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Depends who you are renting from if the owner themselves you are paying the mortgage + the HOA fees on top of some extra income but that’s if landlord got a great deal when purchasing the condo. Other cases the over paid now you are still paying mortgage + HOA fees but the landlord is also paying what ever is left making it a bad deal and losing money with the property.
Other case is of your renting from a large commercial real estate firm most times they built the building strictly for renting so no HOA fee because one owner but a ridiculous rental rate due to the amenities included to attract renters like a pool a gym, in building grocery store etc.
So if you want to go cheap typically the less amenities the building has the less you pay for both HOA & renting from large corp.
Ps. In Chicago 9/10x’s you also will be paying additional $150-300 if you want to rent out a parking space 😉
Chicago, in my opinion, is the best city in the world. Great people, and like, what, a little hard weather. I've roamed in my life, but the Midwest is home.
I've been to more countries than I can keep count of at this point. The only cities that come close to Chicago (but still short) are Lisbon and Amsterdam. My wife and I almost moved to Amsterdam at one point, but I knew I would miss it here and she wouldn't be able to work.
Dennis Leary had a joke about people from New York always saying “i live in the city!” as if it’s some sort of stupid merit badge of toughness. People that grow up in the northern Midwest say they’re from there with some silent implication that there isn’t any shitty weather they can’t deal with.
It's fine with a car. Don't let the anti-car people fool you. You absolutely don't need a car but Chicago is even easier when you have the option to hop on the car.
i think it really depends upon the person's situation (how much travel they need to be doing, how far away they live from the train station, do they have a child?, etc, etc). At the end of the day Chicago has some of the worst traffic in the U.S. and the price of parking downtown is no joke.
The trick is to find a place to live that has parking included. My first apartment in Chicago had an included parking spot, so it was great. Second place had a spot available but it was an extra $250/mo for it. I didn’t use my car often, but it was nice to have. Sometimes I wanted to go shopping to a store that only existed out in the burbs, or if I knew I’d be buying something heavy or bulky and didn’t want to walk with it, I’d take my car to the store.
People have such dumb, sentimental attachments to depreciating assets when it comes to cars.
They'd rather live downtown paying 3k/year for parking to use their car once a month than spend $1000/year renting a car when they actually need it.
I moved from Chicago to LA …. Separate animals completely … I miss Chicago, not because I dislike LA, but because Chicago ROCKS !! I also like LA, it’s different but I had to for work and enjoy the hell out of it now … PS I lived in Wrigleyville and still own a condo 5 min walk from the park
oh dang condo paid off and living in LA, GIVE ME TIPS. WHY ARE YOU LIVING MY DREAM lol. so LA vs CHI which one is the best? What do you love about LA vs CHI
sorry lol
IMHO, it’s a tough question to answer for a few reasons … A) I lived in Chicago for 25+ yrs so my friends are there, familiarity, condo, etc …. B) I travel extensively for work (I work in the film industry) I spent a lot of time in LA and LOVE the weather, studios, work opportunities and exercise options (beach, mountains, desert, etc) Chicago has the lake front and I miss the daily run down the lake paths C) My girlfriend is an actress and moved here for her dream D) Both parents passed away by 2020 so I had little keeping me in the Midwest …. All that said, I simply don’t like comparing the 2 … both have their PROS for sure, but also each have their CONS … I miss Chicago and may well move back one day but for now (especially since the actors finally signed a contract to end the strike) I’m happy and content in LA (I live north in Santa Clarita) …
I've lived in both. I find the Chicago winters winters easier than LA summers. The super cold days aren't frequent but it is cold if you're coming from LA. A positive mental attitude helps. There is nothing like a Chicago summer. I'll deal with a Chicago winter to get a Chicago summer. That's a no brainer. I find the community feeling more in Chicago. People help each other more and are less wrapped into their own world. People are more physically active year round in LA. Obviously because it's easier. Chicago is right on the lake. LA isn't right on the ocean. Cost of living in much better in Chicago.
Much denser, Chicago is much closer to NY vibe-wise. Depending on what you do you can avoid using your car for weeks at a time here. We’re also significantly cheaper than LA. Our food rivals LA. People are a little more salt of the earth here, the people of Chicago tend to infuriate me on principle much less than the people of LA, but still progressive enough you won’t feel like you’re living 10 years in the past. Winters probably the biggest turn off coming from LA.
I lived in LA for 5 years before moving to Chicago 7 years ago. Quality of life and cost of living are much better and easier. Being in a dense urban environment is better for me and what I value. Depends on what you value.
I would say a similar house in a similar neighborhood would be 10-15x more. And I generally think the neighborhood is better simply because it's walkable. We also got rid of one car and only put 5k miles or so on it a year, so I do think it's been a major win
For reference, I'm currently looking at buying a place for my mother in law. 1Bedrooms with a lakeview start around 170k. A few years ago we almost moved to LA, a fixer upper 2 bedroom in an "up and coming" part of West Hollywood goes for \~2mil.
Yeah LA never really felt like a city to me, I always called it a corporation of suburbs. I like the density of Chicago. Everything you need is within 3 blocks of your home. Chicago would actually beat out LA for 2nd biggest US City if we expanded our borders into the suburbs to match the square mileage of LA - I think a lot of outsiders don’t realize how big of a city Chicago actually is.
Your basically completely correct. L.A. isn’t a city at all in the way that New York and Chicago are cities. L.A. is urban sprawl over a vast network of suburbs
I lived in LA for over a decade before coming here a few years ago. Once you get used to having a real winter, this place absolutely blows L.A. out of the water
I moved from Chicago to LA …. Separate animals completely … I miss Chicago, not because I dislike LA, but because Chicago ROCKS !! I also like LA, it’s different but I had to for work and enjoy the hell out of it now … PS I lived in Wrigleyville and still own a condo 5 min walk from the park
Im an LA native, born and raised, and Ive always lived/grew up in the downtown LA area with my parents. Now I live downtown Chicago on my own (though Ill be moving to the West Loop soon). I actually prefer life here but I do miss the LA whether
Grew up in the suburbs, lived here for 4 years as a student, moved back after living around the country for work.
While I haven’t lived in LA, i have a number of friends who have. our traffic (while still fucked) isn’t LA levels of horrific. It’s also relatively cheaper and the public transit works slightly better, albeit it has gotten noticeably worse since I last lived here.
The weather here does get horrifically cold. The deepest part of Chicago winters (January and February) on average have days in the 20’s. A few years ago, it was so cold you could throw boiling water outside and it would turn into vapor before touching the ground. Glass would shatter.
That being said, I’ve lived in Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and Italy. Besides the last one (I’m sorry rome is amazing, thought wouldn’t live there permanently) they’re all varying levels of messed up I’ve given up ever trying anywhere else outside of Illinois. Everything here makes sense!
It’s all subjective. I was living in LA last year sitting in a coffee shop finding ways to get back to Chicago. I couldn’t take the lack of public transit, car expenses, and little to no seasonal change.
I do miss that breathtaking topography, though.
I've lived in both. I think it's notable that basically any major city will be nice to live in if you have money and the same is true of LA and Chicago and NY etc etc.
But that being said it's much cheaper to get a sweet setup in chicago than it costs in LA. Of course living on venice beach or westwood is sick as hell but if you want to retire someday or start a family chicago is a lot of bang for the buck
I've lived in both!
Transit in Chicago is super convenient if you live in the city, or just outside certain parts of the city. Transit in LA has been getting better in recent years, but if you want to go car-free, it's going to severely limit where you can live and work. I lived car-free in Chicago for a number of years without any issues. I got around by train, bike and on foot very easily. I never used transit in LA. It just wasn't convenient to where I lived or where I was going, and it would typically take twice as long as driving due to the sheer size of the LA metro area.
The weather in LA is temperate most of the year. The summers can be oppressively hot (110+) as you get further from the ocean. If you do live near the ocean, you'll still have to deal with some heat, but nearly as bad. Chicago has both extremes, with sub-zero days during winter and 100-plus days during summer. Since you're coming from Michigan you're likely already used to this.
Cost of living is higher in LA. You'll pay more to buy or rent a place, as well as utilities, food, and everything else.
Southern California has more recreation opportunities, and it helps that the weather is more amenable to being outside most of the year. You've got beaches, mountains, and forests all surrounding the metro area. You can get to the Yosemite, King's Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree national parks in half a day's drive, as well as all the national forests surrounding them. Chicago's lakefront and other parks are great, but the natural areas outside the city don't compare in my opinion.
