If you had to pick one of these cities...

[LostAndConfused]

After being in Boston, I think you would adjust fairly easily to Chicago. Public transport is better in Chicago (I really don't think there's anywhere that beats Chicago for public transport), COL is lower. Temps are about the same, Chicago can definitely get more snow though. And it didn't get the nickname The Windy City for no reason. Disregard if you won't be there during the winter.
The biggest downside to Chicago is obviously the crime. Much higher levels of crime than Boston. Definite places you don't want to go and you just have to be careful. Chicago does not really "scare" me exactly, I just feel like I'm on high alert at times when I'm in the city proper. If you're just in the suburbs, though, it's really not a big deal. Like Schaumburg is not a scary city LOL. It has an IKEA. How can any city with an IKEA be scary? Exactly. It can't.

CHICAGO!!! Because you'll live by me and I want to cuddle with Merlin. There you go, all the reason you need.

ETA: And Beanie's reasons since they are good. I like Chicago, or at least I like around it. I like that we have SO many choices for pretty much everything in and around Chicago.

And if you have trouble finding a place you could stay with my family till you found one.

Oh, and I know of this really awesome dog park in one of the suburbs......

Chicago - Then I can talk Ben into getting a job there, then I'll move there, and then there will be lots of crazy herd-y dogs

 

[Greenmagick]

Older thread I know and mind may have already been made up...

But just came across this article and thought it fitting

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...3.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref&comm_crv