23 year old female spending 7 days in Chicago...ALONE (Detroit, Time: safe area, schools)

[ren&stimpy]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

And we have to remember that she's coming from Detroit! She knows what danger is, I imagine.

Most definitely. It's just the "alone" part that intimidates me...

[At1WithNature]

Why are you intimidated by being alone?

[eevee]

girl, you'll be fine. the first time I came to visit Chicago, I was 23. I had no issues at all. I guess it depends if you're the sort who is okay w/ dining out or going out solo. I spent most of my time at some museums, checking out different neighborhoods (since I was planning on moving here), and eating at recommended restaurants. even now, after living here for 3+ years, I attend some open mics and events solo. sometimes it's nice being alone and not constantly chattering w/ friends (plus, it's easier to meet new people this way). just be street smart and you'll be fine

[LadyKLO]

Enjoy this trip...I travel solo all the time and I love it...embrace it and enjoy the trip. Plan a few things you've always wanted to do and do them. You only live once!

[chicagojlo]

A friend of mine went on a trip to Arizona alone 4 years ago after waiting for years to have someone to go with and met her husband. They just had their first baby.

I used to travel to all kinds of places alone when I was younger and singler. I went to NYC alone for a week when I was 22. I loved it.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by ren&stimpy

OK, straight to the details:

Long story short, I've saved up enough money ($1,500) to spend a week in Chicago, but the saddest, most pathetic part of it all is that I don't have any friends to go with me. Why? Because I've pretty much been a loner all my life & I can't seem to attract people....but that's a different story.

Personally, I would leave the car at home and take MegaBus. In the long run, it will be a LOT cheaper as you can spend $30/day on parking EASY in downtown Chicago.

I would also do a Priceline bid as it will reduce the cost of your hotel significantly. In fact if I was 23 year old, I would probably do the downtown hostel which is adjacent to Roosevelt University and the downtown campus of DePaul University. I think that the cost there is $30-35/night.

I used to travel all over Canada in my early twenties moving from one college residence to another. In Canada, most universities rent out their dorms to travelers for a modest fee. Some of them like Carleton in Ottawa throw in a breakfast with the fee. If you like Chicago, you will LOVE Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal (all of which are readily accessible from VIA Rail out of the Windsor station and all of which have a very vibrant art scene).

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by At1WithNature

And we have to remember that she's coming from Detroit! She knows what danger is, I imagine.

Despite movies like New Jack City, there are many communities in the Detroit area that are a lot safer than the city of Chicago.

Don't get me wrong - I worked in the Detroit projects for a couple of years during the first crack epidemic in the '80s. There were only a few neighborhoods even in the city that I considered to be very dangerous.

[LadyKLO]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

Personally, I would leave the car at home and take MegaBus. In the long run, it will be a LOT cheaper as you can spend $30/day on parking EASY in downtown Chicago.

I would also do a Priceline bid as it will reduce the cost of your hotel significantly. In fact if I was 23 year old, I would probably do the downtown hostel which is adjacent to Roosevelt University and the downtown campus of DePaul University. I think that the cost there is $30-35/night.

I used to travel all over Canada in my early twenties moving from one college residence to another. In Canada, most universities rent out their dorms to travelers for a modest fee. Some of them like Carleton in Ottawa throw in a breakfast with the fee. If you like Chicago, you will LOVE Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal (all of which are readily accessible from VIA Rail out of the Windsor station and all of which have a very vibrant art scene).

I agree with you regarding Toronto. I traveled to Toronto in May last year all by myself and I had a blast! I drove to Niagara Falls and did the whole tourist thing...I am a bit older but if a person follows their instincts, I believe they will be just fine!

[Caldus]

I was going to say ... if she can handle Detroit then she should be able to handle Chicago.

OP, I'm a similar type of person. I used to have more friends back in my high school and college days, but ever since I moved away from home for my job I've been much more of a loner these days like you are. Anyway, my point is ... I'm moving there in a few weeks from St. Louis for a new job. I don't have any closer friends in St. Louis although I do hang out with a few people from time to time. I also don't have any family there either. At least in Chicago I have a relative that lives in the suburbs there. After that, though, I'm going completely cold turkey just like you are planning to. The only difference is ... I'm moving there and you're just going to visit. So don't think you're nuts for doing this at all. People go on vacations by themselves all the time. It's hard to coordinate times for two or more people to vacate together. Since you're a female, I would have to agree with the other posts on here. A ton of guys are going to try and be nice and friendly with you in order to get in your pants there. I think I would hate that aspect of being a female ... because you just have no idea which of those few guys are actually looking for a long term friend or lover. So just go and have some fun. It's actually refreshing to hear someone else in a similar kind of situation honestly.

[eureka1]

God, I can't believe how negative some of these these people are! Just use your Detroit smarts and you'll be fine. Women travel by themselves all the time. Good luck and have a great week!