Goodbye Chicago, I'm not looking back....
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6/6/2006
I'm a born and raised Chicagoan and while I loved it for the early parts of my life, the older and older I got - the less I liked it. The changes I've seen in the city (the REAL city that Chicagoans live in - not Millenium Park, which was done beautifully) have not been positive in the past 5 or so years. Increasing levels of crime - to the point where those who live near the loop don't want to walk around at night as it's desolate and dangerous. The amount of homeless wandering the streets has gotten MUCH worse and they are getting increasingly violent. I should have realized this was getting worse when I witness someone murdered in my backyard in Lincoln Square (supposidly a upscale neighborhood) - but I didn't until years after that. If you want to pay $300,000 for a small 2 bdrm in an area where you can witness drive by's in your yard - Chicago's the place for you!!
Also - and more important to me almost - the city has taken on such an unfriendly tone. Unless you are hanging out in the bars of Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville, you won't find it easy to make friends and fit in - even if you're from here.
What I've found, interestingly enough, is that those from 2nd rate Midwestern Cities such as St. Louis, Columbus, Indy, etc - they love Chicago. But those of us who grew up in Chicago aren't on the same page. I've got countless other friends who, like me, have either already left, or are planning their escape.
Last, but certainly not least, the cost of housing is out of control. Don't be fooled by the cost of living on BP. Remember, that takes into account the ghettos of the south and west sides. You won't be living there if you're reading this (sad, but true). If you want a house or townhouse for $250K in a nice area - you're going to have a 40+ mile commute to the city. No thanks. Not my idea of fun. Towns that I've never even heard of before like Elburn, Sugar Grove, & Woodstock ?!?!? are now being considered suburbs. Crack open maps.google.com and map all of those to Chicago. Yeah - it's absurd.
All of this was enough for me to decide to stop trying and make the move out west. Haven't looked back since I left, and I love it. Never felt that way back in Chicago, so I know I did something right. Good riddance.
Chicagoan | Chicago, IL