Is Chicago a cool place to live?

Answer 1

I live in Chicago. People make a big deal about the harsh winters. I love the change of seasons -- that makes it easier to endure the winters here.

It is cold and uncomfortable -- but like all things in life, you have to learn to make the best of it.

The last few winters have been comparably mild for this area -- not too much snow and ice.

I think you just adjust to it. It helps to plan a trip or two away to a warm weather place like Florida or the Caribbean, it is easier to get through the winter months.

There are just so many winter related things to do here in Chicago that you really look forward to it. Sports, blues clubs, concerts, eating out, working out, clubbing, going to movies, following the Bulls and Bears are all things that one does during the winter more than in the spring, fall or summer in Chicago. It is really good to go to a gym and work out real hard and then go into a stean sauna when it is so cold outside. Something about the extreme contrasts between the hot and cold feels so good.

Getting together with friends in our homes is something that we look forward to in the winter months -- dinner parties and Halloween or Christmas parties. Plus Chicago is beautiful in the winter, especially in the Christmas season with all the lights and storefronts.

Alot is said about how people from Chicago grow to be really "hardy" because of the winters here. I don't know about that -- but I know I look forward to the meals of hot homemade chili or vegatable soup that my wife makes in the winter that is just the best.

I love a night when it has snowed and to take a long walk and listen to the snow crunch under our feet as we walk along. It is so peaceful and nice. And then just when you are getting really chilly from the cold, you come home and have some hot chocalate and snuggle under the covers to warm up.

There is so much to do that is unique to the winter that I actually look forward to it. I think you would grow to really love the winter in Chicago.

Here are my suggestions for tourist places in Chicago.

I'll number the suggestions as I go along for you.

You have to go get some Chicago food -- at one of the great restaurants. One thing that people associate with Chicago is great food. My suggestion would be to try either (1) Magnum's or (2) Morton's for steak (expensive); (3) Giordano's or (4) Uno's Pizza (cheap), (5) Maggianno's for Italian (moderate).

You can take the (6) Chicago River Cruise part of one evening. It has an archetectural tour that goes down the Chicago River which is beautiful in the evening. This is going to cost maybe $30 for 2 people.

(7) Strolling down Michigan Avenue in the evening is fun in itself -- seeing the beautiful store fronts and people-watching. You have to at least (8) walk through Millineum Park and see it -- especially the Bean. This is free!!!

(9) Take a trolley bus tour of the city as well -- the kind that Vince Vaughn did as tour narrator in the movie "The Break-up". $40 for 2.

You should take in (10) Zanie's Comedy Club in Old Towne. I've laughed so hard there that the muscles in my cheeks hurt afterward. It is a fun and relatively inexpensive night out -- and is right in the heart of where John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray and Chevy Chase all cut their comedic teeth while in Chicago at the beginning of their careers. This would cost you $40 per couple for a week night show.

While in (11) Olde Towne you also should try to take in Tony and Tina's Wedding at Piper's Alley right in OT. We just did this. On Wednesday it is half price -- so it would be $75 for 2 and you get the show, dinner, drinks, wedding cake, etc. It is a good value on Wednesday nights.

(12) Lincoln Park Zoo is still free so that would be a great family outing that wouldn't cost much.

If you like the (13) Bar Scene you can go clubbin' in Rush Street -- where there are just blocks and blocks of bars and restaurants. After (14) Rush Street go around the corner to Division Street and keep the clubbin' going. You decide how much you want to spend here.

As it gets a bit later you have to go check out a Blue's Club. (15)Rosa's is the place you need to see. It is just what people think of as they imagine an authentic Chicago Blues club. It has been spotlighted in USA Today recently. This would cost maybe $15 for 2 to get in and they don't enforce a drink minimum -- it is a great night out that is very inexpensive.

http://www.rosaslounge.com/

(16) Kingston Mines is on Halsted is another blues club (North of the city) This would cost 2 people $40 for cover charge.

http://www.kingstonmines.com/flash/main....

At this time of year you can take in either a Cubs or White Sox game in the evenings. (17) aT THIS TIME OF YEAR, YOU CAN AT LEAST WALK AROUND wRIGLeY Field and get the ambiensce of the neighborhood and get a bite to eat. Very inexpensive.

People like to stroll at (18) Navy Pier, but that isn't a great place in my opinion it is overrated. It is really good for children. If you haven't seen it you might enjoy going once. (19) They could go ice skating at Navy Pier. Could be free to inexpensive.

As for culture that your kids would also enjoy you can't miss the (20) Field's Museum, (21) the Chicago Art Museum, (22) the Museum of Science and Industry and (23) Shedd Acquarium (check out the white Beluga Whales). You can get a pass from your concierge to go to all of these places for one reasonable price for families. For two -- maybe $75 for a pass to all the museums.

Check out the (24) Picasso Stature -- given to the city of Chicago from Picasso in the mid-sixties. Free.

Finally take a page out of Jim Carrey's movie and go to (25) Medieval Times in Schaumburg. See the jousting and eat with your hands. $100 for two -- includes dinner, drinks and dessert.

One thing for sure -- you will love Chicago.

It is a great city -- very clean and the people are friendly.

Good question.

Answer 2

The only drawback to Chicago is the traffic and the cost of living is high. These are problems though in any large city. Chicago has great places to eat, entertainment, fabulous museums, the lakefront is awesome, beaches, sporting venues (especially the Bears) and a good public transportation system. Like anywhere in the midwest the weather changes are frequent and often. Spring, summer and fall are nice and it does reach 100 degrees now and then. In the winter it can be cold and be well below zero. I don't know if it's global warming or what but the winters lately have not been as cold or as snowy as they use to be. Contrary to popular belief throughout the rest of the country, Chicagoans do not walk around with guns blazing.

Answer 3

I disagree...I dislike Chicago very much. It is extremely congested, has a high cost of living, and there is consistent talk of da Bears, da Cubs, and da mayor. The tollways, construction, and weather make the traffic intolerable. There are good points to Chicago - the downtown has beautiful buildings, the museums are stellar, and the restaurants are consistently incredible. This, however, makes it a nice place to visit - but I'm sorry that I moved here. I can't wait to leave!

Answer 4

It depends on where. There are parts of the south side that is a dump. Most of chicago is a cool place to live.

Answer 5

You would enjoy Chicago. There are many good restaurants and night spots and sightseeing things to do. The transportation system is excellent. The only negative is the wind and cold in the winter.

Answer 6

Well yes lots of cool people live here! It is a very nice place to live if you like to see concerts and plays, etc. Lots to do.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/

Answer 7

It's a fun city with lots of diversity, but the traffic is enuf to keep me from wanting to live there... um and it's cold in the winter, very cold.

Answer 8

I love it here. It isn't anymore expensive than any other city. WAAAY cheaper than New York. There is so much to do and new things happening. Good food, culture, and people. You can even walk to the beach. Its true though, you have to be good in cold weather. I like it though.

Answer 9

it's a cool and cold place to live

Answer 10

No to much crime murders all put into one little town they have some nice shopping there but dont shop at night the boogy man will get you

Answer 11

umm...best place in the world by far..for music,art,culture,food and having fun..awesome place to live with a thriving economy