summertime chicago vs. wintertime chicago

[trailerguy]

Parking in Chicago is a horror because most of the housing was built before people had cars. Figure a block of 60-unit apartment houses without a single garage space among them and do the math.

Rent a garage space. It is definitely worth the expense. Give serious consideration to giving up the car altogether unless you really, really need it.

Construction has to happen in the summer because you can't pour concrete when it is below freezing or raining. It is what it is.

Try to concentrate on the positives. Summer is our reward for enduring winter. Summer in Chicago is one of the most glorious experiences you can have in America. Enjoy it.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by trailerguy

Parking in Chicago is a horror because most of the housing was built before people had cars. Figure a block of 60-unit apartment houses without a single garage space among them and do the math.

Rent a garage space. It is definitely worth the expense. Give serious consideration to giving up the car altogether unless you really, really need it.

Construction has to happen in the summer because you can't pour concrete when it is below freezing or raining. It is what it is.

Try to concentrate on the positives. Summer is our reward for enduring winter. Summer in Chicago is one of the most glorious experiences you can have in America. Enjoy it.

Yes Chicago is terrible in parking, but that is mostly in the developed neighborhods or dense. Neighborhoods like Beverly is much easier to park in than like Wicker Park, Hyde Park, or Lincoln.

[Drover]

Ah, but he doesn't live in Beverly. He lives in Buena Park. And yes, parking can get awfully tight there. If I could find a garage spot for $50/mo in Buena Park, I'd be all over it.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere

Just moved to Chicago this past May. Still wore a leather jacket until early June. Anyway, I don't know how Chicago works in the wintertime but summertime, I now have a clue.

This may not apply to all neighborhoods/streets, but here's what goes on in my neighborhood (Buena Park/Uptown)...

Summertime Chicago:

- street cleaning/sweeping every 2nd Thursday of the month, meaning you have to remove your car where you parked it if there's a sign that says so, or it will get towed. This applies from 7 a.m. (or 8 a.m.?) to 3 p.m. It is a pain to remember these things, so if I'm lucky to find parking where there is no street cleaning, the better. Not sure if this ever stops, but I thought I saw a note that this whole street cleaning thing eventually stops in October? Or November? Not sure. I have to check again. It's also "weather permitting" meaning if weather is bad, there is no street cleaning, but it's best to remove your car regardless so the city won't capitalize on your mistake.

- construction/maintenance. it's summer time, workers do what they have to do before the cold season approaches. does construction/maintenance happen year round or just summer time? the entire side street parking have to be empty, can't park there monday to friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or your car will get towed. This doesnt happen weekly, not sure how often, looks like it's monthly to check for electric, gas, water, etc. that are on the side streets for maintenance I believe. there's always a 1 day (or few day) notice when you can't park. again this is a pain.

- people from all over visits Chicago in the summer time, even if they don't live in your hood, if there's free street parking there, they will take it. hopefully this is not like this in the wintertime since I'm assuming not many people come to Chicago when it's cold, they'd rather be in Florida, in the beach or whatever. I've seen cars here parked and have gotten several parking tickets placed on the windows, the owner must have left it there, since it's free street parking, not knowing anything about "surprise can't park here this or that day" notice.

What else did I miss?

Does Chicago get better during colder season?

Is Chicago more laid-back in the winter?

Does Chicago get better in the winter? LOL!!! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAA. Its just wonderous.

[Chicago60614]

I live in Buena Park and the parking is very tight - although I don't own a car, only park a few times a year when I have a rental.


As far as the rich, it's not Lincoln Park, but Buena Park actually has some VERY wealthy homes and the condos are much more pricey than people think when they hear "uptown".

It has some very nice architecture, and for the most part it's entirely gentrified, or never went downhill.