Charlie,
I'm a lifetime Chicago South sider and I disagree with your comparison to Gary. You must have only past through certain parts of the South side (where it can be rough), but I grew up in a great neihborhood on the Southeast side and now reside on the lovely Southwest side of the city (near Evergreen Park and Beverly).
Take it back Charlie!
"I'd rather live in a great neiborhood in the worst city, than a horrible neighborhood in the best city"