Commuting from Valparaiso to Chicago? (Portage, Michigan City: how much, schools, colleges) - City-Data Forum

jvanwagner · 07-27-2012, 05:15 AM

I am moving from northern Michigan to Valparaiso in a few weeks. I am, until then, interviewing for teaching positions at several schools in the general area, as well as in Chicago. I have a general idea as to how I would at least get *to* Chicago (by train, from Michigan City), but, there are some things that I'd like to know before I get down there:

1. How long is the train ride?
2. How much does the train cost, there and back? (And are there passes I can get for cheaper than paying daily?)
3. What is the schedule/prices of busses and/or metros in Chicago once I'm there?

In essence, I'd like to be able to start "planning out" how long it would take me to get from Valparaiso to these (specific) schools within Chicago.

Anything else I should know would be extremely helpful. Thanks!

richb · 07-29-2012, 04:00 PM

Most people who use the South Shore from Valparaiso to Chicago use the Dune Park station in Portage. Michigan City is a county east of Valparaiso, you don't need to go that far to get off the train. I believe from Dune Park to DT Chicago (Millennium Station) is an hour, twenty minutes.

A monthly pass would be cheaper if you are commuting daily. A monthly pass from Dunes Park to Millennium is $207.25, a single fare is $7.25 (one way) there are also 10 or 25 rides fares too. Fares vary by were you get on and off. The south shore railroads website is
Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District

Once in Chicago you would have to check out the CTA website Deprecated Browser Error for schedules and fares for their buses and trains. The CTA is owned by the city of Chicago, the South Shore is owned by the state of Indiana so you will have to pay separately.

domergurl · 07-29-2012, 05:26 PM

count on at least 2 hours door to door one way ... you will be commuting 4-5 hours a day.

jvanwagner · 07-31-2012, 05:40 AM

Hmmm, well, expensive as it may be, this seems to be the only decent set of options I have for commuting. $200+ for a monthly train pass, and $80 for a bus pass. Eep.

jvanwagner · 07-31-2012, 05:56 AM

...aren't there busses from Valpo to Chicago, as well?

richb · 07-31-2012, 05:40 PM

There was, but due to funding issues, they were discontinued.

Depending on where the school is located in the city (very few are downtown, outside of colleges), you may be better off driving.

richb · 08-07-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richb

There was, but due to funding issues, they were discontinued.

Depending on where the school is located in the city (very few are downtown, outside of colleges), you may be better off driving.

Actually I was wrong on the valpo to Chicago bus. It still exists. Valparaiso, IN - Official Website - Valparaiso Transportation

summer22 · 08-15-2012, 09:23 PM

You really would be better off driving. Most schools start between 7am and 8am, and your drive should be 75-90 minutes depending exactly where in Chicagoland you are going. You would be starting the drive early enough that the rush hour traffic would be light.

Coming home, though, will be kind of a nightmare, especially if you stay at school until 4pm or later. It would be equally miserable via train/bus transit though.

If you do land an Illinois job, your best bet would be to live in Illinois. Rents, believe it or not, are comparable if you're just looking for a small studio or 1-bedroom.

domergurl · 08-16-2012, 04:46 AM

If it's just you, and you get a job in Chicago, I'd live in the city or close burbs best served by public transit. You'll spend your life commuting from Valpo.

When I got my first job in the city, I lived on the south side of Evanston within walking distance of both the El and Metra. I loved it because I could go car free. It was wonderful. You could look at Oak Park too.