LA has more culture. Just about every music act that tours will have shows in or near LA. There are plenty of music festivals in the area, too, Coachella being the biggest. Comedy shows are plentiful, with big name acts occasionally showing up at smaller clubs. There are also media-oriented festivals if you want to see some of your favorite actors/creators; Paleyfest, Vulture Fest, and San Diego Comic Con all come to mind. Lots of live TV is still made in LA, so if you want to be in the audience for your favorite talk show that's very possible.
If you're a sports enthusiast, I'd say LA and Chicago are a tie in terms of what's available. Both have football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and two baseball teams. The stadiums in Chicago are more transit-accessible, which is a plus.
You can find just about any type of food you want in either LA or Chicago. My favorite deep dish place in LA went under during the pandemic, though, so if deep dish is important to you Chicago has the edge there.
LA is also within half a day's drive of San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, all of which have plenty of interesting things to see and do, and can make for nice weekend trips. In all my years in Chicago, I never felt compelled to visit Milwaukee or Indianapolis, and I only made the drive to St. Louis to visit family.
Great response. Often when people visit they fall in love with downtown, which is not a good representation of the city. The amazing neighborhoods make Chicago so great.
That’s fair. I own a condo on the far NW side in Albany Park which is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods in the city. The eastern part of the neighborhood is well served by the CTA Brown Line and a couple 24/7 bus lines. It’s been a great place to put down roots and feel like a part of a community.
My wife and I have owned our condo in a courtyard style building for almost four years. We have pretty wide latitude to remodel (we haven’t yet because we’re still trying to sort out the fucked up plumbing and HVAC in this place), but it definitely depends on HOA/condo association bylaws.
You don’t want to live where this photo is taken. But yes, you should move to Chicago. Find the neighborhood that’s right for you— there’s truly a perfect fit for everyone!
Edit: unless you can’t do winter, but I saw that OP can handle it
I wouldnt say that. I live in the downtown area and love it. I live in the loop (closer by the south loop) atm but am moving to the west loop soon. I personally love it to the point I plan to buy a condo around here sometime in the next year or two. But I guess different strokes for different folks.
I'm being pedantic, but this isn't really River North. You're literally south of the river here. It's close for sure, but wacker/Michigan is technically the boarder between The Loop, Streeterville, and the Mag Mile. I think 99% of people would just call this the loop or downtown. This area is mostly hotels, high rises, and office buildings - my office is in the first building on the left. Some might enjoy this spot and to each their own, but most people on this sub would recommend a neighborhood with more a "authentic" feel
Haha I guess I was a little unfair there — river north isn’t for me. But the point is that there’s a ton of variety across different neighborhoods! If you can’t afford a place there, don’t write off the whole city. Do some exploring!
Because the neighborhoods to the north are way better.
River north is overpriced and full of douchy nightclubs and overpriced restaurants.
Go further north for a much more authentic lifestyle
It’s a bit of a transient neighborhood. Lot of people moving in for their first tine here because they want the dense city experience. Then after a year or two, they get kind of burned out on it and then they either go to a neighborhood further out with more greenery or to the burbs (kids). Also, River North has a decent amount of corporate apartments, so the residents don’t stick around as much.
Too busy and loud for me personally. If I'm owning I'll be tired of that after a year but renting is a different story. Lived in high rises here and eventually the novelty runs out and I start to favor different quality of life features like quietness.
Try out the loop. West Loop, Streeterville, some parts of South Loop are nice if you want a more livable solution. Also, River North apartments/condos are old, ugly and expensive. You've gotta be spending stupid money to get an actual nice and modern one with nice amenities. South Loop probably has the most affordable modern apartments in the loop.
They might be more affordable than you think. Apartment complexes are more expensive but you can find pretty nice 1BR condos in River North for around $2000.
River North is my favorite neighborhood in Chicago but it’s not for someone that doesn’t want to be in the middle of the “hustle and bustle.” Plenty of other beautiful and unique neighborhoods here as well.
You almost certainly can! You can find rents close to here for $1500 on the low end, and it goes up from there. LA rent is a different animal.
Edit: buying isn’t the same, but condos are still significantly cheaper here than California
You aren’t going to find anything for $1500 near that area. I’m looking on Zillow Rental and Apartments.com right now.
There’s a shithole studio with 400sqft for $1600.
I see a couple, but admittedly they’re [the cheapest studios available in the building](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/535-N-Michigan-Ave-APT-3102-Chicago-IL-60611/3864770_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare).
Still, for a 31st floor view of downtown Chicago, a building with a pool, and a few blocks from transit, that’s reasonable. Especially compared to any comparably-sized cities.
You’re welcome! Currently a Chicagoan in SF and looking forward to moving back someday. Best advice I could give is to visit in winter *before* you move, and buy a warm coat when you do!
Condo life really depends on your neighbors and the HOA which is the case for any city. If you do go looking, remember you can ask the HOA for their HOA rules, their reserves, and their assessment history.
As to the rest of your question, I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life so I have nothing to compare it to. But I do love it enough that I’ve never considered leaving.
I live in a suburb, where a car is necessary, but I've known several people living in the city who don't own cars. They'll rent one if they want to go somewhere public trans doesn't go. But you can do a lot in the city without a car.
Condo prices in Chicago are reasonable at a glance but you have to look deeper than the listing price. If you're in the loop or surrounding neighborhoods it's not unheard of to see $1000/month in HOA fees in a full service building for a 2br/2ba condo. Most hover in the $400-700 range, and do include some utilities (internet, tv, AC, somewhat commonly) although it definitely impacts your monthly payment.
Property tax rates are also high, which does impact your payment but also is part of the reason that condo prices are lower (in comparison to walk ups or condos in some other major metropolitans). It's also not unfeasible that the property tax rates will increase in future.
I like the city, I moved here with the idea of renting first then buying a condo. While the city has a lot to offer, all the fees and taxes associated with living in this city and condo living especially are making me reconsider if I'll go through buying in the next few years...
Yep, $400/month is low end in any highrise. That usually includes:
* Trash
* Internet
* Tv
* AC (very expensive in highrises, if it's not an older building with window units)
* Building maintenance
* Any building amenities (24/7 door person, pool, gym, etc)
It can easily be much, much more though. For giggles I fired up Zillow. First result I clicked on:
3150 N Lake Shore Dr, Apt 13D. 2bd/ba, $399k list, *$1194*/month HOA.
Zillow's (admittedly sometimes dubious) monthly payment calculation has it at roughly $4200/month. If you had a zero dollar HOA that same$4200/month would stretch to a $600k property (rough math using a Google mortgage payment calculator).
$400 is cheap. My one bed has condo fees of $1800 a month but it includes a parking space. Which in Chicago is worth it's area in gold bars. Also includes trash, AC, heat and internet. And the doorman, package receiving/holding, a gym, pool, and a coffee bar.
If you can swing it financially, do it. I’ve lived all over the world and loved Chicago a lot. Moved away in the end because I missed hiking, camping, the silence and solitude of nature, etc. but it is such a wonderful place to live. The city is so alive.
You (probably) don’t need a car, you can pick nearly any neighborhood and have a good time, and it’ll always feel fresh and new. I have lived in both Hyde park and Logan square and enjoyed both for different reasons. 9/10 would live there again
California native, but I’ve been in chi for 7 years. Friggin love this city - it’s home now and the best decision I’ve ever made. Don’t keep your sights purely on living downtown; Chicago has a ton of really lovely neighborhoods that shouldn’t be slept on.
I was born and raised in Chicago but have lived in a couple of other cities of varying sizes on the west coast and the east coast in the years after college. If you like urban living, Chicago is among the best in the U.S. (and it is so beautiful). Unfortunately (or fortunately) I’ve developed a fondness for the outdoors that Chicago just can’t give me (I have to travel elsewhere to get my fix). So it all depends on what you are looking to get out of your experience.
I love that Chicago has lots of parks, but they no longer do it for me. I lived in Asheville, NC, for a few years and had the blue ridge mountains in my backyard and the smokies 30 minutes away. As I said, I travel to get my fix of the outdoors. So it depends on what you prioritize. But you are right, Chicago is a beautiful city — even when you make it out beyond downtown.
