This one is not about the best. Or the favorite. It is merely asks the question:

Which city in the Middle West is the most midwestern? The one that best conveys what we see as the Middle West, most reflective and most evocative of the group. Which city practically screams MIDWEST!!!!!!!

???

Hands down.....INDY!

I don't know. Not Chicago though. I just saw this pic somewhere else...that's in the midwest? Wow:

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5826/chi0152nk6yo.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I said Cleveland. In my mind, thats stereotypycal "midwestern".

Anti: FREAKIN' kick ass pic of Chi-town. Unreal!

Indianapolis.

Cleveland for sure.

I'll say Milwaukee since our city council just shot down the "Pabst City" project. Now we have a huge fucking delapatated building complex sitting very close to what is supposed to be "Milwaukee's new entrance into downtown (since the Park East Freeway is now gone)". This send a great message developers who are interested in Milwaukee :|


I'm so mad about this! :mad: This rant maybe irrelevant to this thread, but just to vent my frustration, I'm gonna bring this up whenever I see a thread about Milwaukee. :moods:


:soapbox:

I was thinking about Cleveland being a possibility, too, but it's in Ohio which sort of transitions into the northeast. And Cleveland transitons into that region more than any other midwestern city, not only location but historical settlement as Connecticut's western reserve.

That said, Cleveland's industrial might is pure midwestern. What the city has from its industrial past is a gritty quality that is both real and inviting; it certainly runs rings around Chicago's far more santitized version of the same concept.

I also think Cleveland is a part of the northeast and has a more northeastern feel than the other cities in the midwest.

Chicago is definitely an eastern type of city, and fits in with New York and Boston much better than the midwest.

Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Columbus, and Milwaukee I feel are all more cities that are in their prime today and continuing, therefore, not my view of the classic, steel-belt, old-fashioned midwestern city.

This being said I'd have to go with this order:
1. Detroit
2. Tie - St. Louis and Cincinnati

Chicago is definitely an eastern type of city, and fits in with New York and Boston much better than the midwest.



What are you smoking? Just because it's bigger? I guess you've never been to the east coast.

I would say Cleveland. To me its got a little bit of every midwest city. It has aspects of Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee.

Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Detroit all have the same basically styles of development and architecture. They just happen to vary in sizes and amounts.

Indianapolis. Small enough to accomodate its small-town charm but large enough that it is recognized far and wide.

The Midwest is a transitional region in which three sets (or types) of cities emerged: Rivertowns (1); Great Lakes Industrial (2); New Cornbelt (3).

For Rivertowns, I pick the one that started it all, Marietta (Ohio).

For Great Lakes, perhaps Chicago or Cleveland.

For Cornbelt, perhaps Indianapolis or Omaha.

I agree that there are three types, but Indy (granted is located in the middle of a corn field) is much more industrial and I would say is on par with most other industrial midwest cities. Also, State Capitols (like Indy) tend to have a different dynamic.

To me, when I think of midwest, I think Kansas City.

Çleveland.

I picked Indianapolis because it fits the stereotype of the typical midwesterner- IMO. Clean-cut, honest, polite, fair, solid education, reliable, good habits, etc. I don't know if Indy is really that way, but it seems like it when I have visited. But, there really isn't such a thing as a typical midwesterner or typical midwestern city. Coastal people like to think the entire midwest is a vast plain of sameness. The land is featureless, the cities are bland, and the people are solid but boring. And they are so wrong! But, maybe I shouldn't have picked Indy as midwestern. It's beautiful circle downtown and street grid remind me of Washington. This poll asks something that isn't possible.

milwaukee

chicago is a little too urban...
kansas city and columbus are too suburbanized...
indy is jussssssst right

if not indy, then cleveland or milwaukee but definetely not chicago or detroit

chicago is a little too urban...
kansas city and columbus are too suburbanized...
indy is jussssssst right

Kansas City and Columbus are far more "urbanized" than Indianapolis, in terms of population densities and structures. If any of those three are suburban, Indianapolis takes the cake.

Kansas City and Columbus are far more "urbanized" than Indianapolis, in terms of population densities and structures. If any of those three are suburban, Indianapolis takes the cake.

I disagree. I have family in KC and I am there often. I have also been to Columbus and it seems to be Indy's sister city (was just discussing this today with an engineer who works in Columbus). IMO, all three are very similar.

