pros/cons relocating to CHICAGO? w/out a car?

Question

i hear chicagoans (sp) have great pub. trans. system? true? i have a car but HATE driving - can i make it in windy city w/o my car? also what are some good, affordable 'burbs to live in, close to city so i can commute to work?

what are basic pros/cons of living in chicago in general?

I'm from New Jersey 'burbs....single female in my 20's

Answer 1

Yes, Chicago is an easy city to be carless in. If you live in the suburbs, find where the Metra stations are, and choose a place near one. You can walk to lots of Metra stations, and if you want to drive a short distance, almost all of them have park-and-rides. Metra has service comparable to most of the NJ Transit lines (roughly hourly during the day, more frequent at rush hour).

In the city, there are 'L' stops within walking distance of most neighborhoods, and buses serve the entire city well. CTA is both loved and hated, but they mostly do a good job. The only real problem is that if you are taking the train from one part of the city to another, you pretty much have to go downtown to get anywhere. CTA isn't nearly as frequent as the New York subway (trains are about every 5 minutes at rush hour, 10 minutes during the day, and 20 minutes late at night), but it will get you where you need to go.

Answer 2

Despite some problems, public transportation here is great. You can get from one end of the city to the other with no problem, and then some! (Where the CTA stops, the Pace bus system usually begins and can take you even further). You don't need a car. But I have one and it helps. I don't drive all the time, but there are times when it comes in handy. Waiting for a bus or train at 2 am when you've been out clubbing is a bummer (the run a lot less frequently at night). So when I know I've going to be out for a while, i drive. Cabs can be pretty expensive, especialy if you go out far from home. And sometimes in the winter I just get up and can't bear the thought of standing on a bus stup freezing my *** off. So I drive occasionally. And when I go to the grocery story and know I'm going to be buying a lot of stuff, i drive and bring it home in the car, rather than lug 8 bags five or six blocks.

Now granted it can be expensive to maintain a car. You half to get the license plates and sticker, the city sticker for the window every year, plus have at least the basic insurance. And then there are parking tickets you will inevitably get. Three of them and they boot your car.

but like I said, you don't NEED a car but it helps sometimes.

Answer 3

The public transportation system in Chicago is excellent. It doesn't reach quite the speed or quality of the New York subway system, but it's very good.

However, it's best if you live and work in the city. For instance, if you live just north of downtown, in neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Lakeview, both the trains (the "L" system) and the buses can express you downtown in a matter of minutes.

It's harder in the suburbs. There are trains, like Metra, but they run at less frequently schedules. Still, they're pretty good, and the "L" trains run to some of the inner-lying suburbs like Evanston, Skokie, and Oak Park.

If you live and work in the city, and have relatively controllable hours, you don't even want a car. It's too hard to park and too expensive, and public transportation is everywhere.

In terms of the burbs that are affordable but close to the city, you'd probably want to consider Oak Park. It's right on the L train, and just west of the city itself. Evanston is gorgeous, but kind of expensive. Or, you might simply want to live in the city itself - Chicago is a terrific city, and increasingly safe.

Check out the L maps at yourcta.com or the Metra system at metrarail.com.

Answer 4

I think Mark is right on the money. I lived in Chicago for 5 years and unfortunately, had to drive because of my profession. When I left my job and sold my car, I lived in the city without a car for about 4 months, and public transportation is fantastic.

Since you are young, try Lincoln Park. It is a safer than average neighborhood, and very pretty-especially where I lived around the corner of Hampden and Diversey my last two years there. On, Lakeview apartments at I think it is 2728 N. Pine Grove is great!!! I did have a studio there and it was about $625.00 a month. Donna was the manager, and she is so great to work with!

Another fun,culturally diverse area is Bucktown. My friend lived there on Milwaukee Avenue, and the shops and restaurants were really cool.

Oak Park is beautiful, and if you want to live in an upscale neighborhood that is affordable, go there.

But I think of all places to live, it is where another friend of mine lives now. A little more expensive, but there are apartments at Michigan and Roosevelt, where studio apts. start around $900.00. This building is where I should have lived, but I bought a condo in Lincoln Park before hanging out with her. This area is booming, and the location cannot be beat.

Have fun!

Answer 5

Living carless is possible. Commuting to and from work is easy in Chgo or the suburbs near the CTA bus lines, rapid transit, or Metra train.

The hardest part is shopping. Unless you can walk to nearby stores and shops, a cab or bus will have to do. Carrying groceries on a bus can be both cumbersome and tiring.

Many people use public transportation for work and a car for the rest. Parking can be difficult in some neighborhoods and suburbs with restricted parking. Ask about restrictions when you interview for housing.

Answer 6

In Chicago you can catch a bus at every busy street corner. I think they are "suppose" to pass every 15-20 minutes. And every bus does pass threw a train stop. In the suburbs the buses (Pace) only pass every hour so you have to call them to see when its going to be passing.