Boston to Chicago

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Windy City John

you're right however the cache of LP and Wrigleyville still hold a bit of panache even though borders do cross and mingle

This is true with LP, but Wrigleyville is entirely located in Lake View. I hate the term, and it is not your fault or creation...;-)

[jimbo13]

Originally Posted by chicago_bound

Hi jimbo, when you say south of boystown, is that still boystown or a different neighborhood? How much are 1BR's there approximately? thanks!

technically, east lakeview is what i guess it'd be called. great access to everything you'd need. resturaunts, bars, food stores, public transportation and right beside the lake. parking is a B, so be prepared to pay for a parking spot.

[Lookout Kid]

I don't think "Wrigleyville" has much cache at all, unless you're a 22 year-old straight who wants to party. It brings to mind hoardes of drunk frat boys. "Wrigleyville" kind of revolves around the bars on Clark Street and around Wrigley Field itself.

If I were to name the toniest parts of Lakeview, East Lakeview and the Southport Corridor come to mind first. I personally think the best part of Lakeview is anything along Broadway and east of there from about Cornelia south to Diversey. The Southport corridor is also just wonderful, and perhaps a little less dense (look at Southport Ave. for this west lakeview locale). "Boystown" is in East Lakeview, and is the area surrounding the strip along Halsted Street from about Belmont to Grace, though it has no real borders. In fact, you could argue that you're not in "Boystown" anymore the minute you walk off of Halsted.

The name Lincoln Park certainly carries a lot of prestige--but many people are turned off by that and complain of "trixies" and "chads" (you'll learn these terms after you live here, but they are basically male and female versions of a certain type of Lincoln Park yuppie resident). People may view you a certain way if you live in Lincoln Park, but these people are idiots. Chicagoans draw far too much of their identities from the neighborhoods they live in.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Chicagoans draw far too much of their identities from the neighborhoods they live in.

I think this is a big city thing. Being a Chicagoan means something different depending on the distinct neighborhood you live in. It shapes a lot of what you do and yes, who you are. I don't see much of a problem with this.

And unlike New York, in my experience people move around to different neighborhoods here. I know people in NYC who have lived in the same neighborhood for years and years.

[j33]

aragx6 - very true. and same with the burbs as well. I grew up south of the city along Western Ave and believe me, there is a huge difference being from the south burbs and the northern or northwestern burbs (and not just what baseball team you grew up cheering for), and it does influence your experience so it will naturally come out in conversation. So naturally people will discuss their neighborhoods, a lot here, because a lot of the neighborhoods have distinct local identities, even if that identity is 'lakeview frat boy'

... I'm going on 5 years in the same neighborhood of West-Town, and I can easily see myself sticking around for another 5, or more.

[elleng0523]

Words cannot describe how much better Chicago is than Boston. Moving to Boston was the biggest mistake of my life, I have never been so miserable. Should have left years earlier, but wanted some job stability. It took me 15 years to finally get myself to Chicago, but I realized if I didn't move here I would always regret it. Still recovering from wasting 7 years being bored, depressed, and out of place in Boston. Boston is small and provincial, not very friendly, not very pretty, BORING, and frankly somewhat depressing, at least for me.

Most of the neighborhoods in Chicago mentioned so far are quite close to each other. You can walk from Wrigley Field to Lincoln Park to Southport to Old Town to North and Clybourn, with a bike it's even better. I think that Bostonians would be a lot happier if they lived in Chicago. It's cheaper, prettier, bigger, more diverse in every sense of the word--Age, ethnically, economically, culturally, architecturally, culinarily, you name it. Most importantly, there is always something to do, whether you already have a family or group of friends that want to do stuff, or you are looking to meet people or even just get your mind off your work. Truly an abundance of riches--2 baseball teams and 1 of all other sports, Huge number of local dance troupes as well as all the major national and international ones that come every year, a major symphony, Ravinia that is across town rather than across the state like Tanglewood. A storefront theatre on every street corner. Everything from improv to serious dramas. See the next Saturday Night live cast in their formative years. So many unique opportunities. There is truly something for everyone. Plus there is the lake, with swimming in fresh water! Every kind of boat you can imagine to rent--sail, canoe, kayak, cruise, you name it. Chicago is really paradise on earth. I save a lot on vacations--I'm already here, why would I want to go anywhere else? Summers in Chicago are not to be missed. There is so much to do here that it is seriously hard to justify staying in.

One other thing--Chicago is very good at promoting itself--all the neighborhoods have street festivals, 4th of July (really 3rd of July) is a huge deal, there is tons of free entertainment, you name it. If you are into cultural stuff, this is the place to be. Come to Chicago--you won't want to leave!