The worst thing about Chicago is... (Cicero, Evanston: home, construction, public schools)

[Paige65]

Originally Posted by surlycue

I just don't like the kind of suburbs that seem like escapism. So many neighborhoods nowadays are just so exclusionary. You drive into your gated community and up your driveway into your garage and never see a single neighbor outside their homes. 8 foot fences protect your privacy and everyone goes about their lives total separate from any sense of community.

I guess it isn't for everyone but I live in a city so that I can be a social being. I talk with my neighbors everyday and we walk our dogs and watch the kids play and discuss what's going on the neighborhood and just shoot the s**t. That kind of relation is important to me.

Perfect description of the suburbs

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by surlycue

I just don't like the kind of suburbs that seem like escapism. So many neighborhoods nowadays are just so exclusionary. You drive into your gated community and up your driveway into your garage and never see a single neighbor outside their homes. 8 foot fences protect your privacy and everyone goes about their lives total separate from any sense of community.

I guess it isn't for everyone but I live in a city so that I can be a social being. I talk with my neighbors everyday and we walk our dogs and watch the kids play and discuss what's going on the neighborhood and just shoot the s**t. That kind of relation is important to me.

I used to feel that way about the burbs. Of course, now I live in the burbs (if just barely) and work in the outer burbs. Oh well. Let me ask you this question. So in a few years when your child is school age, will he/she be going to CPS? A lot of city folk face this issue and decide that as much as they love living in the city of Chicago, there are no acceptable schooling options for them other than suburban schools.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Like what? You do know not all suburbs in Chicago match the stereotype. Even though I rather be in the city, there are some good things about the burbs.

This.
People gotta stop thinking all suburbs are those nice green places with curvy streets and cloned houses throughout.

There are suburbs that are more urbanish then parts of the city.

[johnm68]

Venom's exactly right.

What's more suburban--Sauganash or Cicero? Edison Park or Maywood? Beverly or Ford Heights?

I've also noted that the most vociferous suburb haters tended to grow up in......the suburbs (or small towns). Many people who live in the suburbs actually grew up in the city.

[chet everett]

Surlycue needs to get out more. Yesterday I spent probably 4 hours in my yard. Talked to about a dozen neighbors. Saw their kids walk by. Heard about a tragic car accident involving a college student, whole town is decorated with symbols of support... No 8 foot fences in sight, no gated community.

[ihynes]

Originally Posted by Venom

There are suburbs that are more urbanish then parts of the city.

So true, when I'm in Oak Park or Berwyn, I feel I could be almost anywhere in Chicago. Anywhere nice, that is.

[ihynes]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

So in a few years when your child is school age, will he/she be going to CPS?

Yeah, I don't think a lot of these posters have had to face this issue. No. 1 reason NOT to live in the city.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by ihynes

Yeah, I don't think a lot of these posters have had to face this issue. No. 1 reason NOT to live in the city.

If CPS did a half-way decent job relative to its competition (suburban schools), the population of Chicago would increase significantly.

[surlycue]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

So in a few years when your child is school age, will he/she be going to CPS? A lot of city folk face this issue and decide that as much as they love living in the city of Chicago, there are no acceptable schooling options for them other than suburban schools.

I am definitely going to send her to a public grade school. We are districted to Lincoln and that is fine. I will try to get her into Franklin, Lasalle or Newberry for magnet but if I'm unable I will be okay with Lincoln. Right now our finances do not allow for parochial school but in 10 years time who knows. If we are in the same financial position and our CPS high school hasn't improved to a level I am comfortable with we will either move to a cheaper city neighborhood and spend the extra funds on private or I will home school.

I have no desire to live in the burbs in the forseeable future and if I were to it would be either your burb of Oak Park or Evanston so I don't lose much of what I love about the city. Obviously the city isn't for everyone and I don't hold a grudge against anyone who goes to the burbs for better public education but for me QOL is my numero uno.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by TorontoExpat

...the suburbs. Seriously, I love Chicago but I feel the suburbs hold it back, especially after seeing that disaster played out between Bensenville and the O'Hare Modernization Program. That project would bring so many dollars into the Chicagoland area but Bensenville and Elk Grove ended up costing both sides millions of dollars and delays. Then again the lawyers are happy and Illinois is an attorney state.

It's not a simple of live and let live. The suburbs directly and indirectly hurt Chicago.

Anyone agree?

I personally feel as though Illinois doesn't focus enough on adaptive reuse. I'm heartened to see things like the planned CTA blue line expansion but by and large, most of the State's policies regarding transporation and education seem to be aimed at destroying as much fertile farmland as possible. Instead of that worthless I-355 extension that only benefits a few (and encourages further wasteful sprawl), why weren't we spending that money to improve the dated CTA infrastructure which would benefit many? Or expand public transit to areas not yet served so there are fewer cars on our roads? I didn't get it, and still don't. For our own good, I hope that changes.