The worst thing about Chicago is... (Hoffman Estates, Hanover Park: crime rate, university, live in)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

I usually only consider the original 6 counties as Chicago suburbia. It be way too much sprawl to stretch it even further.

The six counties in addition to Cook? Because I always hear references to the "seven county region".

[rockinrolla]

I don't know what's the wost thing about Chicago, but I'd venture that traffic, terrible schools, and the fact that half of the city is a ghetto are all somewhere up there on the list.

[bluescityleon]

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 think it maybe good sometimes to make people move..........but Ohare needs to fix itself first.........and taking property without due process is for South America..........and socialist countries.

[Drover]

^^ What?

[Eusibius2]

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.

Wow... have you been around Chicago lately? I see more gated communes in Chicago than I do in the 'burbs. Take a drive through Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Lincoln Square (no, I have nothing against 'hoods that begin with 'L'... LOL), Andersonville, Uptown, Wrigleyville, etc... Yes, these are on the north side, but I've also seen gated communes near UIC on Halsted, and at UC off of Garfield too...

I'm moving to the 'burbs from the city b/c of multiple reasons (lots of reasons, actually)... but the one thing that my wife and I never encounter is how unfriendly neighbors are to each other (city vs 'burbs). We both grew up in the burbs, and have lived in the city (all over) for 15 years... like it was said before - one hand washes the other I guess!

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

The six counties in addition to Cook? Because I always hear references to the "seven county region".

Cook, Dupage, Lake, Will, Kane, and Mchenry (sp check?). I still hear the 6 county region in some commercials and they might add Northwest Indiana. I know they add Kendall in the mix but its pretty rural don't you think?

[Drover]

Not for long.

[scoop89]

The worst thing about Chicago is the corrupt politicians. Everything is tainted.

[cubssoxfan]

The Tax-ocratic dictatorship in Crook County combined with inept Tax-ocratic leadership in Springfield, the high cost of living and winters lasting too long and spring being more of a mirage than a reality.

[sandwalk]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

Cook, Dupage, Lake, Will, Kane, and Mchenry (sp check?). I still hear the 6 county region in some commercials and they might add Northwest Indiana. I know they add Kendall in the mix but its pretty rural don't you think?

According to the US Census bureau, Kendall, DeKalb, and Grundy counties are all part of the metropolitan area (as are 5 counties in NW Indiana). Isn't it absurd to think that little old Lee, Illinois is technically in metropolitan Chicago? LOL.
Lee, Illinois:
lee illinois - Google Maps