It is no secret that a large population of the University of Illinois’ student body hails from the Chicagoland area. Though called “my city” by nearly everyone (to the dismay of many,) most students are from the surrounding suburbs and the actual city itself. Chicago is fantastic, but why belittle the city that houses the best school in the entire world? Here are some reasons why Champaign is better than Chicago.
1. Let’s start with simple logistics. In Champaign, you have fewer crosswalks to cross and more time to cross them. Forget simultaneously hating taxis for almost hitting you and feeling guilty for getting in their way. You can pleasantly get to where you need to be in walking distance! Who doesn’t want the option to take 60 seconds to take two steps? Furthermore, what more could a girl want than the conveniences of diagonal crossing.
2. Who needs Millennium Park? With all its glitz and glam, Millennium Park might just be all show and no substance. Us Champaign-Urbanites would rather bask in the simplicity of the quad – the mecca for all U of I students. On any given day, you can see tightrope walkers or a LARPing battle. You might stumble into a Frisbee game or a study group.
3. Who needs the Magnificent Mile when you have Green Street? Lenient liquor stores, spiritwear shops and an assortment of about a million Chinese food restaurants are to choose from!
4. Let’s talk music. Chicago might have Lollapalooza and North Coast Music Festival, but Champaign-Urbana has Pygmalion. All joking aside, this festival is genuinely divine as it hosts a multitude of smaller-scale artists and a few popular choices each year. And lets face it; Lolla has partially turned into a cesspool for Perry’s-loving high school drunkards. Pyg lets you broaden your horizons and sink into a whole new music scene without being trampled by girls in flower crowns.
5. There’s an elephant in the room and it’s food. Clearly it’s impossible to cover everything. So, let’s focus on the focal point of Chicago cuisine — pizza. Chicago is the pinnacle of pizza, but lets examine what Champaign has to offer. Antonio’s Pizza provides you with just about every pizza topping optional. Who doesn’t want an entire Mexican dish on top of a hot slice after going to the bars? But if you’re more in the mood for deep-dish pizza, look no further than Papa Del’s.
6. One of the more practical benefits of being a Champaign-Urbana resident is its small, but not confining size. You can get almost anywhere in a pinch. Buses are copious and free if you are a student. Plus, living here basically means you get two towns with two separate cultures for the price of one. Champaign and Urbana are sister cities but offer a satisfyingly different array of people, restaurants and auras.
7. You can’t compare these two towns without talking about the nightlife. Chicago has a lot to offer. From Wrigleyville to Lincoln Park, every college student yearns for the day she can finally legally drink at downtown bars. Yet, to be honest, can anything really compare to dollar wells? Maybe only 25-cent drinks from C-Street! You never have to worry about friends getting in. Not 21? No problem. The day I pay more than $4 for a drink is the day I know my Champaign days are over. And, I think we can all agree we don’t want that day to ever come.
Photo Sources:
Pic 2: http://www.champaigncountyedc.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/slideshow-pic11.jpg
Pic 4: http://pygmalionmusicfestival.com/_images/PF_Splash_Group_Music2.png
Pic 5: http://dailycollegian.com/medi…
Pic 6: https://www.uni.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/chambana.jpg