Sorry, Writerranger, for misrepresenting your sentiment. I think comparisons to Chicago, or other long established urban cities, are usually meant as isolated anecdotes and not actual realistic planning goals for the city. However, when we talk of establishing urban living in Oklahoma City, I still think the urban neighborhoods of those cities should be our guides. There is not one city in America that doesn't not have large suburban elements. Chicago has tons of suburban life, and even cities like New York, San Francisco, and Seattle all have their suburban surroundings. To the extent of living options in their metropolitan areas, they have it all. Oklahoma City does not. On some scale, I think we could offer more.

In my mind, the key to urban living is not exclusively defined by a dense mix of residential high rises like a Manhattan. Most urban life is actually spent in neighborhoods comprised of a dense mix of low and mid-rise buildings which house residential, retail, restaurant and entertainment services. While I completely agree that Oklahoma City is not going ever have an urban core of 3 million people, it is very feasible to have several neighborhoods that resemble in appearance and lifestyle places like, say, the Wicker Park/Bucktown area in Chicago. In that, I think the comparisons are valid and that those cities have many elements that could be experienced even in Oklahoma City given the right minded developers. I actually think the Triangle developers are of this mindset.

So, while I think any realistic goal is not going to include trying to make Oklahoma City a full blown Chicago or similar city, I do think those cities and, specifically, their residential urban neighborhoods, have a valid place in the discussion. I completely agree with you that the real goal is to provide a taste of urban living, so that the community has something to offer those who want that lifestyle an option. That way, we don't have to keep telling people that want to be able to walk to work or to see a movie or to get a gallon of milk or go to a bar, etc. to look elsewhere. The real goal here is to make Oklahoma City more competitive in living options so we can attract a diverse work force and build a stronger community for the next century and the next generation.

Anyway, I think we're on the same page here. I think maybe you took Chicago references maybe too far, just as I took your relocating suggestion too far. In the end, I think we both want that blank to be filled with much more than Oklahoma City currently offers, even if we both know it will never include full blown urban living on the scale of America's biggest cities.