If I move to Chicago, should I bring my car with me? Or sell it!?

Answer 1

The general consensus is right. If you're near public transportation, you don't need a car. It would be far cheaper to use CTA, taxis and rent a car when you want to go out of town.

Unless you rent a parking space, car owners are forever searching for a place to park. In the winter there's the hassle of digging out your car or getting it to start. The cost of parking and gas and insurance is high.

Answer 2

A lot of people are missing the point. Sure, there are a lot of great things to drive to in and around Chicago. But there's gas (about $3.35 a gallon right now), insurance, a license plate sticker is about $78 and a city sticker is about the same. I supposed you could keep your car registered in the city you come from but how long can you that up? And you WILL get a parking ticket. Either you'll come out of a store and your meter will be expired ($50!), or you'll come out and find out that the street you parked on is being cleaned that day and you didn't move your car in time ($50!), and if you get three tickets, they boot your car and you have to pay off the three tickets ($150 at the lowest) and pay to get the boot taken off or the car out of the pound (another $150 or so) and each day you leave it in the pound, it goes up another $25 I think.

so to answer your question, yes bring your car. I have one and I love driving my Wrangler around with the top down. Granted the public transportation here is great and can take you from one end of the city to the other with no problem, but there's something about having access to a car. There are great things happening all over and sometimes driving there is easier. The bus and trains are plentiful, but sometimes very slow. I do have two parking tickets outstanding right now though...

Answer 3

Sell My Car Chicago

Answer 4

I live in Joliet IL. about 45 min to an hr from Chicago. Chicago has a good mass transit system, tho it could be better. Nothing like New York, but they try. It would really depend on your job and what you choose to do on your free time. Most jobs are within easy walks of the "L" trains. If not their are trollies to take to and from the "L"s. If you choose to live in a Condo or an Apt. you will need to find out what type of parking they can offer to you. And do you want to see more of the surrounding areas while you live here. You can go by the Metro to most of the surrounding towns, but once you get their you will have to pay more for bus rides or taxis as most do not offer much else.
Good Luck in Chicago! It's a great city for those who wish to work, play and enlighten themselves!

Answer 5

There is very good public transportation in Chicago, but to get to some of the outskirts you may want a car. If you only go to the most popular places you probably won't need one.

Answer 6

What part of chicago? If you are situated by any L line (especially the orange) then it's unnecessary to have a car. If you are moving to any of the suburbs of chicago, probably keep your car. If you are moving to Chicago but not downtown, again keep your car.

My grandma lives at 78th and kedzie, and the Orange line is still to far to just walk there. She has a car. I live at 100th and Cicero, and the Orange line, again, is far for me, but its unnecessary to have a car in that situation because the bus stops at my house. However, i need a car for any part of the suburbs.

Downtown, around the loop, you don't need a car at all. Period.

Answer 7

I don't think that Chicago is nearly as good with public transportation as some cities. I would keep the car.

Answer 8

bring it cuz there is a lot to do here and places to see.

Answer 9

depends on if you like public transportation

Answer 10

Keep it, youll need it to get to some great spots.