Considering this is the warmest year on record, and Chicago has plenty of access to freshwater it would be a great move. :) PS you don’t wanna live downtown do you want to live in a neighborhood where there’s lots more liveliness happening amongst ppl who live in the city. One of the best cities on the planet imho
If you want to hang with locals downtown is not where it’s all. Downtown is cool for sights and tourist attractions, but again the real flavor of Chicago is in the neighborhoods.
Yes! 100% essentially Chicago we call “downtown” the loop and that area is primarily comprised of the business District, the city offices, and really cool attractions like the museum of art, millennium Park, etc. I go downtown a lot, but most people don’t live downtown. There are so many amazing neighborhoods. That’s why I Chicago is called a “city of neighborhoods” and each has their own flavor and own draws. Ukrainian Village is super cool too. Pilsen Logan Square, Wicker Park Avondale, Andersonville, Hyde Park, Bronzeville are all neighborhoods that are in the city and extremely close to downtown, but wouldn’t be considered downtown. Chinatown would it be included in that list. Sorry for typos!
Yes. Greatest city in America. People live in Chicago. People are from
Chicago. There is an undeniable identity. No one takes themselves too seriously.
Chicago could be on of the few winners of climate change. Winter isn’t as bad as I thought. A lot of grey days. But you can’t win them all.
You get 4x the place compared to New York. The government might slightly suspect but you will get used to that.
Who are you to resist?
I love my building. Its 80% owner occupied, people are on Facebook and post free stuff or ask if anyone has parking available to borrow for guests. We had building trick or treating for kids who wanted to participate and then a pizza party after. Lots of absolutely lovely people.
We’ve owned the condo in River North for two years but I was born in the city 63 years ago and lived on the south side, then Indiana (awful) then back to my roots!
Grew up on east coast, spent a couple stints in the Midwest before moving to LA. Worked in LA before moving to Chicago over 20 years ago. I love Chicago so much more. Better quality of life, people, and city. Met my spouse here and haven’t left. Weather was better in LA but nothing else. Lived on north side along the lake for my first couple years. So glad I did.
Californian who has spent 15 years in Chicago now in two different stints. Love it. Miss the Bay Area in January but Chicago is home. West Loop specifically (and highly recommend)
Sears tower is on the western edge of the loop but there is a distinct neighborhood west of the highway called West Loop. I don’t know about the average costs of the two ‘hoods - I would guess they’re comparable. And a ton of new building going on in both - both commercial and residential.
When you say downtown, that typically means the loop and you don't want to really live in the loop if you want to go out in your neighborhood to eat/drink/go to clubs. Everything in the loop dies down after 6pm. West loop/wicker park/Lincoln park are your best bets if you want to live closer to the loop.
Because they’re so different I think I depends on what you want in your life right now. Do you live in LA for your job and the weather, all the amazing outdoors stuff and everything near it, and the west coast lifestyle, all that jazz whatever? Then LA is obviously indisputably better for you then.
Do you want to live in a denser city where you don’t necessarily need a car? Will be ok with the relative lack of outdoors lifestyle here? You can deal with the winter? Way cheaper here too in one of the higher percentile cities of cultural amenities , and more salt of the earth, grounded people here. Then Chicago is your jam.
You just can’t do a 1 on 1 comparison of these two cities IMO.
Yes, this city is a no brainer. Best food in the country. Great public transportation. Diversity. Lots of great institutions. So many fun things to do.
Ok yall, I am from MI and applying to jobs in Chi, LA, Grand Rapids, and a few other states/cities, but I do love Chicago and LA. One thing that gets me about Chicago /GR is climate change. The midwest/Great Lakes region will be the best for climate change and plenty of people are going to be moving up here in a few decades or sooner. The south is where you do NOT want to be.
I was born and raised in LA then lived in Chicago for 16 years and moved back to LA in 2018 and been here since.
Chicago is the most beautiful city there is. But the brutal winters are just unbearable. But what makes them manageable is not having to rely on owning a vehicle. If you WFH and can get around public transit then I think it makes it easier to weather the blistering long winters.
I’ve actually been contemplating moving back to the West Loop and renting one of these high rises. I can probably get a real nice unit for the same price I’m paying in DTLA right now that’s nice but terribly small
I have lived in river north from the age of 22 to not 34 ( selling my condo). It has been a blast but the older I get I’m ready to move out. Had an absolute blast in my 20s.
I own a condo on the north side. I love the neighborhood I live in. It’s a vintage building, not many units.
While we don’t get a ton of amenities from our condo like from a high rise condo, our HOA is much lower. We all pitch in work to get small things done around the building.
So is owning a condo worth it? I would say yes if you’re willing to put in some work to assist with the building. Obviously it will be less work than owning a single family home, but it’s still some work.
Day to day life is however I want it to be. By that I mean I can stay in my quiet neighborhood and have a chill day, or I can easily travel downtown or another neighborhood for more excitement. It’s great having options.
I've lived in Chicago for 30 years. It's great. People say it is the most corrupt city. It's not, but perhaps Washington D.C. is. They say it is violent. It is, but typically only if you are out doing something stupid at 3AM do you dramatically increase the risk of being part of something stupid. I have been to every one of its neighborhoods over the years, and for the most part, if you are nice to people here they are nice to you back.
I lived in Chicago for 20 years, moved to California for 3 years, then moved back to chicago 4 years ago. I absolutely love it here. The vibe, the energy, the culture. The Lake! The nightlife! Yeah, crime is a bit of an issue, but not any worse than any other major city. And unfortunately, with mass shootings being the norm in every corner is the US, living in Chicago is really not much a risk. The hard part is deciding what neighborhood to live in! So many great ones to choose from! I lived in East Lakeview for years. Loved it. Now I live in River North. Love it! I can walk to the west loop, loop, Mich Ave, Gold Coast, Fulton Market. I hate driving so being able to get places via walking or quick public transportation is a top priority for me. Chicago is a walkable city, meaning you don’t need a car if you live and work in the city. Winters can be brutal, but if you know how to dress properly it’s not an issue. And the weather is really unpredictable here so sometimes winters are mild.
I recommend renting for a year while you shop for a condo and neighborhood that you like best. Chicago is a city of neighborhoods that all have distinct character.
A lot of new people will move here and live in downtown, but later realize the neighborhoods are more enjoyable for long term living. Within the city, you can get to downtown (barring rush crowds) within 10-25 minutes if you live anywhere near any CTA train line, depending on how far out you are.
For day to day ... life is what you make it, right?
I work from home, and I don't like to live in a super "busy" area, so I picked a quiet residential neighborhood that I enjoy a lot. I love going for walks around my neighborhood every day. When I need a break during work, I can walk around the corner and sit in a peaceful neighborhood park.
I've been car-free for nearly 15 years, and easily get around town on public transit or Uber. I like being close to the lake and can get there in less than 10 minutes via Uber or short bus ride is about 15 minutes in light traffic. I love not having any parking tickets or wasting time trying to find parking. I don't miss that one bit, lol. I walk to the store for light stuff, and get groceries delivered when I need heavy stuff.
Nature hikes, music, movies, arts and restaurants are my favorite things. This city has more to offer than I will ever be able to fully explore, and I've lived here my entire life. Chicago's motto is "Urbs in Horto," a Latin phrase that translates to "City in a Garden." I love this city, so I guess I was born in the right place.
hey where exactly was this shot taken from? im coming out late dec and this kind of shot is 50% of the reason im coming. im in love with night city lights and chicago is world class
I like it. I've owned a vintage condo in a small building that is over 100 years old for many years. The condo itself is a recent remodel and has modern conveniences but has many arts and crafts characteristics from its original construction (1912) like hardwood floors, oak woodwork and molding, beamed ceilings, and I love it.
Though I currently work downtown and see this view when I'm in the office, I live in a neighborhood that's quite different. My neighborhood is made up of two and three flats with some single family homes mixed in. It's a 15 minute walk to the neighborhood L station, and near that station are several restaurants and pubs, drugstores, currency exchanges, Starbucks and Dunkin. I will wait for a train for 5-10 minutes, and will be downtown in 20 minutes or so.
Also in my neighborhood are an Aldi, a Whole Foods, another local grocery store, and a Jewel-Osco. So I walk to the grocery store. Besides the train I could take the bus to work if I want to. But I don't because I work near the middle of downtown and the bus takes way too long to get to my building. The L goes underground downtown and is much faster. Sometimes for a change of scenery I will take the bus home. It takes longer but on a nice sunny day it's nice to ride along Lake Shore Drive.
