Just moved here. People complain ALOT! (Chicago, Lincoln: to rent, house, transfer)

[Mr Pickle]

I just moved here last week from Florida and I couldn't be happier. Im renting a studio in the loop by Clark/Lake and I think riverwalk is totally badass. The one issue I have is that, when seeking advice from chicagoans on the perfect neighborhood to rent, everyone had something bad to say about every single area that wasn't their neighborhood. Since I'm not from Chicago I thought the advice was legit, but in reality all my friends from Chicago and slot of posters on this forum are just whiney babies.

Examples:

That area is dead at night
You might have to transfer trains (oh boy not that!)
It's a bad neighborhood (did you see a black person there once or something?)
The nearest grocery store is 6 blocks away! (...I'm 23 and not fat)

The best one "your neighbors may not be friendly"

\end rant

But in all honestly, does anyone feel like people from each neighborhood are elitist to their hood?

[grapico]

Originally Posted by Mr Pickle

I just moved here last week from Florida and I couldn't be happier. Im renting a studio in the loop by Clark/Lake and I think riverwalk is totally badass. The one issue I have is that, when seeking advice from chicagoans on the perfect neighborhood to rent, everyone had something bad to say about every single area that wasn't their neighborhood. Since I'm not from Chicago I thought the advice was legit, but in reality all my friends from Chicago and slot of posters on this forum are just whiney babies.

Examples:

That area is dead at night
You might have to transfer trains (oh boy not that!)
It's a bad neighborhood (did you see a black person there once or something?)
The nearest grocery store is 6 blocks away! (...I'm 23 and not fat)

The best one "your neighbors may not be friendly"

\end rant

But in all honestly, does anyone feel like people from each neighborhood are elitist to their hood?

The only elitism I have felt about hoods is from Gold Coast / Lincoln Park.

[williepotatoes]

Originally Posted by Mr Pickle

I just moved here last week from Florida and I couldn't be happier. Im renting a studio in the loop by Clark/Lake and I think riverwalk is totally badass. The one issue I have is that, when seeking advice from chicagoans on the perfect neighborhood to rent, everyone had something bad to say about every single area that wasn't their neighborhood. Since I'm not from Chicago I thought the advice was legit, but in reality all my friends from Chicago and slot of posters on this forum are just whiney babies.

Examples:

That area is dead at night
You might have to transfer trains (oh boy not that!)
It's a bad neighborhood (did you see a black person there once or something?)
The nearest grocery store is 6 blocks away! (...I'm 23 and not fat)

The best one "your neighbors may not be friendly"

\end rant

But in all honestly, does anyone feel like people from each neighborhood are elitist to their hood?

It's called provincialism and it's as old as Chicago is. It's also pretty harmless. In a few years, you will probably find yourself engaging in it.

[quigboto]

I'd say that I do the opposite. I have had a love/hate relationship with my own neighborhood, often suffering from neighborhood envy when visiting others. I frequently find myself comparing my own community with others critically, especially when I go to places like Wicker Park, Ukranian Village, parts of Logan Square and West Loop (and Lakeview, Old Town, Andersonville and LP to a lesser extent). I find myself being a lot more positive about Humboldt Park these days, but make no mistake, if it was economically possible to do so, I would sell my house in HP and move to one of these other neighborhoods in a heartbeat.

[quigboto]

That said, when I complain about neighborhoods like Austin, Lawndale and Garfield, it's not because I love my own neighborhood so very much, it's mostly because those neighborhoods are bombed out crap-holes.

[tb4000]

Originally Posted by Mr Pickle

I just moved here last week from Florida and I couldn't be happier. Im renting a studio in the loop by Clark/Lake and I think riverwalk is totally badass. The one issue I have is that, when seeking advice from chicagoans on the perfect neighborhood to rent, everyone had something bad to say about every single area that wasn't their neighborhood. Since I'm not from Chicago I thought the advice was legit, but in reality all my friends from Chicago and slot of posters on this forum are just whiney babies.

Examples:

That area is dead at night
You might have to transfer trains (oh boy not that!)
It's a bad neighborhood (did you see a black person there once or something?)
The nearest grocery store is 6 blocks away! (...I'm 23 and not fat)

The best one "your neighbors may not be friendly"

\end rant

But in all honestly, does anyone feel like people from each neighborhood are elitist to their hood?

You'll become one of us soon enough once you've been here longer. It will all make sense.

[css9450]

I hear a lot of complaining about the winter weather. Even today, when its perfectly sunny and beautiful, nearly 30 degrees and there's no wind. Its beautiful out! Its January, it could be a LOT worse (like below zero and really windy).

[blackst5]

Originally Posted by quigboto

I'd say that I do the opposite. I have had a love/hate relationship with my own neighborhood, often suffering from neighborhood envy when visiting others. I frequently find myself comparing my own community with others critically, especially when I go to places like Wicker Park, Ukranian Village, parts of Logan Square and West Loop (and Lakeview, Old Town, Andersonville and LP to a lesser extent). I find myself being a lot more positive about Humboldt Park these days, but make no mistake, if it was economically possible to do so, I would sell my house in HP and move to one of these other neighborhoods in a heartbeat.

I completely agree. I live up in Irving Park, and I love a lot of aspects about the neighborhood I'm in, but when I visit Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village, and Lakeview, I can't help but be a little envious. On the other hand, I've been to friends places in Lakeview and couldn't bring myself to live in cramped quarters like that for anything.

All neighborhoods have their ups and downs, it's just a matter of finding the ones that mesh best with your lifestyle. At that point, it's hard not to be at least a little bit biased about your neighborhood.

[ofcjim40]

Well, sounds like you are complaining about complainers, thus you are complaining. Welcome to the club then. Ranking neighborhoods, thinking yours is better, etc. probably goes back to when the first 2 neighborhoods were created. It's just harmless rivalry.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by css9450

I hear a lot of complaining about the winter weather. Even today, when its perfectly sunny and beautiful, nearly 30 degrees and there's no wind. Its beautiful out! Its January, it could be a LOT worse (like below zero and really windy).

I for one have been greatful for the winter weather this year (so far) and projected in the 10 day forecast until the 18th as well!

It could be so... soooo much worse, right now is generally THE worst time actually.