Is Chicago my kind of town? (Phoenix, Detroit: middle-class, layoffs, neighborhood)

[NSH]

Originally Posted by mdz

We could use some more hockey fans again over here. With the way Wirtz has pounded the franchise into insignificance, you'd be the 4th fan in chicago (along with me, steveo, and my dad).

real sad, even as recently as 10 years ago the Hawks were decent and the stands were packed.

Don't get me started on the Hawks, they are on my official boycott list until Wirtz sells...

Rumor has it that Wirtz is interested in buying the Cubs and rumor has it that Reinsdorf is interested in buying the Hawks!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by NSH

Don't get me started on the Hawks, they are on my official boycott list until Wirtz sells...

Rumor has it that Wirtz is interested in buying the Cubs and rumor has it that Reinsdorf is interested in buying the Hawks!

Bah, I wouldnt believe that whatsoever.

If Reinsdorf wants to buy the Hawks, let him! The Cubs have a vastly longer losing streak, yet still sell out and have probably the 3rd largest fan base in the USA. THATS amazing.

As for the Hawks, Wirtz has killed them. But theyre on the rise and will one day be the giants they once were. Visit WirtzSucks.com (broken link) to find out more about the *******. And dont boycott the Hawks, give them support, after all, its not their fault that the seats are empty. Im there to watch Seabrook, Keith, Khabibulin, Lalime, Havlat, Samsonov, Vrbata (sort of haha), Williams, etc, etc, etc. I HATE Wirtz, but that old buzzer wont keep me from my Hawks.

[jessiegirl_98]

Regarding allergies, I have a GREAT allergist. Can give you a referral if you come here!

[HockeyFan]

Thanks for all the comments!

Jessiegirl, I will definitely contact you regarding the allergist if I move there -- finding a good allergist can be more difficult than it would seem.

Regarding the smoking ban... the state legislature has passed a ban going into effect in 2008, and it is awaiting the governor's signature. My understanding is, the signature has been delayed over debates about casino exemptions, but once that's determined, he is expected to sign it.

I always found going near the great lakes -- Duluth and the north shore of MN in particular -- that my allergy symptoms all but disappeared. I presume the lake breezes are still prevalent in summer in Chicago as they are on Lake Superior? Most of my visits to Chicago have been during fall/spring in the past.

The Hawks are on the right path. Toews is going to have an immediate impact, in my opinion. He was great at the World Championships this year, and showed he's ready for the next level. Patrick Kane is going to be a goal scorer -- whether he's ready this year or the following season, he'll be an impact player as well. I really like Seabrook, Keith, and Barker on the blueline. If Khabibulin could remember how he played in 03-04 with the Lightning, the Hawks would be in fine shape.

Regarding housing... with allergies, it does tend to be better to find new housing. Is there much new housing in the city itself or lakefront suburbs? By housing... I mean condos, townhomes, or single family homes -- I'm pretty open to all ideas. The main thing I'm looking for is smallish lots -- I'm not into having an acre lot again. Did that once -- way too much work, and way too many allergies!

[Fishtacos]

Chicago would be great for the original poster. No shortage of areas for your interests. And if you don't mind the weather, even more perfect for you. Just get yourself a Blues Sweater, perhaps the newly signed Paul Kariya? Or go old school? New HOF entry Al MacInnis? Let's go Bluuuuuues!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

The Hawks are on the right path. Toews is going to have an immediate impact, in my opinion. He was great at the World Championships this year, and showed he's ready for the next level. Patrick Kane is going to be a goal scorer -- whether he's ready this year or the following season, he'll be an impact player as well. I really like Seabrook, Keith, and Barker on the blueline. If Khabibulin could remember how he played in 03-04 with the Lightning, the Hawks would be in fine shape.

Toews and Kane have already been making big splashes in the Red vs White scrimmages. Man, I hope theyre the answer Chicago needs. I want my Hawks back.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Fishtacos

Chicago would be great for the original poster. No shortage of areas for your interests. And if you don't mind the weather, even more perfect for you. Just get yourself a Blues Sweater, perhaps the newly signed Paul Kariya? Or go old school? New HOF entry Al MacInnis? Let's go Bluuuuuues!

**shudders**

Thats it. Thou ist forever banned henceforth from the Chicago boards for mentioning St. Louis. Banishment!!!!!!

No, seriously, there shall be no Blues talk on these boards.

[HockeyFan]

Fishtacos -- do you want people to actually throw fish tacos at me? LOL Okay, I'm sure a Blues sweater is safer than a Red Wings sweater though!

Steve-o, have you been going to the scrimmages? What's the interest like -- have there been a lot of people there?

I do get the feeling a lot of people in Chicago may share my interests. And for food -- I'm into steaks, burgers, pastas -- I think Chicago has some of that, doesn't it?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Fishtacos -- do you want people to actually throw fish tacos at me? LOL Okay, I'm sure a Blues sweater is safer than a Red Wings sweater though!

Steve-o, have you been going to the scrimmages? What's the interest like -- have there been a lot of people there?

I do get the feeling a lot of people in Chicago may share my interests. And for food -- I'm into steaks, burgers, pastas -- I think Chicago has some of that, doesn't it?

No, actually Ive never been to any practices. Theyre open to the public, up at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville. Id like to go sometime to get some autographs, but the practices are early in the morning on weekdays, so thats kinda outta the question for me.

As for steaks, burgers, pastas... youll be in heaven here.

[j33]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Regarding housing... with allergies, it does tend to be better to find new housing. Is there much new housing in the city itself or lakefront suburbs? By housing... I mean condos, townhomes, or single family homes -- I'm pretty open to all ideas. The main thing I'm looking for is smallish lots -- I'm not into having an acre lot again. Did that once -- way too much work, and way too many allergies!

If you move into the city proper, you won't have to worry about an acre lot, you'll be lucky to get a yard at all. Standard city lots are usually 25x125. There is plenty of new construction in the city, but it is often expensive to rent and/or to buy. Most of the buildings I've lived in have been built in the late 1800's or early 1900's (but I'm on a budget that doesn't quite allow for those newer buildings and I like the 'charm' of the turn of the century apartment). I'm not sure, however, how well those sorts of places with with people who have allergies.

I can't help much with the burbs though, especially the lake-front burbs as those are mostly on the north-side, and I'm a former south-suburbanite whose word pretty much ended at at the LOOP until I moved up to the northside of the city proper in 92.