Chicago is known for its cold, blustery winters and humid summers. So when the weather breaks, Chicagoans from near and far flock to the beach to dip their feet in frigid Lake Michigan.

And on this late March day, the temperatures rose above 60, and tons of Chicagoans came out in droves. They packed the Magnificent Mile and poured onto Oak Street Beach, with the eye-catching skyline as a backdrop, just a mile from the Navy Pier

In many ways, Chicago reminds me of NYC. But it is also more livable – less noisy, less crowded with the same world class vibe of the Big Apple.