Chicago vs. Austin?

I was born and raised in an amazing city, Chicago. At first I was going to say one of the best cities, but there are a lot of great cities out there, so I’ll just say amazing. If you haven't been, go! The food and shopping are incredible and the people are great! I grew up with midwesterners so I am used to those types of people. And the city itself is beautiful!  Also, we have some great sports teams (Da Bulls, Da Bears, Da Sox, Da Cubs, Da Blackhawks). But after being there for 18 years I was ready for change. Luckily, it was my time to start applying to colleges. So I saw that as my opportunity to try something new and I applied to 13 universities throughout the country. I was very confident with myself and figured I could handle going to school a plane ride away from home. After many months of contemplating, list making, researching, etc. I finally chose The University of Texas-Austin. 

Arriving in Austin immediately put a huge smile on my face! This place is great! The weather is awesome, and with great weather brings great landscaping and birds always chirping (which I love). The buildings are so unique looking, not much of that commercially strip malls thing. The shopping is top notch, with a lot of boutiques (which I also love). The food is good, except I feel like it’s a lot of the same: mexican, sushi, asian, barbecue and not much Italian food at all. But that’s ok, I am by no means starving here in Austin. I am having such a marvelous time here but then homesickness kicks in a little..

But why? Am I just homesick because it’s typical and I am stressed out with school so I just want to be home or am I homesick for Chicago because I think Chicago is better?

I cannot say Chicago is better than Austin, nor can I say Austin is better than Chicago; both are very unique yet incredible cities. Austin is just very different to me. I don’t want to say it’s because it’s Texas and everyone is a conservative, republican cowboy because that's not true but there is no doubt that were not in the rest of America when we’re in Texas. The people here just seem to be raised a bit differently. They are so proud to be a Texan, in fact, in school growing up they even sing a Texas state song! That to me is crazy! People here though are super nice, but in a different way than my fellow Chicago-ans.

Basically, there are obvious differences between Austin and Chicago but obviously! That’s a given! So do I like the new better than the old? Is Chicago better than Austin or Austin better than Chicago? I just don’t know… I am going to go about my life in Austin finding the great similarities and differences between here and Chicago. I will attempt to find things that make me happy in Chicago and see if they are available in Austin. First stop, deep dish pizza? Amazing department stores? City art work? Any great places in Austin ya'll (see I am getting used to living in Austin!) can suggest? I’ve got a lot to do…Be back soon!