Chicago native (8 years) answering any ?'s about the Chi Forum

[soullogical]

I'll be moving to Chicago in a few months, I've heard it's one of the more segragated cities in the country. How true is that?

[ahduth]

Does the city shut down when it gets in the - degree range

No.

This snowstorm recently was one of the only times in recent memory the city has actually "shut down," and that was for one day. People here will complain about snow or cold, but it will not stop things unless it's literally two feet of snow.

Also Giordano's is ass. My Pie in Bucktown anyone?

[ahduth]

I'll be moving to Chicago in a few months, I've heard it's one of the more segragated cities in the country. How true is that?

I can't really compare it in a concrete fashion to other cities, but the south side is very, very black. The projects were not good, they concentrated poverty in a way that created blighted communities for blocks and blocks.

Your question sounds a bit like it's pointed towards whether or not there's racism in the city? I'm neither white nor black, but this is not a place where anyone faces systemic discrimination.

Discarding the legacy of the projects is something that will take Chicago some time, however.

[Emma.]

I'll be moving to Chicago in a few months, I've heard it's one of the more segragated cities in the country. How true is that?

It's pretty segregated, but then so are a lot of major cities (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkingsf/ ... 982044660/)

[09042014]

I'll be moving to Chicago in a few months, I've heard it's one of the more segragated cities in the country. How true is that?

I've literally never seen a black person.

J/K. But yea. White people don't living in Black or Mexican neighborhoods.

[09042014]

But yea. White people don't living in Black or Mexican neighborhoods.

You accidentally a word there.

You also might have accidentally your high school English classes.

Want to know something crazy? Two of my four A's in college were writing courses. Something is seriously wrong with that.

[Jackie O]

But yea. White people don't living in Black or Mexican neighborhoods.

You accidentally a word there.

You also might have accidentally your high school English classes.

Want to know something crazy? Two of my four A's in college were writing courses. Something is seriously wrong with that.

engineer writing professors favor internet forum english?

[09042014]

But yea. White people don't living in Black or Mexican neighborhoods.

You accidentally a word there.

You also might have accidentally your high school English classes.

Want to know something crazy? Two of my four A's in college were writing courses. Something is seriously wrong with that.

engineer writing professors favor internet forum english?

A regular rhet course, and a business communication course.

[toolfan]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

[071816]

.

[wolverine2014]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

As a River North resident, I'd like to know why you don't consider River North a "neighborhood"?

[wolverine2014]

This is random, but the gf is going to grad school at Northwestern next year. Do any of you happen to know anything about Evanston? If so, which areas are the best/safest/most affordable? Any areas to avoid?

Are you sure she'll be in Evanston? If she's going to law or medical school she'll be in Chicago.

[071816]

.

[09042014]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

As a River North resident, I'd like to know why you don't consider River North a "neighborhood"?

It has a total lack of a community feel. It's very sterilized. It's mostly chains or high class restaurants.

[kn8r]

This is random, but the gf is going to grad school at Northwestern next year. Do any of you happen to know anything about Evanston? If so, which areas are the best/safest/most affordable? Any areas to avoid?

Are you sure she'll be in Evanston? If she's going to law or medical school she'll be in Chicago.

Yea. Psych PhD. She'll definitely be at the Evanston campus.

I was an NU grad student for six years in Evanston. For the last five, I moved into the city. Evanston is okay, but I found it better to commute to school, and to live somewhere more vibrant. If you moved to Lakeview, she could take the purple line from Belmont. Or, you could live in Edgewater, and she could drive or take red to purple, which is not bad either.

Re: pizza. Giordano's is for people who like a bland, doughy mess. Lou Malnati's is the way to go for Chi-style. Otherwise, Piece.

[los blancos]

This is random, but the gf is going to grad school at Northwestern next year. Do any of you happen to know anything about Evanston? If so, which areas are the best/safest/most affordable? Any areas to avoid?

