I left my heart in Chicago!
 )
My story: I just moved to Orlando to be near my mom who is sick. But I don't want to stay here forever. So I'm researching many cities and Chicago has been #1 on my list for a long time. I figured I should look into it more. So I have a few questions for anyone who's ever been there or lived there and loved, hated, or didn't care about it. A big THANK YOU to anyone who takes the time out of their busy day to answer my questions. 
1)What part did you live in? 2)What was your favorite part about the city? 3)What did you absolutly hate about the city? 4)Did you ever feel not safe? 5)Is it dog friendly? 6)What advice would you give someone who wants to move there? |
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I can't answer any of your questions cause I've never been there either but I want to go someday because my "dream" is to go to the Oprah Winfrey show someday  |
| Hi Isabella! I loved living in Chicago.
1)What part did you live in? I lived in the city - what other people would consider "downtown", but Chicagoans call The Loop. I lived within walking distance of work and right on the shore of Lake Michigan. 2)What was your favorite part about the city? There's so much energy - great restauraunts, wonderful parks and museums, lots of live music and theater. During the warm months people participate in a lot of outdoor activities - festivals, concerts, sports. You can walk/run along the Lake for 20 miles on the path system. 3)What did you absolutly hate about the city? The gloom from January through April. Cold is one thing, but you can go weeks without seeing the sun in the winter. Definitely plan vacations during that time of year! 4)Did you ever feel not safe? It's a big city and you definitely have to be careful about your surroundings. I never felt unsafe when I lived downtown or in Lincoln Park. But I would be careful about walking alone too late at night, never walking down alleys, taking cabs in less populated areas, etc. 5)Is it dog friendly? There are dog friendly apartment buildings and condos in the city. Lots of paths to walk your dog in the park system and there are also dog parks where the dogs can run off-leash. In the summer there are restaurants that allow dogs on outside patios. 6)What advice would you give someone who wants to move there? Definitely go visit and see what you think! Good Luck! Sue |
| I stayed in Chicago for a summer when I was little.... all I remember is a LOT of concrete, tall buildings everywhere, always windy (and I thought that windy city thing was a jokE)
Going to the beach was nice, but I'm not fond of living in a concrete box. LOL |
| Chicago was just voted the most dog friendly city in the US. Everyone in Chi-town has a dog or a kid with one of those 4x4 strollers you could drive in a blizzard. If you know where they are, plenty of dog parks around. Plus you have Lake Michigan and Lincoln Park.
You have to visit to get an idea of the city. There are really different sections of town that give CHI a completely different feel (South Loop, West Loop, Lincoln Park, North Burbs, Oak Park and the western burbs. If you like to eat this place is for you. Check out http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/ to get an idea on the social scene. |
| Hi Isabella,
1. I grew up in Chicago on the Northwest side called Logan Square. It was mainly a polish neighborhood when I was growing up. Now I live in Northbrook which is a suburb about 20 miles north of the city. 2. My favorite part of the city is downtown. There is much to do downtown, like shop, eat and go to the theater. 3. The thing I hated the most was trying to park in the winter and it snowed. Shoveling out your car and trying to always have a parking space was hard because people put out junk just to save their space. 4. I have never really felt afraid but then I am a big city girl. 5. I guess Chicago is fairly dog friendly. Where I live now in Northbrook you can take your dog to all the parks which is kind of neat. Many towns do not allow you to bring your dog in the park. 6. About advice about living in Chicago, it is getting very expensive. Housing is expensive and renting is also. It is a nice city with plenty of transportation to get you around. If is frigid cold in the winter and get steamy hot in the summer. Have you ever visited Chicago? You need to experience it in every season visit as many neighborhoods as you can to see what Chicago has to offer. |
| I'm not from Chicago, but I'm in Michigan so it's only a few hours away from us sometimes we do weekend trips. Here are the things I like about Chcago:
1. You can live and work in the city itself. In Detroit, no one really can live there. People who work there commute. With the exception of some old, rich neighborhoods no one lives in the city. 2. It's easily navigatable. Easy to find stuff. Not far too walk from place to place and not crazy expensive to take cabs from time to time. 3. So much to do! Museums, concerts, shopping-- all that good stuff! Since everything is very easy to get to, you can bar hop around the city relatively easily too if you're into the nightlife. Things that I DO NOT like about Chicago: 1. Expensive to live there. Compared to the standard of living here(and Florida as well), it's quite expensive, especially if you want to live in the city. We had a few friends that moved there after college and all but one (the attorney) returned. It's not unattainable, but if you're used to a place where you can get a nice, good sized apartment in a nice safe area for under $1000 a month, I think you'd be hard pressed to find a similar situation there. 2. It's cold in the winter. Very cold. It's surprising how much colder it actually feels even compared to Detroit since Chicago is so close to the water. Plus that windy city thing! 3. There's no damn place to park in the city! Parking that is available is outrageously EXPENSIVE! Even when we visit and drive in, we leave the car in the hotel garage because not only would it cost another $18 to $25 just to get it in and out, it'll cost another $18 to $25 or more to park it at your destination. These are only my impressions as a visitor. I'm sure people that live or have lived there know ways around all the cons that I've just named. Overall, it's a great city. If parking was better, I'd probably go even more! |
| As to the cost of living, it is all relative. It is no more expensive to live in Chi than it is in any other big city on the East Coast (Boston and NYC excluded). It is true of you are prepared to pay $600 a month rent you will be living in a studio. But if you do your research (craigslist.com or the Chicago Reader) you can find a great apartment at a decent price. And there are plenty of landlords that are pet friendly.
If you choose to live in one of the more-traveled sections of town (lincoln park, wicker park, buck town, etc) you will pay more for the location. But if you are comparing the rent in Chicago to Toledo, OH or Des Moines, Iowa, or Buffalo, NY, you will have sticker shock. I put it more in line with Philadelphia, Baltimore or Atlanta. |
All these replys. You guys are quick. Or just logged on. 
About visiting: I am planning a trip sometime late next year. But for a gal on a budget saving up goes slow (2 years!) I am a planner. I like to hoard information-as much as i can get my grubby little paws on. So it may seem like I'm jumping the gun (planning a move without first visiting) But this is just me and the way I do things. So far the only BIG problem i see is cost of living. (but ain't it always...) 
Keep the answers coming. El Gato said: Quote: If you like to eat this place is for you.
Like to eat? I didn't go to culinary school for nothin' |
El Gato wrote: As to the cost of living, it is all relative. It is no more expensive to live in Chi than it is in any other big city on the East Coast (Boston and NYC excluded). It is true of you are prepared to pay $600 a month rent you will be living in a studio. But if you do your research (craigslist.com or the Chicago Reader) you can find a great apartment at a decent price. And there are plenty of landlords that are pet friendly.
If you choose to live in one of the more-traveled sections of town (lincoln park, wicker park, buck town, etc) you will pay more for the location. But if you are comparing the rent in Chicago to Toledo, OH or Des Moines, Iowa, or Buffalo, NY, you will have sticker shock. I put it more in line with Philadelphia, Baltimore or Atlanta. Maybe cost of living isn't as big a problem... -It'll be a few years until i move. -I used to live in Atlanta (so if prices are comprable...) -I'm working my way up to a better job... (insert emotican whose rubbing his chin going hmmmm ) |
| Hi there! I live in a suburb called Buffalo Grove which is also about 25 miles northwest of the city. I have several family members and friends who live in various parts of the city. Chicago is a great place to live if you are one of the following: single, can take public transporation to work, or are empty nesters. If you would like a lot of activity all the time, you'll like the city. If you don't have a car, you can pay for a nicer apartment/condo rather than parking, car payment & car insurance. Here are my responses based on visits to family and friends.
1)What part did you live in? Not applicable 2)What was your favorite part about the city? Leaving it 3)What did you absolutley hate about the city? Traffic, parking costs, cab drivers 4)Did you ever feel not safe? You need to be very careful. One block can be a million dollar townhouse and the next block are projects. However, many of the projects have come down. Mayor Daley has really cleaned up the city tremendously. Thus moving those individuals into nearby suburbs. 5)Is it dog friendly? Chicago has become extremely dog friendly and there are parks, daycares, boutiques, dinners, all for you and/or doggies! My Dad has two HUGE Dogue de Bourdeaxs in a very expensive townhouse near Soldier Field. Only thing Dad complains about is taking them for walks as there are no back or frontyards. 6)What advice would you give someone who wants to move there? Come visit and see as many neighborhoods as possible. Talk to people who actually live there. Contact a real estate agent. Hope that helps! Please feel free to PM me if you'd like more info or plan to come visit. I'd be happy to coordinate some "tours". |
| Some of you say you live just outside the city (or withen driving distance). Which seems like an alternative I need to look into more. If I could go on day trips to the city I think it would be the same as living there.