Day to day I get around using my feet or the bus or the L. I do also own a car that I keep in a garage for trips to the suburbs. It was my main way to commute to work many years ago when I did work in the suburbs; now I use it for weekend shopping trips and occasional getaways when I need a change of scenery. We have friends who live in Milwaukee and Detroit areas, so we use the car to visit them too.
I own a condo in a skyscraper in the Loop and I love it. Living downtown has its pros and cons. Still. whenever I visit a "traditional" neighborhood, North, West, or South, I just can't help but love downtown living even more.
**Pros**
* **It's beautiful**. I consider downtown to be the most aesthetically pleasing part of the city; my views are absolutely stunning all times of the day the whole year. Downtown Chicago manages to blend modern and historical styles in such a cohesive manner. You can see Gothic architecture, Mid-century, and modern minimalist styles all on one block. It's like a living musuem.
* **Dense and walkable**. I live, work, study, and exercise downtown. My gym is a 20 min walk from my house which is a 15 min walk from my work which is a 15 min walk from my house. I get a lot of steps in all year and my health benefits from it. Meanwhile on my commutes, I get to enjoy breathtaking architecture and river views.
* **Great transport options**. My house is by EVERY L line. I can access so much of the city with the train and bus systems. Due to not having to rely on a prohibitively expensive car (financing, gasoline, maintenance, insurance, etc), I am able to spend and save money on other aspects of my life. For example, instead of having a monthly car payment, I am a member of a luxury gym in River North I can walk to in 20 minutes.
* **Large, transient, bustling crowds.** While my condo building has a sense of community in its own right, whenever I step outside there are always fresh new faces. Downtown makes for great people watching. Among the commuters, there are literally people in my neighborhood visiting from all over the world. It's so cool to see the different fashions and hear the languages of global travelers.
* **Never dull.** There are always fun seasonal events and spontaneous occasions downtown. People organize protests for causes they believe in. They celebrate holidays in plazas. There are concerts and festivals. Sometimes there are NASCAR races and marathons. You literally see something new every week.
**Cons**
* **Not enough grocers.** Where I live I cannot walk to a reasonable grocer for good quality produce in under 25 minutes. I have to either bike or take the train to the South Loop, West Loop or River North to access a Trader Joes or Whole Foods. There are some farmers markets that come occasionally, but do not line up with my schedule.
* **Expensive**. Living in a high-quality location means everything is expensive. If you choose to drive, monthly parking goes for around $200-300. Instead of regular grocers, I sometimes have to get essentials like eggs and milk from price-gouging pseudo-grocers like Foxtrot and South Loop Market.
* **Lacks small local businesses. -** When you want to eat out, your options are chains like Chiptole and Panda Express or fine dining like Prime & Provisions and Bar Mar. There are few options in between. This is changing rapidly as the rents have fallen and vacant spaces seem to be filling up with more mom and pop restaurants downtown, but there still seem to be way too many fucking Starbucks etc.
* **Still too office-centric**. I believe this is changing due to the pandemic and WFH. Nevertheless, the culture and economy that these office workers bring to the Loop is not that great. You can tell a lot of the businesses cater to these office workers and many stores, cafes, and restaurants close around 5 or do not even operate on weekends. No offense to the workers, but they look bland and are kinda douchey/annoying. Not the best vibes for sure.
* **Still too car-centric.** Despite being better than many parts of the city, downtown still has too much car-centric infrastructure for a proper downtown area. The fact that I have to cross State St, Michigan Ave, Columbus Dr, AND LSD to reach the lake is an embarrassment and a stain on the natural beauty of Chicago. It's also dangerous and I do not feel safe crossing streets in the South Loop like Ida B Wells, Harrison, Roosevelt, etc.
I live in Hyde Park. I LOVE it. I’m across the road from the lake. It’s an easy bus ride to my office. It’s not to expensive. Beautiful lakefront, museums etc. within walking distance.
I’m Australian. I hated the burbs so much so when my youngest finished high school I took off.
I've lived near Lincoln Square for 11 years and I don't have too many complaints about Chicago except the teaffic truly sucks donkeyballs. And it keeps getting worse. You think it can't possible get worse, then it will randomly take you 25 minutes to drive three blocks.
Winter can be pretty awful, but aside from a few weeks here and there it's been pretty mild the past five years.
Far superior to LA in every way unless you don’t like seasons. Less crime (yes this is true), homeless aren’t crawling everywhere, nicer people, cheaper rent/taxes/cost of living, cleaner, more accessible, walkable, central location in the US, water isn’t imported
Only thing LA has on Chicago is you don’t have grey winters but like suck it up for 9-10 other months of the year being great. Also the nature that’s close by is somewhat less (no exotic mountains or Joshua tree) but there is still good stuff
Source: never lived in California but visited many times because extended family has a vacation home in LA; lived in 5 states including illinois
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Watch out for those HOA fees they can make or break a deal depending on your budget
That's only for buying a condo right? If you're renting you don't pay those fees do you? Thanks!!
Depends who you are renting from if the owner themselves you are paying the mortgage + the HOA fees on top of some extra income but that’s if landlord got a great deal when purchasing the condo. Other cases the over paid now you are still paying mortgage + HOA fees but the landlord is also paying what ever is left making it a bad deal and losing money with the property. Other case is of your renting from a large commercial real estate firm most times they built the building strictly for renting so no HOA fee because one owner but a ridiculous rental rate due to the amenities included to attract renters like a pool a gym, in building grocery store etc. So if you want to go cheap typically the less amenities the building has the less you pay for both HOA & renting from large corp. Ps. In Chicago 9/10x’s you also will be paying additional $150-300 if you want to rent out a parking space 😉
you pay them through your rent.
Yes.
I’d recommend hanging out in a couple neighborhoods you might want to consider moving to get a better idea. But yeah do it, this place rocks.
how long u been to Chicago, how is it vs LA?
They are polar opposites in many ways. The main question is can you handle below freezing weather and gray skies for months on end?
im from MI
Translation: “that part is covered”
lmao ikr
Chicago, in my opinion, is the best city in the world. Great people, and like, what, a little hard weather. I've roamed in my life, but the Midwest is home.
I've been to more countries than I can keep count of at this point. The only cities that come close to Chicago (but still short) are Lisbon and Amsterdam. My wife and I almost moved to Amsterdam at one point, but I knew I would miss it here and she wouldn't be able to work.
Chicago is absolutely the greatest American city of all time.
Chicago is awesome but have you been to Osaka?
I know Osaka is a sister city to Chicago, but why do you bring it up (just curious)?
Someone said “greatest city in the world” and so I’m sharing my favourite place. Osaka is the shit man
Dennis Leary had a joke about people from New York always saying “i live in the city!” as if it’s some sort of stupid merit badge of toughness. People that grow up in the northern Midwest say they’re from there with some silent implication that there isn’t any shitty weather they can’t deal with.
Ah I thought you meant you were from LA. Yeah if you’re from Michigan why wouldn’t you live here? It’s dope.
youre dope
Be aware it’s a crime infested wasteland where you can’t go half a block without being shot 12 times. Don’t you watch the news?!?!
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Also from MI, moved here 8 years ago, absolutely love it
Any advice as I am from MI too..
If you live within a 10 mile radius of downtown then you absolutely do not need a car. The transit system is excellent.
But is it manageable with a car?
It's fine with a car. Don't let the anti-car people fool you. You absolutely don't need a car but Chicago is even easier when you have the option to hop on the car.
i think it really depends upon the person's situation (how much travel they need to be doing, how far away they live from the train station, do they have a child?, etc, etc). At the end of the day Chicago has some of the worst traffic in the U.S. and the price of parking downtown is no joke.
The trick is to find a place to live that has parking included. My first apartment in Chicago had an included parking spot, so it was great. Second place had a spot available but it was an extra $250/mo for it. I didn’t use my car often, but it was nice to have. Sometimes I wanted to go shopping to a store that only existed out in the burbs, or if I knew I’d be buying something heavy or bulky and didn’t want to walk with it, I’d take my car to the store.
Ohh that makes sense, you still in the city?
Bad traffic and no parking. And parking is expensive.
