Native and Non-native Chicagoans (Oak Park, Lexington: transfer, school, to live)

[Dncr]

I've been seeing a lot of moving to Chicago threads, and it just got me curious about how the demographics of Chicago's regular posters.

Natives, have you lived in Chicagoland your entire life? How has your experience been overall? Do you plan on staying?

Non-natives, what made you choose Chicago, and how has your experience been so far? Are you staying, or do you plan on leaving within the foreseeable future?

[Drover]

Chicagoland native here. The main thing keeping me anchored here is family. This is kind of the "epicenter" for both my family and my wife's family. Most of mine is here in the Chicago area with some in downstate IL; my wife's family is spread from the Twin Cities to Indy, with the bulk of her immediate family also in downstate IL. Otherwise I would be more actively searching for somewhere else to live, partially just for a new experience but mostly because I'd like to find a less expensive place to put down my own roots.

[mjtinmemphis]

Non-Native. I had the opportunity to transfer with my job 3 years ago to Atlanta, Dallas, DC, NYC and Boston. I chose Chicago due to its culture and close proximity to friends and family in the midwest and the southeast.

Everytime I came for a visit I left thinking I want to move here one day. The only other city that has left me feeling that way was DC. COL and distance from family made Chicago the logical choice.

My experience here has been great. Chicago is a "get what you get" type of town. Nothing more nothing less. Most other places doesn't offer that type of opportunity to advance in life. Adjusting to the weather has been a but much but other than that its great.

I plan to stay for until I get too old to deal with the weather. When that happens I plan to move closer to family.

[Manigault]

I got a job here during a recessionary period, made friends and let inertia set in. Who wants to go back to the closed factory town of my birth?

Plus, I've always considered myself a missionary bringing civilization to the prairie denizens!

[Alacran]

I was born here

[linicx]

I was born and raised in Illinois. I spent 15 summers in Mpls with my aunt. As an adult I've lived in LA, SD, NM, Orlando, and most of the Midwestern states. I lived, worked and played in Chicago three different time. I love Chicago for all the things it offers. It is a town where big dream can come true. I owe Chicago for wonderful memories and life experiences. But the fact is I am much older now, my job is far more difficult than it was 50 years ago. Today I prefer a rural life in a a close knit smaller community.

[Irishtom29]

Born and raised on the West Side. Raised my kids in the burbs and came back to the city when they'd moved on. We recently tried Lexington KY for three years and came back here.

[Jandur]

Depends on how you define native I guess. I grew up in the west suburbs. I consider myself native though.

[Odina_123]

Non native, moved here back in 06, stepdad won green card, family friends lived here for a while and so we moved here.

[ToriaT]

I'm not sure what is considered a "native Chicagoan". I technically was born on the border of Chicago-Oak Park and lived in Chicago proper for only seven years. I went to school or worked in the City everyday for forty over years. My family has been in or close by Chicago since the late 1800s. Still I consider myself a Chicagoan.