chicago has an unforgiving winter with gusts that will chill you to the bone. Thats probably what you missed.

Where in Chicago? The core of Chicago is very non-car friendly.

It really isn’t [very non-car friendly].

There are nice string of parks along the lake, but the loop area as a whole constantly sacrifices nice outdoor space in exchange for a bit more driving room. That’s starting to change but we’re still a long way away from a European style city center.

Is Europe somehow the ideal? I don’t think so.

I’ve been to Europe and seen the mass of cars in the down town core and shit parking situation.

I’d say chicago doing is pretty good compared to Europe.

My overall point is despite good mass transit and dense housing, when people can afford it it, many people prefer cars.

You're talking about Europe as if it's one city, like Chicago is. There are upwards of 30 countries on the European continent, a subset of which are in the European Union. They certainly have more than one city between themselves; some even have many cities!

You're likely being downvoted for the ignorance.

He's answering to someone who speaks of "European style city centers", don't blame him.

(NB: I didn't downvote you because you are right that too often this fairy-tale European style appears here. But still...)