So if anyone is really happy(or if you really hate it and want to warn me away) where they live (close to Chicago) in Illinois add it to the thread. *runs off to do some research* |
| 1)What part did you live in?
I have lived in lincoln park and lakeview and i currently live in wicker park. all are north of the loop. 2)What was your favorite part about the city? food! there are a ton of amazing vegetarian restaurants. theres also every other kind of food you could ever imagine. i also think we have a pretty good public transportation system. i take the train all over the place, including to school everyday. 3)What did you absolutly hate about the city? when i lived in lakeview i lived on a busy street and it was always loud and bright. plus if you live in the city and have a car be prepared for many parking tickets and being frustrated in traffic. i NEVER drive in the city between the hours of 3-6. 4)Did you ever feel not safe? yes. for the most part i lived in nice neighborhoods, but if you go a few blocks west of where i am now it gets a little sketchy. i dont walk by myself or take the train late at night. you have to be careful! 5)Is it dog friendly? very!! there are dogs everywhere! and dog parks too! 6)What advice would you give someone who wants to move there? there are so many different neighborhoods with so many different things to offer, so ask around before you choose where you want to live. i was miserable in lakeview, but i am pretty happy in wicker park. also if you have a car you MUST find a place that has parking options. chicago is great! if you can stand the cold i would definitely recommend it! |
ButtersStotch wrote: There's no damn place to park in the city! Parking that is available is outrageously EXPENSIVE! Even when we visit and drive in, we leave the car in the hotel garage because not only would it cost another $18 to $25 just to get it in and out, it'll cost another $18 to $25 or more to park it at your destination.
Very true - parking and insurance are crazy. If you're going to live in the city, sell the car and live near public transportation. I didn't own a car for 10 years. I rented one whenever I had to drive to a suburb for a party or a weekend trip, which was once or twice a year. |
| Sorry that I've never lived in Chicago but I have visited. Plus my mom grew up in suburb called Glen Elynn and pretty much the whole time she raised us she would always say how much she loved IL even with such frigid winters.
My favorite experience was going to a Giants - Bears game in Soldier field and we were rooting for the Giants to win (& they did) and the Bears fans were actually civil to us. If you do that in Philly you can expect some type of projectile will be hitting you at any point during the game. Plus it's really cool that the whole city is surrounded by water. I highly recommend the architectural boat tour. |
| I grew up in Chicago on the south side. Now I live northwest of the city in a town called South Elgin--about 50 miles away. I often wonder why I live here. It's hot and humid in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter. But there's more to this place than the weather. I haven't lived "downtown" in years. I always think of it as the place for young singles. Rents downtown are high. You don't need a car because you can walk or take public transportation, plus there is nowhere to park. There's a million things to do downtown.
You do need a car if you live in the suburbs. Public transportation out here is basically non-existent. However, it is easy to get downtown via the train. Rent is probably cheaper here than downtown but that's not saying much. I recently left a 2 bedroom apartment and the rent was $810. Housing prices are rising quickly. I bought a 2 bedroom condo in April for $157K. I think the whole area is dog-friendly. Midwesterners are very sensible and friendly. There are parts of the city and suburbs where you wouldn't want to live or work or even be in but every place has that. If you can stand the weather, it's a great place to live. Plus we need more sheepies!!! P.S. It got the nickname Windy City because of the politicians being gas bags, not because of the wind that seems to blow non-stop. P.P.S. Last week we got 6 inches of snow (10 inches on the south side where my mom lives). Tomorrow, another 3-6 inches is predicted. |
Paula O. wrote: . I often wonder why I live here. It's hot and humid in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter.
Lol. I think everyone in the midwest says that every winter! I was just saying the same thing yesterday as I froze walking to my car (which even in Detroit, I have to park almost 2 blocks away!). |
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