If you won Powerball Jackpot, would you still live in Illinois? (Chicago: homes, buying)

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

As mentioned above, I didn't want to add that as an option since a majority if not all people would own two or more houses. But lets say you were given the money on one condition, that being that you have to choose a place to live and stay there.

It was meant to be a fun exercise to see how many folks would still choose Chicago despite being infinitely wealthy. I am surprised that a majority of people still choose Chicago. My guess is mostly in part due to family.

...is much nicer for folks with LOTS of money than for folks without much money.

This was not always the case.

Not that many years ago people that wanted to spend very little money enjoying the city could easily hop on a cheap train or El ride and get to a cheap seat in Wrigley or Comiskey and enjoy a nice day in the sun.

The various financial disasters that the CTA and Metra face has resulted in those fares growing significantly. The the creation of the Illinois Sports Facility Authority to build the Sox a new stadium resulted in big increases in ticket prices. The collapse of the Tribune business model and subsequent sale to investors that apparently feel a need to have a competitive team is seeing a costly rebuild of Wrigley field...

Believe me baseball and transit are not the only areas that has seen these increased costs

These trends are reflected in other aspects of city life too -- massive amounts of government debt force huge increases in fees / taxes while more "profit oriented' private concerns have to hike their prices too...

Don't get me wrong, I like the "upgrades' that Chicago has gone through and might live here even if my family never does but the cost increases are daunting for somebody that not only remembers when things worked better / were more affordable BUT ALSO still travels to LOTS of other non-costal cities that are MUCH MORE fiscally sound than Chicago and far more affordable...

[long101]

I voted before the one house restriction. However Chicago would still be my first city, however like others I would spend time in other parts of the country. Especially this time of year.

Alinea would also get their first takeout order

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

I am surprised that a majority of people still choose Chicago. My guess is mostly in part due to family.

While I'm sure family is part of it for some people, you have to remember that Chicago is a city that is full of transplants who chose to live here. I have no family here at all, but it is incredibly easy to get anywhere in the country from Chicago. That's just one of quite a few attractions of living here.

[emathias]

"only have one house" is an ridiculous constraint.

[Ace Rothstein]

Yeah, with this kind of money I'm in 4-5 house/condo/apartment territory.

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by Ace Rothstein

Yeah, with this kind of money I'm in 4-5 house/condo/apartment territory.

A don't forget a ranch or two in Montana or Idaho.

[UC18]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

As mentioned above, I didn't want to add that as an option since a majority if not all people would own two or more houses. But lets say you were given the money on one condition, that being that you have to choose a place to live and stay there.

"Stay there"? As in house arrest? Saying people can only own one home is weird enough, but saying they have to stay in one place is even more ridiculous. The ability to spend one's time traveling is a big reason people want to have lots of money in the first place. Does your restriction prevent people from staying in hotels in other cities? How long are they allowed to stay there before they have to return? If I can't at least spend a few weeks a year in other locations, I'd just as soon not have the money, because I get to do that now on my middle class salary.

[UC18]

Originally Posted by Attrill

While I'm sure family is part of it for some people, you have to remember that Chicago is a city that is full of transplants who chose to live here.

Exactly. I would choose to spend time in Chicago if I were rich for the same reasons I choose to spend time there now. I moved to Chicago because I like Chicago-- it's not like someone dumped me off here and I can't afford a moving truck or plane ticket to move elsewhere.

I would still like Chicago if I had tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. The only difference would be that I could afford to split my time between many of the places I like rather than having to spend 90-95% of my time in just one of the places I like-- if the czar of hypothetical riches will allow me to travel, that is.

[chiMT]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I wonder if all the stories of "curse of the lottery winner" ever include any success stories where the windfall leads to somebody doing something that benefits a community?

It's always interesting to hear people talk about what they'd do with their "lottery winnings." I never hear about using the money to fight poverty, or improve schools. That would cut into their hundred million dollar profit.

[reneeh63]

I LOVE Chicago! Why not keep a home in Chicago, New York, and Italy?