Why Do People Move To Chicago? (Lexington, Columbus: appointed, to buy, theater)

[Visvaldis]

Having grown up and lived in Chicago I have a great liking for the city.
But I wonder for what reasons people move to Chicago:
-career opportunities? Forced or voluntary?
-cultural institutions? Which ones?
-general liking for big city life?
-expecting an active cultural/social scene?
-as a stepping stone to bigger things, such as New York?
-relatively close to where you grew up?
After the move, have you been disappointed? Or satisfied? Is Chicago what you expected? Any regrets? Would you prefer to move back home?

[Avengerfire]

This has been covered a few times.

Especially here:

https://www.city-data.com/forum/chica...periences.html

[cxdurden]

*Big City with Small City Affordability
*Diversity
*Cost of Living
*Educational Institutions
*Social Atmosphere -- Great events/things to cover (Theater, Comedy Clubs, Galleries, Museums, Attractions)
*Weather (Yeah it snows like its the middle of Russia - but I am from Miami and there are no seasons)
*Everything that you need is here

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by cxdurden

*Big City with Small City Affordability...
*Cost of Living
...

I have to disagree here.

That would be a good description of Chicago ten-fifteen years ago. Not anymore.

[j33]

Compared to Boston and New York, it is still affordable. I have plenty of friends who have moved to those cities from chicago within the past few years who can attest to this.

[Avengerfire]

^ I know this. What I am saying is "big city with small city affordability" is a ridiculous statement.^

It is way more expensive to buy here than Milwaukee,Cincinnati,Lexington,Columbus,etc...and those are considered mid-sized cities.

So Chicago is as affordable as Dubuque for example? I think not.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

I have to disagree here.

That would be a good description of Chicago ten-fifteen years ago. Not anymore.

It's still the best bargain around as far as living in anything approximating a world-class city. It's cheaper than NYC, Boston, SF and Miami, and right on par with Philly and Seattle. This is a surprisingly affordable city for singles and DINKS. It's when kids roll around that the affordability factor takes a nosedive. And so it goes with many major cities where the schools simply aren't an option.

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

It is way more expensive to buy here than Milwaukee,Cincinnati,Lexington,Columbus,etc...and those are considered mid-sized cities.

Yes, the cost to buy here is high compared to these places. But there's a substantially smaller gap in the cost to rent here versus these other places. Another reason why Chicago is a recent grad/young-singles/DINK magnet.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

^ I know this. What I am saying is "big city with small city affordability" is a ridiculous statement.^

It is way more expensive to buy here than Milwaukee,Cincinnati,Lexington,Columbus,etc...and those are considered mid-sized cities.

So Chicago is as affordable as Dubuque for example? I think not.

Exactly what I thought.

The poster just phrased the statement badly.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

...The poster just phrased the statement badly.

Very badly.

[Lookout Kid]

I don't think anyone moves here "as a stepping stone to New York". If people want to live in New York, they generally move to New York or the general region. I don't know anyone who moved to Chicago as an intermediate step, though I'm certain that many people who grow up in Chicago eventually move on to New York or elsewhere.