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re: For those of you who live or have lived in Chicago, what's so great about it?
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:40 pm to StringedInstruments
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:40 pm to StringedInstruments
Lived there for four years in the 2010s after getting married, moved one year after our first was born. It was an awesome experience and we loved it, just like any place it has its pros and cons. It goes without saying, you have to enjoy cities...
There is so much to do, from museums and restaurants to a wide variety of people to get to know. The city has an insane amount of green space, whether city blocks that are just parks, or lots of tree lined streets. Summer is fantastic, everyone is outside and there are multiple festivals every weekend. Fall is also a great weather time. Really from mid-May until New Years, the weather really matches the season/holiday.
Each neighborhood has a unique feel and atmosphere. I lived in the South Loop near Soldier Field and then Southport just west of Wrigley. We would go to Lincoln Square, Ukrainian Village, Lincoln Park, West Loop, lots of other places just to eat, drink, and hang out with friends.
Public transit is legit. You can get damn near anywhere in the city and both airports easily on the CTA. The buses are also clean and safe. I lived in DC for 5 years prior and wouldn't touch the Metrobus.
It has its cons for sure, living in the city is not cheap and when we had our first kid (nearly 10 years ago) child care was $2,500/mo. Housing is not cheap, but is plentiful. The winter sucks, Jan/Feb are whatever - cold is cold - but where I struggled was March and April. It sucks to watch the masters and see the Azaleas blooming while you look out and it is sleeting. The suburbs are nothing special.. all the traffic and tax burden of the city with none of the character.
There is so much to do, from museums and restaurants to a wide variety of people to get to know. The city has an insane amount of green space, whether city blocks that are just parks, or lots of tree lined streets. Summer is fantastic, everyone is outside and there are multiple festivals every weekend. Fall is also a great weather time. Really from mid-May until New Years, the weather really matches the season/holiday.
Each neighborhood has a unique feel and atmosphere. I lived in the South Loop near Soldier Field and then Southport just west of Wrigley. We would go to Lincoln Square, Ukrainian Village, Lincoln Park, West Loop, lots of other places just to eat, drink, and hang out with friends.
Public transit is legit. You can get damn near anywhere in the city and both airports easily on the CTA. The buses are also clean and safe. I lived in DC for 5 years prior and wouldn't touch the Metrobus.
It has its cons for sure, living in the city is not cheap and when we had our first kid (nearly 10 years ago) child care was $2,500/mo. Housing is not cheap, but is plentiful. The winter sucks, Jan/Feb are whatever - cold is cold - but where I struggled was March and April. It sucks to watch the masters and see the Azaleas blooming while you look out and it is sleeting. The suburbs are nothing special.. all the traffic and tax burden of the city with none of the character.
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 1:44 pm
0
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:42 pm to StringedInstruments
Great city! History, architecture, music, ethnic culture / food, has a soul, and lots to do, including professional sports galore and amazing universities. Richness of broad spectrum of people that represent many parts of the world.
The winter sucks. The summer can be hot (Blues Fest in July comes to mind).
However, the first (and last) real Fall that I have experienced.
The winter sucks. The summer can be hot (Blues Fest in July comes to mind).
However, the first (and last) real Fall that I have experienced.
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 1:45 pm
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:43 pm to StringedInstruments
Grew up in the suburbs, actually going into the city was a royal pain in the arse and you’re better off living somewhere cheaper if you like suburban life like I do.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:44 pm to StringedInstruments
Its one big outdoor shooting range.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:50 pm to StringedInstruments
I once watched a homeless guy vomit blood up close and personal while I was in a cab passing near Cabrini Green in the 90’s.
I hadn’t ever seen that before so I guess Chicago offers a one of a kind people watching experience.
(Side bar, homeless guy in SF pulled his dong out in front of my 8 yr old daughter. So Maybe Chi-town isn’t so unique)
I hadn’t ever seen that before so I guess Chicago offers a one of a kind people watching experience.
(Side bar, homeless guy in SF pulled his dong out in front of my 8 yr old daughter. So Maybe Chi-town isn’t so unique)
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:52 pm to TygerLyfe
quote:
Doesn't everyone want to live in a John Hughes movie?
