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I think that is the hardest thing Indiana has to overcome is the perception. Just like Manhattan's relationship with the other boroughs, Illinois residents just don't see anything positive to make them want to even consider Indiana but sometimes only on the rare occasion and most of it is perception that prevents them. One of its advantages is not even known by most or either ignored and that would be that it is rather close to the city. Most think of it as being far flung. Continuing with the Manhattan thing it reminds me of how hard it is to convince a cabbie even downtown to take me to DUMBO. To people it just seemed like a different world and that is what NWI reminds me of here.
Perception?
I'm gonna be real here and tell you that I grew up in Illinois viewing people on the other side of the state line as a bunch of rich kids. And I know I'm far from alone on that. You know, the perception of Illinoisans who don't live far as hell away from NW Indiana. Lots of white people left Illinois and fled to Indiana in cowardly fear too. I hope the door hit them in their ***** ass.
These analogies are so bogus. MOST of NW Indiana is affluent and a lot more white than MOST of what is just across the state line. And the "Calumet region" with the steel mills and factories includes Illinois just like the Calumet River that flows east/west and even a Calumet City in Illinois, a Lake Calumet in Illinois and a Calumet stop on the Metra Electric line. In fact, about half of the Calumet region is in Illinois. And large pockets of industry (abandoned or remaining) are still very prevalent in Illinois a good ways south of the actual Calumet region - unlike Indiana.
This thread sucks if you wanna read about the ACTUAL tension that exists between NW Indiana and nearby Illinois. But then again, I wonder if you people feel the same way about the south suburbs.
I am replying to you on the thread bro. Just got back from knocking back a couple brewski's with a buddy at the bar a bit earlier tonight. Twas a good laid back night in the burbs. In any case, I thought one of your earlier replies to this thread was quite true (how my post was relevant to the south suburbs). I think the thing about the southland is that you have such a wide array of towns and almost extremes. On one extreme you got areas such as Englewood (city), Markham (burbs), etc. which certainly live up to their bad reputations. But on the flipside you got areas like Flossmoor which has neighborhoods that could look like they came out of a North Shore town like Wilmette. And you got plenty of decent, in-between types of areas. Obviously most folks up north aren't gonna know much about the south burbs. As you pointed out earlier in the thread, the southland needs to re-invent itself economically since the industrial hey-day ended quite a while ago. Right now for folks down there to get to a decent paying white collar job (correct me if I'm wrong here), more than likely they gotta commute to downtown Chicago or to a SW or West suburb. The situation in the south burbs and pockets of NW Indiana reminds me a lot of what has occurred over the past few decades in Metro Detroit. A once thriving city that suffered big time from the decline of manufacturing and rapid white flight.
Quote:
Originally Posted by urza216
Perception?
I'm gonna be real here and tell you that I grew up in Illinois viewing people on the other side of the state line as a bunch of rich kids. And I know I'm far from alone on that. You know, the perception of Illinoisans who don't live far as hell away from NW Indiana. Lots of white people left Illinois and fled to Indiana in cowardly fear too. I hope the door hit them in their ***** ass.
These analogies are so bogus. MOST of NW Indiana is affluent and a lot more white than MOST of what is just across the state line. And the "Calumet region" with the steel mills and factories includes Illinois just like the Calumet River that flows east/west and even a Calumet City in Illinois, a Lake Calumet in Illinois and a Calumet stop on the Metra Electric line. In fact, about half of the Calumet region is in Illinois. And large pockets of industry (abandoned or remaining) are still very prevalent in Illinois a good ways south of the actual Calumet region - unlike Indiana.
This thread sucks if you wanna read about the ACTUAL tension that exists between NW Indiana and nearby Illinois. But then again, I wonder if you people feel the same way about the south suburbs.
