Anybody from Chicago?
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Oregonfire

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 12:55 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
...or live there now? I'm thinking about moving there when I finish my degree for a number of reasons:

1. I have incurable wanderlust. Have lived in New York, L.A. (briefly), Seattle, Portland, Tokyo, Prague, tried Denver but found it too slow for my tastes...anyway, I'm feeling that itch again. (I'm sure that there are psychological reasons for wanting to move all the time, but let's not go there, shall we?)

2. My family is in Michigan. I'd be closer to my family, whom I'm not incredibly close with, but I had my grandparents pass away when I was out of the country a few years back and realized not everyone lives forever (shocking!).

3. Better graphic design jobs in Chicago. The market for graphic designers seems better there than on the West Coast, I think.

4. I miss Lake Michigan. Yes, Oregon has that gorgeous Pacific Ocean Coast, but HELLO you can't swim in it without a wetsuit.

5. Median age in Chicago: mid 30s. I sorely need adult company, something hard to find in this little college town. Plus I could do some husband hunting in the wilds of the urban jungle?!

6. I'd like to see some hockey games. Hockey's not big out here, but I like it. Not a huge reason, but it's on the list.

7. And finally, I could change my user name to Chicagofire, which actually works.

So if anyone has any info about Chicago--good neighborhoods, average rents, and so forth, let me know. BTW, I've driven through there a few times and know that the traffic is a nightmare.

Sia

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 01:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Sorry, Oregon, I've only changed planes in Chicago (O'Hare is CRAZY!!), so I know nothing about the town. I'm only posting to tell you that I like your seventh reason for considering moving to ORD! LOL!

Car54

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 01:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I am originally from Chicago...born there, moved to central Illinois as a kid, went to grad school nearby.

I still go back any time I can...
Chicago is second on MY list...if I could live anywhere. (For me, Atlanta would be first).

Fun city, lots to do, friendlier than most big cities...great neighborhoods, lots of cultural stuff.

Oh yeah, the traffic... come to Boston. After the Big Dig... Chicago looks like a country town.

And reason number one... My Cubbies. Enough said.

Oregonfire

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 02:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Car! It's funny, a friend that I hadn't talked to in a long time is moving from Chicago to Atlanta next month. Hmm...is everybody switching up?

Two years ago, I drove in Boston traffic when all of the Harvard students were coming back on Labor Day weekend. Yikes! (BTW, Boston is MY close second, but the high cost of renting an apartment drove me away).

I almost wish I had majored in urban studies because city stats fascinate me...odd I know.

Bob2112

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 02:10 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I've lived in the western suburbs of Chicago my whole life (so far) and I think Julieboo has also ...please don't steal her identity based on this info...:). Thanks for letting me know that I am just passing the median age!

Are you thinking of living in the city or one of the suburbs? At the risk of sterotyping, there seem to be 4 different areas with very different personality/life style types:
In the city (the "Loop" area)
Northern suburbs (Gold Coast)
Southern suburbs (White Sox Suck!)
Western/North Western suburbs (Go Cubs!)


Describe your lifestyle in 1 word or less :)
Do you like the nightlife? Do you want to boogey?
Do you have too much money and need a lot of status?
Are you heavily into politics, more "blue-collar" and feel the need to "look for the union label"?
Are you a yuppie type?

Julieboo can correct my sterotypes and probably match the descrions to the locations.
(hint, I went in order)

Cost of living in any of the locations will be higher than most cities (excluding NY and LA). 1 bedroom apartments can easily start at $800-1000 a month and higher, and modestly sized 3-4 bedroom houses can start at close to $300,000 and up.

Up until last year, there was some question about Chicago having a hockey team, but things seem to be on the upswing. If you like soccer (or destroying old cities), then ChicagoFire would be a good name change.

Of course, Car54 is correct about the Cubs!

I know there are several other people from the Chicagoland area on this board. Maybe if you could post a prioritized list of what you would like in "your next city", we might be able to argue about the right location for you.
...I fear I will already encounter "the wrath" of the board for my terse location descriptions and the Cubs:)/Sox comments!

Overall, I would think Chicagoland would be a nice addition to your rather impressive list of past living locations.

Oregonfire

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 02:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for such a detailed response, Bob!

{Are you heavily into politics, more "blue-collar" and feel the need to "look for the union label"?}

I guess this sort of describes me--actually all of the categories do to a certain degree (except for the money one!).

I'm not sure if living downtown would suit me. I tried city living in Queens, and it didn't suit me, and L.A. was no fun either. I'd rather commute to the "boogey down" locations and/or my job than to the greenery. I'm big on having greenery at close range from the homestead.

Those rents sound exorbant, though not as bad as San Fransisco! Hmm, maybe Portland or Seattle don't sound all that bad--though Seattle rents are high too! Portland's job market is a little closed, I think.

Here I am wavering...this is entirely typical. Sometimes Alaska sounds good too!

