Gotham or Night City: Which City Would You Rather Live In

After hours of playing Cyberpunk 2077 I came across an ad for the upcoming game Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League. And for some reason that got me thinking: if I had to choose, which city would I prefer to live in, Gotham or Night City?

Both fictional cities can be the place where dreams come true or where dreams go to fizzle out (or explode in your face). In their respective worlds, both Gotham and Night City have their advantages and drawbacks. When I asked friends and mutuals, and then people across various social media platforms if they absolutely had to choose between the two cities, which would they prefer to live in. At first, the answers were light-hearted and within the realm of those respective, fictional worlds. However, the more people answered, the more they solved their real-world problems with their choice of fictional residence.

Gotham City

Image: Still from Gotham, Season 5, Episode 10

Gotham City

Gotham City is always portrayed as a dark, gritty, metropolis. Yet, it is home to the wealthy and influential elite on one side and the extremely poor on the other side. Gotham really pushes a typical American agenda of providing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard to succeed while not providing adequate resources as they punish people for being poor. However, the disparity between the wealthy elite and the average, poor Gothamite is astoundingly large. And the overabundance of corrupt officials widens the gap even more. No wonder Gotham City’s infrastructure is piss poor.

While Gotham is full of villains, the city’s biggest villain is social inequality. Batman literally started his caped crusading career in 1939’s Detective Comics #27 by protecting the interests of the wealthy. Not to mention, Bruce Wayne is a rich kid whose wealthy parents were murdered by a “street thug.” This definitely affects how the Bat treats poor people just trying to hustle to support their families. Privacy could be an issue as citizens are just supposed to trust that Batman ethically uses his spy tech when listening in on calls and tracking down criminals and thugs. To a small-time weed man trying to put food on the table, Batman is aggy af.

Reasons Respondents Chose to Live in Gotham City

But Gotham does have its benefits, as many who responded pointed out. Running with Joker seemed to be the top response. I mean, I get it. Batman has the best technology, and gear, and has one of the highest IQs in the comics world, but still repeatedly loses to a clever clown with a crowbar, wearing wing-tipped Stacy Adams.

Also, several people mentioned they’re only choosing Gotham because of Poison Ivy, Cat Woman, and Harley Quinn.

Another reason advocates of Gotham City living give is cheap rent. Though, rental insurance may be high due to the high crime rate. One commenter said, “Gotham. That rent cheap. I'm working from home and making sure I live right next to the Robin mass-production facility, aka Gotham Orphanage. I know that building will be unharmed.”

Gotham also has a bustling nightlife. This city boasts bars, nightclubs, and restaurants that stay open until the wee hours of the morning. And if you’re a more artsy person, Gotham is a cultural center with many art galleries, museums, and theaters. Though, these cultural centers tend to be prime targets for explosions, kidnappings, and mass shootings because it’s where the wealthy elite have their fundraisers and other events that exclude the average Gotham citizen.

Image: Jig-Jig Street, Japantown, Night City

Night City

Would Cyberpunk 2077’s Night City be a decent place to live? Night City, like Gotham, is rife with violence and wealth inequality. But instead of just corrupt officials, Night City is run by corporations that call the shots and different factions vying for power. Still, with all of the violence and corruption, the playing field is a bit more level because of the advancement of technology.

Night City is a high-tech metropolis where opportunities for advancement are plentiful. If you’re ambitious and driven, you can make a name for yourself. There are no superheroes in Night City. However, everyone has the potential to be a hero or a villain. Cybernetic enhancements, high-tech gadgets, and powerful weaponry are readily available for any Choom who has the eddies.

Unfortunately, with all the technological advancements comes immeasurable pollution. Cybernetic enhancements are literally required to live to survive severe air and water pollution.

Even with its rampant violence and corruption, Night City has amazing infrastructure, connecting more people to more jobs, even from the most remote areas. It is also culturally and ethnically diverse and inclusive. Sexuality is fluid and forward, and safe sex work is absolutely valid, as it should be.

Healthcare in Night City goes beyond its technological advancements. Enter medical practitioners called Ripperdocs. Ripperdocs are licensed medical professionals who install cybernetic prostheses, prescribe meds, and more legally. Some Ripperdocs, however, will install “illegal, military-grade cyberware for the right price.” And you can find a Ripper almost everywhere as long as you have the cash. Corporations, however, have their own, elite Rippers.

Why Respondents Chose Night City

Night City’s out-of-control violence and severe pollution were no problem for most respondents, however. Most respondents said they chose Night City over Gotham for the cybernetic enhancements and better survivability as regular citizens. One respondent said, “I feel like in Night City it's easier for the average person to defend themselves cause of augmentations. In Gotham literally *everyone* is a criminal. You're just as likely to get kidnapped by Scarecrow himself as you are to get mugged in a parking lot.”

A few respondents chose Night City simply to live without Batman ruining their lives. One responder said, “…Can smoke without Batman giving me a damn brain hemorrhage.” Another respondent said, “ACAB includes Batman! Fuck that n*gga!"

Quite a few respondents chose Night City to be able to cure various immune illnesses like Spina Bifida and Rheumatoid. One respondent said, “…meet a ripper doc and be free of MS forever”.

Conclusion

Which fictional city you choose, Night City or Gotham ultimately boils down to individual preferences and what’s more important to you. Both Gotham and Night City are overrun with violence, corruption, and a huge disparity in wealth. But personally, I think Night City offers more ways to survive, earn a decent living, and even flourish.