I am considerting relocating to Chicago, Illinois sometime after the year 2010. As a single individual, I might not be married and may not have any family and/or friends around. Some of the cities in the Chicagoland area I have consider living in included Naperville (Dupage County), Evanston (Cook County), Lake Forest (Lake County) and Woodstock (McHenry County).
My question is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Chicago and/or the Chicagoland area as a single individual?
2006-11-13 10:15:51 · 12 answers · asked by Mr. Knowledgeable VI 7 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Chicago
If you are coming not being married, move to the northside of Chicago. You will make friends easily in Chicago. I have had so many visitors tell me that the people of Chicago are so friendly and helpful. I moved here in 1978. I love Chicago. It is gorgeous in the spring, hot during the summer (beach fun), the fall leaves are wondrous, and the winter, people in Chicago know how to dress for the cold winters. Best place in the world. Don't waste your time on the burbs.
2006-11-13 13:57:11 · answer #1 · answered by Candy N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chicago is a GREAT city! I lived there for 7 years as a single. I would suggest living in the city if you can. The subs are really family oriented. Evanston might be the exception given the university. The DePaul area is terrific as are many newly developed areas to the south.
Pros: Excellent restaurants and music; flights anywhere in the world out of O'Hare
Cons: COLD winters and short summers. ALso like any city, the cost of living. Public transportation isn't as clean as NYC or Boston but it's been awhile since I rode it.
2006-11-13 10:52:55 · answer #2 · answered by mdetaos 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Chicago is an awesome place to live and visit. I lived for almost 2 years in the northern suburbs. The advantages of living in the area is the ability to visit the city and enjoy the awesome nightlife, shoreline, tourist traps, etc. It is also nice to live outside the city because some areas have a small town feel. The bad thing about the suburbs is the commute and traffic. The traffic going into and out of chicago is very hectic and can be frustrating! I lived in Lake County and it is really beautiful up there. You are close to Lake Michigan, there are lots of places to eat, shop, and hang out.
2006-11-13 10:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by Kristy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Disagree. The cost of living in Chicago is actually quite low compared to other major cities. The cost of living is one of Chicago's main advantages, I think... a young person can live in a major city without spending the majority of their money just to live in a crappy little studio apartment (or without having 5 roomates in a 2 bedroom, SF and NY style). I'd say public transit is neutral. It's a better system than most US cities have... you don't really need a car. But it's also the most expensive city public transit system in the country (and about to get more expensive), and the most unreliable of the major systems (SF, NY, Boston, etc...). And most CTA stations aren't handicap accessible, and dogs aren't allowed. It runs late though, which is a major bonus. Culturally it's very lacking for a city. The lake is too restricted... most of the coast is paved, dogs aren't allowed on beaches, life guards on duty who won't let you swim past a certain point, etc... Good universities, but not the *best*. Same for food. I think the main advantages are relatively low cost of living, fairly close access to other cities, lots of available housing, a sordid yet interesting history, etc... Disadvantages are lack of parks, high crime rate, crappy weather, tight restrictions on street performance and art, a culture overly emphasizing sanctioned attractions such as bars/sports/museums, etc...
2016-03-28 04:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have lived in Naperville for 16 years..It is a great place to live..great for families...(nationally recognized!) they have great summer fests right in the town..and great bars, restaurants etc. It is a small city with lots to do so it is good for singles as well.
Woodstock..I frequent often.. it is still a "small" town with friendly people..not too many amenities yet..but it is booming and Crystal Lake (near by) offers everything you need. Woodstock is famous for their beautiful "square" with trendy shops and restaurants..it was featured in the movie Ground Hog Day with Bill Murray...The cost of living is more reasonable..they have great parks (and a water park)..and alot of bars!
Lake Forest is beautiful and expensive..for the money..I would go to Naperville...
I don't know too much about Evanston..I have family there but we don't do to much there.
Cons..yes..winter is cold...very cold..its the wind that makes it unpleasant..I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and Love winter...but the wind keeps us inside most days. The cost of living is pretty high here compared to other places around the country...but there is always alot to do!!
2006-11-13 14:28:52 · answer #5 · answered by jessified 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on what your looking for. Myself I wouldn't live in Chicago if I won a house and I've live in that area most of my life. It has really high taxes,high crime and if you think it couldn't happen to you or you'll be-careful then you better not go. There is more job opportunities but the pay scale isn't much higher. And the housing is very high. I live in Rockford northwest of Chicago it's near enough to go into if I care to and The crime is much lower,the income about the same and the house are many time lower. I have a 1800Sq ft. nice older home for $85,000. in Chicago or near suburbs it would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This reason alone is why 7 out of 10 houses sold in Rockford is sold to Chicagoans that commute to the city.
2006-11-13 11:14:59 · answer #6 · answered by Johnnie Z 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Chicagoland area is a great place to live, there is always something to do, zoo, museums, parks, lake front, navy pier, great shoppings, excellent restuarantsand my dog and I enjoy going to the dog parks, and up to Montrose Harbor, the list goes on. The disadvantages are we do have cold weather, but if you prepare yourself for it it is fine.
2006-11-13 12:30:56 · answer #7 · answered by Janice 10 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Chicago is a beautiful city and there is always something to do.However,there are the disidvantages also.In the winter the weather could be extremely cold and also their is abit of a bustle in chicogo.But if you enjoy a big city environment you might enjoy the windy city. Good Luck!
2006-11-13 10:33:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Advantages: Millions of women to choose from, so you might not be alone long. Lots of things to do: sights, stores, bars and clubs, restaurants, major sports teams, etc. Every major musical act HAS to come through Chicago and the city hosts all types of music venues - jazz, rock, blues, country, opera, folk, R&B, rap, punk, goth, you name it. There are literary clubs, poetry clubs, lots of comedy clubs. Cash-wise, the city is pretty affordable. Public transportation is cheap and goes everywhere. Rent in a lot of neighborhoods is cheap (about $700 for a one bedroom is normal). Lots of inexpensive large and small grocery stores. Major corporations locate here and build their flagship stores here (Boeing, Nike, apple, etc.). People are basically friendly.
Disadvantages: For every five nice people, there is always one azzhole. Lots of people move here from small towns and bring their preconceived notions with them. It takes a certain mindset to live and get along in the big city and for the most part you have to be born here to "get it". People don't seem to realize that there are people of all nationalities and types here and you have to be able to get along with them. So if the idea of being surrounded by minorities is not what you want, then maybe Naperville or Lake forest or Woodstock WOULD be better. But the thing is, there's not a whole lot to do out in those areas. In fact, most of those people come here on the weekends to party and have fun and sightsee. If you prefer a quiet lifestyle, then those areas are for you. Chicago is big and noisy and sometimes not clean (although it is WAY cleaner than most of the other big cities I've been to like NYC). There is crime here, like in most big cities. Most of the time you don't have to worry. Just learn to be aware and not walk around like a "victim". Like if someone is standing too close to you on the subway, don't be afraid to move or tell them to beat it. Lots of people are afraid of saying something because they don't want to offend the person. I say, better safe than sorry. And yeah, it gets cold here, but its much colder in say, Minneapolis or Green Bay or Buffalo. Actually our last few winters have been mild.
A single person in Chicago can have a good time and and a good life.
2006-11-14 04:40:31 · answer #9 · answered by bodinibold 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Advantages: lots of skyscrapers, museums, shopping, and festivals.
Disadvantages: cold weather in winter, some dangerous neighborhoods
2006-11-13 11:24:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