I am also currently avoiding doing my online teaching gig. That's all I've done ALL weekend...(bored of that too). Can you say "attention span of a gnat"?

Bob2112

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 02:48 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Can you say "attention span of a sponge"? bob. I've got half of a hardwood floor done and seem to be doing everything else but finish it!

I actually live in the region I described as yuppie. While I don't fit that description, many of my neighbors do. :) I live between two of the larger suburbs (Schaumburg and Naperville) which puts me 20 minutes away from a bunch of computer jobs. I took the train downtown for a consulting job for a few years, but the round trip from home-office-home was 2½ to 3 hours. Too long. Now I won't travel more than 30 minutes.

There are some lower rents to be found, but you really need to be careful of the area.

Maybe you should have applied for the "Bachelorettes In Alaska" show. :)

Marysafan

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 04:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I have a suggestion...Omaha!

It is a big city with a small town attitude... and they are hockey crazy! On the day they announced that the University of Nebraska at Omaha was going to have a hoceky team...the switchboard went nuts with folks calling for season tickets..I think they sold 1500 that day! They also have a minor league team.

Traffic isn't all that bad by comparison...and Denver, Kasas City, St Louis, and Chicago aren't all that far away. The nice thing about living in the middle is that you can always get to other places easily!

The cost of living is great...and the unemployemnt rate is realy low. A good job market.

Gail

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 04:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Mary - I agree - Omaha is great!! I love the restaurants there.

Oregonfire

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 04:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hmm, Omaha, I never thought of that. Thanks! I'll keep it mind.

Now I'm kind of backing off from the Chicago idea. I just talked to my sister and everything in Michigan is a double shot of crazy as usual. Um...maybe not. I AM familiar with Seattle--I wish Vancouver wasn't off limits! And I do really like Portland, but the job market there scares me.

Oh well, I guess it's all conjecture anyway, as this degree will probably take another two years to complete. I'm just sick of being chained to this computer by that online class, and another design classes starts tomorrow, and I want to GO SOMEWHERE. (I know--want some cheese with that whine?)

Bob2112

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 04:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
...and their steaks are good too, just a little pricey! :)

Sia

Sunday, June 23, 2002 - 10:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oregonfire, I don't want to put a damper on your mood, but if you're serious about moving, I would take into consideration which areas of the country would be LEAST likely to be targeted in a terrorist attact. Other factors: pollution, industry (industrial waste, toxic dumps & poisoned water), air quality (are you allergic to anything?), churches of your preferred denomination, shopping, etc. If I had no ties and could go anywhere I wanted, I would research cities and choose what suited me best. I did move around when I was young and now can't believe how "brave" I was back then. Having children has taken the wanderlust out of me, but I'm happy with where we live--mostly. Good luck and best wishes. Sounds like you're on the right track in your search for a new home.

Julieboo

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 07:46 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Bob was right. I have lived in Chicago my whole life. The worst part is the traffic, no doubt.

I also happen to be a graphic designer. I know Chicago is a very good place for that field. You will get paid more if you work downtown. A good place to start working is through a temp agency. I can give you names of specific ones if you get to that point. (I assume you are a pro in Quark, Illustrator and Photoshop. And also mac savvy.)

If you go as far out in the burbs as I am, rent/ house prices won't be as pricey, but then you will have the long commute. (But if you find a place close to a train station, you can avoid driving! But then you are limited to the train schedule.)

I am irish, so I have several relatives from the south side suburbs. Rent, etc. is a bit cheaper there too. (Bob is quite right about his stereotypes, reread his post if you want.)

Also, you can get to Michigan very easily from here. The drive is easy and there are trains and busses too.

Well, if you have any more questions, do ask.

Oregonfire

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:01 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Julieboo! I'm taking the classes in Photoshop as I type. I've got a ways to go yet before I can officially pull up stakes with degree in hand. I'm thinking now of looking closer afield--if Seattle has a good job market, that'll work too. Thanks for the tips.

Is your job "fun"? I'm probably being unrealistic in hoping that the field will be creative and interesting. Didn't our parents teach us that work isn't supposed to be fun?

Julieboo

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My job can be fun. Depends on the project. They change all the time. Some can get monotonous. Depends on the client. Sometimes a client wants "this" to look like "this" and they give you specific detailed instruction. Sometimes that is nice, cuz you know exactly what they want. Sometimes that is not so nice because it is going to be ugly and you just know if given free reign, you could come up with something much better.

I think the people you work with make a job fun (or not so fun) moreso than the work itself.

If you ever do come out here, I can set ya up with my bachelor brother. He's 32 and looking...(he's a pharmeceutical rep. No baggage. And he is the sweetest guy.)

Oregonfire

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL Thanks for the offer Julieboo. That's very generous considering the amount of "baggage" I've unloaded on this board!

