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Old 03-31-2015, 01:38 PM
 
26 posts, read 34,417 times
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Hi everyone. I'm wondering if Chicago has the rat race vibe places like New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco have. Is it a similar vibe? Or is Chicago more relaxed and laid-back?
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Old 03-31-2015, 02:06 PM
 
Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan, NYC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwerty124 View Post
Hi everyone. I'm wondering if Chicago has the rat race vibe places like New York, Washington DC, and San Francisco have. Is it a similar vibe? Or is Chicago more relaxed and laid-back?
Overall, no, but it could. It all depends on what industry you work in and where. I've experienced both in Chicago, but on average I'd say it's more relaxed than NYC for sure. I work in NYC until 8pm many nights without batting an eye. In Chicago that's rarely happened.
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Old 03-31-2015, 02:21 PM
 
Location: Cleveland, OH
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Yes it does. Maybe the work hours are not as bad as NYC, but it's a busy city with long commutes and a big corporate workforce. The cost of living here is not as bad as those other cities, but it can be pricy to maintain a good quality if life by American middle-class standards.
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Old 03-31-2015, 02:24 PM
 
Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan, NYC
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Originally Posted by 5Lakes View Post
it's a busy city with long commutes
Most everything you said above is mostly correct except this point is highly circumstantial. You can't put a blanket statement on "long commutes" because many people DO have short commutes. It depends on where you live. You could have a long commute and you might have a short one.
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Old 03-31-2015, 02:51 PM
 
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It can, but for the most part no. I feel like it's somewhat of a happy medium. It's not very laid back, but it's not a rat race. It can be though like if you work in the Finance or Marketing/Advertising industries or any other industry here in Chicago that is very prominent and competitive.
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Old 03-31-2015, 03:43 PM
 
Location: Cleveland, OH
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Originally Posted by marothisu View Post
Most everything you said above is mostly correct except this point is highly circumstantial. You can't put a blanket statement on "long commutes" because many people DO have short commutes. It depends on where you live. You could have a long commute and you might have a short one.
While this is true (I have a short commute myself), my point is that the Chicago area has longer commute times than most places. And if you drive here it will take a much longer time to travel an equal distance compared to other cities. The commutes that many people in the Chicago area deal with and have learned to accept would be considered insane in much of the county.

I have always lived in the city close to downtown during my years in Chicago, but the potential hassle of commuting here may make me want to leave the metro area someday if circumstances have me landing in the burbs.
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Old 03-31-2015, 03:52 PM
 
Location: Chicago
38,707 posts, read 103,265,595 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwerty124 View Post
Does Chicago have a rat race feel
Yes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by qwerty124 View Post
like New York?
No.
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Old 03-31-2015, 04:16 PM
 
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It does have a rat race feel. I've been to San fran and didn't get that feeling at all. It seems very laid back compared to chicago. You notice it with little things like crossing the streets even.
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Old 03-31-2015, 05:32 PM
 
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Only one time - when you are walking against the crowd who is rushing to catch the train to go home. its a mob. if you go the opposite way, you cannot get thru the mob! they walk very fast and you might get knocked over. Anyone who lives in Chicago, try walking east down Madison or Adams or Jackson at 4:20 rush hour. Right there by Wacker Drive on the bridge there and see how hard it is to get thru! its maddening.
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Old 03-31-2015, 07:11 PM
 
Location: Upper West Side, Manhattan, NYC
15,323 posts, read 23,958,988 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5Lakes View Post
While this is true (I have a short commute myself), my point is that the Chicago area has longer commute times than most places. And if you drive here it will take a much longer time to travel an equal distance compared to other cities. The commutes that many people in the Chicago area deal with and have learned to accept would be considered insane in much of the county.
It's only insane if you aren't already living in a big city. Ever commuted in a city like Houston, Dallas, NYC, or LA? It's usually equally as bad if not worse. Chicago is another big city with big city problems like this. People who think that this is just bad in Chicago need to get out more.
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