Uprooting to Chicago (Homewood: living in, vs, gangs) - Illinois (IL) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

CanadianGirl · 01-23-2008, 02:35 PM

Wow, you really know your city info. I'm impressed. I suppose it was a bit of naivete, but mostly optimism. I've never been an Ex-pat before, and I'm trying to convince myself that I'm doing the right thing, so I find myself trying to solicit more optimism from -who better - the locals! Thanks for your insight!

Drover · 01-23-2008, 02:42 PM

Well, I will state again that despite all its faults, I love living in Chicago. You can tell by reading through the posts on these boards that most of us also greatly enjoy living here. It's possible to have a very good quality of life here as long as you don't have to spend a lot of time in the bad parts of the city.

It also bears mentioning that I've mostly been talking about Chicago Proper. The vast majority of the metropolitan area is perfectly safe (though there are a handful of problem spots in the suburbs).

jiraiya · 01-25-2008, 09:41 AM

youll love chicago, and i think you will realize it will be the best move in your life. i moved here from st louis a few years ago for college. it was a difficult move but ive never looked back. everytime i am away from chicago i miss it.

july · 01-25-2008, 12:28 PM

Save yourself before it's too late! I can't imagine moving from nice, clean, safe Toronto to Chicago. You can kiss affordable health care goodbye too.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I think you should be exposed to another side of the story. It's not all peaches and cream here. The touristy areas are ok, but the rest of the city is falling apart, including the CTA. Everytime I have to ride the train, I feel like I'm in an apocalyptic nightmare. The government is corrupt and can't get anything done. Taxes are high, but social services are woefully inadequate. I could go on, but I've probably antagonized most of the Chicagoans on this forum. Suffice it to say that I can't think of a single advantage to being in Chicago instead of Toronto.

I've only lived here for 6 months though, so who knows, I might warm up to the place.

aragx6 · 01-25-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by july

I've only lived here for 6 months though, so who knows, I might warm up to the place.

Doubtful, seeing as you have such a lousy attitude.

OP, please know this is not the feelings of the majority of people here.

july · 01-25-2008, 01:04 PM

Yeah, I knew I shouldn't have posted that, but I wish someone had warned me before I moved here. It's just a personal opinion, and other opinions are just as valid. If you like it here, and many people do, more power to you.

aragx6 · 01-25-2008, 01:13 PM

You're entitled to your opinion, I'm not saying you aren't, but I would venture to say if you don't like Chicago you won't like any major city.

july · 01-25-2008, 01:35 PM

I love San Francisco and I like New York. Normal people can't afford to live in those cities though.

I lived in NYC when I was younger, and loved it. I still love DC (which I guess wouldn't be considered a major city). I'm kind of over cities now though, so you have a point.

oakparkdude · 01-26-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aragx6

Doubtful, seeing as you have such a lousy attitude.

OP, please know this is not the feelings of the majority of people here.

Well, he (or she) does have a point regarding affordable health care (versus the Canadian system). On the other hand, the tax rate is probably a lot lower here than in Toronto.

freshmtt · 01-26-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by july

Save yourself before it's too late! I can't imagine moving from nice, clean, safe Toronto to Chicago. You can kiss affordable health care goodbye too.

I don't mean to be harsh, but I think you should be exposed to another side of the story. It's not all peaches and cream here. The touristy areas are ok, but the rest of the city is falling apart, including the CTA. Everytime I have to ride the train, I feel like I'm in an apocalyptic nightmare. The government is corrupt and can't get anything done. Taxes are high, but social services are woefully inadequate. I could go on, but I've probably antagonized most of the Chicagoans on this forum. Suffice it to say that I can't think of a single advantage to being in Chicago instead of Toronto.

I've only lived here for 6 months though, so who knows, I might warm up to the place.

July,
I couldn't have said it better, I agree with everything that you said, and I am a native of this place.. I grew up in the south suburbs and have lived here for 40 years,, The City of Chicago has one of the most corrupt city governments in my opinion. I have lived in the city for a time, 4 years near Midway airport and thought my opinions would change, but they did not, I hated it and moved back to the suburbs, the far south suburbs, Homewood, and only come into the downtown area for work. When I lived by Midway I was much closer to my job downtown but it took me longer to get home on the CTA than it does now with me living in Homewood and taking the Metra and I am much farther away..

To the OP, If you really want to move to the Chicago area, consider the suburbs instead of the city proper. The government is corrupt the CTA is unreliable and many of the neighborhoods in the city are riddled with crime and gangs and drugs.