Do you know a lot of people leaving Chicago? (Aurora: sales, apartment complex)

[VA All Day]

I left a few weeks ago and regretted it immediately.

[UrbanCheetah]

Originally Posted by VA All Day

I left a few weeks ago and regretted it immediately.

Why is that?

[VA All Day]

Originally Posted by UrbanCheetah

Why is that?

Several reasons, but mainly:

1. It was a decision based on what I thought was best for my "career," even though up to this point I've pretty much been the opposite of a careerist and
2. After living in Chicago, the DC area does almost nothing for me.

[DougStark]

Originally Posted by Bluefox

Most likely back to SoCal though there's a possibility it could be DC. It's a good opportunity for advancement, otherwise I'd just stay here. But I'd like to make it back to either KC or Chicago eventually.

If you really like Latin American culture, then Miami does sound like a good fit. You should do it, especially if you haven't experienced living somewhere outside of Chicago. And yes, you're right that Chicago will always be there in case you want to move back.

I don't think though that there is a mass exodus from Chicago, at least more so than there has been. If there was, the central core wouldn't be booming as much as it is. There are so many new projects in the pipeline right now. I wish the politics could be cleaned up a bit, and I'm somewhat disappointed in Rahm after this latest fiasco. But I don't think Chicago is going the way of the dodo at all.

I check realtor.com frequently. In my searches, I'm saddened how many homes in Chicagoland are listed as "short sale" or auction. The towns I've searched have been Westchester, Lombard, and nearby suburbs. I don't see that many short sales in Wheaton or Naperville, however.

The number of "short sale" listings doesn't give me confidence in investing in those areas. I think the number one reason people are fed-up with Chicagoland is the high property taxes and the IL state government mismanagement. Climate may factor in, but not to the degree of taxes IMO.

[cordtwo]

Originally Posted by VA All Day

Several reasons, but mainly:

1. It was a decision based on what I thought was best for my "career," even though up to this point I've pretty much been the opposite of a careerist and
2. After living in Chicago, the DC area does almost nothing for me.

Is it too late to return to Chicago? I am moving from Atlanta to Chicago next summer and I am very well traveled in the U.S. People say bad things about Chicago out all of the time, but they end up finding out that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Other cities have their issues as well.

[dexter1225]

Originally Posted by VA All Day

Several reasons, but mainly:

1. It was a decision based on what I thought was best for my "career," even though up to this point I've pretty much been the opposite of a careerist and
2. After living in Chicago, the DC area does almost nothing for me.

You must have certainly jumped the gun making your user name then...

Two weeks and already throwing in the towel? There is so much more history, culture, and culinary variety in DC to experience. If I were wanting worse traffic and cost of living (but potential for much higher earnings) than Chicago, I would move to DC in a heartbeat. Give it some time, buddy. It's such a clean and active city.

[VA All Day]

Originally Posted by dexter1225

You must have certainly jumped the gun making your user name then...

Two weeks and already throwing in the towel? There is so much more history, culture, and culinary variety in DC to experience. If I were wanting worse traffic and cost of living (but potential for much higher earnings) than Chicago, I would move to DC in a heartbeat. Give it some time, buddy. It's such a clean and active city.

I grew up in Richmond and lived in the DC area once already so I know exactly what this place is about. The history here largely isn't specific to DC itself, the actual local culture is very insular and limited (I'm sure you've been to many go-gos), and the food is terribly overrated compared to Chi or NY. And yes, even though my earnings potential is higher here I wasn't struggling in Chicago by any means.

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by DougStark

I check realtor.com frequently. In my searches, I'm saddened how many homes in Chicagoland are listed as "short sale" or auction. The towns I've searched have been Westchester, Lombard, and nearby suburbs. I don't see that many short sales in Wheaton or Naperville, however.

The number of "short sale" listings doesn't give me confidence in investing in those areas. I think the number one reason people are fed-up with Chicagoland is the high property taxes and the IL state government mismanagement. Climate may factor in, but not to the degree of taxes IMO.

No disagreement here. I don't know if the politicians fail to see the big picture or what, but you just can't have sky high property taxes when you have to compete with other cities. For the upper class the taxes don't matter but for the normal suburbs catering to the middle class, it is a big deal. There needs to be some serious tax reform and soon because it is really an untenable situation.

[walker1962]

ok this is a lot of bs about how bad Phoenix is COMPARED TO CHICAGO! I have visited both places and while I'm not inclined to think very well of Phoenix, let's look at the underbelly of Chicago:
1. High Violent crime rate;
2. High cost of living - taxes, fuel, housing - sales taxes have increased several times the past ten years and state income increase was so hated, the CEO of Caterpillar wrote an open letter to the Illinois Governor to express his disgust!
3. BAD winters, compared to BAD summer in Phoenix and BAD humidity in Miami;
4. stagnant population growth in Chicago and, in general Illinois;
5. Segregation is high in Chicago. I was there last year, had a Romanian girl as a Taxi driver, who also lived in Alabama. SHE herself noticed how segregated the city remains, which speaks to a bad dynamic of living in Chicago.
6. Political corruption..the term vote early, vote often ..that's Chicago.

[flamadiddle]

Originally Posted by walker1962

ok this is a lot of bs about how bad Phoenix is COMPARED TO CHICAGO! I have visited both places and while I'm not inclined to think very well of Phoenix, let's look at the underbelly of Chicago:
1. High Violent crime rate;
2. High cost of living - taxes, fuel, housing - sales taxes have increased several times the past ten years and state income increase was so hated, the CEO of Caterpillar wrote an open letter to the Illinois Governor to express his disgust!
3. BAD winters, compared to BAD summer in Phoenix and BAD humidity in Miami;
4. stagnant population growth in Chicago and, in general Illinois;
5. Segregation is high in Chicago. I was there last year, had a Romanian girl as a Taxi driver, who also lived in Alabama. SHE herself noticed how segregated the city remains, which speaks to a bad dynamic of living in Chicago.
6. Political corruption..the term vote early, vote often ..that's Chicago.

While I wouldn't disagree with your bullet points (no pun intended! ), here's my take.


You can insert any city of your choice such as Phoenix (or Atlanta in my case) and you will end up missing Chicago. Not for the negatives you mentioned, but all the positives that make Chicago one of the greatest cities on Earth. I currently live in the Atlanta suburbs and never go to the city because there's nothing there that even remotely compares to Chicago. The only thing keeping us from coming back is the Illinois/Chicago financial situation and the weather.

Chicago has so much to offer and I miss it badly.