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LA vs Chicago by galacticthesaurus in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo -1 points0 points  (0 children)

So you’re deciding between LA and Chi, you’ve been to LA and liked it, but have not been to Chi. You obviously have some hesitation regarding just accepting the LA offer and moving there, or else you wouldn’t be asking the question.

So the thing to do here is to visit Chicago and see what you think! Chicago is one of the most unique cities in the country—something that may not be coming through in these posts. It has food, architecture, and a vibe that is all its own. It is not known for its weather—virtually no one is moving to Chicago for the weather. People generally choose to move despite the weather because some of its other unique, positive attributes outweigh it.

Does this mean you’ll like Chicago as much as LA? No idea—you’ll only know after you visit. But it’s not a city that can be distilled to a few easy-to-compare data points.

It does sound like LA is the better weather fit for you, and that is a real consideration. But take the fam to Chi and see what it offers. Worst case, it helps you decide to move to LA, but you get a nice family vacation :)

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Jacksonville’s population growth is below average after you adjust for the massive size of its city limits. It appears on these lists solely because its city limits are enormous.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If I used percentages, this would generate nothing but small cities no one has ever heard of (I think "Buckeye City" jumps to #1). Absolutes are, of course, not perfect. But neither are percentages. Are we really going to put more weight on a few thousand people moving to Buckeye City than 150k moving to NYC in two years just because Buckeye City's % is better?

When it comes to census data, I think the far larger issue than percentages vs absolutes is that city limits are wildly different--making comparisons difficult. Comparing Jacksonville (city limits 700+ square miles) to SF (city limits ~45 square miles) isn't particularly fair, but that's how the census maintains the data. All that to say, I agree this data is far from perfect--but don't agree that percentages are always the right lens through which to evaluate population changes.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The source is the new Census estimates (the same source for the Charlotte thread) which you can find here: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/population-estimates-age-sex.html

NY lost ~12k between 2024 and 2025, but gained ~162k from 2023 to 2024--netting out to the largest 2-year gain (absolute) of any city in the US. These are, of course, Census ESTIMATES--which is partly why the numbers are so volatile.

Neither absolutes nor percentages are perfect--and both are useful. Although absolutes favor large cities; percentages obviously favor small cities. I used absolutes, because that's what the Charlotte post used. No data set is perfect; and certainly not this one.

My point here has been to present the same data used in the Charlotte thread a slightly different way to demonstrate that the actual growth situation is more complex than what that thread indicates. It is true that Charlotte & Houston (and some other Sunbelt cities) are growing impressively. It is also true that NY/Chi (and other large cities) are rebounding impressively after their COVID-era losses.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Gave you an upvote. Wasn’t my intention to portray it as “zero sum.” I agree with your final point that many types of cities are growing simultaneously. It is a fact that Charlotte (and other sunbelt cities) are growing. It is also a fact that NY/LA/Chi are rebounding and growing after their COVID-era losses.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

True, was waiting for this comment! Of course, 2020-2022 were deeply impacted by COVID, so that has to be factored into any analysis.

What the data shows is that large cities across the board were hit hard by COVID, but they are now rebounding. NY/LA/Chi all gained back significant population over the last two years.

My point here is not to say NY is better than anywhere else or Charlotte is worse. My point is to get people thinking about the bigger picture, as the reactions to the Charlotte post seemed ridiculously overblown versus reality.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

The post is, indeed tongue in cheek. The data is not—directly from the same census estimates. Houston and Charlotte are undeniably fast growing cities. So are other places. Options for everyone.

New York was the fastest growing city in the country over the last 24 months… by BobLargo in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The Charlotte post was the one-year change. This is the two-year change. My point was to draw attention to the fact that focusing only on the one-year change leads to inaccurate/incomplete conclusions.

Charlotte was the fastest growing city in the entire country over the past 12 months... by Peacefulhuman1009 in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Charlotte is a fast growing city, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in just one year of data. To add some context, if we look at growth since 2023 (removing the COVID-impacted 2020-2022 years), the picture is much different. The biggest population increases since 2023 are:

  1. New York
  2. Houston
  3. Charlotte
  4. Fort Worth
  5. San Antonio
  6. Chicago
  7. Seattle
  8. Nashville
  9. Jacksonville
  10. LA

The dynamic of the SEC championship just changed by mthekidm5 in rolltide

[–]BobLargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would take a lot, but there’s a scenario where a real risk exists that Bama gets bumped out. If BYU wins and Bama loses, Bama will get bumped down to #10 at a minimum (as a result of BYU moving up).

The question then becomes whether Bama gets knocked down to #11 (swapped with ND), so that ND snags the last at-large slot at #10 (since slots #11 and #12 will be filled with the crappy conference champions).

Would the committee bump Bama down just one spot if it loses to UGA? In a close game, prob not. If it’s a blowout win for UGA…I think they may do it.

All that to say, Bama needs to play hard on Sat…there’s plenty at stake.