A naked lady walks into a bar, a poodle under one arm and a footlong salami under the other…
Zactly why I lived in Chicago. To learn the punchline.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:55 pm to TigerBaitOohHaHa
quote:
Cabrini Green in the 90’s
quote:
SF BART and Central Station
Two atmospheres that are great to take your kids to! Yikes. You living off the grid…no internet? Just why?
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 1:56 pm
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:56 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Had a customer there so traveled every other week for 6 months ...
PROs
Great food.
CONs
Miserable weather for 4-6 months.
Taxes.
Politics.
Crime.
PROs
Great food.
CONs
Miserable weather for 4-6 months.
Taxes.
Politics.
Crime.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:57 pm to AmishSamurai
quote:
Crime.
Never saw it myself. Where in the city did this affect you?
Posted on 1/19/26 at 1:57 pm to StringedInstruments
Visited a friend there and stayed in the burbs. It blew me away that retail a d residential mixed the way it does in Chicago. Ive never seen that before. Each of the neighborhoods had a bit of.character that.made it distinct from other neighborhoods around town.
Mexican food in Chicago is actually Mexican and not texmex. The public trains were safe and made it very easy to pop in and around town. If you have to get an uber it's not crazy expensive. Buddy I visited explained that you just stay out of the known bad areas. Similar to staying the frick out of North Baton Rouge and you're basically good.
I visited in September and it felt like March here in BR.
Mexican food in Chicago is actually Mexican and not texmex. The public trains were safe and made it very easy to pop in and around town. If you have to get an uber it's not crazy expensive. Buddy I visited explained that you just stay out of the known bad areas. Similar to staying the frick out of North Baton Rouge and you're basically good.
I visited in September and it felt like March here in BR.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 2:00 pm to WestCoastAg
Chicago is too WOKE for me.
Brandon, 47, Central
Brandon, 47, Central
Posted on 1/19/26 at 2:38 pm to NIH
I don't ever want to live anywhere that I need to wear a coat over another coat, and have to shovel my car out of snow. I'll deal with the heat down here.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 2:39 pm to StringedInstruments
It’s not the southeast
Posted on 1/19/26 at 2:57 pm to Proximo
quote:
Where in the city did this affect you?
Had my rental car broken into on Michigan Ave.
I was always in the heart of the city for work.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 3:00 pm to RanchoLaPuerto
quote:
Great good of every ethnicity.
Great sports scene.
People there are generally very fun loving.
Midwest people tend to be very kind for some reason as well
Posted on 1/19/26 at 3:04 pm to StringedInstruments
It's very diverse
I just love it
I just love it
Posted on 1/19/26 at 3:13 pm to Powerman
We do a Chicago trip most every August on our way to the northwoods.
It’s a beautiful big city along the coast of a fresh water ocean with public transportation and all manner of “big city” attractions for families and visitors.
It’s one of what . . . 2 or 3 cities in america you can visit and not need a rental car.
It’s a beautiful big city along the coast of a fresh water ocean with public transportation and all manner of “big city” attractions for families and visitors.
It’s one of what . . . 2 or 3 cities in america you can visit and not need a rental car.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 3:17 pm to Junger
Did an internship on the CBOT during college and was one of the best summer's of my life. No car and could get anywhere with ease by train or bus and never once felt threatened.
Food and drink scene is probably only behind NYC and San Fran (before it got shitty) and the people are generally super cool.
Hard to beat a game at Wrigley in the summer and Wrigley as a concert venue is one of the best there is.
Chicago is badass but agree with others, would only live in the city, never the burbs as the taxes and nothingness are very much not worth it and may as well be anywhere in America.
Chicagoland does have some badass golf though. Played Butterfield CC and Olympia Fields this past summer and it was incredible.
Food and drink scene is probably only behind NYC and San Fran (before it got shitty) and the people are generally super cool.
Hard to beat a game at Wrigley in the summer and Wrigley as a concert venue is one of the best there is.
Chicago is badass but agree with others, would only live in the city, never the burbs as the taxes and nothingness are very much not worth it and may as well be anywhere in America.
Chicagoland does have some badass golf though. Played Butterfield CC and Olympia Fields this past summer and it was incredible.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 3:19 pm to StringedInstruments
I could never live there but I enjoy visiting. Everyone has covered why.
I think if you’re bored in Chicago it’s on purpose. It isn’t for a lack of things to do there.
I need to make plans to go again.
I think if you’re bored in Chicago it’s on purpose. It isn’t for a lack of things to do there.
I need to make plans to go again.
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