Possible move to Chicago ..insight please (Schaumburg, Detroit: median income, property tax, living)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by ropper111

have you visited dallas? that's the place for you

In what way does Dallas meet any of the OP's stated criteria?

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I am sorta shocked that there is a 29 yr old alive in America working in a corporate setting that has offices open to transfer in Chicago that is not all over the various hot spots of our fair city but no doubt within a few posts the hordes of similar folks will fill you in on why you should not consider any place other than Chicago...

What does this mean?

[chet everett]

Given the large numbers of people that extoll the virtues of living in Chicago and denigrate any other choice it is hard for me to beleive that the OP is not already "locked on" to relocating to Chicago.

One gets the impression that any firm with offices outside Chicago that would have transfer opportunities open to employees looking to relocate into Chicago would need to have some sort of extensive winnowing system to keep the multitudes from overwhelming the ability for managers to select candidates for such a move.

Especially for folks still in their 20s one gets the impression that there is global information system crackling with a constant flow of postive news about how wonderful Chicago is for those looking to relocate

[Vlajos]

Chicago is a great city, for me, it's the best in the US when I look at COL, shopping, museums, transportation, theater, music, big urban place, dining, etc. Other than a winter that can drag a bit too long, I understand it's draw. Chet if you hate it so much, why don't you move?

[Drover]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Given the large numbers of people that extoll the virtues of living in Chicago and denigrate any other choice it is hard for me to beleive that the OP is not already "locked on" to relocating to Chicago.

One gets the impression that any firm with offices outside Chicago that would have transfer opportunities open to employees looking to relocate into Chicago would need to have some sort of extensive winnowing system to keep the multitudes from overwhelming the ability for managers to select candidates for such a move.

Especially for folks still in their 20s one gets the impression that there is global information system crackling with a constant flow of postive news about how wonderful Chicago is for those looking to relocate

[chet everett]

I like Chicago a great deal. The range of employment options for folks with my skillset is among the top choices in the whole country. The relative ease of getting from my lovely suburban home to nearly any part of the region is first rate compared to just about any similarly sized city, especially if one can rely on commuter rail for a job in the Loop.


The negatives are growing. The COL is rapidly becoming unstainable, with truly corrupt polticians continuing to abuse tax payers. The level of disregard for fairness in law making regarding not just revenues but ability to have poltical choices at the polls is troubling. The degree to which hostility rules the relations between "tax & spend" forces inside Chicago vs the more fiscally responsible politicians is truly corrosive.

I do find the myopic boosterism of some to be less than honest and do not mind poking fun at the excessive Pollyanna attitude of those that have moved here from places where they were unhappy.

[rzzz]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Given the large numbers of people that extoll the virtues of living in Chicago and denigrate any other choice

Isn't that a typical Chicago stereotype, though? My friends from Chicago are relentless with their boosterism. It's also not just that Chicago is great, everywhere else SUCKS. It's different than say, people in NYC, who love NYC but still whine and complain and talk about how awful it is constantly.

[chet everett]

Well stereotypes often grow out of real legitmate criticisms. The OP may in fact be wise to choose Philly over Chicago and really I don't care one way or another. That said the value of folks like the OP asking more detailed questions about things that likley would involve some trade-offs rarely get a fair shake in these threads and it turns into a "rah rah move here jsut as fast as you can" lopsided overly optimistic pile-on.

Lots of people would do better sticking someplace where they have more connections and less expensive living options.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I like Chicago a great deal. The range of employment options for folks with my skillset is among the top choices in the whole country. The relative ease of getting from my lovely suburban home to nearly any part of the region is first rate compared to just about any similarly sized city, especially if one can rely on commuter rail for a job in the Loop.


The negatives are growing. The COL is rapidly becoming unstainable, with truly corrupt polticians continuing to abuse tax payers. The level of disregard for fairness in law making regarding not just revenues but ability to have poltical choices at the polls is troubling. The degree to which hostility rules the relations between "tax & spend" forces inside Chicago vs the more fiscally responsible politicians is truly corrosive.

I do find the myopic boosterism of some to be less than honest and do not mind poking fun at the excessive Pollyanna attitude of those that have moved here from places where they were unhappy.

Except the cost of living is not increasing at any faster a rate than anywhere else in the country. It's likely increasing slower than average. I am in the same boat though, my wife and I are quite possibly in the perfect spot in the US for our career types, definitely combined. Plus, the few places I would live in the US would probably cost 50% more than here.

[chet everett]

I just paid my property tax and if there are other areas where it is increasing faster I would be shocked.


The rate increase far exceeded any gains on my investments, massively outstripped any raise at work and is largely the result of mismangement of pensions for State retirees. I do not begrudge the legitmate recipients the benefits they've been promised but the politicians that have created this mess should be thrown out. Instead when brainless fools flood into Chicago and put no thought into the poltical ramifications of letting crooks run things the burden shifts to folks that are outnumbered by the happy-go-lucky idiots...