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Originally Posted by pdxtex
^^^just a guess but maybe being so close to chicago has had an insular effect on milwaukee, maybe shielding it a bit from downturns in the economy.
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given the complex interplay between the two cities due to their proximity to each other, I think it might be just as plausible to argue that Chicago's large shadow has actually hindered Milwaukee's economic growth and development. whatever the case, it's the kind of question that a PhD thesis in urban economics could be based on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pdxtex
i dunno, i mean its almost close enough to commute to. take the hiawatha and its only an hour and half ride. its kind of stretch but im sure some people do it.
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if I remember correctly, the Hiawatha line between Chicago and Milwaukee is one of the few Amtrak lines outside of the east coast that actually pays for itself through fare collection, so yes, it is heavily used with 7 trains each way everyday. there might be a very small number of commuters who make the train trip between the two cities on a daily basis, but I think the bulk of those using the Hiawatha as a commuter line are much more likely to be in a situation where they live in either Milwaukee or Chicago, but have to go into the head office in the other city one or two days a week, and then telecommute the rest of the time. that seems like it would be much more likely than spending 3 hours on a train every single day.