I've just heard that NYU has a more collaborative culture and Booth is more competitive and the students focus more on the individual.[/quote]
I feel like this stereotype is due to the fact that Booth does not have a true "cohort" system. Since the school has a flexible curriculum, you do not attend your core classes with the same group of people. When I visited Booth, I found every person who I met to be kind, friendly, and welcoming. In my own personal opinion, I think that Booth's culture is on par with Stern's in terms of the collaborative nature of its students.
As a native New Yorker, I agree with those who have said that there is no other city like New York. That being said, Chicago is a great city that has wonderful things to offer. I would also say that Chicago is easier to navigate and its inhabitants are more friendly. I think it's much easier to feel lost in New York City than in Chicago.