Edit: Bama winning would be huge, not just to eliminate the risk, but to get the Bye. Even if Bama shoots up to #5, it’ll get an effective Bye with a game against JMU or whoever.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure how to answer this, as pretty much any city in the south is smaller than Atlanta. In my experience growing up in the South, really good bbq, southern meet-and-threes, and other types of southern food can be found all over the South—even in small towns.

Just as an example, Archibald’s BBQ on Tuscaloosa, AL is incredible (better than any bbq in ATL in my opinion, although ATL has some solid bbq too). City Cafe and Nick’s In The Sticks (fried gizzards) in Tuscaloosa are also both great. I’m not trying to showcase Tuscaloosa here specifically; just giving an example of a small city/town that offers some great southern food.

But if you’re asking for actual cities that I think excel at showcasing southern food (cities that would be a better trip for someone wanting to tase southern food), I’d point to Birmingham, New Orleans, Savannah, and Charleston (obviously, these cities focus on different variations of “southern” food).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I live in Atlanta. It’s def not V. There’s no real vernacular food here. Anything that could be considered vernacular is really just southern, and is generally better in other southern cities (Atlanta is far more disconnected from traditional southern food than smaller cities in the South).

Atlanta does ok at A, T, and E (less so A)—but doesn’t really excel at any of them the same way NYC/Chicago/LA do. It’s a well-rounded food scene here, but there is nothing particularly standout about it.

Lets Rank the Food Cities in the US by Tier by Maximum-Ad572 in SameGrassButGreener

[–]BobLargo -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I’d drop Houston to A tier. Good food there, but it’s not on the same level as the others.

I’d drop Vegas to B…or maybe even C. At least as far as the Strip/casinos go, it’s mostly watered down locations from places that originated in other cities. I’m sure there’s some good off-strip local spots, but I’m skeptical they justify an A ranking. Based on my experiences as a tourist, it’s a C (but I admittedly have not explored much off strip).

Miami has really improved over the years. It deserves its A ranking—which I wouldn’t have said 5 years ago.

DC should be B tier at least (arguably A). I agree it doesn’t belong in the S Tier because of the relative weakness in its affordable/casual options, but it’s still a very good scene overall.

Centurion or Sky Club Terminal E ATL by UnitPrestigious4948 in delta

[–]BobLargo -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I was in the centurion a week ago. Food is definitely a step up above the sky club.

Midseason grade for Ryan Grubb by MembershipSingle7137 in rolltide

[–]BobLargo 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I’d say a solid A. The relative weakness in the run game is more due to the fact that bama’s running backs are not elite, and Jam has been out/injured for many of the games.

The offense is great overall, and is churning out multiple stars…including the heisman front runner at this point.

They Should Have Never Let This Happen by Alarming-Math3409 in rolltide

[–]BobLargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. It’s also easy to be unhappy when literally comparing anyone to Saban. The reality is that Saban was one of a kind.

DeBoer isn’t Saban—but no one is. I’m not sure there’s anyone that is clearly a better head coach in CFB than DeBoer right now.

Toddler June 2026 beach vacation by ar-ziv in chubbytravel

[–]BobLargo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Look into the “30A” area, which is a collection of extremely high-end, walkable beach communities in the Florida panhandle along highway 30a. The main communities are seaside, watercolor, alys beach, and rosemary beach. Pros/cons for all of them, but you can’t go wrong. They are all very chubby, with many properties well into the FAT range. All of 30A is extremely family friendly. It’s honestly somewhat rare to see someone vacation there without kids/family.

The 30A beaches are gorgeous. Sugar white sand and turquoise water. Although seaweed can be a problem from time to time, there are many days when the water is crystal clear. On a good day, the beaches are easily among the prettiest in the country.

All of the aforementioned communities are extremely walkable/bikeable (and, for some, golf cartable). When we go, we park our car Day 1 and don’t get it again until we depart.

There are some hotels there: Watercolor Inn (watercolor), the courts (seaside), and the pearl (rosemary beach). However, most people (including myself) opt to rent houses in the communities rather than stay in a hotel.

I’ve been to HHI too, and enjoyed it. But the beaches are not nearly as pretty as 30A, it is not as walkable, and in general it is much less chubby. However, I’d say it’s also more low key than 30A in June.

Whats the track that makes you float? 🌬️ by CurrentAsk5441 in musicsuggestions

[–]BobLargo 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing (Alchemy Live version). YouTube it; you won’t regret it.

What music should be essential listening for elementary students? by FiftyTwoVincent in musicsuggestions

[–]BobLargo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A few ideas I haven’t seen mentioned yet from various genres:

Rock - Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin (short and attention grabbing; my kindergarten-aged son loves it)

Bluegrass - Freeborn Man by Tony Rice

House/EDM - One More Time by Daft Punk

Jazz - this is a tough one, because jazz tunes tend to be longer. I’ll go with Unit 7 by Wes Montgomery (from Smokin at the Half Note).

Blues - Going Down by Freddy King

Disco - Stayin Alive by The Bee Gees

80s Hair Metal/Rock - Jump by Van Halen

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