Chicago vs. Atlanta (Evanston, Oak Park, Lincoln: environment, relocating, gated)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

I am originally from St. Louis but have lived in Atlanta for the past year or so. I am planning on moving to Chicago in a couple of months to do my masters. While I have not lived in Chicago I have spent a lot of time there and believe I can give a little bit of insight.

I completely agree with you on the energy level of Chicago vs. Atlanta. In Atlanta, you dont really get a sense of excitement of living here. Theres not really anything to be proud of (except maybe the weather). Chicago itself seems to have a flow that makes it pretty laid back for such a big city (I compare it a bit to Melbourne in that aspect but nobody seems to agree with me.) To me, Atlanta just seems like a giant suburb.

The weather is going to be a huge obstacle to overcome. I would recommend moving there around May. That way, you can see how great chicago can be before the 9 months of winter hell set in. Summer in Chicago is better than any other city I have been to in the United States.

I agree with your post except for the "9 months of winter" statement. 9 months? You seriously believe that? It doesnt get truly cold until late October (40s), and our first snowfall usually hits around Thanksgiving... which leaves us with 4 months where accumulation can occur. You might get some flurries in April, but theyre weak and melt within a day (or sometimes a few hours). April, May, June, July, August, September and most of October are glorious, IMO. The other 5 months are kinda cold to downright cold.

[ShampooBanana]

Originally Posted by jimbo13

it shouldn't ever be in the forties in june, anywhere on earth.

In June? I can't remember it ever being in the 40's in June, except maybe in the middle of the night on June 1. Typically June is a very pleasant month, usually hovering between the 70's and low 80's, perhaps down to the mid-high 60's at night.

[NearWestSider]

I thought it snowed a lot in Chicago until I bought cross country skis.
Now that I have them, I look forward to snow.

I counted 7 skiable Saturdays this winter, but typically the number is 4 or 5. And between the outbreaks of snow, the stuff almost always melts away.

I know that what I am saying may disappoint the tougher-than-tough amongst us, but the reality of winters around here is that they aren't that big of a deal.

[chet everett]

It is not the amount of snow, heck as you point out, things like cross country skiing or snowshoeing are really not possible here for LACK of snow more often. Nor is it the 'cold' in an absolute sense, as clearly MANY Canadian cities and Minnesota is MUCH colder. What makes winter so unpleasant in Chicago is that despite the fact that the place ought take into consideration the bleakness that does strike from basically Christmas though just about this second week of April there is ALMOST NOTHING done to make winter tolerable. There are only handful of indoor oriented venues of any kind and the MAJORITY of them are not free -- you have to pay to get in AND you have to PAY to park. Heaven help you standing on an El platform or Metra stop waiting for a train that is delayed/canceled. Even the subways are damp and drafty. Contrast this MN where they have many pleasant above ground connections to make it possible to get around with constantly being dressed like you're on Ice Station Zebra. The wind is not the kind of thing that you just shrug off, it is deadly-- windchills deep into the sub zero range. Short hours of sunlight made worse by gray skies and UGLY orange streetlight to see you off in morning and make you look deader than you feel at night. Roads that are clearly built more for the enrichment of connected dealmakers than to survive the ravages of millions of tons of rock salt and snow plows crews from the dark ages.

Don't misunderstand me. I love Chicago. I wouldn't live/work anywhere else. I do fully understand , however, just how crummy/long our winter has been this season and I cannot, in good conscience say it ain't a big deal.

Further, we do have some brutal heat too. We have had summers with extended periods in the high 90s and people have died. The city has made efforts to make "cooling centers" available, but too many people don't have places with efficient A/C units and the city sprawl certainly contributes to the "urban heat island" effect that does make air quality suffer and may even do bad things globally. The mayor talks up waterless urinals in city hall and other trendy "green issues" but try and find out why cities like Phoenix and Houston have had technology to shorten red lights delays and other huge energy sinkholes...

[tedhogan]

I hate the weather. I hate it, hate it, hate it. Chicago would be the perfect city if the weather was better.

I love my city. I was born, raised, and continue to live here. I wouldn't give it up for the world. The weather makes me want to, but I have always been bored living elsewhere.

I think that the majority of people who move away and are happy are suburbanites. The thing is that when you don't actually live in the city, you miss out on a lot of the culture, the vibe, the excitement. (also the crime, the pestilence, the vice)

I have many life long friends who were born and raised in the city that now live in the suburbs and they get excited when a new store opens up or over the fact that other developments across the country look exactly like where they live (seriously). In my opinion, they are in denial.

So, if you like the city vibe than Chicago (in the actual city) is the place to be. Skip the burbs unless a new Panera or Chillis excites you.

Just my thoughts.

Oh, and I still HATE the weather. I ride a motorcycle, so it's not real comfortable at 28 degrees on the expressway. Now, to the person who said 9 months of winter... your off your rocker man. These are the months of suck: DEC, JAN, FEB, MAR. That's it. Heck, even December isn't usually that bad. 9 months... what... did you just move here from Hawaii or Key West?

Ted

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

I agree with your post except for the "9 months of winter" statement. 9 months? You seriously believe that? It doesnt get truly cold until late October (40s), and our first snowfall usually hits around Thanksgiving... which leaves us with 4 months where accumulation can occur. You might get some flurries in April, but theyre weak and melt within a day (or sometimes a few hours). April, May, June, July, August, September and most of October are glorious, IMO. The other 5 months are kinda cold to downright cold.

I definitely exaggerated a bit. There are very few things that I am going to miss about Atlanta when I do make the move up to Chicago in a couple months. However, one of those things will certainly be the weather. I was driving around with my jeeps top down at points in November, January, and February. I think the point I was trying to make is that the weather is a dramatic change from Atlanta to the midwest.

[mjtinmemphis]

To address the OP topic.

I have the opportunity to relocate to Atlanta and Chicago. Without ever living in either one. I had to make a decision on which one is more conducive to my lifestyle.

I didn't like Atlanta because it didn't have much of a vibe. The little vibe that I picked up on seemed rather cold (in the nature of the people), suburban and guetto. It was kind of disappointing because so many people are relocating to the area and I expeced more from it.

Chicago made the cut due to the statements that have already been made. Sence of place the energy and the benefits of living in a "real" urban city.

I guess if I was looking for a warmer climate in a suburban area Atlanta would have beat Chicago. But because of me seeking what I am seeking Chicago is the place to be.

[aragx6]

Honestly if I were choosing a place based soley on its weather I would choose Chicago over Atlanta anyway. Summer in Atlanta is gruesome! And the water shortages seem to get worse every year!

[Thepreacherswife]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Personally Columbia had some of the worst grocery shopping I've ever seen. Few places could be worse.

Oh fer cryin' out loud, UNCLE! UNCLE! Jeez. My bad for getting off-subject.

Originally Posted by aragx6

Honestly if I were choosing a place based soley on its weather I would choose Chicago over Atlanta anyway. Summer in Atlanta is gruesome! And the water shortages seem to get worse every year!

Now that's something we can agree upon!

Also, one thing I don't miss from Atlanta is air quality/ozone problems, often exacerbated by rednecks with junky pickup trucks and beater pre-83 cars that are exempt from vehicle emissions testing because of their "historic vehicle status"

[Lookout Kid]

I would never move to Atlanta in a million years! If you want nice weather, Washington D.C. is a lovely city with pretty good weather. San Franicisco ain't that bad either, though the summers are too cold for my liking. Heck, move to Miami over Atlanta! Atlanta is definitely one of my least favorite big cities in the U.S., with perhaps only Dallas, Houston and Phoenix beating it out.