Moving to Chicago (Page 2)

Live in a rural area and commute. Smaller schools for your children = smaller student to teacher ratio and less violence. Also the 1A-5A schools have more pride in school/community.

Totally. Oh, wait ...


I love how all the people saying not to live in Chicago or on the northside don't live here. I live just south of downtown in one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Generally, people who don't live in Chicago think it's very dangerous, there are shootings on every block every night and that you can't leave your house without getting mugged. Again, these are people who don't live here or have never visited, or grew up in some Norman Rockwell small town and just repeat what they heard from a creepy uncle who was here 100 years ago.

Chicago isn't dangerous. Generally, if you keep to yourself, that is, dont go looking for trouble, nobody is going to bother you. Is there a chance you could get mugged? Sure, but that's pretty much any city in any country in the world. In fact, most people in Chicago would go out of their way to help you should you need help rather than mug you. So don't be scared and don't listen to the uninformed or someone who knew a guy who knew a guys who's brother's uncle's best friend's auntie got mugged.

Chicago is a wonderful city! Other than the winters, of course. You can bike and run along the lakefront trail that's 20 miles long. Just try to get it all done in the mornings as the trail becomes inundated with drunk tourists and aholes in the afternoons. And you can swim at Ohio Street Beach in Lake Michigan where the city puts in 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile buoys so you know how far to swim! It's quite triathlete-friendly. Welcome!

PS: Avoid that Tony guy. *shudders*

Thanks... More clarification to help with advice... My office is in Skokie. I've got two large dogs so I'd like to have my own outdoor space... Don't need much but a little would make life with dogs easier. It's just me so I don't need a huge home. I've got a very generous budget. Really hoping for a tiny commute. Maybe even the possibility of being able to bike to work. I do have a horse so he'll be living in the burbs... If anyone has stable suggestions fire away....i do hunter and play polo.

As a lifelong resident of the western suburbs of Chicago, the only advice that I can offer is to avoid areas that are in close proximity to the Des Plaines river...or ANY river for that matter!  We just had some of the worst flooding in history, with the last storm system that blew through last week.   I think I would avoid living at the bottom of a hill for sure.  I know Albany Park was hit very hard because that neighborhood is right near the North Branch of the Chicago River.  I would inquire about flooding during heavy rains from other residents of an area that you're interested in. 

You've find your bungalow type houses on the edge of Chicago proper on the Northwest'ish, which is a quick drive to Chicago. 99.99% of Chicago bike racers travel through the area on their up the North shore.

I love it and I am guessing you have never heard of Whitney Young, Jones College Prep, Walter Payton and Northside College Prep, all top 150 public high schools nationally with student/teacher ratios around ~16:1.

Nothing much to add.  If you want a short commute to Skokie, Jefferson Park might be a great option.  Unfortunately, your horse is probably going to be stabled 20-30 miles away.  If money isn't a problem, any of the near north burbs will give you a short commute as well.

Edited by saltman95 2013-04-24 2:48 PM

I hear there's a great barbershop quartet in Skokie, Illinois.

Actually I think there are many horse stabling centers up in that area, isn't there?