Understand why so many couples live together in Chi (Chicago: rent, home)

[jman07]

I live in Lakeview, the girl i've been dating lives in Wicker Park, and it is already feeling like a LTR. I leave for work at 6 in the morning, she gets home around 6:30 - 7:00 after a long commute. Then if we want to hang out, it takes at least 20 minutes to get there by car and longer by bus. That leaves like 3 hours to hang out tops. And who wants to travel MORE after a long commute? Plus rent is so expensive, you can cut in in half by living together. Anyways, it already feels like a strain on our relationship. Anyone else feel the same way?? Its a lot easier I guess if your in the same neighborhood.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by jman07

I live in Lakeview, the girl i've been dating lives in Wicker Park, and it is already feeling like a LTR. I leave for work at 6 in the morning, she gets home around 6:30 - 7:00 after a long commute. Then if we want to hang out, it takes at least 20 minutes to get there by car and longer by bus. That leaves like 3 hours to hang out tops. And who wants to travel MORE after a long commute? Plus rent is so expensive, you can cut in in half by living together. Anyways, it already feels like a strain on our relationship. Anyone else feel the same way?? Its a lot easier I guess if your in the same neighborhood.

Congrats on the relationship jman07.

Distance can put it's toll on relationships here. I was speaking with a young gentleman the other day who had the same concern about distance and social life. I think that's why neighborhood you choose can be so important. My social life tanked when I moved to Lake View because all my friends where downtown and south.

Moving in with your girlfriend is a good idea as long as you both are ready.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Congrats on the relationship jman07.

Distance can put it's toll on relationships here. I was speaking with a young gentleman the other day who had the same concern about distance and social life. I think that's why neighborhood you choose can be so important. My social life tanked when I moved to Lake View because all my friends where downtown and south.

Moving in with your girlfriend is a good idea as long as you both are ready.

Ya. Well the thing is is that she is only about 3 miles away, but with traffic it feels like 30 miles in a normal city.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by jman07

Ya. Well the thing is is that she is only about 3 miles away, but with traffic it feels like 30 miles in a normal city.

Trust me. I understand.

With her commute, it will be easier to maintain the relationship to consolidate. It can shrink some bills and help financially. Many do that in Chicago.

Belmont is the worst east west street in the evening.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Trust me. I understand.

With her commute, it will be easier to maintain the relationship to consolidate. It can shrink some bills and help financially. Many do that in Chicago.

Belmont is the worst east west street in the evening.

Ashland gets pretty bad for NS.

[chicagobear]

I don't know. Break ups when you live with someone can be pretty tough. You can't just stop calling her and move on.

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by chicagobear

I don't know. Break ups when you live with someone can be pretty tough. You can't just stop calling her and move on.

That's where communication comes in before you move in together. Put the cards on the table with all the what ifs and where we're at in our relationship.

[sfcambridge]

Is this really how guys decide when to move in with their girlfriend?

interesting...

Honestly, commute .... followed by financial gain... should probably not be the top two reasons to move in together.

[jman07]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

Is this really how guys decide when to move in with their girlfriend?

interesting...

Honestly, commute .... followed by financial gain... should probably not be the top two reasons to move in together.

Usually a couple makes this decision together based on all factors combined. It's not like the guy "decides" and then it magically happens. At least in the world I live in.

If you made it to the end of my post you would have read that living apart is putting a strain on our relationship also.

[Attrill]

The East-West commutes in Chicago can be pretty crappy. In general if you live on the Northside I think you end up being either a Red Line or Blue Line person. It seems like you guys probably need to make some decisions about that. That said, biking can be a huge help in those situations.