I am replying to you on the thread bro. Just got back from knocking back a couple brewski's with a buddy at the bar a bit earlier tonight. Twas a good laid back night in the burbs. In any case, I thought one of your earlier replies to this thread was quite true (how my post was relevant to the south suburbs). I think the thing about the southland is that you have such a wide array of towns and almost extremes. On one extreme you got areas such as Englewood (city), Markham (burbs), etc. which certainly live up to their bad reputations. But on the flipside you got areas like Flossmoor which has neighborhoods that could look like they came out of a North Shore town like Wilmette. And you got plenty of decent, in-between types of areas. Obviously most folks up north aren't gonna know much about the south burbs. As you pointed out earlier in the thread, the southland needs to re-invent itself economically since the industrial hey-day ended quite a while ago. Right now for folks down there to get to a decent paying white collar job (correct me if I'm wrong here), more than likely they gotta commute to downtown Chicago or to a SW or West suburb. The situation in the south burbs and pockets of NW Indiana reminds me a lot of what has occurred over the past few decades in Metro Detroit. A once thriving city that suffered big time from the decline of manufacturing and rapid white flight.
Meh. Markham is the hood but I don't know how much it REALLY lives up to its bad reputation. In fact, I looked up the figures and found out crime has been on a steady decline for years in Markham. The Cook County Circuit Court is on Kedzie Avenue in Markham. I feel perfectly comfortable getting out of my car on a major road in Markham and stopping somewhere. Note that I said major road. I was just passing through Markham tonight on 159th, actually. However, I can't really say the same for Harvey, Ford Heights or the East Side of Chicago Heights. These areas are bad and definitely live up to their expectations.. But there are still redeeming qualities to Chicago Heights (even the east side) and Harvey that you don't hear enough about on places like City-Data.. Ford Heights doesn't even have the Ford Plant (the Ford Plant is actually on the far east side of Chicago Heights). It's pretty sad when a town renames itself after something that isn't even inside the village limits.. If it wasn't for the strip club (beautiful building..), Ford Heights wouldn't be much of anything but a hole. If I had something nice to say about Ford Heights, I'd say it but I really don't.. lol
It depends what kind of white collar job you're talking about..? There are small office buildings in a lot of south suburbs east of I-57. And yeah, people work white collar jobs there. A number of hospitals. Insurance agencies, court houses.. It depends on what you're doing..
Meh. Markham is the hood but I don't know how much it REALLY lives up to its bad reputation. In fact, I looked up the figures and found out crime has been on a steady decline for years in Markham. The Cook County Circuit Court is on Kedzie Avenue in Markham. I feel perfectly comfortable getting out of my car on a major road in Markham and stopping somewhere. Note that I said major road. I was just passing through Markham tonight on 159th, actually. However, I can't really say the same for Harvey, Ford Heights or the East Side of Chicago Heights. These areas are bad and definitely live up to their expectations.. But there are still redeeming qualities to Chicago Heights (even the east side) and Harvey that you don't hear enough about on places like City-Data.. Ford Heights doesn't even have the Ford Plant (the Ford Plant is actually on the far east side of Chicago Heights). It's pretty sad when a town renames itself after something that isn't even inside the village limits.. If it wasn't for the strip club (beautiful building..), Ford Heights wouldn't be much of anything but a hole. If I had something nice to say about Ford Heights, I'd say it but I really don't.. lol
It depends what kind of white collar job you're talking about..? There are small office buildings in a lot of south suburbs east of I-57. And yeah, people work white collar jobs there. A number of hospitals. Insurance agencies, court houses.. It depends on what you're doing..
Markham- IMO is a sketchy area
Just recently I was in Markham off kedzie and then a few blocks into the street just west of Kedzie.
I travel to all neighborhoods in the Chicago area and this one had me on full alert.
The south burbs covers a pretty large swath of land. Yeah some commute to the city like me and my wife others work down here.
Look at applied systems in UP its a white collar company (professionals)
CN has the american HQ in Homewood.
South Holland next to Harvery has numerous companies like ups and dozens of other transportation companies.
Several Large hospitals, You have Prairie state, Governors state.
As far as Indiana - I have always looked at Indiana as a very conservative state. Just not to my liking.
