Tell me about Chicago

[comes naturally]

So the wife and I are looking for some change. It many of our good friends have moved to different cities in the last couple of years to seek new opportunities and we find ourselves with less and less reasons to stay where we are (philly burbs). Neither one of us are exactly in love with the place.

The one place that keeps coming up in conversation that we both like is Chicago. We would both like to get a little more urban but not live downtown, i.e house with small yard and garage, close to transportation.

I was hoping you all that live there can give me the skinny.

What’s the good bad and ugly? Neighborhoods to look for, avoid?

We are both in our early thirties with a couple of kids planed, but none yet, so things like schools are important, but we would also love some nightlife.

Thanks in advance!

[Fireman88]

Originally Posted by comes naturally

So the wife and I are looking for some change. It many of our good friends have moved to different cities in the last couple of years to seek new opportunities and we find ourselves with less and less reasons to stay where we are (philly burbs). Neither one of us are exactly in love with the place.

The one place that keeps coming up in conversation that we both like is Chicago. We would both like to get a little more urban but not live downtown, i.e house with small yard and garage, close to transportation.

I was hoping you all that live there can give me the skinny.

What’s the good bad and ugly? Neighborhoods to look for, avoid?

We are both in our early thirties with a couple of kids planed, but none yet, so things like schools are important, but we would also love some nightlife.

Thanks in advance!

Many people compare Philly to Chicago. I have lived many different places but never in the NE. I live in the far Northwest Suburbs as the TV News calls it. Based on what you state above it sounds like you would like Evanston, Park Ridge, Niles and Skokie area. Plan to pay 400,000 to 650,000 for those area.

Chicago is ok if you like high taxes, cold snowy winters, hot summers, high cost of living and corrupt politicians (especially our Governors). I know that there are better places to live than this

[flatland964]

I am from the Northeast orginally, and have been in Chicago for 20 years. It took me a long time to get used to the topography - or lack thereof. The city is awesome. Beautiful location on the lake, well developed, lots of culture, theatre, good food, lots to do and yet manageable. The lake and the views and setting it offers add a huge amount to this city.

But it is not great for a motorcyclist. Traffic sucks, roads are dangerous and straight. Cornfields for hundreds of miles south and west, heavy traffic going North.

I agree with all that has been said about the North shore, very pretty little communities, and close to the lake. However, unless you can afford to live in the far North shore, you are buried deep into many miles of suburbs. It takes a long time to get out to a country road from Evanston. I live along the Burlington Northern train line going west. There are some good communities along that line, and it is a relatively fast train commute into the city if that is where you will work. It is also a quick ride from Western Springs, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, or anywhere West of there out to the Fox River area and the edge of Chicago development. There are some good rides to the West, Northwest and Southwest. Somebody mentioned the Northwest Suburbs. They are also good for getting out of the City, but the ride into the City is longer.

[C Squared]

Or, you could look into the Milwaukee WI areas.
Train will take you down to Chitown quik if you want to go there.
Riding is way closer and houseing is cheaper. Nightlife is still around.

Just a thought.

[Shaft]

Try here .


http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago/

[Uglyprimate]

If you want the Chicago area without the costs, look into Northwest Indiana.

Typical midwest though. Leave the city and inhale the fertilizer. Get used to corn.

[eakins]

always felt cold & nasty as hell to me when i was there.
if i was doing the city thing it would be denver.
vibrant upbeat youthfull next to mountains to play in.
winters are milder & little humidity.

[bwringer]

Every time I go to Chicago, I wonder "why the HELL would anybody voluntarily live in such a shitty climate?"

Seriously. It's fookin' miserable outside 360 days a year, and traffic is a festering, potholed hell 24/7/365.

If you are at all active, or wish to enjoy activities other than shopping or eating, don't go there.

Sure, it's one of the world's great cities. To visit.

[Klay]

Originally Posted by bwringer

Every time I go to Chicago, I wonder "why the HELL would anybody voluntarily live in such a shitty climate?"

Seriously. It's fookin' miserable outside 360 days a year, and traffic is a festering, potholed hell 24/7/365.

If you are at all active, or wish to enjoy activities other than shopping or eating, don't go there.