The first city that popped in my mind when I read the title of this thread is Des Moines. It's not too big, not too small, doesn't have much of a national presence, but when people hear the name it conjures up images of corn and content white people who have good solid jobs and not-too-flashy houses with trimmed yards and a backyard patio, folks who are engaged with the outside world yet don't get all "uppity" about it, just good clean, honest, nice folks who like casserole.

That's what I think of when I think "Midwest."

Pure midwestern-ish cities:

South Bend
Dayton
Kalamazoo
Quad Cities
Rockford
Green Bay
Rochester

I disagree. I have family in KC and I am there often. I have also been to Columbus and it seems to be Indy's sister city (was just discussing this today with an engineer who works in Columbus). IMO, all three are very similar.

I never said they weren't similar. I said if one of them is the most suburban, it's Indianapolis. Otherwise, demographically, all three are pretty similar.

What are you smoking? Just because it's bigger? I guess you've never been to the east coast.

???? I'm glad you know where I've been.
I've been to the east coast plenty. And I've been to Chicago quite a bit, Indy, St. Louis, Cincy, Milwaukee, etc.
Disagree if you want, maybe you do know more than me, but at least throw up an argument.

I'm not talking about Shaumburg and Naperville and all the suburbs. Downtown Chicago has more similarities to East Coast towns than midwest towns. Much more diverse, with large ethnic areas. Chinatown as well as the polish and italian areas and it is MUCH more like NYC than any midwestern town.

Downtown being on a large body of water also reminds me of the eastcoast. Yes it's much bigger than other cities in the midwest, and obviously the major hub of the area.

I picked Indianapolis because it fits the stereotype of the typical midwesterner- IMO. Clean-cut, honest, polite, fair, solid education, reliable, good habits, etc. I don't know if Indy is really that way, but it seems like it when I have visited. But, there really isn't such a thing as a typical midwesterner or typical midwestern city. Coastal people like to think the entire midwest is a vast plain of sameness. The land is featureless, the cities are bland, and the people are solid but boring. And they are so wrong! But, maybe I shouldn't have picked Indy as midwestern. It's beautiful circle downtown and street grid remind me of Washington. This poll asks something that isn't possible.

Well Indy would of course remind you of D.C. it was designed by Peire L' Enfant apprentice. (wtf thats not spelled right, oh well)

btw... Hope you don't mind me using what you just said as my signature.^^

Pure midwestern-ish cities:

South Bend
Dayton
Kalamazoo
Quad Cities
Rockford
Green Bay
Rochester

Interesting.

Kansas City hands down.

???? I'm glad you know where I've been.
I've been to the east coast plenty. And I've been to Chicago quite a bit, Indy, St. Louis, Cincy, Milwaukee, etc.
Disagree if you want, maybe you do know more than me, but at least throw up an argument.

I'm not talking about Shaumburg and Naperville and all the suburbs. Downtown Chicago has more similarities to East Coast towns than midwest towns. Much more diverse, with large ethnic areas. Chinatown as well as the polish and italian areas and it is MUCH more like NYC than any midwestern town.

Downtown being on a large body of water also reminds me of the eastcoast. Yes it's much bigger than other cities in the midwest, and obviously the major hub of the area.
Yes, Chicago is a megacity due to its massive size, with all the default characteristics that come with such a distinction, but I do not think it feels more East Coast than Midwest at all. LA has ethnic neighborhoods too, would you call LA "East Coast"? Chicago is a very Midwestern feeling city, it's just a lot bigger than other cities in the region. But alas, we have every right to disagree.

btw, I'm leaving for Chicago in about 30 minutes.

Whenever I am in Chicago, it feels Midwestern. I don't know if it is the grid, or the buildings, or the people, or what. Maybe because it doesn't have the colonial era neighborhoods that make it seem less East Coast to me. It ranks with any coastal city to be sure, but it does feel Midwestern. The way it lines up on Lake Michigan with beaches, etc. makes it seem less East Coast, too. Big East Coast cities are very old and were not build oceanside. They are built on rivers, bays, & harbors that lead to the ocean and their waterways have been purely industrial until lately. Chicago's beachside location makes it one of the world's most stunning cities.

I guess the reason I feel it's east coast is thinking back in time to Ellis Island and other east coast areas where people came from across seas into New York and many large east coast cities. Chicago just kind of gives me that same type of feel.

You make a great point JiveCity about the size of the city. It's definitely true that it's massive size is a reason for the large number of ethnic areas and many people of different races.

Have a good time in Chi-town.:)

I disagree. I have family in KC and I am there often. I have also been to Columbus and it seems to be Indy's sister city (was just discussing this today with an engineer who works in Columbus). IMO, all three are very similar.

