How do you cope?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

The lure of moving to Texas, to get away from IL politics and weather gets stronger and stronger.

Then youll have to change your name to RangersAstrosfan. Traitor.

[Avengerfire]

"How do you cope?"

With a six pack of Old Style, a pack of cigarettes,an eight-ball, and a busty woman.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Then youll have to change your name to RangersAstrosfan. Traitor.

Nah, too many years of Chicago sports love for that to change.
Texas certainly has it's downsides-too dang hot in the summer, drought conditions in big areas, hurricanes in other parts and pockets of rural-red-neckedness.. But when doing a cost of living comparison, Texas is less expensive, has milder winters and some truly friendly people. Work, extended family and familiarity keep me in Illinois. But I keep getting more pi##ed off at the arrogant attitude eminating from Chicago and Stroger hall. Cut your budgets first before you sock us with extra fees and taxes. And now the "mighty" Quinn is drinking the same cool-aid. If I was politically connected and had my pockets greased with machine money I would be happy and fighting for staus quo also. But I'm not. VOTE THESE JERKS OUT OF OFFICE!

[linicx]

Originally Posted by prairiestate

Perfect!!!

Somehow, I don't think the aforementioned red state and Illinois are my only options. I'm pretty sure there is a happy medium out there.

.

I tried moving it didn't work for me. I do not like the uptight church run states or the antebellum South. I like four seasons, I like water, I like the freedom of choice and I like what Chicago has to offer better than any other place I lived including CA, FL, TX. And I do not like some stranger telling me I have to go to their church or celebrate their holiday.

All states have political issues The southern states are rapidly filling small towns with aliens who will work in the chicken and hog plants for little money. You have not lived until you are down wind of a 10,000 head feed lot, or a rendering plant that proposes to convert chicken fat to usable oil, or a turkey farm in the surmmer. The towns least affected have rentals that are not cheap and most of them are near the above mentioned business types.

The desert SW is fine, but don't forget to shake out your shoes and clothes before you wear them as they are favorite hiding places for scorpions and other pets. The allergies and lung ploblems from the north are greatly aggravated in the desert dry air and sand. Never mind the plants.

I like the mid section of Illinois. I am not as affected by Chicago politics and have most of the conveniences of Chicago and good medcal care and I know it is safe to eat in Illinois restaurants. And I can even get a great steak too. Some of the cities are very Red and sone are not. Some are stiff necked and WASP and some are not. Most are farm towns. The local bankers don't bet on hedge funds, they bet on crops and people. Therefore there is money available to buy a house - which are far less expensive than in Chicago. I still drive to Trader Joe's to get what I need, but it isn't 250 miles, I can still see a Sunday ballgame and be home for dinner whether I go to Chicago ro St. Louis.

It all has to do with what you want. Try looking around you. I'll be you can find some wonderful things right in your own neighborhood - if you look for them and stop to smell the roses.

[gardener34]

Good post. I really do like southern illinois around marion and carbondale actually.

[Lookout Kid]

I'd recommend southern Wisconsin for someone who is trying to escape the politics of Illinois. Kind of a "purple" state, and the southern parts near Madison and Milwaukee are not that different culturally from the suburbs of Chicago.

[linicx]

And Central Illinoiis is different physically, culturally and politically than Chicago, too. You can find Anime, indie music, and 10,000 years of history. It's an entirely different 'feel' and a slower pace than the hustle-bustle of a mega-metro area. The combined population in the three city metro area triangle is somewhere around 1/10 pf the Chicago metro area. Nevertheless it has plenty to offer anyone who is willing to stop and smelll the roses.

The biggest problem with the I--55 corridor between St. Louis and Chicago is the scenery offers little except farms and ranches. On the other hand, IL 29 corridor, between Princeton and Pana (where IL 29 stops) offers an entirely different view of the state - just as the Eisenhower differs from the Stevenson.