Feedback from people who moved from CA to Chicago (Oakland: neighborhoods, community college)

[Spire]

haha....I'm 16, but I do use write like I'm texting sometimes

[Milwaukee City]

I think once people move from either coast to Chicago will get a RUDE awakening and realize that not all midwesterners are nice, especially in Chicago. They come here and expect all of us to be like mayberry and polite,kind and slow drivin'. Chicago is or has an attitude as it should and tends to be very cocky, I'm from Milwaukee and I'm cocky so I think some outsiders might be surprised to how rude or cocky Chicago is.

[j33]

nah, we're not that bad. I think most Chicagoans are quite nice.

[coldwine]

I think what really surprises them is the "Great Plains" mentality. You might be sitting next to me, but you and your concerns are "all the way over there" as far as I care

[DC's Finest]

Milwaukee,

I never got either of those vibes in Chicago or Minneapolis. Most of the people were nice. Plus, I think people in Chicago drive crazy like east coast drivers.

[lincolnparker]

yeah. on par with Boston

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

Milwaukee,

I never got either of those vibes in Chicago or Minneapolis. Most of the people were nice. Plus, I think people in Chicago drive crazy like east coast drivers.

[Lookout Kid]

Chicago is a city where 85% drive like urban east coast drivers, and the other 15% drive like they are bringing a hay truck in from the farm. It's a potentially catastrophic combination (and deeply frustrating). I have noticed that the red light cameras have cut down on light running, however. It used to be that when I ran the end of yellow/beginning of red, four or five other cars could sneak in behind me. Now people just slam on their brakes and nearly get rear-ended from the 50 to 0 mph.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by coldwine

I think what really surprises them is the "Great Plains" mentality. You might be sitting next to me, but you and your concerns are "all the way over there" as far as I care

What?

[sueprnova]

i moved here Dec 1... from so cal..so far I have driven in everything I HATE... rain, snow and ice... at night...
I miss my kids and grandbabies...but I love it here. It is So different and to me that is great! I love my hood...mostly Polish/Italian...the markets...personalities...walking distance to awesome things...
I wouldn't trade this for my `hood back home.
Oh, yeah... Chi drivers aren't rude or unsafe, theyre opportunistic
And ballsy!

Don't expect Cal when you move here... it's so far removed...you will make yourself nuts if you try. Dig in to this life and experience. You won't regret it!
And the weather? Get a great down jacket, a hat, boots and some gloves and you're set!

Love,
A CA native happy in 60634

[dmbsmokey]

It is so good to see that I am not the only one who prefers real seasons, real weather, very friendly people and so much more over the overhyped California life style.
I lived most of my life in California, so I feel I am qualified to comment on what it is really like to live there. I lived 36 years in the south (San Fernando Valley and Orange County), and 18 years in the Bay Area (Oakland and San Leandro). First of all, California's climate is great if you like to bake in miserable heat all year round. If you prefer the overwhelming ugliness of the terrain (brown barren mountains which look like huge rocks, artificial greenery which takes huge amounts of water to maintain) which results from a semi-arid desert climate, made worse by the ongoing drought, than this is the place for you. Not for me. Growing up in "The Valley", with its brutal summers, insult was added to injury by the occurrence of 90 degree plus days any time of the year, even in January! Oh, and don't get me started on the Santa Ana winds. Lovely if you like the feeling of standing by the hot air blasts of a furnace.
Finally, after being so sick of "one beautiful day after another" for months on end, I decided as a retired and single man, to make the move to a city which I had visited numerous times and always loved, Chicago. As my title says, it was the best decision I ever made.
Firstly, is the distinct difference in the populace. Judging from my personal experience, it is not a myth that Chicagoans are much friendlier that people on the coasts (Yes, NYC, I mean you.) Many times I am greeted by complete strangers with a "Hi" when I am out walking. It seems that everywhere I go, everyone here has treated me with wonderful warmth (even waiters, store clerks, bank tellers, etc.). Not to mention the numerous friendships I have made since I've been here. I don't know if it is because we are located in the Midwest, but there is a refreshing lack of pretentiousness here as compared to California, which is obsessed with appearance.
Now for the weather in Chicago. In a word, I love it. Even winter. I don't mind the cold, and if you dress properly to protect yourself, it can even feel exhilarating. Plus its changeability here. You can go from sunny and warm to big thunderstorms in mere minutes (especially in the summer).
Chicago is also a very walkable city and has many charms with its abundance of good restaurants, cultural activities, and other great big city amenities. Public transit here is superb, and the "L" and busses take you just about anywhere you want to go. Looks like I'm here to stay.