Chicago traffic problem ? (Cicero, Arlington Heights, Lincoln: apartment, neighborhoods, tax)

[Bunch]

I just got here a few months ago and I can say that here is the worst I experience by far. My work requieres me to be on the street driving a lot for meetings and conferences and it is just the worst I've ever experience.

But some of my coworkers say here is not as bad as NYC or LA.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Bunch

I just got here a few months ago and I can say that here is the worst I experience by far. My work requieres me to be on the street driving a lot for meetings and conferences and it is just the worst I've ever experience.

But some of my coworkers say here is not as bad as NYC or LA.

Where did you live before here? Peoria?

[Attrill]

The study that most people are talking about when they say "worst traffic" is usually the Annual Urban Mobility Report. There are some serious issues with the study, primarily that it is only concerned with congestion and has nothing to do with average length of commutes, so if an article says the study defines "the worst commute" is not accurate at all. By the study's criteria it is preferable to have an hour long commute in free flowing traffic than a 15 minute commute in stop and go traffic. Commuters in spread out cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and San Jose have much longer average commutes, but not as much congestion. They don't rank as high on the list, even though you're likely to have a much longer commute in those cities. There are plenty of other studies that use different criteria (such as average distance and time of commutes) and give a more accurate sense of how long the average person's commute is.

In general I don't think getting around Chicago by car is that bad. It is definitely easier than in many other cities I've lived in (Boston, NYC, London, and SF). Even in cities with less congestion I find that it takes me a lot longer to run errands since everything is so spread out. Tomorrow I'm going to be picking up things for a BBQ on Saturday - I'll easily be able to get everything done in less than an hour (get beer, food, charcoal, and wood). In the last few months I've done the same set of errands in Tucson and Indianapolis and spent almost half a day driving all over creation just to get to a Costco and a liquor store with a decent beer selection.

[rparz]

I can easily drive for over an hour when I don't drop below 45, but I'm getting severe anxiety after 10 minutes in the gridlock that is westbound Kennedy traffic.

[Dream Chaser]

Originally Posted by Attrill

In general I don't think getting around Chicago by car is that bad. It is definitely easier than in many other cities I've lived in (Boston, NYC, London, and SF). Even in cities with less congestion I find that it takes me a lot longer to run errands since everything is so spread out. Tomorrow I'm going to be picking up things for a BBQ on Saturday - I'll easily be able to get everything done in less than an hour (get beer, food, charcoal, and wood). In the last few months I've done the same set of errands in Tucson and Indianapolis and spent almost half a day driving all over creation just to get to a Costco and a liquor store with a decent beer selection.

I know where your coming from, Chicago isn't spread out so theres less commutes. I always I thought of the city traffic annoying. Few years ago when I use to live outside of Chicago,I use come back one weekend every month. I use to get caught in some type congestion on Sunday night.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by Dream Chaser

Chicago always ranks as the most congested city in the country.

No it doesn't.

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Believe it's safe to assume a travler coming into the city from ORD is going to have a negative feeling on Chicago traffic.

Having a job that requires me to drive in and around the city and surrounding area.

Let's just say Chicago has some traffic problems.

[Bunch]

Originally Posted by emathias

Where did you live before here? Peoria?

Denver, Dallas, San Antonio, Jacksonville, Orlando, Philadelphia, DC, San Diego are some of the places that are either lived or have regular visits cause of work. Again I'm only speaking from experience that's all...

[sunnyandcloudydays]

Philly , DC and SD are not exactly smooth commutes

[Vlajos]

The region has 9.5 million people. Traffic can get bad.