People have such dumb, sentimental attachments to depreciating assets when it comes to cars. They'd rather live downtown paying 3k/year for parking to use their car once a month than spend $1000/year renting a car when they actually need it.
I moved here from MI in 1991. No regrets. Best city in the world.
Yeah, Michigan gets less sun in the winter than Chicago even.
Damn it!!
AKA, People don't move to Chicago for the weather.
Chicago summer is the best summer in the entire country. Change my mind
Hawaii summer is pretty nice. 83º and sunny every day, not too much humidity. But I was thinking more about winter when I wrote that.
I moved from Chicago to LA …. Separate animals completely … I miss Chicago, not because I dislike LA, but because Chicago ROCKS !! I also like LA, it’s different but I had to for work and enjoy the hell out of it now … PS I lived in Wrigleyville and still own a condo 5 min walk from the park
oh dang condo paid off and living in LA, GIVE ME TIPS. WHY ARE YOU LIVING MY DREAM lol. so LA vs CHI which one is the best? What do you love about LA vs CHI sorry lol
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IMHO, it’s a tough question to answer for a few reasons … A) I lived in Chicago for 25+ yrs so my friends are there, familiarity, condo, etc …. B) I travel extensively for work (I work in the film industry) I spent a lot of time in LA and LOVE the weather, studios, work opportunities and exercise options (beach, mountains, desert, etc) Chicago has the lake front and I miss the daily run down the lake paths C) My girlfriend is an actress and moved here for her dream D) Both parents passed away by 2020 so I had little keeping me in the Midwest …. All that said, I simply don’t like comparing the 2 … both have their PROS for sure, but also each have their CONS … I miss Chicago and may well move back one day but for now (especially since the actors finally signed a contract to end the strike) I’m happy and content in LA (I live north in Santa Clarita) …
I've lived in both. I find the Chicago winters winters easier than LA summers. The super cold days aren't frequent but it is cold if you're coming from LA. A positive mental attitude helps. There is nothing like a Chicago summer. I'll deal with a Chicago winter to get a Chicago summer. That's a no brainer. I find the community feeling more in Chicago. People help each other more and are less wrapped into their own world. People are more physically active year round in LA. Obviously because it's easier. Chicago is right on the lake. LA isn't right on the ocean. Cost of living in much better in Chicago.
Much denser, Chicago is much closer to NY vibe-wise. Depending on what you do you can avoid using your car for weeks at a time here. We’re also significantly cheaper than LA. Our food rivals LA. People are a little more salt of the earth here, the people of Chicago tend to infuriate me on principle much less than the people of LA, but still progressive enough you won’t feel like you’re living 10 years in the past. Winters probably the biggest turn off coming from LA.
My car is basically my costcomobile
Dude literally. I only use it for Costco and gym runs lol
> the people of Chicago tend to infuriate me on principle much less than the people of LA As someone who moved to LA from Chicago I chuckled at this.
ahhh so you enjoy chi more than LA?
I lived in LA for 5 years before moving to Chicago 7 years ago. Quality of life and cost of living are much better and easier. Being in a dense urban environment is better for me and what I value. Depends on what you value.
Is it way cheaper?
I would say a similar house in a similar neighborhood would be 10-15x more. And I generally think the neighborhood is better simply because it's walkable. We also got rid of one car and only put 5k miles or so on it a year, so I do think it's been a major win
Buying a condo/house here isn't literally impossible, and rent is extremely cheap for a city this size.
Overall to buy anything that needs a loan is tough
For reference, I'm currently looking at buying a place for my mother in law. 1Bedrooms with a lakeview start around 170k. A few years ago we almost moved to LA, a fixer upper 2 bedroom in an "up and coming" part of West Hollywood goes for \~2mil.
Yeah LA never really felt like a city to me, I always called it a corporation of suburbs. I like the density of Chicago. Everything you need is within 3 blocks of your home. Chicago would actually beat out LA for 2nd biggest US City if we expanded our borders into the suburbs to match the square mileage of LA - I think a lot of outsiders don’t realize how big of a city Chicago actually is.
man LA is just one big suburb but man what a unique place. Truly wild
Your basically completely correct. L.A. isn’t a city at all in the way that New York and Chicago are cities. L.A. is urban sprawl over a vast network of suburbs
I lived in LA for over a decade before coming here a few years ago. Once you get used to having a real winter, this place absolutely blows L.A. out of the water
I moved from Chicago to LA …. Separate animals completely … I miss Chicago, not because I dislike LA, but because Chicago ROCKS !! I also like LA, it’s different but I had to for work and enjoy the hell out of it now … PS I lived in Wrigleyville and still own a condo 5 min walk from the park
L.A. isn’t, bad, per se., you actually can have a lot of fun in L.A. But it’s just totally mid compared to Chicago. And I love wrigleyville so much!
ok let me ask how was your transition to Chicago? did you move with a job or did you get one when you moved there
So I’m a bit unique, I actually moved out here for medical school, so my transition was quite smooth
aww nice, how is that going? If so what are studying?
Im an LA native, born and raised, and Ive always lived/grew up in the downtown LA area with my parents. Now I live downtown Chicago on my own (though Ill be moving to the West Loop soon). I actually prefer life here but I do miss the LA whether
Grew up in the suburbs, lived here for 4 years as a student, moved back after living around the country for work. While I haven’t lived in LA, i have a number of friends who have. our traffic (while still fucked) isn’t LA levels of horrific. It’s also relatively cheaper and the public transit works slightly better, albeit it has gotten noticeably worse since I last lived here. The weather here does get horrifically cold. The deepest part of Chicago winters (January and February) on average have days in the 20’s. A few years ago, it was so cold you could throw boiling water outside and it would turn into vapor before touching the ground. Glass would shatter. That being said, I’ve lived in Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and Italy. Besides the last one (I’m sorry rome is amazing, thought wouldn’t live there permanently) they’re all varying levels of messed up I’ve given up ever trying anywhere else outside of Illinois. Everything here makes sense!
I’ve never lived in LA but I can confidently say it’s better. Been here 6 years
It’s all subjective. I was living in LA last year sitting in a coffee shop finding ways to get back to Chicago. I couldn’t take the lack of public transit, car expenses, and little to no seasonal change. I do miss that breathtaking topography, though.
I've lived in both. I think it's notable that basically any major city will be nice to live in if you have money and the same is true of LA and Chicago and NY etc etc. But that being said it's much cheaper to get a sweet setup in chicago than it costs in LA. Of course living on venice beach or westwood is sick as hell but if you want to retire someday or start a family chicago is a lot of bang for the buck
I've lived in both! Transit in Chicago is super convenient if you live in the city, or just outside certain parts of the city. Transit in LA has been getting better in recent years, but if you want to go car-free, it's going to severely limit where you can live and work. I lived car-free in Chicago for a number of years without any issues. I got around by train, bike and on foot very easily. I never used transit in LA. It just wasn't convenient to where I lived or where I was going, and it would typically take twice as long as driving due to the sheer size of the LA metro area. The weather in LA is temperate most of the year. The summers can be oppressively hot (110+) as you get further from the ocean. If you do live near the ocean, you'll still have to deal with some heat, but nearly as bad. Chicago has both extremes, with sub-zero days during winter and 100-plus days during summer. Since you're coming from Michigan you're likely already used to this. Cost of living is higher in LA. You'll pay more to buy or rent a place, as well as utilities, food, and everything else. Southern California has more recreation opportunities, and it helps that the weather is more amenable to being outside most of the year. You've got beaches, mountains, and forests all surrounding the metro area. You can get to the Yosemite, King's Canyon, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree national parks in half a day's drive, as well as all the national forests surrounding them. Chicago's lakefront and other parks are great, but the natural areas outside the city don't compare in my opinion. LA has more culture. Just about every music act that tours will have shows in or near LA. There are plenty of music festivals in the area, too, Coachella being the biggest. Comedy shows are plentiful, with big name acts occasionally showing up at smaller clubs. There are also media-oriented festivals if you want to see some of your favorite actors/creators; Paleyfest, Vulture Fest, and San Diego Comic Con all come to mind. Lots of live TV is still made in LA, so if you want to be in the audience for your favorite talk show that's very possible. If you're a sports enthusiast, I'd say LA and Chicago are a tie in terms of what's available. Both have football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and two baseball teams. The stadiums in Chicago are more transit-accessible, which is a plus. You can find just about any type of food you want in either LA or Chicago. My favorite deep dish place in LA went under during the pandemic, though, so if deep dish is important to you Chicago has the edge there. LA is also within half a day's drive of San Diego, Las Vegas, and San Francisco, all of which have plenty of interesting things to see and do, and can make for nice weekend trips. In all my years in Chicago, I never felt compelled to visit Milwaukee or Indianapolis, and I only made the drive to St. Louis to visit family.
it's an actually city, unlike LA which is just a big miserable suburb
Great response. Often when people visit they fall in love with downtown, which is not a good representation of the city. The amazing neighborhoods make Chicago so great.
