Should I move to NYC from Chicago? (Lincoln Park, Lincoln: rent, crime)

[lincolnparker]

I live in Chicago, and got laid off a few months ago from a good paying job. I could not seem to find any job in Chicago so far, and the weather here is not helping either. After a few years, Chicago just doesn't feel like a high energy city anymore, not that it did when I first moved here. I have been thinking about moving back to NYC for a while. I am still on the fence.

---I went to college at NYU so I have some friends in the NYC area.
---I also have some money saved up (about $70k) to last me for the next year or so even without working at all.
---I have a car, so need to sell it if I were to move to NYC, i assume?
---I don't have a job lined up either in Chicago or in NYC, and don't think I can find one anytime soon.
---I am a single female, just turned 30.
---I have a place in Chicago and it's a lot cheaper than comparable places in Manhattan.
---I have lots of things, (clothes, shoes etc) that will probably need to go if I were to move to manhattan because of space. Or should I go for a spacious place in Brooklyn? Help me here plz!
---I hate the cold here in Chicago (gets to be -35 last year) and crime (twice the amount per 100,000 compared to NYC)

Should I do it? move back to NYC?

[Nafster]

Go for it.

[lincolnparker]

Thx! anyone else?

Originally Posted by Nafster

Go for it.

[rsdplaya]

ya know...in my opinion, it should never be about money...go wherever makes you happiest...where do you want to be!?!?!

[AvidTraveller]

Originally Posted by lincolnparker

I live in Chicago, and got laid off a few months ago from a good paying job. I could not seem to find any job in Chicago so far, and the weather here is not helping either. After a few years, Chicago just doesn't feel like a high energy city anymore, not that it did when I first moved here. I have been thinking about moving back to NYC for a while. I am still on the fence.

---I went to college at NYU so I have some friends in the NYC area.
---I also have some money saved up (about $70k) to last me for the next year or so even without working at all.
---I have a car, so need to sell it if I were to move to NYC, i assume?
---I don't have a job lined up either in Chicago or in NYC, and don't think I can find one anytime soon.
---I am a single female, just turned 30.
---I have a place in Chicago and it's a lot cheaper than comparable places in Manhattan.
---I have lots of things, (clothes, shoes etc) that will probably need to go if I were to move to manhattan because of space. Or should I go for a spacious place in Brooklyn? Help me here plz!
---I hate the cold here in Chicago (gets to be -35 last year) and crime (twice the amount per 100,000 compared to NYC)

Should I do it? move back to NYC?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think living in a city cause you go to college there, is a lot different than living and working afterwards. I just think the college life is different. I'm not sure how much you struggled during your college years, but being 30 now and doing so probably wouldn't fun.

Chicago is second only to NYC as far as big cities go (La is much more suburb than city to me), and I'd say it's right up there with the energy too.

I'm so tired of people talking about NYC winters like they're in Miami or something. Chicago is only 4 degrees colder during the day, and 5 degrees colder at night (Jan avg's, coldest month of the year).

Why would you, at 30, come on and ask such a serious question on an internet travel forum? If I told you, or anyone else told you, would you really go, or if we say not to, would you listen?

You have enough money that'll last awhile, but why would you want to burn thru that with no job? If you stayed in Chicago your money would last longer, not to mention your standard of living would be higher.

No offense, but you asking about whether you should toss your clothes and stuff out to live in Mannhattan or go to Brooklyn instead, i'm really wondering if you're really 30 years old. You seem VERY green behind the ears. I would expect a question like that from a 20 year old, but not a 30 year old.

For someone who went to NYU, don't seem like you know a lot about the city. Like I said, college life, big difference!

Your last statement about the weather and crime, tells me your trying to convince yourself to move. I highly doubt that you live on the Southside or far Westside of Chicago, you're more than likely living on the Northside somewhere, which is safe as anywhere. I'll stop short of saying that you could walk around with $100 bills taped all over your body without anyone bothering you.

Selling a car, throwing out clothes, shoes, and stuff, for what? NYC? Ain't worth it to me, do what you will though. Just remember, the more you give up to move there, the more you'll regret it if things don't work out.

[AvidTraveller]

I just noticed your name is "Lincolnparker". If you really believe that Lincoln Park is dangerous, or it makes you nervous living there, you ain't cut out for city living. And if you're just trying to say that there are dangerous parts to Chicago, the same could be said about NYC or any other city.

[lincolnparker]

Yes. I do live in Lincoln Park.
Yes. I think you are underestimating me as a city dweller.

Originally Posted by AvidTraveller

I just noticed your name is "Lincolnparker". If you really believe that Lincoln Park is dangerous, or it makes you nervous living there, you ain't cut out for city living. And if you're just trying to say that there are dangerous parts to Chicago, the same could be said about NYC or any other city.

[AvidTraveller]

Originally Posted by lincolnparker

Yes. I do live in Lincoln Park.
Yes. I think you are underestimating me as a city dweller.

Not really. Rude Whether or not you should be pitching your wardrobe, shoes, car, etc. to move to Mannhattan. Come on, who whould ask people on the internet about what they should do with their belongings. You went to NYU, and you really need to ask people on citydata questions like this? Then you start talking about the crime in Chicago. You're living in Lincoln Park, not exactly a ghetto now is it. That is yuppie central, to say or pretend anything else would be a flat out lie.

You don't come across to me as being street smart, not one bit. 30 years old, went to NYU, and you are asking questions about NYC as though you were an 18 year old who just graduated high school and wants to move to big city....

[daaaaave]

I think you should go. You have enough money and it sounds like you are tired of Chicago. You only live once.

[nycbee]

LP, I think you are entitled to get advice on here. It is a difficult decision. At the same time though, I have to agree with some of the other posters, Lincoln Park is far from being crime central and I'm not quite sure what you expect moving to NYC. Think about it what it is you want from the city. If you want a vibrant, energetic, urban feel move to Harlem where you can rent a studio for a decent rate. With 70k in the bank you could easily buy a place with 10% down and have 35k left over.

I think Chicago is a great city and are the winters really that much worse than NYC?

Anyways GL to ya!