San Fran or Chicago for Summer?

the whole year inn

I am going to America next summer and I can chose between Chicago or San Fran , I will have a job in both straight when I get off the plane . But I want to know which is the best city to go to in the summer going over with 2 other lads at the mo ? Any one let me know the good or the bad things about each city?

Thanks gob_smacked

Vokes

Well, ive been to Chicago in Summer '02.

Pros:

- Fantastic weather reaching about 105 degrees faherenheit, but the same can probably be said about San Fran.

- Beaches in walking distance from the city centre. We managed to snag an apartment that was 3min walk from a beach. Awesome!

- Low cost of living.

- Fantastic integrated ticketing transport system, many parts of which run 24hrs. Again probably the same for San Fran.

- One of the city park shows old films outdoors all summer. Great atmosphere.

- Navy Pier, a big touristy area down by the waterfront. Lots of rides and entertainment, etc. Also, lots of opportunities for employment, get down there quick.

- Lots of different ppl to meet - mexicans, puerto ricans, blacks, irish-americans. Again ,San Fran the same prob.

- Great nightlife, cheap beer, plenty of irish bars. Lots of fun to be had.

- There's lots more, can't remember everything

Cons:

- Well, tbh, nothing really stands out. I mean versus the low cost of living you have the low wages. But as long as you bring over a decent amount of money with you you should be ok.

- Tipping was a pain.

Jivin Turkey

I was lucky enough to experience the J1 thing to some degree four times. I was in Boston, NY, Chicago (twice) and SF.

Chicago knocked the balls out of all of them. Every night of the week there is somewhere to go, where beer is as cheap as $1 for a pitcher (I **** you not). So even if you are earning $7 an hour, you can go out with $20 and have live like a king.

Loads of Irish go there, so it's advised to get over as early as you can in order to get first pick on jobs/houses.

MrJoeSoap

Was in both cities in summer '04, as well as all the other major US cities, and they were by far the best two cities I visited.

Chicago certainly edges it for me, it has that certain je ne c'est quoi about it, its wonderfully clean and easy to live in, the weather is amazing, the place just has an amazing feel to it.

A few of my friends lived there this summer and had the time of their lives. You can't really go wrong with SF either but it may be a lot harder to live in. More expensive too.

irishguy

i was in Chicago for a week 2years ago and i found it quite boring. Dont know what it was about the place but i just didnt like it too much.
I would recomend san fran met a few people who were there for a summer and said it was really cool. Loads to see and mad warehouse partys just outside the city. Also you can travel to Vegas/LA/Grand canyon. Or even up to vancouver which is a great place