summertime chicago vs. wintertime chicago (Lincoln, Montrose: neighborhoods, construction, maintenance)

[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?

[Venom]

You live in the rich hoodz

[Costa Rica Chica]

Lol, you have our parking problems pegged. In the winter time there are snow route zones, you can't park on certain sides of the street when it snows, and people actually put lawn furniture out to save parking spaces they have shovelled.

[movingsomewhere]

Buena Park/Uptown is rich?

[icebergsyndrome]

Is parking scarce only on Cubs game nights? It could be that.

[noid_1985]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere

Buena Park/Uptown is rich?

Parts of Uptown normally north of Montrose can get a bit sketchy, but for the most part Buena Park seems to be a decent neighborhood. As far as it being rich it isn't Lincoln Park, but it sure as hell ain't Englewood either

[movingsomewhere]

yeah could be the Cubs games, sometimes parking is scarce, some nights no. When does the Cubs play usually?

[icebergsyndrome]

Sorry man, I'm not gonna google "Chicago Cubs schedule" for ya.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere

yeah could be the Cubs games, sometimes parking is scarce, some nights no. When does the Cubs play usually?

From April to September, with an occasionally hilarious ending in October.

[Mel2882]

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?

This is one reason I do not own a car