a small town girl, ready for a big town, like NYC. I have already decided where to put my NY programs, but when It comes to Phili and Chicago, I need some help. I like the location of Phili, but it seems like Chicago is more like NCY.
I am worried a bit about crime, but more than that, I want a night life, culture, ect. I know Chicago can give that..but can Phili?

Ranking is coming down to these 2 cities.

 

[SkiDog]

You are definitely right about Chicago being more like NYC...in both culture and price. 🙂 If you are looking for more of the NYC feel, Chi-town is probably for you (but please keep in mind I've only been there once, while I've spent a fair amount of time in NYC). On the other hand, if you want a city you can definitely get your arms around after a year or two, but not finish exploring for a few years beyond that...Philadelphia may work too.

I have lived in Philly for the last 6 years and neither tired of it, nor feel like I have taken advantage of everything it has to offer. But then again, I am one of those people who thinks NYC is a great place to visit but would never want to live there. Philadelphia has pretty much what the other two have to offer, just on a lesser scale...museums, orchestra, international cuisine, professional sports, major concert venues, great (or at least good) bars, multiple institutions of higher learning, etc...

YMMV. 😀
SD

 

[rustybruce]

Also, Philly has a paucity of attractive women. You might be able to dominate the scene. There are two types of Philly women: spoiled in Manayunk, and inner city. Don't be either.

 

[kungfufishing]

Is Chicago so expensive that it will be difficult to live in? I would have a resident and teacher's incomes, but would need to support two large dogs and would prefer a yard. Is buying/renting a house a realistic option? These sorts of things are starting to impact the ROL way more than I expected, simply because it doesnt matter how good the program is if your life away from the hospital is completely hardscrabble (my wife doesnt want to start taking "project living" magazine).

 

[Febrifuge]

I'm biased, but I'm going to throw Minneapolis/ St. Paul in there. It's a small big city, and/or a big small town. Best of both worlds.

Yes, the weather can suck. But it's worth it.

 

[Purulent DC]

Philly can provide lots of nightlife and culture, and more restarants and bars are opening each month in Center City, making it a young professional's mecca. Plus, it's not far from NYC or D.C. if you want a change of venue on your day off. Winters are milder than Chicago obviously, if that matters. Both cities have excellent training for EM. Philly is still very (relatively) affordable compared to other East Coast cities. I find the people in Philly rude and undereducated relative to Chicago and NYC, and the rudeness can grate on a person after a while. It's a city with an incredible historical tradition that has, in my opinion, fallen from its former glory. High crime is good for learning emergency medicine, and Philly has it share (Temple's training is EM at its best), but my girlfriend walks alone all over Center City late at night without problems; I wouldn't let crime be a deciding factor.

 

[uclacrewdude]

philly is cool. for someone from los angeles, this speaks volumes,

 

[FoughtFyr]

Originally posted by kungfufishing
Is Chicago so expensive that it will be difficult to live in? I would have a resident and teacher's incomes, but would need to support two large dogs and would prefer a yard. Is buying/renting a house a realistic option?

Unfortunately, probably not. The SW suburbs (Christ Hosp. program) will have some inexpensive living. The north and northwest sides (Resurrection and UIC) are very expensive, altough with some research you might find an acceptable suburb (be ready for a commute though). Most of the "in-the-city" living in nice areas (i.e., safe, clean) is really expensive. I can tell you that my plan, if I end up in Chicago, is to move into my in-laws basement . And I have a spouse with a good job in the area.

- H

 

[BayesianDoc]

Philly is decently priced depending on where you live. I live 25 minutes outside of Philly and pay a $805/month mortgage. (Actually my wife pays it). I do not mind the drive though. I prefer to live in rural suburbs over living in the city. It really depends on how far you want to live from the Hosp., which hosp., and what you want to pay.

I love Chicago. Lived there for a year (actually North Chicago). I cannot take the Wind.

I could never live in NYC. I visit rarely. Too much of a pain to get in and out of plus when you leave you are in a part of Jersey I dislike even more.

Good Luck

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks for all your replies and thoughts.

 

[Scrubbs]

If it means anything, I'm a NYC gal transplanted to Philly 5 years ago, and my antirejection drugs are still working 😉

I love NYC, but I didn't even apply to go back for residency. Philly is a fantastic city - affordable (in and out of center city) housing, great nightlife, fantastic restaurants, great outdoors stuff, and easy access to NYC/Baltimore/DC. No... its not New York. Bars close at 2am instead of 4am, a car is definately helpful not a pain in the arse, your average Friday night isn't always dressed to the nines, but, a martini isn't $15 its $8, I can afford to eat in a really nice restaurant on my resident's salary, and I live in a 2BR/2Ba duplex with a small yard in the city for less than a shoebox studio in NYC.

Just my take on it...

 

[Dr JPH]

Philly.

 

[beyond all hope]

Tell me about Temple EM. I'm very likely to end up there if the cards work out right, but I don't really know that much about it.

Thanks,
beyond