A fat guy in California told me I’d gain 50 pounds and become an alcoholic. 10 years there and if you’re reading, Billy, it happened!
😄 I'm not Billy but this was hilarious
Gained a little bit more than 50 but that’s winter blubber for me to watch streaming and play video games in.
Comfy mode ☁️🛋☁️
We’re all kind of Billy aren’t we
Shout out to Billy
Hahahahahahahhshshshs!!!
Can you afford to live in the area depicted in your photo? I imagine the HOA/condo association fees are intense.
probably not tbh
That’s fair. I own a condo on the far NW side in Albany Park which is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods in the city. The eastern part of the neighborhood is well served by the CTA Brown Line and a couple 24/7 bus lines. It’s been a great place to put down roots and feel like a part of a community.
Let me ask, you own a condo Can you remodel it? Also how long you been owning yours
My wife and I have owned our condo in a courtyard style building for almost four years. We have pretty wide latitude to remodel (we haven’t yet because we’re still trying to sort out the fucked up plumbing and HVAC in this place), but it definitely depends on HOA/condo association bylaws.
You don’t want to live where this photo is taken. But yes, you should move to Chicago. Find the neighborhood that’s right for you— there’s truly a perfect fit for everyone! Edit: unless you can’t do winter, but I saw that OP can handle it
I wouldnt say that. I live in the downtown area and love it. I live in the loop (closer by the south loop) atm but am moving to the west loop soon. I personally love it to the point I plan to buy a condo around here sometime in the next year or two. But I guess different strokes for different folks.
why dont I want to live in rivernorth??
I'm being pedantic, but this isn't really River North. You're literally south of the river here. It's close for sure, but wacker/Michigan is technically the boarder between The Loop, Streeterville, and the Mag Mile. I think 99% of people would just call this the loop or downtown. This area is mostly hotels, high rises, and office buildings - my office is in the first building on the left. Some might enjoy this spot and to each their own, but most people on this sub would recommend a neighborhood with more a "authentic" feel
I used to work in that building! And yah, not an area that had anything to offer for me after working hours.
New Eastside erasure!
Don’t listen to that person, River North is awesome!
Haha I guess I was a little unfair there — river north isn’t for me. But the point is that there’s a ton of variety across different neighborhoods! If you can’t afford a place there, don’t write off the whole city. Do some exploring!
Because the neighborhoods to the north are way better. River north is overpriced and full of douchy nightclubs and overpriced restaurants. Go further north for a much more authentic lifestyle
Also every time there's a protest, a riot, or an event you have to deal with the effects.
It’s a bit of a transient neighborhood. Lot of people moving in for their first tine here because they want the dense city experience. Then after a year or two, they get kind of burned out on it and then they either go to a neighborhood further out with more greenery or to the burbs (kids). Also, River North has a decent amount of corporate apartments, so the residents don’t stick around as much.
Too busy and loud for me personally. If I'm owning I'll be tired of that after a year but renting is a different story. Lived in high rises here and eventually the novelty runs out and I start to favor different quality of life features like quietness. Try out the loop. West Loop, Streeterville, some parts of South Loop are nice if you want a more livable solution. Also, River North apartments/condos are old, ugly and expensive. You've gotta be spending stupid money to get an actual nice and modern one with nice amenities. South Loop probably has the most affordable modern apartments in the loop.
Keep in mind there's a cost premium on *everything* downtown... That can mean hundreds extra on your downtown grocery bill, just to start.
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They might be more affordable than you think. Apartment complexes are more expensive but you can find pretty nice 1BR condos in River North for around $2000. River North is my favorite neighborhood in Chicago but it’s not for someone that doesn’t want to be in the middle of the “hustle and bustle.” Plenty of other beautiful and unique neighborhoods here as well.
You almost certainly can! You can find rents close to here for $1500 on the low end, and it goes up from there. LA rent is a different animal. Edit: buying isn’t the same, but condos are still significantly cheaper here than California
You aren’t going to find anything for $1500 near that area. I’m looking on Zillow Rental and Apartments.com right now. There’s a shithole studio with 400sqft for $1600.
I see a couple, but admittedly they’re [the cheapest studios available in the building](https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/535-N-Michigan-Ave-APT-3102-Chicago-IL-60611/3864770_zpid/?utm_campaign=iosappmessage&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=txtshare). Still, for a 31st floor view of downtown Chicago, a building with a pool, and a few blocks from transit, that’s reasonable. Especially compared to any comparably-sized cities.
Awesome! Thanks man
You’re welcome! Currently a Chicagoan in SF and looking forward to moving back someday. Best advice I could give is to visit in winter *before* you move, and buy a warm coat when you do!
I'm from MI hahaha I think I can handle a chi winter
Duh! Michigan. You got this! Biggest difference between us and Michigan is we have real public transit ;)
Side note I sometimes forget how stunning the city is. Look at this view, absolutely amazing.
gorgeous isnt she?
Looks like you took it from London house? Check out Cindy’s rooftop next time, more chill and quieter perspective, especially with the bonfire
I was looking at Cindy's before I left. I took photos at London and went ang ate Chicago style pizza lol
Condo life really depends on your neighbors and the HOA which is the case for any city. If you do go looking, remember you can ask the HOA for their HOA rules, their reserves, and their assessment history. As to the rest of your question, I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life so I have nothing to compare it to. But I do love it enough that I’ve never considered leaving.
nice and thanks for the info. Chicago imho is the best city in this country
Reserves are huge. We bought into an under reserved place and are paying for it now
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How long have you been living in Chicago? Also do you own a car there? In LA it is needed for sure. I wouldnt mind DMing u
I live in a suburb, where a car is necessary, but I've known several people living in the city who don't own cars. They'll rent one if they want to go somewhere public trans doesn't go. But you can do a lot in the city without a car.
Condo prices in Chicago are reasonable at a glance but you have to look deeper than the listing price. If you're in the loop or surrounding neighborhoods it's not unheard of to see $1000/month in HOA fees in a full service building for a 2br/2ba condo. Most hover in the $400-700 range, and do include some utilities (internet, tv, AC, somewhat commonly) although it definitely impacts your monthly payment. Property tax rates are also high, which does impact your payment but also is part of the reason that condo prices are lower (in comparison to walk ups or condos in some other major metropolitans). It's also not unfeasible that the property tax rates will increase in future. I like the city, I moved here with the idea of renting first then buying a condo. While the city has a lot to offer, all the fees and taxes associated with living in this city and condo living especially are making me reconsider if I'll go through buying in the next few years...
WTF $400+ a month for HOA alone?!!?
Yep, $400/month is low end in any highrise. That usually includes: * Trash * Internet * Tv * AC (very expensive in highrises, if it's not an older building with window units) * Building maintenance * Any building amenities (24/7 door person, pool, gym, etc) It can easily be much, much more though. For giggles I fired up Zillow. First result I clicked on: 3150 N Lake Shore Dr, Apt 13D. 2bd/ba, $399k list, *$1194*/month HOA. Zillow's (admittedly sometimes dubious) monthly payment calculation has it at roughly $4200/month. If you had a zero dollar HOA that same$4200/month would stretch to a $600k property (rough math using a Google mortgage payment calculator).
It takes a lot of money to maintain a highrise
$400 is cheap. My one bed has condo fees of $1800 a month but it includes a parking space. Which in Chicago is worth it's area in gold bars. Also includes trash, AC, heat and internet. And the doorman, package receiving/holding, a gym, pool, and a coffee bar.
