Belmont By Barry in Lakeview

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Their job in Nortfieod will require about about an hour in heavy traffic every morning and then about 90 minutes back home. If there is a Cubs game add even more time. Even leaving the office won't help much-- the way the traffic builds for the evening commute this could mean two hours of parking-lot like traffic even from 4PM....

I would recommend at least considering locations that would mean less traffic hassles. Lincoln Square or Riscoe Village both offer lots of options and would avoid much of the snarled traffic...

Oh thank you, I didn't see that part, i was just answering the question about that building

I too would find a place that would be closer coz I HATE HATE HATE commuting, so I'd go to skokie, in fact, Touhy and Kedzie has a huge apartment complex there, right across from the mall, and also anywhere around 9300 north and maybe between Cicero & Pulaski Street seem to have really pretty buildings and seems safe.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think the solution is more centralized employment in the Loop.

The Edens isn't the biggest part of the problem... It's fighting west through city traffic to the Kennedy and getting through that damn junction. In my experience on the expressways (which I'll admit is limited), the Edens seems to be the best one.

I'd say the best one for a reverse commute is the Stevens. Edens outbound in the morning moves along, albeit slowly much of the time. Edens inbound in the afternoon is unfailingly horrible, as is every other alternative. If you want to experience the worst of Chicago traffic, trying to get into the city from the north or northwest suburbs during afternoon rush is the way to do it.

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think the solution is more centralized employment in the Loop.

The Edens isn't the biggest part of the problem... It's fighting west through city traffic to the Kennedy and getting through that damn junction. In my experience on the expressways (which I'll admit is limited), the Edens seems to be the best one.

My friends who had a similar commute from Lake View greatly improved their commute by living in West Ridge, where they had an easier fight to the Edens, avoiding the junction. But their social life and enjoyment of the city greatly decreased living in West Ridge.

I think the whole idea of a centralized Loop everything must run through is the problem, not the solution.

Chicago has apparently designed its entire transportational infrastructure around the idea that nothing beats a bottleneck, but based on the insanity that is any L train south of say, Addison, during rush hour, the North Side at least would be hard pressed to get any more people to the Loop without an industrial strength catapult.

Growing pains notwithstanding, having more residential housing walking distance from the Loop jobs makes more sense IMO.

[emathias]

Of course some days the Edens will look like this:


Chicago flooding - chicagotribune.com

[s0nginmyheart]

I haven't read into all of the replies to you but here is me chirping in:

I don't think anybody has really asked what your lifestyle is like? Are you city dweller or a suburbanite? I think a 20's something transplant would much rather enjoy living in Lakeview (the neighborhood where your building is at. In fact, I walk by it often and have lived on the same street) versus moving to a more remote northern neighborhood just to be closer to work or the highway. I know the general rule of thumb is to try and live close to where you work, but Northfield isn't exactly the hubbub of town. If you decide to live in Lakeview, a possibly easier commute would likely be taking Lake Shore Drive up to Touhy and hopping on to the 94 from there - you kind of bypass all the traffic that backs up before Touhy (with a smidge around Old Orchard but it's usually clear after that pending any inclement weather).