Public transportation in Chicago ????????????????????????????????? (Paris, Berlin: hotel, taxi cab, income)

[adham]

Hi everyone
I was wondering how is the public transportation like in Chicago ??? can I get alone with almost everything without needing a car ??? at least for my beginning there!!!
I am looking to move to a city with good public transportation.

[marothisu]

You can get a lot of places without a car, yes. Some places are less convenient, but it all depends on where you live. You'll find a lot of people in certain areas without cars (me included).

[adham]

Great, best comment i got so far on this website.

[marothisu]

To give you an idea, here's a city train system map.


http://31.media.tumblr.com/e17cab0a1...c4oo4_1280.jpg


Then there's over 100 bus routes too, and commuter rail which services some of the suburbs (and also has some stops in the city.

[adham]

so the transportation system is pretty much as in a European city such as London/Paris/Berlin etc...more or less.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by adham

so the transportation system is pretty much as in a European city such as London/Paris/Berlin etc...more or less.

The train system is the 2nd most extensive in the US after NYC. Two of the lines (Red and Blue) run 24/7 and the others run about 20 or 21 hours per day. The Blue line runs to O'Hare airport while the Orange line runs to Midway Airport. The train system was set up that all but one line converges in the central business district (called the Loop).

There are definitely areas not serviced by the train in Chicago because the city itself is pretty big and it doesn't go everywhere. Some may get you within a few miles of the really outskirt areas of Chicago but not right there. However, even the outskirt areas are serviced by bus routes.

A number of 20 or 30 somethings in the city, especially with a little disposable income, live along the train lines. If you have a decent paying job (doesn't have to be amazing), it's quite easy to live in an area where you don't need a car. Compared to cities like NYC, SF, DC, Boston, and Los Angeles, Chicago is very affordable.

[adham]

Chicago all the way baby !!!
I swear public transportation is one of the best things a city can offer its people.

[marothisu]

^ I agree that public transit can be really great. I always love living in walkable areas that are also serviced by public transit.

[CSD610]

Transportation depends on where you are and where you want to go.
The L is in my opinion a good choice, there are the Taxi Cabs, City Bus and the trains that come in from the suburbs as well as those things at the end of your legs called your feet.

When I had to be in the City for work it was not far from Michigan Avenue so we walked most everywhere since our hotel was in the same area.

[adham]

"The ACT rule" - most important factors for moving to a new city:
A = Accommodation
C = Communication
T = Transportation