what's chicago like?

Question

I've been to new york city many times, and luv it, but can't afford to live there so i'm looking at chicago. My question is since I've never visited there before and only have seen pictures; is it really on par with nyc. Being from the east coast I'm used to fast paced constantly, and chicago since its in the midwest seems kinda laid back; is that true? What's the nightlife like; best neighborhood for someone who's 24 and black? Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

Dude, you'll love it. I assume your single. Come for a visit, seek out neighborhoods, like Wicker Park & Bucktown (northside). You can look up "Chicago Reader" on the internet, you will see rentals and thier rates. Our night life is the best, there is always something to do, awesome street festivals, it's just a great place to live. I personally live in the Southside. But most people who migrate here like the areas I suggested to you. Hurry up and get your butt to Chicago, I guarentee you will make it you home.

Answer 2

Chicago is great. All of the advantages of the urban lifestyle without a lot of the hassle that you have in Manhattan. Much more livable in Chicago.
Any of the trendy young neighborhoods would be fine, black or white or whatever. It is really more about your style.
Lincoln Park is young but the bars are filled with baseball cap wearing recent college grads.
Lakeview and Wrigleyville are more of the same.
Bucktown is a little different with more of an artsy-urban vibe.
Uptown is up and coming, but resists gentrification, so it can be a little sketchy, but for a lot of people, that's why they like city living.
If you want a predominantly black neighborhood, check out Bronzeville or maybe Hyde Park on the South side.
If you really want Manhattan style high-rise living, try Gold Coast, Streeterville (River North) or maybe West Loop.

Find Apartments on craigslist or at www.chicagoreader.com.
The Reader or www.metromix.com are also good spots to get an idea of what is going on.

Answer 3

chicago is just as fast paced as new york and LA! i think the difference is that chicago is less congested than the two...except for downtown chicago..there are certain areas that are laid back, but chicago as a whole is not..the nightlife is great!!! especially downtown, almost every block has a night club on it, and they are not segregated like one would think! its best to go to different clubs though, wouldnt want to run into the same ppl every weekend..ha..

as far as neighborhoods are concerned..you might want to try burbank illinois, which is a mixture of black, white, asian, hispanic, and indian...which is a pretty coo environment...not to mention the fact that this area is near shopping centers, and a mall called ford city (cicero)next, you might want to consider the beverly area...this area is where the "prestigious" are set to live, but the apts tend to start at roughly 600 and up..this area is also by a mall called evergreen plaza...along with shopping centers as well!...next i would definitely consider orland park...its considered a suburb, but its still in chicago..its really really nice out there as well! there is one huge mall, orland mall, and several restaurants and shopping centers...and its a diverse area as well, but the prodominant are : caucasian and indian..

i hope ive helped you out! if you have any more questions, i can answer them!!

Answer 4

Chicago is a fast paced city in a slow Midwest. People from Chicago are increasingly from somewhere else, so they learn to hit the ground running. We're not as fast paced as NYC (if you stand still on the sidewalk they'll push you out of the way or run you over), but we're getting there. I personally like a fast pace.

As far as nightlife, Chicago is pretty much like NYC. During the week, a lot of bars stay open until 4 a.m., and on Saturday's they stay open until 5 a.m. Is that laid back to you. And I'm talking top clubs, dance clubs, lounges with cocktail music, you name it, there's a bar open till 4 that does it. Any type of music you're looking for, it's here, and you probably don't have to go far to find it. Hip hop, dance, techo, jazz, rock, alternative... and every major music act HAS to come through Chicago. We're not a fly-over city. When was the last time the Rolling Stones came to Boise, Idaho?

As far as neighborhoods, pretty much any. Depending on your income, however. If you want to be close to the action, or have easy access to the action, I'd pick Lakeview, Wrigleyville, Buena Park, Andersonville, Edgewater, Wicker Park, Logan Square. If you don't mind traveling a bit, try Hyde Park or Pilsen. Those places don't have a lot of late night party spots, but you can get back and forth pretty easily. Like I said, it depends on how much you're willing to pay for rent.

There are, of course, a ton other things to do here besides partying. A team in every major sports (and in the case of baseball, two), museums, comedy clubs, parks, a cool lakefront (every try hitting the beach in NYC - yeech!). Rent is pretty cheap here right now, a lot cheaper than NYC. $800 would get you a studio in NYC but you can find a two-bedroom in a decent neighborhood here.

Visit the city first before decide. Spend a weekend, see the city in the daytime and at night, even check it out during winter (you may or may not like the cold). Do your homework.

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as for the guy who called chicago the most racist city... i've lived here all my life. Yes Chicago has racists; every city, big and small, has that. But you won't run across it every single day you're here. Chicago has one of the most diverse populations in the world. EVERY nationality lives here: American black, african blacks, jamaicans blacks, american whites, eastern european whites, latinos, asian, native american, indian (both kinds)...With that mix of people here, most of us don't have time to be racist. It would be to exhausting. And yes, certain neighborhoods might not be as welcoming to a black person (or a latino or any minority) as they could be. But for that matter, there are black neighborhoods where you could run into trouble too, so what's the point? The vast majority of Chicagoans don't care; if you prove yourself to be an honest, decent person, they'll treat you with respect.

Answer 5

Chicago is a Great city to live, work and enjoy. There are many fun things to do, museums, zoos, parks, lakefront, beaches, great restaurants, and many more fun activities. It is a little slower paced then NYC, and a cheaper to live here. We love the City of Chicago, there is always something happening here. Go to Chicago tribune.com (local most popular Chicago newspaper) you can look for jobs, and housing. Come to Chicago, it is the greatest city of all!!!!

Answer 6

I wouldn't NOT suggest Chicago if you're Black. My father was born and raised in Chi-town and it's literally one of THE most racist cities in America. They have very bad racial strife, which is funny because it's a predominately Black city. I find that people who suggest Chicago are usually White (not trying be racist, but I find that White people like the city while a lot of Blacks are trying to get the H--- out).

Try DC. It's a predominately Black city so you will be comfortable.There is always some racial tension in major cities, but Chicago has more than other places.

Oh, and there is no place like New York. If price is a problem, consider Queens or Brooklyn.

Answer 7

I live in New York and but from the midwest. Chicago is a lot less expensive than Los Angeles and New york, but is more dangerous than both of the before mentioned cities. Chicago competes with Detriot and camden as America's most dangerous city.

You would not have a problem being black in Chicago. As most of the City is African American. Just make sure you have job before you go, chicago is a little short on unskilled jobs. Overall if you chicago is great place to live, but not as good as ny, but far better than LA.

Answer 8

Dude, You wouldn't regret moving to the Chi. Visit for a week. Look at www.metromix.com for the night life.
Be sure the neighborhood is nice. Don't move into a gang infested one. you probably wouldn't live to see the next day.

Answer 9

I absolutely love Chicago!!!!! =]

Answer 10

http://egov.cityofchicago.org/city/webportal/home.do