Why do u like suburbs over city? (Chicago, Naperville: section 8, houses)

[Irishtom29]

I've lived in the city and the burbs, I grew up on the West Side but left, know what I mean?

Anyway let's talk turkey. Moderator cut: racist

When I lived in Uptown I had lots of neat bars and restaurants around and was right by the lake but I also had dirty streets, junkies and beggars all over the place and when I walked down the street I had a grim demeanor and I was always prepared to strike.

But now I'm in a suburbanish area in Lexington and I don't have anywhere to walk to. Six of one half a dozen of the other.

In any event whether a person chooses to live urban or suburban is no indication of their character, you know whether they'd cheat you or stop and give you a jump start on a cold day.

[sbd78]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I don't agree with that. You make it sound like people who stay in the city don't care about their kids, and that's offensive and silly. I'm in my thirties, married, have a kid, and would stay in the city forever if I could make it work financially. And I know many others that would as well. The biggest issues for most people are schools and affordability.

If I could afford a three-bedroom house in a vibrant neighborhood (i.e. one with great restaurants, a walkable business strip, a park, and an "El" stop) and afford good private schools on top of that, I would stay in the city forever. I stil may depending on how things shake out in the next five years. But the allure of good public schools and slightly cheaper housing makes some inner suburbs appealing. And most of my urbanite parent friends (and there are many of us) would only consider leaving the city for the same reasons.

How did I make it sound like people who stay in the city don't care about their kids? Not what I meant at all. I guess I should have added the money issue, because it is a big one. I for one can't afford to raise kids in the city.

[mommyjnny]

I live closer to DeKalb and here we really don't have much traffic. I stay home with the kids and hubby's work is 5 min away. Works perfect for us. But I do know people who move out here and commute to the city- crazy!

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Traffic is worse in most suburbs. I rarely drive so I don't have to deal with the traffic. You don't have that choice in most suburbs. Even if you commute using the Metra, suburban life is largely automobile-centered (with a few exceptions, of course).

As far as crowds are concerned, only a few city neighborhoods have crowds to speak of. Most are peaceful and quiet 90% of the time.

[mommyjnny]

Ditto ditto ditto!!!

Originally Posted by tcs1366

well, sure -- you can debate that all you want.

I'm a house wife... i do not have to leave the house for days if i see fit. I do not go out at rush hour, i rarely shop on weekends .... I have that luxury.

I will never be a city dweller, if I could tomorrow --- i'd move farther 'into the sticks'.

[Careless]

I don't like living near large numbers of people, but I have to live near the city. Short of acquiring the billions of dollars I'd need to buy every scrap of land in a 5 mile radius and evict everyone living there, I'll stick to the suburbs.

[Crimmy]

My wife and I have lived in the same Northwest side Chicago apartment for 12 years and have commuted long distances into the suburbs to work for over 8 years. We've seen and lived close to all kinds of riff-raff, gang-bangers, homeless people, screaming teenagers outside our windows, speeding cars flying down our narrow street outside, next-door neighbors pissing in their back yards, cussing, blasting music, etc. All kinds of graffiti, garage break-ins, busted windshields all the way down the block, fighting for parking spaces during the winter months, etc. etc. And we're in a nice looking area close to Addison Ave and Milwaukee!! (Really, just a short drive down to Wrigleyville.) My best friend lives on Milwaukee and Hamlin Ave and constantly, CONSTANTLY has to chase sleeping drunken bums away from his backyard, garage and alley because they will sh** everywhere. I've really gotten mentally worn down with living in a congested area where I can't sit in my backyard without the other people who come-and-go year after year, trashing the area and having no decency in their actions. Can I move to a nicer area? Sure. Will I be paying out the ass for it? Damn straight. I'm not saying that the city doesn't have wonderful things about it, because it does. I'm saying that I'm tired of all the bad that comes along with it so I've decided to move to the suburbs and start a new life in a much more spacious, more quiet, area with more privacy and better schools. Now, how is that crazy???

[mendelman]

The suburbs are acceptable since I work here and must live here to afford more time with my wife and 2 small children.

Plus, if you do it right, you can live pretty much car free or car light in certain suburbs (ie downtown Elmhurst, Arlington Heights, Wheaton, etc.)

But don't get me wrong - I would love to live in Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Bridgeport,etc, if only my job situation and commute could accommodate it (and I could afford it too).

Basically, what Lookout Kid has said already.

[oakparkdude]

Yeah, I like Oak Park, but I'd live in the city if my job situation (far western burbs) allowed for it.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Careless

I don't like living near large numbers of people, but I have to live near the city. Short of acquiring the billions of dollars I'd need to buy every scrap of land in a 5 mile radius and evict everyone living there, I'll stick to the suburbs.

You should move to Wisconsin. It's cheaper and has better schools. The sprawl of Chicago will eventually choke the life out of the distant suburbs as well, and there's really no escape anymore. Maybe rising oil prices will keep sprawl under control, but today's edge suburbs are tomorrows car-choked crowded sprawl.

[skyeINIL]

As soon as we can afford to, we'll be moving back to the city. The suburbs are ok for now, but I like to have everything I need within walking distance or at least accessible by public transportation.