Sure, it's one of the world's great cities. To visit.

What's Indianapolis like?

[NameHere]

Originally Posted by Klay

What's Indianapolis like?

Hey! Indianapolis has the Monument Circle roundabout.

I got into an argument with my girlfriend there, once. She was in a shimmering cocktail dress, and I in a tux and tails.

Her hair was hanging dramatically in her face, and she wasn't wearing a bra. We separated ourselves with the monument, shifting slightly and alternatingly walking around the thing -- left and right -- whenever either of us (i.e., she) wanted to reengage in the arm-flailing shitfest.

Beautiful city. Its citizens: quite easily entertained.

[comes naturally]

Thanks everyone!!

As far as shity weather and traffic...I live in Philadelphia. I'm used to it. If I had my way, I'd be some where in Socal, but the wife says that's to far away from family. Plus finding a job and even somewhat affordable housing would be very hard.

She's from New York. And like a typical Mew Yorker, EVERYWHERE gets compaired to Mecca...I mean NYC...

I don't know why, but when we talk about where we could BOTH see ourselfs living, Chicago is the only place that we can both agree on.

We have both been there several times separately, but we're planing a trip in the spring to check it out together.

Do any of you guys have a get together regularly like Atlanta or NYC?

[drhach]

Originally Posted by comes naturally

... EVERYWHERE gets compaired to Mecca...I mean NYC...

My wife is from NYC. When we go visit her family the "City" is all they talk about. It seems that all Ney Yorkers have to talk about is New York. You'll certainly hear more interesting conversations if you move here. Chicagoans aren't quite so full of themselves. They mostly like to talk about Oprah :) .

It sounds like you are familiar with the issues assoitated with big cities, so, you can be assured that the issues that exist for motorcyclists are no different in Chicago than they are anywhere else. One disadvantage that you may find comapred to PA, is that you can't just hop out of the city and find good riding. The roads here are mostly flat and straight. The times I've gone through Philadelphia, I found it to be hilly and forested and generally pretty. It looks like there may be a lot fo dirt bike riding to do as well. Illinois and Indiana, not so much. There are places, but they aren't necessarily convenient.

There are tons of good places to eat here. Plan on gaining weight. The school system ranks among the worst in the country and we also have "minor" issues with our state political system. There are pluses and minuses. All in all, I am a more rural guy and living in Chicago did not suit me at all. I don't blame the city though. If I had to live in a big city, It would probably be Chicago.

[NameHere]

Originally Posted by drhach

The times I've gone through Philadelphia, I found it to be hilly and forested and generally pretty. It looks like there may be a lot fo dirt bike riding to do as well. Illinois and Indiana, not so much. There are places, but they aren't necessarily convenient.

I don't know about convenience, but the driftless region at the intersection of Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin is one of the neatest areas to ride around. That's not *too far* out. I guess it's no afternoon ride, but golly it's cool.

[Ajacks]

You really should check out the Beverly area, I've been in Chicago my whole life and I think it is the best kept secret.

Originally Posted by comes naturally

So the wife and I are looking for some change. It many of our good friends have moved to different cities in the last couple of years to seek new opportunities and we find ourselves with less and less reasons to stay where we are (philly burbs). Neither one of us are exactly in love with the place.

The one place that keeps coming up in conversation that we both like is Chicago. We would both like to get a little more urban but not live downtown, i.e house with small yard and garage, close to transportation.

I was hoping you all that live there can give me the skinny.

What’s the good bad and ugly? Neighborhoods to look for, avoid?

We are both in our early thirties with a couple of kids planed, but none yet, so things like schools are important, but we would also love some nightlife.

Thanks in advance!

[Merle O'Broham]

Originally Posted by Ajacks

You really should check out the Beverly area, I've been in Chicago my whole life and I think it is the best kept secret.

sshhhhhh....... ! Me and the missus moved from a small apt. down the block from Comiskey Park 10 yrs ago. She had never heard of Beverly. The night we moved- White Sox fri night fireworks, block party on Parnell, Elgin street cleaners in full swing, Barry ball-bearing factory running overtime. Beverly was a slice of heaven after that. Gave us the feeling of a small town in Michigan. Big old houses, oak trees, quiet.