Second City: Chicago Ranks No. 2 Among Cities In The World: Survey

CHICAGO — Chicago has long been known as the Second City, but according to a new survey of city-dwellers who ranked cities across the world, The City With the Big Shoulders ranks as the second most popular metropolitan area in the world.

The report, released recently by Time Out, surveyed more than 20,000 residents of various cities who declared Chicago the world’s second most desirable location. Chicago ranked only behind Edinburgh, Scotland in the survey.

Chicago was one of only five U.S. cities listed in the survey, which ranked the world’s Top 53 cities as selected by respondents to the survey. Chicago’s closest U.S. competitor was New York, which ranked 20th, followed by San Francisco (25), Boston (29), Miami (38), and Los Angeles (42).

Chicago ranked well because of its food scene and quality of nightlife options, both of which have been affected greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the city’s culinary offerings have long been considered world-class once you get beyond the deep dish pizza, hot dog, and Italian beef purveyors, 96 percent of city dwellers who participated in the Time Out survey praised Chicago for its food and drink.

The Time Out report characterized Chicago's restaurant options as being sleek and high-end and singled out the nation's first-ever Michelin-starred Filipino tasting menu at Kasama, which is located in the city's East Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

Another 95 percent of survey participants gave Chicago high marks for its art and culture scene based on the number of museums, galleries, and theaters that offer residents and visitors alike a wealth of opportunities to see live theater and music.

But while Chicago has taken its share of lumps due to the gun violence and government corruption that tends to dominate headlines, 55 percent of the respondents praised the city for its resiliency. That ranking was the fourth highest of any city in the world in that category as survey respondents heaped praise on Chicago for its ability to bounce back from tough times, the Time Out report indicated.

“After two years of on-off (COVID) restrictions, we’ve come out stronger and more united, and now, our beloved Midwest metropolis is thriving again,” the report said.

Here are The Top 10 city destinations according to the Time Out report

1. Edinburgh
2. Chicago
3. Medellin
4. Glasgow
5. Amsterdam
6. Prague
7. Marrakesh
8. Berlin
9. Montreal
10. Copenhagen

Other U.S. Finishers

20. New York

25. San Francisco

29. Boston

42. Los Angeles