Why is Chicago losing population? (Park Ridge, Lincoln: homes, neighborhoods, public schools)

[Gtownoe]

I picked Chicago over L.A. I love L.A.'s weather, and I still like the city a lot but after spending time in Chicago I picked it over SoCal. My main reasons were the people, its dense urban environment, and just the whole vibe I got while I was there. My familt thought I was kinda crazy and that I wouldn't like it (I have a sister in Atlanta and a sister in L.A.) but after they both visited they both reluctantly admitted that they like it a lot.

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

Chicago is just one of those places you leave, go somewhere else, and than come figure out, the grass truely is always greener on the other side.

[fine_where_I_am]

Originally Posted by muer

I never really thought about it, but why move somewhere cold. before it was because the cold places were near the mountains had natural resources, or had a large railroad network to deliver goods. In this information age, manufactering jobs are gone. How many types of jobs are pinned down to specific regional locations now?
From what I see they are mostly local jobs, police, fire, schools, power generation, etc, not really industry unless it's because of legacy (that's where the company was founded).

So why not move to Tuscon, Miami, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Austin? People move to those places without jobs, How many people (law-abiding) move to Chicago without jobs?

I know what you mean, though personally I have no clue why anyone would move to places like Miami, Atlanta, Austin, or Las Vegas for the weather. Do people really enjoy the outdoors when the heat index is over 90F? Maybe they do, but it seems foreign to me. The only part of the country that you won't have either numerous uncomfortably hot or uncomfortably cold months is the west coast... and the California coast is already built up (overpopulated, expensive) while many find the northwest to be too dark and rainy.

[miserylovesco.]

I love it here, I'm just looking for a change right now.

If it doesn't work, I can always come home.

[Justabystander]

I don't know if you saw the latest news, but in 2006-2007 the Chicago area was the 6th fastest growing area in the country, behind Charlotte and ahead of Austin. Kendall county was the fastest growning county in the US. I dont know how the city proper did, but I think that people are ignoring the weather and looking at the city itself. With our winter, I figure they would have to look at it that way. Go Chicago !

[John55]

Originally Posted by CHICAGOLAND92

Does anyone else find this suprising, since there is a lot of gentrification happening around the city, as well as many condos being built downtown?

Not surprised with mayor Daley there, its a wonder anyone wants to live there.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by John55

Not surprised with mayor Daley there, its a wonder anyone wants to live there.

And yet, here we all are.

[Preaching2thechoir]

Originally Posted by John55

Not surprised with mayor Daley there, its a wonder anyone wants to live there.

It's also one of numerous reasons that tons of us could never imagine living there again. Decades of rampid government corruption, perpetual budget shortages, the highest sales tax in the nation, safe haven to millions of illegal aliens, gang infestation, craptacular schools, hospitals are beginning to shut down, DHS lawsuit, and I just read yesterday that the inmates running the asylum are looking at yet another property tax hike. The greed and corruption of Chicago is sucking the taxpayers of Cook County dry.. One man's junk . . . . .

[Chicago60614]

Wahhhhhhh!!

[fine_where_I_am]

Originally Posted by Preaching2thechoir

It's also one of numerous reasons that tons of us could never imagine living there again. Decades of rampid government corruption, perpetual budget shortages, the highest sales tax in the nation, safe haven to millions of illegal aliens, gang infestation, craptacular schools, hospitals are beginning to shut down, DHS lawsuit, and I just read yesterday that the inmates running the asylum are looking at yet another property tax hike. The greed and corruption of Chicago is sucking the taxpayers of Cook County dry.. One man's junk . . . . .

Are there any large urban areas in the USA that don't have rampant corruption, budget shortages, high taxes, rampant gangs, bad schools, underfunded hospitals, and a huge number of illegal aliens?
I mean this seriously. I cannot think of any.
If you want top class urban areas, go to western Europe. Otherwise, you just have to keep things in perspective. Ask yourself how much those negatives personally affect you, and keep you from enjoying life in the city.