Best: depends on what you want. I liked living close to campus and close to downtown, so the areas around Sherman/Foster were appealing to me.
Safest: East of the El tracks, esp East of Green Bay Rd/north of Dempster
Affordable: Generally the further away from campus the cheaper housing is

[los blancos]

Re: pizza. Giordano's is for people who like a bland, doughy mess. Lou Malnati's is the way to go for Chi-style. Otherwise, Piece.

I don't get the Gio's hate. That said, I like Malnati's more too. However, Gino's East is better than them both IMO.

[wolverine2014]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

As a River North resident, I'd like to know why you don't consider River North a "neighborhood"?

It has a total lack of a community feel. It's very sterilized. It's mostly chains or high class restaurants.

Not at all. River North residents pride themselves on the community vibe. There's more to RN than restaurants and bars.

[ahduth]

Re: pizza. Giordano's is for people who like a bland, doughy mess. Lou Malnati's is the way to go for Chi-style. Otherwise, Piece.

I don't get the Gio's hate. That said, I like Malnati's more too. However, Gino's East is better than them both IMO.

Has anyone ever done the My Pie in Bucktown? That is fantastic deep dish:

http://www.mypiepizza.com/

I recommend spinach, tomatoes, garlic and ground beef.

Also, Pequod's anyone?

[071816]

This is random, but the gf is going to grad school at Northwestern next year. Do any of you happen to know anything about Evanston? If so, which areas are the best/safest/most affordable? Any areas to avoid?

Best: depends on what you want. I liked living close to campus and close to downtown, so the areas around Sherman/Foster were appealing to me.
Safest: East of the El tracks, esp East of Green Bay Rd/north of Dempster
Affordable: Generally the further away from campus the cheaper housing is

Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how safe the triangular area formed by McCormick, Greenbay, and Emmerson is? I know that this is really specific, but any input is much appreciated. She is looking at a few pet-friendly places with yards in this area online and doesn't really want to live in an apartment ( I probably should have mentioned that earlier).

[wildcathighfive]

This is random, but the gf is going to grad school at Northwestern next year. Do any of you happen to know anything about Evanston? If so, which areas are the best/safest/most affordable? Any areas to avoid?

Best: depends on what you want. I liked living close to campus and close to downtown, so the areas around Sherman/Foster were appealing to me.
Safest: East of the El tracks, esp East of Green Bay Rd/north of Dempster
Affordable: Generally the further away from campus the cheaper housing is

Thanks for the info. Do you have any idea how safe the triangular area formed by McCormick, Greenbay, and Emmerson is? I know that this is really specific, but any input is much appreciated. She is looking at a few pet-friendly places with yards in this area online and doesn't really want to live in an apartment ( I probably should have mentioned that earlier).

pretty sketchy. she probably shouldn't live there. i honestly think an apartment is her best best. i've lived in evanston for five years, so feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

[toolfan]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

As a River North resident, I'd like to know why you don't consider River North a "neighborhood"?

It has a total lack of a community feel. It's very sterilized. It's mostly chains or high class restaurants.

Agreed.

Compare lakeview (where there are parks and normal people) emphasis added.

[moandersen]

I know OP is probably way gone, but how does 8 years living in the city = native? CPS represent.

[StacyStrong]

I know OP is probably way gone, but how does 8 years living in the city = native? CPS represent.

+1

metal detectors and sharing text books
heck ya

[ahduth]

I live in Lakeview, off Belmont. 35-40 minute commute to Kent (15-18 mins of walking). I take the el, tho. If I took the bus, it would be much less walking, but maybe about 45-55 min commute (depending on traffic).

I prefer neighborhoods over places like, say, River North.

As a River North resident, I'd like to know why you don't consider River North a "neighborhood"?

It has a total lack of a community feel. It's very sterilized. It's mostly chains or high class restaurants.

Agreed.

Compare lakeview (where there are parks and normal people) emphasis added.

Normal people meaning WASPs who moved there from the suburbs? Lakeview has about as much character as Gap Outlet store. If it got any whiter... actually I don't think it can get any whiter. River North has piles of art galleries, clubs and yes, high end restaurants. It's anything but sterilized.

The saving grace in Lakeview is Boystown, which actually is a neighborhood. Nothing like giant rainbow phalli to stake out your territory.