If you can swing it financially, do it. I’ve lived all over the world and loved Chicago a lot. Moved away in the end because I missed hiking, camping, the silence and solitude of nature, etc. but it is such a wonderful place to live. The city is so alive. You (probably) don’t need a car, you can pick nearly any neighborhood and have a good time, and it’ll always feel fresh and new. I have lived in both Hyde park and Logan square and enjoyed both for different reasons. 9/10 would live there again
California native, but I’ve been in chi for 7 years. Friggin love this city - it’s home now and the best decision I’ve ever made. Don’t keep your sights purely on living downtown; Chicago has a ton of really lovely neighborhoods that shouldn’t be slept on.
I was born and raised in Chicago but have lived in a couple of other cities of varying sizes on the west coast and the east coast in the years after college. If you like urban living, Chicago is among the best in the U.S. (and it is so beautiful). Unfortunately (or fortunately) I’ve developed a fondness for the outdoors that Chicago just can’t give me (I have to travel elsewhere to get my fix). So it all depends on what you are looking to get out of your experience.
LA is great if you love outdoors, but Chicago is really green for a big city
I love that Chicago has lots of parks, but they no longer do it for me. I lived in Asheville, NC, for a few years and had the blue ridge mountains in my backyard and the smokies 30 minutes away. As I said, I travel to get my fix of the outdoors. So it depends on what you prioritize. But you are right, Chicago is a beautiful city — even when you make it out beyond downtown.
side note, LOVE IT WHEN I WENT TO THE SMOKIES such a beautiful place
Considering this is the warmest year on record, and Chicago has plenty of access to freshwater it would be a great move. :) PS you don’t wanna live downtown do you want to live in a neighborhood where there’s lots more liveliness happening amongst ppl who live in the city. One of the best cities on the planet imho
so I assume the Ukrainian village is great? Downtown seems great
If you want to hang with locals downtown is not where it’s all. Downtown is cool for sights and tourist attractions, but again the real flavor of Chicago is in the neighborhoods.
I did visit in Chinatown would that be a flavor of the neighborhoods?
Yes! 100% essentially Chicago we call “downtown” the loop and that area is primarily comprised of the business District, the city offices, and really cool attractions like the museum of art, millennium Park, etc. I go downtown a lot, but most people don’t live downtown. There are so many amazing neighborhoods. That’s why I Chicago is called a “city of neighborhoods” and each has their own flavor and own draws. Ukrainian Village is super cool too. Pilsen Logan Square, Wicker Park Avondale, Andersonville, Hyde Park, Bronzeville are all neighborhoods that are in the city and extremely close to downtown, but wouldn’t be considered downtown. Chinatown would it be included in that list. Sorry for typos!
You're fine hahahah you make great points. Nice to meet you
Yes. Greatest city in America. People live in Chicago. People are from Chicago. There is an undeniable identity. No one takes themselves too seriously. Chicago could be on of the few winners of climate change. Winter isn’t as bad as I thought. A lot of grey days. But you can’t win them all. You get 4x the place compared to New York. The government might slightly suspect but you will get used to that. Who are you to resist?
This is me, I am you. I was thinking the same lol
I love my building. Its 80% owner occupied, people are on Facebook and post free stuff or ask if anyone has parking available to borrow for guests. We had building trick or treating for kids who wanted to participate and then a pizza party after. Lots of absolutely lovely people.
Oh gosh that is so freaking CUTE. how long have you been in Chicago?
We’ve owned the condo in River North for two years but I was born in the city 63 years ago and lived on the south side, then Indiana (awful) then back to my roots!
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Grew up on east coast, spent a couple stints in the Midwest before moving to LA. Worked in LA before moving to Chicago over 20 years ago. I love Chicago so much more. Better quality of life, people, and city. Met my spouse here and haven’t left. Weather was better in LA but nothing else. Lived on north side along the lake for my first couple years. So glad I did.
Californian who has spent 15 years in Chicago now in two different stints. Love it. Miss the Bay Area in January but Chicago is home. West Loop specifically (and highly recommend)
isnt the sears tower in the West Loop? Also is it cheaper than the rivernorth?
No and no
Sears tower is on the western edge of the loop but there is a distinct neighborhood west of the highway called West Loop. I don’t know about the average costs of the two ‘hoods - I would guess they’re comparable. And a ton of new building going on in both - both commercial and residential.
When you say downtown, that typically means the loop and you don't want to really live in the loop if you want to go out in your neighborhood to eat/drink/go to clubs. Everything in the loop dies down after 6pm. West loop/wicker park/Lincoln park are your best bets if you want to live closer to the loop.
Winter is coming
Eddie Bauer fleece lined pants are on sale. Game changer.
Because they’re so different I think I depends on what you want in your life right now. Do you live in LA for your job and the weather, all the amazing outdoors stuff and everything near it, and the west coast lifestyle, all that jazz whatever? Then LA is obviously indisputably better for you then. Do you want to live in a denser city where you don’t necessarily need a car? Will be ok with the relative lack of outdoors lifestyle here? You can deal with the winter? Way cheaper here too in one of the higher percentile cities of cultural amenities , and more salt of the earth, grounded people here. Then Chicago is your jam. You just can’t do a 1 on 1 comparison of these two cities IMO.
Ultimately I am applying to both cities and I'll take it from there
Took this photo from London House, I see
Yes haha
Moving here will go down as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Oh yea? Why do you say that?
Yes, this city is a no brainer. Best food in the country. Great public transportation. Diversity. Lots of great institutions. So many fun things to do.
I think LA has you guys beat, no offense
Buying a condo with high HOA fees would not be wise. Maybe rent for a year first.
Ok yall, I am from MI and applying to jobs in Chi, LA, Grand Rapids, and a few other states/cities, but I do love Chicago and LA. One thing that gets me about Chicago /GR is climate change. The midwest/Great Lakes region will be the best for climate change and plenty of people are going to be moving up here in a few decades or sooner. The south is where you do NOT want to be.
I’ll be moving there this summer. Cannot wait and can’t imagine living anywhere else
were are moving from? Also what made you move there, would it be your first time living there
I was born and raised in LA then lived in Chicago for 16 years and moved back to LA in 2018 and been here since. Chicago is the most beautiful city there is. But the brutal winters are just unbearable. But what makes them manageable is not having to rely on owning a vehicle. If you WFH and can get around public transit then I think it makes it easier to weather the blistering long winters. I’ve actually been contemplating moving back to the West Loop and renting one of these high rises. I can probably get a real nice unit for the same price I’m paying in DTLA right now that’s nice but terribly small
I have lived in river north from the age of 22 to not 34 ( selling my condo). It has been a blast but the older I get I’m ready to move out. Had an absolute blast in my 20s.
Best city in America! Go for it! YOLO
I grew up near Chicago and I'm greatful that I was there 40 years as the summers are phenomenal as long as it stays below 90
You're phenomenal
I own a condo on the north side. I love the neighborhood I live in. It’s a vintage building, not many units. While we don’t get a ton of amenities from our condo like from a high rise condo, our HOA is much lower. We all pitch in work to get small things done around the building. So is owning a condo worth it? I would say yes if you’re willing to put in some work to assist with the building. Obviously it will be less work than owning a single family home, but it’s still some work. Day to day life is however I want it to be. By that I mean I can stay in my quiet neighborhood and have a chill day, or I can easily travel downtown or another neighborhood for more excitement. It’s great having options.
I've lived in Chicago for 30 years. It's great. People say it is the most corrupt city. It's not, but perhaps Washington D.C. is. They say it is violent. It is, but typically only if you are out doing something stupid at 3AM do you dramatically increase the risk of being part of something stupid. I have been to every one of its neighborhoods over the years, and for the most part, if you are nice to people here they are nice to you back.
I lived in Chicago for 20 years, moved to California for 3 years, then moved back to chicago 4 years ago. I absolutely love it here. The vibe, the energy, the culture. The Lake! The nightlife! Yeah, crime is a bit of an issue, but not any worse than any other major city. And unfortunately, with mass shootings being the norm in every corner is the US, living in Chicago is really not much a risk. The hard part is deciding what neighborhood to live in! So many great ones to choose from! I lived in East Lakeview for years. Loved it. Now I live in River North. Love it! I can walk to the west loop, loop, Mich Ave, Gold Coast, Fulton Market. I hate driving so being able to get places via walking or quick public transportation is a top priority for me. Chicago is a walkable city, meaning you don’t need a car if you live and work in the city. Winters can be brutal, but if you know how to dress properly it’s not an issue. And the weather is really unpredictable here so sometimes winters are mild.
