Opinions about life in Chicago, the good and the bad?

Question

I can possibly get a job offer in Chicago. I'm Spanish. Never been to the US. Can you tell me your opinion about the good things and bad things of living there? Thank you!

Answer 1

The good:
Easy to get around. Great public transportation.
Relatively inexpensive to live here, when compared to other big cities.
Lots of housing options: small apartments, big condos, lofts, houses, near the lake, in a small quiet neighborhood, etc.
Great lakefront; great place to workout or just hang out in the summertime.
Great shopping. Major corporations are always moving here. Apple computer and Nike, for instance, both decided to move one of their flagship stores here.
Generally nice people. Not as abrasive as NYC can be, or as air-headed as LA can be.
Lots of parks.
Great architecture
Clean. For a big city, Chicago is amazingly clean.
Large Latino/Hispanic population. This may be of particular interest to you. Because of that, there are a lot of Spanish clubs, restaurants, neighborhoods, etc.
Winter. Some people hate it, but a change of seasons is great

The bad:
Winter (again). Sometimes it can really be a pain in the a**. Super cold, super snowy sometimes.
Parking. If you ever decided to get a car, make sure you have off-the-street parking somewhere. Trying to find a place to park/keep your car can be expensive
Crime. OK, there is crime here in Chicago, but it is a major metropolitan area. For the most part, you'll be OK. just have to be alert.
Too many "tourists" and transplants from other places (OK, this is my personal pet peeve)


That's about all I can come up with. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

I have traveled quite a bit and still find Chicago to be my favorite city. It is a good example of the midwestern United States. It is an easy city to get around in and beautiful as it sits on Lake Michigan and the Wacker River that runs through it. Chicago reclaimed many of its slum neighborhoods close to the city years ago and turned them into thriving upscale neighborhoods. The Natural History Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry and Shedd's Aquarium are huge and wonderful places to visit. Chicago is very strong in baseball....there are two ballparks. Chicago celebrates St. Patrick's Day by turning the Wacker River emerald green each year, followed by a fabulous parade. And at Christmas, the city glows. It's the windy city so winter can be brutal....dress warm. Go...visit the city....you'll have to decide. Cities are expensive....hope the job is good.

Answer 3

Chicago is fabulous - -it is filled with little neighborhoods that speak to each person's heritage...ChinaTown, Little Italy, etc. The people is what really makes it a special place. You know when you go somewhere like Las Vegas or Miami or something and ask someone where they are from...and someone is always from SOMEWHERE. Well, in Chicago people are from....Chicago!! They stay because it is a nice, family oriented place to stay.

Answer 4

Chicago is like living in Madrid, except you don't have the parks and the crime is much worse.

I lived in Chicago back in the 1960's and I hated it then... it is much worse now and I only go to Chicago if I absolutely can NOT get out of it.

The Picasso in front of the Daily center is supposedly a pig.. and that pretty well describes Chicago.

Answer 5

It's nicer in the southern states in the U.S., the weather's better and the people are friendly. I would reconsider moving somewhere else. I've been to Chicago,and I would never live there. good luck!

Answer 6

Change of season!
from harsh Winter to spring as you feel age of time..
Lots of trees, parks, golf courses, malls, train, buses...
Many nice restaurants, bars, jazzies...
CLEAN AIR. can get out of ASTHMA.
Religious people.
Cool downtown, buildings, architectures..
Businesses..

Answer 7

This really depends on what you are doing. However, for your level of education that is not that bad.