I always tried to avoid the corporate environment in my 20s because I thought it would mean "soul death" for me. Well you know what? The one job I've had in a corporate office was the most fun, secure place to be. I won't turn my nose up at it again, ever. I look forward to phasing back into the traditional office workplace. Give me job stability and health insurance, please!

Bob2112

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 10:21 am EditMoveDeleteIP
...and don't forget Julieboo's brother!

Sia

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 10:58 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Good point, Oregon; going to the same office in a corporate headquarters five and sometimes six days per week when I was in my 20s gave me a sense of stability that I never had again when I left the corporate structure. And you're right, it WAS fun and the benefits just couldn't be beaten!

(A 32-year old sweetheart bachelor with no emotional baggage is a cultural phenomenon; can such a thing really exist? Julieboo, you must have to screen his dates all the time, LOL!)

Dahli

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 02:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey Oregon! how come Vancouver is 'off limits'?? hmmmm?? Have you already been there and done it?

Oregonfire

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 07:47 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Dahli! Because I'm a U.S. citizen, and assume that there will be all sorts of working permit problems in Canada. I love Canadian cities! Toronto was my first experience with a big city when I was 13, and I loved it. Oh well...

Sia

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 08:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
That makes me wonder: does anyone know the stats on numbers of Americans living in Canada and vice-versa? What is the current population of the two countries?

(There are post-ers here at TVCH who just LIVE for a challenge; I would be delighted if someone wants to look up this info and post the answers to these questions. I haven't polished my nails in about two years, and my daughter wanted hers painted, so I did mine too. I am typing rather slowly so as not to mess them up, so I would welcome a "research assistant" for this topic! Thanks.)

Ryn

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
here is part.....

not exactly what you asked for but its a start....

"Since 1970, 601,000 people from Canada (population 29.5 million) have emigrated to the United States.

Source: Center for Immigration Studies (1999)"

Sia

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:31 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow, Ryn, that's a lot more than I would have thought! How do the Canadians feel about the "foreign invasion" from the south?

Wcv63

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:44 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
These statistics only go up to the 1996 Canadian census but it breaks down the immigrant population by nationality as well as giving the numbers.

http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/People/Population/demo25a.htm

Wcv63

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 09:50 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
This page has more in-depth stats and is more up to date. You may have to scroll down to actually see the info you're looking for.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigr/bus-stats2000.html#chart

Ryn

Monday, June 24, 2002 - 10:08 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
sia - that was canadians moving South - not US citizens north ;)

Crazydog

Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 08:09 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hey, I am from Chicago as well. I grew up in the northern suburbs, was away for school etc. for about 10 years, and now live in the city. Chicago is a great city with a lot to offer. It has all the entertainment/cultural type things that a big city can provide, but it is not overwhelmingly large like New York.

My biggest complaint about living in the city is the congestion... but it's fun and there's a lot to do. The best place for single people to live is in the northern parts of the city like Lincoln Park (but high rents) or in Lakeview (also sometimes referred to as Wrigleyville). Generally the farther north you go from the downtown area (the Loop), the less the rents tend to be and the more likely you can rent something that resembles a house with a yard. Living in the suburbs is nice, it's not as dense, but it cuts down on your opportunity for doing things during the weekdays, such as impromptu dining out or bar activities with co-workers. Then on the weekends you always have to be concerned about either cutting yourself off early enough so you can drive home, or arranging for a place to crash. Also especially for singles there seem to be great opportunities to meet other singles during the week at things like the Museum of Contemporary Art events (I think it's the first Monday of the month) or Thursday Jazz nights at the Shedd Aquarium.

I could go on and on and on, so if there's anything more specific you'd like addressed or want to comment on, feel free.

Dahli

Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 11:41 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Aaaah Oregon... now I understand - so living in Toronto was a complicated procedure that you don't want to repeat with Vancouver. Too bad, it is a very beautiful place and many of my friends and family have moved to Vancouver, it is a very expensive place to live however. Have you made any decisions yet?

Oregonfire

Thursday, June 27, 2002 - 01:40 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Dahli! I just went to Toronto to visit with my mom--I WISH I could've lived there!

I think I was indulging in some serious escapism the other day; my workload has been grueling and I just wanted to get away! Now I'm settling down a bit and remembering the reasons why I moved out to the West Coast. (Natural Beauty) I always love the IDEA of big cities, but don't like the reality of them. Portland still holds allure for me, and if I can find work there, I'll go for it! It's considered the most livable U.S. city in 2000 by Money Magazine, you know? I researched it before I moved out here. They do city rankings on there. It's kind of interesting--other cities are ranked too:

http://money.cnn.com/best/bplive/portland.html


Anyway, still a couple of years to go here in my smallish city. :)

Dahli

Friday, June 28, 2002 - 02:17 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Good plan O.F. I would love to live in your neck of the woods...and I betcha that grass is a lovely shade of green over there on your side of the fence!