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Please help me understand what those appealing features are. I am not being snarky. My wife is currently trying to get me to consider moving back there because

by sabat 16y ago

Please help me understand what those appealing features are. I am not being snarky. My wife is currently trying to get me to consider moving back there because everything is cheaper. Sure, it's cheaper: it is, as far as I am currently concerned, a less desirable place to live. Being from California, I'm clearly snobbish. So seriously, what am I missing about the Chicagoland area? Keep in mind: I'm used to nice weather, beautiful and varied natural environment, and a distinctive culture. And thin people.

chrisduesing 16y ago
It really depends on what you are looking for, and all of the points you made are true. However, Chicago has some great things going for it IF you like living IN the city. Chicago's winters are brutal, but the rest of the year is gorgeous. Chicago overall has much better weather than San Fran, though much worse than the rest of the Bay Area. If you want to raise a family, while living in the city, it is both doable and affordable here. Areas like Wicker Park and Lakeview have pretty tree lined streets, brick 3-flats, amazing restraunts, coffee shops, record stores etc etc. The bars are amazing, good music venues, oh and you will never have to get behind the wheel drunk because you cannot walk 5 feet without seeing a cab for hire. There are great artist and developer communities here, as well as a budding startup scene. I am not saying you should rush out of San Fran for Chicago, but if you are considering moving here you should give it serious consideration. One caveat, for the love of god don't move to the suburbs. They are filled with mid-westerners. scary.
dugmartin 16y ago
Real people. Real hot dogs. Deep dish pizza. Awesome neighborhood festivals. Great architecture. And of course, the Cubs.
davidw 16y ago
In terms of things I don't like about California that might be better elsewhere: * "Real people" as someone said below. People can be kind of fake and superficial in certain parts of California. * People in it for the long haul: so many people in places like the Bay Area are not planning to stay there. Indeed, unless you make a lot of money, it can be pretty difficult to stay there if you want things like a family. In any case, people are constantly coming and going, so you tend to be a little bit more guarded/less committed in your dealings with people, whereas elsewhere, people stick around a bit more, so you can get to know them with less fear that they'll be leaving soon.

by sabat 16y ago

chrisduesing 16y ago

It really depends on what you are looking for, and all of the points you made are true. However, Chicago has some great things going for it IF you like living IN the city. Chicago's winters are brutal, but the rest of the year is gorgeous. Chicago overall has much better weather than San Fran, though much worse than the rest of the Bay Area. If you want to raise a family, while living in the city, it is both doable and affordable here. Areas like Wicker Park and Lakeview have pretty tree lined streets, brick 3-flats, amazing restraunts, coffee shops, record stores etc etc. The bars are amazing, good music venues, oh and you will never have to get behind the wheel drunk because you cannot walk 5 feet without seeing a cab for hire. There are great artist and developer communities here, as well as a budding startup scene. I am not saying you should rush out of San Fran for Chicago, but if you are considering moving here you should give it serious consideration. One caveat, for the love of god don't move to the suburbs. They are filled with mid-westerners. scary.

dugmartin 16y ago

Real people. Real hot dogs. Deep dish pizza. Awesome neighborhood festivals. Great architecture. And of course, the Cubs.

davidw 16y ago

In terms of things I don't like about California that might be better elsewhere: * "Real people" as someone said below. People can be kind of fake and superficial in certain parts of California. * People in it for the long haul: so many people in places like the Bay Area are not planning to stay there. Indeed, unless you make a lot of money, it can be pretty difficult to stay there if you want things like a family. In any case, people are constantly coming and going, so you tend to be a little bit more guarded/less committed in your dealings with people, whereas elsewhere, people stick around a bit more, so you can get to know them with less fear that they'll be leaving soon.