Moving from UK to chicago
Nov 1st 2017, 4:06 pm
#31
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Nov 1st 2017, 4:19 pm
#33
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Exactly what I was thinking of.
Nov 3rd 2017, 6:15 pm
#36
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Schaumburg is a sizable city with one of the largest shopping malls/areas in the US. It's fairly developed and has some high rises. Schools are good but not exceptionally good. It's sort of an upper middle range Chicago burb. If you were to write down all of the things that describe a typically American suburb, you've just described Schaumburg.
Depending on your budget, there are many other towns in that area worth looking at, many more if you're willing to drive a bit. However, you're going to get what you pay for in terms of schools and "niceness" of the town. In other words: sure Barrington's nicer but it's expensive. The more expensive suburbs here can be very nice indeed and have truly excellent schools.
You need to drive everywhere in the Chicago burbs. Plan on two cars.
Chicago winters are no joke, believe the hype. To the poster who has only been here one year: last winter was easily the most mild winter I've seen here in 15+ years. Try the 2014 "polar vortex" for a differing experience. Chicago summers are also hot and humid, so be prepared for that.
The dangerousness of urban Chicago is overstated. Parts of the south and west sides are crime ridden, there's no way around that fact. However, you'll have little reason to go there. The vast majority of Chicago (and certainly anywhere you're likely to go) is very safe. Chicago proper is also hugely underrated in its attractiveness. The lakefront, the skyline and the parks are all very nice.
Chicago is in the midwest and typically midwestern in some ways. Prepare to meet people who go to a megachurch every week. Prepare to meet people who go to the gun range after work. Prepare to meet people who've never left the US. Prepare to meet people who unapologetically support Trump. Prepare for these people to be unexpectedly pleasant, educated, intelligent and reasonable.
Still, it's a big city with people from all over the world. If you're looking for US stereotypes, you'll find them here. Like anywhere else, stereotypes are only part of the story.
Depending on your budget, there are many other towns in that area worth looking at, many more if you're willing to drive a bit. However, you're going to get what you pay for in terms of schools and "niceness" of the town. In other words: sure Barrington's nicer but it's expensive. The more expensive suburbs here can be very nice indeed and have truly excellent schools.
You need to drive everywhere in the Chicago burbs. Plan on two cars.
Chicago winters are no joke, believe the hype. To the poster who has only been here one year: last winter was easily the most mild winter I've seen here in 15+ years. Try the 2014 "polar vortex" for a differing experience. Chicago summers are also hot and humid, so be prepared for that.
The dangerousness of urban Chicago is overstated. Parts of the south and west sides are crime ridden, there's no way around that fact. However, you'll have little reason to go there. The vast majority of Chicago (and certainly anywhere you're likely to go) is very safe. Chicago proper is also hugely underrated in its attractiveness. The lakefront, the skyline and the parks are all very nice.
Chicago is in the midwest and typically midwestern in some ways. Prepare to meet people who go to a megachurch every week. Prepare to meet people who go to the gun range after work. Prepare to meet people who've never left the US. Prepare to meet people who unapologetically support Trump. Prepare for these people to be unexpectedly pleasant, educated, intelligent and reasonable.
Still, it's a big city with people from all over the world. If you're looking for US stereotypes, you'll find them here. Like anywhere else, stereotypes are only part of the story.
Last edited by Hiro11; Nov 3rd 2017 at 6:21 pm.
Nov 4th 2017, 1:39 am
#37
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
No Pot Shops?
Nov 4th 2017, 3:32 am
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,900
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Chicago does have a lot going for it. The times I have been I have enjoyed it. I went on a Spring Break road trip with a friend of mine when I was in university, and he fell in love with it and moved there for graduate school and stayed after.
Agree with the others about the crime. The really rough areas of Chicago - you will have no need to visit there. Whereas in a New Orleans, etc. people tend to have to pass through for one reason or another. I remember about 15 years ago checking into my room at a very upscale hotel in New Orleans and there was a bullethole in the bathroom window!
Winter can be ferocious in Chicago. Learn how to deal with ice conditions when you arrive.
Agree with the others about the crime. The really rough areas of Chicago - you will have no need to visit there. Whereas in a New Orleans, etc. people tend to have to pass through for one reason or another. I remember about 15 years ago checking into my room at a very upscale hotel in New Orleans and there was a bullethole in the bathroom window!
Winter can be ferocious in Chicago. Learn how to deal with ice conditions when you arrive.
Nov 4th 2017, 4:14 am
#39
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