Where in KC does your family live? I have visited Indy before and Indy's urban core is smaller than KC's in my opinion. This is not an attack, just an opinion.

Of course, Indianapolis still has plenty of room to develop.
Indianapolis is my choice for many reasons. A city as unique as Indianapolis maintains its own special place. Unlike others, I wont attack other cities. In fact the midwest as a whole is a great region. I enjoy cities like Columbus and Cincinnati because of there charm. But as far as the most midwetern city I base my opinion on the fact that Indy is big enough that it is recognized world wide by its famous races and sporting events, yet small enough to accomodate its own unique charm, kinda like a small town. People you've never met before pass you on the streets downtown and say "Hi, how are you doing?" Its the warmth and friendliness and uniqueness of Indy (thats not to say that it doesn't exist in other cities because i know for a fact that it does) that gives its special charm, found only in the Midwest.

So i believe that with all the factors like diversity and big-city appeal and small town charm and friendlineess and humbleness combined, that Indianapolis is hands down the most midwestern city. If not Indy, then probably Cleveland or Cincinnati

By the way all of the above comments are my opinion so dont get offended or bash or attack each other.

the midwest rocks. the cities are all unique and great in their own ways. I'm not sure how one city can be more midwest than the other, so im going to say Des Moines just because it seems closest to the center of the midwest.

By the way all of the above comments are my opinion so dont get offended or bash or attack each other.


Its kind of sad when we have to try twice as hard to make sure no one thinks we are attacking their home town. People get very defensive over this kind of subject.

Probably Indianapolis, an oasis in the Midwest.

Why is Milwaukee in italics?

I would say Green Bay. That is about as "Midwest" as you can get...

Why? The work ethic. To me the Midwest is all about the "Blue Collar" jobs that a majority of the population of this country rely on in our everyday lives but really never give it much thought where it comes from or who makes it. In Green Bay it is the paper industry. The livelyhood of the City as a whole, being the largest employer by far. What we write on, wrap goods in, clean up messes with, and wipe our asses with. What else??? It's cheese. What we get on our McDonald's hamburgers and what ritzy people have with their wines. And most of all it is, I know I will here the groans, but it is the Packers. Smallest City in the U.S. with a pro sports team, community owned no less.

This is the spirit of the Midwest, all wrapped up in this closely knit community. Yes, Green Bay is starting to see the condo market boom downtown and it is becoming both the financial center and healthcare center of NE Wisconin. But the values that the Midwest has that other regions don't are more prevelant here than anywhere else I've lived or visited. It's having people say hello rather than get the "f" out of my way. It's knowing your neighbor, and it's adjusting to changing demographics and ethnic cultures.

I think some are failing to make this distinction: the difference between the "old" and "new" midwest. So...

"New" Midwest: Indianpolis (for sure)

"Old" Midwest: Cleveland - quintessentially midwestern having a mix of old east and west.

All American cities are shitty, so I don't need to vote.

Actually, you didn't even to post here, at all.

^Just ignore him and he'll go away.

Anyway, I still voted for Chicago even though the other cities are exceptionally midwestern as well. Chicago stands as a mythical ideal for a midwestern city. No it is not perfect by any means. But it's currently the answer to the question of what is the best of all midwestern qualities and ideals indeed midwestern civilization itself. It embodies the practicality of midwestern folk with the Board of Trade. It's not the NYSE which is to etherial to put a finger on, but a solution to the local necessity of sending our midwestern grains to market. It is as human as we are and more so than any other region's cities could hope to be with it's extensive park system and practically unspoiled lakefront. I know that on these forums we tend to look at Chicago as a skyline that incidentally has 9.5 million people living in its environs. But those people also live in a city of churches and factories, union halls and pubs, pay lots and playlots. Strip Chicago of its scrapers and you get to its soul. An undeniably midwestern soul. Without our downtowns' buildings, Chicago isn't much different than Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indy, Cleveland, etc. We're first and foremost communities that embrace their people, and I would be proud to call any of them my home.

Why is Milwaukee in italics?

probably you voted Milwaukee already, or someone used your account.

This poll is as bad as the voting on American Idol. Indianapolis leads with second runner up far from behind? Yikes.

:eek2:

huh? I'm sure you think Toledo is the most midwestern, huh? lol

huh? I'm sure you think Toledo is the most midwestern, huh? lol

If I thought Toledo was the most midwestern--I would've posted a thread and ramble so much details about it. There are several midwestern cities I like better than Toledo.

Probably Indianapolis, an oasis in the Midwest.

