Uprooting to Chicago (Lincoln, Roscoe, Ashland: homes, neighborhoods, YMCA)

[CanadianGirl]

Hi there, I'm movning to Chicago from Toronto in a few months, and I have heard nothing but nice things about this place. I have been looking at homes in Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Southport, Bucktown, and Wrigleyville. I found the people to be very friendly and helpful and not unlike my fellow Canadians. I hope this first impression was correct, any one want to back this up? Also, can someone give me advice on a good gym to join in any of these areas? Thanks

[dragoro]

Chicagoans tend to be blunt, but dont mean it personally. They also tend to ask personal questions without meaning to offend ya.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by CanadianGirl

Hi there, I'm movning to Chicago from Toronto in a few months, and I have heard nothing but nice things about this place. I have been looking at homes in Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Southport, Bucktown, and Wrigleyville. I found the people to be very friendly and helpful and not unlike my fellow Canadians. I hope this first impression was correct, any one want to back this up? Also, can someone give me advice on a good gym to join in any of these areas? Thanks

Once you narrow it down, we can help you with gyms. You'll find a few in each of these neighborhoods. My favorite though is X-Sport Fitness. There's a few, but I went to the one on Ashland and Roscoe-ish (they have free parking).

[Drover]

If you've heard nothing but nice things about Chicago, you need a reality check. Don't get me wrong: I love living here and there are many great things about it. But there are also huge swaths of this city that basically live up to the Canadian stereotype of American inner cities and make Winnipeg and Regina look like Paradise. BUT, stay away from those swaths and you'll be fine.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

Once you narrow it down, we can help you with gyms. You'll find a few in each of these neighborhoods. My favorite though is X-Sport Fitness. There's a few, but I went to the one on Ashland and Roscoe-ish (they have free parking).

That one's in West Lakeview/Roscoe Village. There's a YMCA right by there, too. That's actually a pretty nice area. In fact, all of the areas you mentioned are quite nice.

Any specific questions you have about those locations?

[jiraiya]

well, before you figure out a gym, you should figure out where you want to live first. there are tons of gyms, but dont expect anything overly large, and there arent many with swimming pools. in terms of where you want to live, it all matters what you want...do you want to live in a major party area or something more mellow. also take into consideration where you are working because commuting can take some time.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by jiraiya

well, before you figure out a gym, you should figure out where you want to live first. there are tons of gyms, but dont expect anything overly large, and there arent many with swimming pools. in terms of where you want to live, it all matters what you want...do you want to live in a major party area or something more mellow. also take into consideration where you are working because commuting can take some time.

The Y in West Lakeview has a pool (and is pretty cheap as far of as the city goes), and the X-sport on North Ave does to. Regardless, find a place and you can find a gym close by

[deegers]

Originally Posted by CanadianGirl

Hi there, I'm movning to Chicago from Toronto in a few months, and I have heard nothing but nice things about this place. I have been looking at homes in Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, Lakeview, Southport, Bucktown, and Wrigleyville. I found the people to be very friendly and helpful and not unlike my fellow Canadians. I hope this first impression was correct, any one want to back this up? Also, can someone give me advice on a good gym to join in any of these areas? Thanks

Welcome to the Windy City and good luck!

[CanadianGirl]

Well thanks everyone for the great input! Even you Drover. I appreciate your blunt honesty and I realize that every city has it's rough areas. PS I would never live in Regina or Winnipeg, way too far North!

[Drover]

I just want to be clear that I was not trying to scare you away; I just want to help you fine-tune your expectations. Chicago is not like Toronto or Montreal where you can walk through some 85% of it no matter what time of day without any worries. More of Chicago's land area than not comprises neighborhoods that, at best, should be approached with caution, and at worst, should be avoided altogether at all times. I wasn't sure if your statement that you've heard nothing but good things about Chicago was a bit of hyperbole or honest naiveté. I wanted to make sure that if it was the latter that you don't end up in a part of Chicago that might get you in trouble because of a distorted perception that all of Chicago is like the tidy North Side neighborhoods.