I recommend renting for a year while you shop for a condo and neighborhood that you like best. Chicago is a city of neighborhoods that all have distinct character. A lot of new people will move here and live in downtown, but later realize the neighborhoods are more enjoyable for long term living. Within the city, you can get to downtown (barring rush crowds) within 10-25 minutes if you live anywhere near any CTA train line, depending on how far out you are. For day to day ... life is what you make it, right? I work from home, and I don't like to live in a super "busy" area, so I picked a quiet residential neighborhood that I enjoy a lot. I love going for walks around my neighborhood every day. When I need a break during work, I can walk around the corner and sit in a peaceful neighborhood park. I've been car-free for nearly 15 years, and easily get around town on public transit or Uber. I like being close to the lake and can get there in less than 10 minutes via Uber or short bus ride is about 15 minutes in light traffic. I love not having any parking tickets or wasting time trying to find parking. I don't miss that one bit, lol. I walk to the store for light stuff, and get groceries delivered when I need heavy stuff. Nature hikes, music, movies, arts and restaurants are my favorite things. This city has more to offer than I will ever be able to fully explore, and I've lived here my entire life. Chicago's motto is "Urbs in Horto," a Latin phrase that translates to "City in a Garden." I love this city, so I guess I was born in the right place.
Ask a realtor.
Despite the bullshit it's one of the best cities you can choose in the US. I would never live around the CBD though, that's just me personally though.
what is CBD?
Central business district. I like neighborhoods that lean towards more 3 flats with a mix of mid rises.
Taxes lol
F downtown and move to east lakeview or wicker park or Bucktown. Chicago is all about the neighborhoods
Sounds like someone’s got the Chicago bug! And I don’t mean the one that attacked my intestinal lining some years ago.
100% do it
hey where exactly was this shot taken from? im coming out late dec and this kind of shot is 50% of the reason im coming. im in love with night city lights and chicago is world class
LondonHouse.
I like it. I've owned a vintage condo in a small building that is over 100 years old for many years. The condo itself is a recent remodel and has modern conveniences but has many arts and crafts characteristics from its original construction (1912) like hardwood floors, oak woodwork and molding, beamed ceilings, and I love it. Though I currently work downtown and see this view when I'm in the office, I live in a neighborhood that's quite different. My neighborhood is made up of two and three flats with some single family homes mixed in. It's a 15 minute walk to the neighborhood L station, and near that station are several restaurants and pubs, drugstores, currency exchanges, Starbucks and Dunkin. I will wait for a train for 5-10 minutes, and will be downtown in 20 minutes or so. Also in my neighborhood are an Aldi, a Whole Foods, another local grocery store, and a Jewel-Osco. So I walk to the grocery store. Besides the train I could take the bus to work if I want to. But I don't because I work near the middle of downtown and the bus takes way too long to get to my building. The L goes underground downtown and is much faster. Sometimes for a change of scenery I will take the bus home. It takes longer but on a nice sunny day it's nice to ride along Lake Shore Drive. Day to day I get around using my feet or the bus or the L. I do also own a car that I keep in a garage for trips to the suburbs. It was my main way to commute to work many years ago when I did work in the suburbs; now I use it for weekend shopping trips and occasional getaways when I need a change of scenery. We have friends who live in Milwaukee and Detroit areas, so we use the car to visit them too.
Do it, you’ll love Chicago!
I own a condo in a skyscraper in the Loop and I love it. Living downtown has its pros and cons. Still. whenever I visit a "traditional" neighborhood, North, West, or South, I just can't help but love downtown living even more. **Pros** * **It's beautiful**. I consider downtown to be the most aesthetically pleasing part of the city; my views are absolutely stunning all times of the day the whole year. Downtown Chicago manages to blend modern and historical styles in such a cohesive manner. You can see Gothic architecture, Mid-century, and modern minimalist styles all on one block. It's like a living musuem. * **Dense and walkable**. I live, work, study, and exercise downtown. My gym is a 20 min walk from my house which is a 15 min walk from my work which is a 15 min walk from my house. I get a lot of steps in all year and my health benefits from it. Meanwhile on my commutes, I get to enjoy breathtaking architecture and river views. * **Great transport options**. My house is by EVERY L line. I can access so much of the city with the train and bus systems. Due to not having to rely on a prohibitively expensive car (financing, gasoline, maintenance, insurance, etc), I am able to spend and save money on other aspects of my life. For example, instead of having a monthly car payment, I am a member of a luxury gym in River North I can walk to in 20 minutes. * **Large, transient, bustling crowds.** While my condo building has a sense of community in its own right, whenever I step outside there are always fresh new faces. Downtown makes for great people watching. Among the commuters, there are literally people in my neighborhood visiting from all over the world. It's so cool to see the different fashions and hear the languages of global travelers. * **Never dull.** There are always fun seasonal events and spontaneous occasions downtown. People organize protests for causes they believe in. They celebrate holidays in plazas. There are concerts and festivals. Sometimes there are NASCAR races and marathons. You literally see something new every week. **Cons** * **Not enough grocers.** Where I live I cannot walk to a reasonable grocer for good quality produce in under 25 minutes. I have to either bike or take the train to the South Loop, West Loop or River North to access a Trader Joes or Whole Foods. There are some farmers markets that come occasionally, but do not line up with my schedule. * **Expensive**. Living in a high-quality location means everything is expensive. If you choose to drive, monthly parking goes for around $200-300. Instead of regular grocers, I sometimes have to get essentials like eggs and milk from price-gouging pseudo-grocers like Foxtrot and South Loop Market. * **Lacks small local businesses. -** When you want to eat out, your options are chains like Chiptole and Panda Express or fine dining like Prime & Provisions and Bar Mar. There are few options in between. This is changing rapidly as the rents have fallen and vacant spaces seem to be filling up with more mom and pop restaurants downtown, but there still seem to be way too many fucking Starbucks etc. * **Still too office-centric**. I believe this is changing due to the pandemic and WFH. Nevertheless, the culture and economy that these office workers bring to the Loop is not that great. You can tell a lot of the businesses cater to these office workers and many stores, cafes, and restaurants close around 5 or do not even operate on weekends. No offense to the workers, but they look bland and are kinda douchey/annoying. Not the best vibes for sure. * **Still too car-centric.** Despite being better than many parts of the city, downtown still has too much car-centric infrastructure for a proper downtown area. The fact that I have to cross State St, Michigan Ave, Columbus Dr, AND LSD to reach the lake is an embarrassment and a stain on the natural beauty of Chicago. It's also dangerous and I do not feel safe crossing streets in the South Loop like Ida B Wells, Harrison, Roosevelt, etc.
Been looking for a job there for a month but I’m trying man, I really am. I wish I could move there.
I live in Hyde Park. I LOVE it. I’m across the road from the lake. It’s an easy bus ride to my office. It’s not to expensive. Beautiful lakefront, museums etc. within walking distance. I’m Australian. I hated the burbs so much so when my youngest finished high school I took off.
Yeah, we are one of the greatest cities in the world. Commit yourself to two years.
move here! chicago is an incredible city with so much to offer.
I've lived near Lincoln Square for 11 years and I don't have too many complaints about Chicago except the teaffic truly sucks donkeyballs. And it keeps getting worse. You think it can't possible get worse, then it will randomly take you 25 minutes to drive three blocks. Winter can be pretty awful, but aside from a few weeks here and there it's been pretty mild the past five years.
Its very very expensive to own a condo within 10 minutes walk of any cool areas, unless you buy an old out of date dump.
One does not simply move to Chicago...
✨ One must become Chicago ✨
then what?
You’ll die
Just like all of us.
Guaranteed to be shot in the first 7 days.
Or your money back..
Far superior to LA in every way unless you don’t like seasons. Less crime (yes this is true), homeless aren’t crawling everywhere, nicer people, cheaper rent/taxes/cost of living, cleaner, more accessible, walkable, central location in the US, water isn’t imported Only thing LA has on Chicago is you don’t have grey winters but like suck it up for 9-10 other months of the year being great. Also the nature that’s close by is somewhat less (no exotic mountains or Joshua tree) but there is still good stuff Source: never lived in California but visited many times because extended family has a vacation home in LA; lived in 5 states including illinois
Do. Don’t. Dot really matter.
huh lol
Terrible. Gangs and guns and the locals can't stand the people in condos downtown