Moving to Chicago from Philly

[personone]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

And Lincoln Park has a great high school right?

I don't have any in-depth knowledge about schools, but if I had to guess, I would think Lincoln Park would likely have the highest-rated public schools in the city.

[Kmanshouse]

Originally Posted by MarianRavenwood

I live in Ravenswood. It's about 45 minutes by L to the loop. This might improve in the next year or so with the new Brown Line Flyover that the CTA is building at the Belmont interchange.

Lincoln Park is within 30 minutes; Other neighborhoods to consider are West Lakeview, South Loop, West Loop, West Town. You don't mention your age or budget. These are close...they are also expensive and tend to skew towards a younger 20-something population. Logan Square, Bridgeview, Pilsen skew a bit older, perhaps a bit less expensive.

As for driving downtown every day, trains are more reliable than roads with inclement weather. Especially when we get deep snow, it may be several days before side streets are cleared. You mention $200 parking--that's low for a monthly rate downtown. You may also pay close to that for monthly parking at home, unless you park on the street. If you park on the street, bank on shoveling out your car and the parking spot, and you'll either need to claim 'dibs' (that's a whole other thread) or shovel out a new spot when you get home. On average, Chicago has 12 measurable snowfalls per year that would require shoveling or snow plowing--some might be three inches, some might be 3 feet.

45 minutes is more than it should take, at least in the morning. It's typically 30-33 mins for me in the AM on the L. I take Metra in the afternoons - 12-15 minute ride but a little more walking.

[Bitey]

Just FYI, if by "the Dearborn Street area" you mean in or near the downtown business district, expect to pay a minimum of $25/day to park on those days when you don't want to take the train.

IMO Chicago isn't so much bigger in scale than Philadelphia that it should be intimidating for someone used to living in Philly.

[ToriaT]

Yeah forget driving to work. Parking fees are really high. Nobody drives to work unless they have a free dedicated parking spot. They take the "L" or the train.

[MarianRavenwood]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

45 minutes is more than it should take, at least in the morning. It's typically 30-33 mins for me in the AM on the L. I take Metra in the afternoons - 12-15 minute ride but a little more walking.

And yet consistently it does take 45 minutes. Maybe you get on at a closer station like Montrose or Irving Park. And maybe you get off earlier like Chicago or the Merch Mart.