That was my signature for a while. I think ill change it back.

Yeah, because it really is, right? lol

To me, when I think of midwest, I think Kansas City.


I don't know why, but I always do, too. KC just says "midwest" to me. I haven't even been there, lol.

Cleveland is as Midwesten as March 17th is the winter. Look at a map (its obviously in the northeast geographically). Great lakes is far more fitting than Midwestern (yes, there is a HUGE difference). I lived there and in Columbus. Columbus is the midwest, yet still progressive. Cleveland just doesn't fit the mold.

Indy

I also voted for Cleveland.

Here in Ohio, Columbus and Cincinnati are too "Southern".

I would think cities like Omaha or Des Moines would take the title.

Some areas of our nation that are commonly labeled "Midwestern" can and should be subdivided more specifically-- as parts of the Great Plains region, the Northern Plains region, or the Great Lakes region.
In my view, the real heart of the Midwest actually consists of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, plus parts of Missouri and Ohio....the traditional "cornbelt" of the US.

Missouri is a divided state. The northern and central parts of the state are more agricultural-based and Midwestern in nature. The southwest (Ozarks) and east/southeast (including St Louis) are Southern-influenced. The western part (including Kansas City) has closer ties to the Great Plains.

Ohio is another complicated state. The central and western parts are Midwestern (including Columbus). Some areas along the Ohio River (including Cincinnati) are more Southern. The northern portions are in the Southern Great Lakes region. The northeastern area (particularly Cleveland and Akron) even has characteristics of the Eastern US.

Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit (and Cleveland) all belong to the Great Lakes region. This area has historically had closer ties to industry and manufacturing than to agriculture.

Minnesota (including the Twin Cities) is categorized as Northern Plains. This region also consists of the Dakotas and Montana.

So, from the list of cities named in the poll, Indy and Columbus are actually the "most Midwestern" by definition. I think you could choose either city as a good representation of what a Midwestern city is like.

Minnesota (including the Twin Cities) is categorized as Northern Plains. This region also consists of the Dakotas and Montana.

While western Minnesota is definitely part of the Northern Plains (a large Wheat growing area), Minnesota is actually more complicated than that and, like Ohio or Missouri, can't be painted so broadly. Duluth fits into the Great Lakes definition very well and is a classic gritty city reminiscent of PA or western NY mill cities. SE Minnesota/NE Iowa and especially Southwestern Wisconsin are rolling farmland filled with Dairy Farms. North-Central MN includes the great north woods and thousands of lakes.

My vote for most midwestern city is there really isn't one, because, as UrbanJim said, there's too much variation among the Midwest. My votes goes to Cleveland among the lower (Industrial) Midwest States and Des Moines among the western (agricultural) Midwest.

Kansas City.

The midwest is pretty big.
Now, if it were the Great Lakes I would say Chicago or MW.
Indy, I don't know.
It seems like the modern midwest with it's downtown and stuff but I wouldn't say it is the most midwestern city.
I wouldn't call it a suburb either. It has a lot more life than a lot of the midwest.
Old midwest would be Cincy or Cleveland.

This poll is as bad as the voting on American Idol. Indianapolis leads with second runner up far from behind? Yikes.

:eek2:

So what?
Indy rocks! ;)

I think Madison, Cleveland, and Omaha are all up there. Indy isn't too far from the top, either.

Chicago is a fantastic city, and it's an incredible place to be, but it doesn't represent the Midwest very well.

what do those three cities even have in common?

Wow, I remember this thread.

Wow, some of you guys really dig up the old ones...

Neato.

For me, it's Indianapolis.

Midwest to me is quite specific; two characteristics define it.

First, the Midwest stretches from just east of Columbus Ohio to about Kansas City, and from the Ohio and Missouri Rivers to the south, and a line along the Mississippi/St. Lawrence divide until about Wausau, to about Des Moines, and down to KC.

Second, Midwest to me means grid. Any city not built on a relatively strict grid (ie, Cincinnati, St. Louis) are out.

Great Lakes cities have their own heavy industry culture that I think is unique from the "Midwest".

EDIT: A possible third characteristic of the Midwest: wood buildings. Cities like Cincy, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis have a lot of older brick architecture/multifamily units, from what I've seen. Indy's reliance on wood makes it more Midwestern, IMHO.

Indianapolis! Indy also has something about it that many midwestern cities had years ago. To me it seems to be growth. Does not seem to be as down as it and many cities were years ago. Maybe I am wrong, but Indy seems to be growing even during these times.

Stryker, Ohio