Two Cities a Month
I travel regularly-ish. Two cities, back and forth, almost every month. The opportunities in both cities are vastly different, call it regional market opportunities, tourist seasons, state-politics reactive, you decide. What’s interesting is how they differ as much as they do, but are also very similar.
Both are sister cities in my opinion, geographically. One is to Chicago what the other is to Miami.
Both have a distinct social atmosphere to them. One is rooted in a culture of socializing over bar dice, use-it-because-it’s-too-short patio season, and good down to earth people I relate to and love competing with to earn the honor of buying the drinks that round. The other is a mix of transplants, seekers, run-from-tourists types in a wrapper of beautiful people and those-that-got-stuck-there aesthetic. I felt like an outsider at first, now I’m a “regular," no change in how I presented myself. I dislike the term “regular” so much.
One is great for cigars almost year round, it gives me an opportunity for relaxation and reflection on-call.
It’s painfully hot to me in the summer months in one, and ideal in the summer months in the other. I like the seasons in one, even the cold and snow — scarf season. I like the consistency of the other, even when it can be painful with the cruise-people and slow drivers.
I see very few locals go to the ocean in one of them. The other has a great lake very few locals go to. Conversation for your next gathering: are you an ocean/lake person or a pool person? Go.
Regardless of where I am, I can get a great experience out of each. I’ve met and am connected with great people in both places. The conversations I’ve had, and look forward to, that’s living, that’s being with the people. Culture.
I’m fortunate, I share time with two great places, just don’t tell one about the other.