drunk on the train to Chicago, I feel alright

[effex]

I'm seriously considering moving to Chicago at the end of the year (with the understanding that winter is a terrible time to move anywhere) - my lease will be up, I've sworn to quit my job come November, and I need to get the hell out of Texas. Chicago seems a good fit for needs both practical (a large city, not too expensive, with a good public transit system) and sentimental (I was born in Aurora, IL).

So, anyone here from Chicago? And willing to let me pick your brain? I have questions and a lack of contacts in the area.

Comments

[talitha78]

Ask away!

[effex]

Thanks! Let's see...

1) I don't drive, so access to public transit is my biggest concern. With that in mind, which neighborhoods/areas would you recommend looking for an apartment in?

2) Do you know what the job market's like right now?

3) Finally (broad question is broad), What should a newcomer know about the city?

[talitha78]

1.) Public transportation is pretty great all over the city. I don't know anything about the suburbs, though. Also, it takes a while to get from point A to point B because if the sheer size of the city, so depending on where you get a job, you want to factor in a commute time. For example, I live in the Ravenswood area and I work downtown, so my commute is about an hour each way. I recommend the North side of the city over the South side, but only because that's what I know.

2.) It depends on what you're looking for and how much experience you have. I've known people who've been looking for over a year, but they're recent grads and are looking for entry-level. If you have specialized experience, it could go much quicker. I was only unemployed about two months when I got laid off last November.

3.) It's freakin' cold in the winter. If you don't like cold weather, do not come here. Ummmm. What else? Cost of living might be a little high, depending on what part of the country you're coming from. If you have a car, parking can be a bit of a hassle, and gas prices are the highest in the nation. Other than that, it's awesome. I love it here.

[talitha78]

Oh, duh. You said you don't drive, so ignore the stuff about cars. *facepalms*

I don't drive, either, and I have absolutely no problem getting anywhere I want to go.

[effex]

Thank you! This is all very useful - I knew public transit was good, but it sounds so much better than Dallas' I've got stars in my eyes. I've got four years' experience as a designer, most of it in-house, so that's reassuring as well. And I spent five years in Iowa before moving down here and on the whole, I prefer the cold.

It does sound awesome! Thank you again :D