Thoughts on a potential move to Chicago (Atlanta, Louisville: best city, condo)

[Ryno25]

Hello everyone,
After thinking long and hard on the matter, I think I have decided to make Chicago my future home. I had been considering Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh in the past, but after visiting each of those cities and after visiting Chicago, it came down to the wire. Ultimately I feel Chicago may be a better fit.

I currently live in Louisville and I was born and raised there. I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of Louisville. There’s things I like about it but ultimately it’s too small minded and too cliquish. I’ve struggled to make friends in Louisville and I’m almost 30 years old. It’s very hard to make and keep friends in Louisville, especially if you didn’t attend the same high school together. Also people in Louisville act like it’s the best City in the world. The way they talk about Louisville, you would think they would be talking about NYC or Tokyo. I pretty much want to get the hell out of dodge and not look back. My current social connections to this city are weakening and I wouldn’t be surprised in the next couple of years that there wouldn’t be a reason for me to come back and visit at all.

So I would appreciate if I could get some advice about living in Chicago. I’ll talk about myself a little. I have an undergrad in Political Science with a minor in Sociology, I am considering grad school. I am more on the introverted side and that’s one reason I am dying to get out of the south...it’s incredibly hard to be an introvert in the south. My hobbies include photography, writing, I love the walking, I also love to travel especially via train. I am also a gamer but not a diehard gamer. I do use public transit, from my understanding, Chicago has a pretty good system...at least better than what Louisville has. I currently work in the hotel industry. In terms of politics, I am pretty liberal but I generally get along with people on both sides of the aisle as long as they are respectful.

[MovingForward59]

If you want to jump aboard the declining city train then Chicago will be great for you.
If not then look elsewhere

[Nodpete]

Bring plenty of ammo !

[Ryno25]

Originally Posted by MovingForward59

If you want to jump aboard the declining city train then Chicago will be great for you.
If not then look elsewhere

I’m just trying to get the **** out of Louisville. I’d almost take North Korea over Louisville.

[flamadiddle]

Were you planning on living in/near downtown Chicago? or in the burbs? It's tough right now to recommend big city life with all the violence and lawlessness occurring these days. A year ago I would have said it's a great idea, but today I'm not a fan. Our mayor is brain dead and it's just not the same place it used to be.

[Ryno25]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

Were you planning on living in/near downtown Chicago? or in the burbs? It's tough right now to recommend big city life with all the violence and lawlessness occurring these days. A year ago I would have said it's a great idea, but today I'm not a fan. Our mayor is brain dead and it's just not the same place it used to be.

I won’t be moving this year for sure, maybe the end of next year at the earliest. That said I’m someone who likes to plan things early, especially for a big move like this.

I relate. Louisville is where the Breonna Taylor shooting happened and it’s been a wild time since then. Our Mayor is a complete and total idiotic jackass who is under pressure to step down.

I would probably stick with the inner city suburbs, that way I’m not too far away from downtown but not exactly right in the middle of downtown.

[dtcbnd03]

Originally Posted by flamadiddle

Were you planning on living in/near downtown Chicago? or in the burbs? It's tough right now to recommend big city life with all the violence and lawlessness occurring these days. A year ago I would have said it's a great idea, but today I'm not a fan. Our mayor is brain dead and it's just not the same place it used to be.

This is true in a lot of big cities...including Louisville.

Chicago is awesome and you'll love it here as soon as people stop freaking out about covid. Tons to see and do. As for your interests you could really live in any hood. Nothing you mentioned made me think of any area in particular so just set your budget and look around. Condo rents are down BIG TIME so you should be able to get a steal. Welcome!!!

[Ryno25]

Originally Posted by dtcbnd03

This is true in a lot of big cities...including Louisville.

Chicago is awesome and you'll love it here as soon as people stop freaking out about covid. Tons to see and do. As for your interests you could really live in any hood. Nothing you mentioned made me think of any area in particular so just set your budget and look around. Condo rents are down BIG TIME so you should be able to get a steal. Welcome!!!

I’m just ready to get the hell out of Louisville. So like I said, Louisville is extremely cliquish and nearly impossible to make friends in the city. What about Chicago? Like I said I’m more of an introvert but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to have friends!

[dtcbnd03]

Yeah the people in Chicago are very friendly. Certainly a lot of people who grew up here too but my group of friends are a mix of high school, college, coworkers, and friends of friends. You'll be fine meeting people although covid has made things more difficult for sure. Not being able to see peoples faces or people keeping distance and all.

[Ryno25]

Originally Posted by dtcbnd03

Yeah the people in Chicago are very friendly. Certainly a lot of people who grew up here too but my group of friends are a mix of high school, college, coworkers, and friends of friends. You'll be fine meeting people although covid has made things more difficult for sure. Not being able to see peoples faces or people keeping distance and all.

Yeah I probably won’t move until around the end of Covid or post Covid. That’s good to hear. Louisville wants you to think they’re friendly but a lot of people here are very cliquish and two faced.