There are parts of NWI that I really do not mind and those are the grittier areas that most people who are moving into NWI don't like.
The exception is Munster but it reminds me of a true Illinois burb just has that feel to it in my opinion. Especially the part on Ridge Road.
There will always be people moving and going to NWI there will always be a disconnect between the two areas too. In fairness I think there is a very large difference at least in perception from Northern Lake county vs. Southren Lake county.
Even though its close to Illinois and close to Chicago it just has too many differences rooted down.
To be fair and honest I go into NWI and shop over in Merrillville and Highland its a nice area but I would not wish to live there.
I have also met many nice people from NWI and did some volunteer work in that part of the metro.
Sadly Urza I agree with you on Ford Heights that area is just blighted and what can be done to improve is beyond any reasoning/
I guess the so called proposed casino may help that area but that is not a given.
The South Burbs are unique I really dont think they are just going to wither and die on the vine.
Its too close to the city and homes are still affordable for many.
Schools with average to below average college preparation results, highways that flood and close down, one retail center serving 700,000+ people, one train line serving 700,000+ people, 3 hospital networks serving 700,000+ people, 1 highway and 1 bad toll road serving 700,000+ people, 1/4 of an airport serving 700,000+ people, 0 research institutions serving 700,000+ people attracting 0 Corporate Headquarters, 0 respectable institutions for Executive Education, neglible 1.6% decrease in income taxes, 1 town with a vibrant downtown, 0 museums, 1 semi-performance arts center, many reasons to choose Illinois and some to choose Indiana
so your telling me none of chicago's roads ever flood? Even during record rainfall like we had this spring and only NWI has the floods? Give me A break.
Also Property Taxes/Sales Taxes in NWI are lower than Cook County again flaming other states cause they are taking your businesses. In all honesty though Pat Quinn set up this whole ordeal if he didn't pass the income tax hike i bet right now those 17 businesses that left Illinois for Indiana wouldn't of done so. As they say actions have consequences and well find out if Illinois wants more of the same in 2014 for Quinns reelection.
so your telling me none of chicago's roads ever flood? Even during record rainfall like we had this spring and only NWI has the floods? Give me A break.
Also Property Taxes/Sales Taxes in NWI are lower than Cook County again flaming other states cause they are taking your businesses. In all honesty though Pat Quinn set up this whole ordeal if he didn't pass the income tax hike i bet right now those 17 businesses that left Illinois for Indiana wouldn't of done so. As they say actions have consequences and well find out if Illinois wants more of the same in 2014 for Quinns reelection.
Yeah forget about the 2700 jobs created in the last month!
I guess we can afford to lose the company in your highlight yesterday
Grand total employee count of 2- Yes 2 people
If that is stealing our busness they better start getting back to work
because its not working!
Indiana takes more than it gives out
This is a WELFARE state.
Go rant about Indianapolis over on the Indy threads
Broadripple why do you keep creeping up on the Illinois boards, i am sure there is enough news on the Indianapolis forum
It might be different if you dont always come here pounding your chest. Just tone it down a bit.
Everyone knows your status on liking the city of Indianapolis and that is fine.
Yes, Markham is a sketchy area. Keep your eyes peeled but mind your own bussiness. It has a gang problem but it's nothing like its neighor Harvey or the East Side of Chicago Heights and Ford Heights where you see groups of guys hangin on street corners and in front of liquor stores everywhere you turn. Markham gives the appearence of being relatively clean. The truth is that if you're used to Chicago Heights like I am, you prabobly will feel comfortable enough on major roads in Markham too. I am not talking abot Markham as a place to live or even hang out - but I've gotten gas at the Markham Citgo and gotten a bite to eat at the fried fish joint neary more than a few times. My exerience with Markham is limited but this is my perception based on my experences.
Also, you're white collar? I thought you were a contracter..? You have several posts referencing hardware stores all over Chicagoland. You don't necessarilly have to be "white collar" to make good money.
Cant speak for everyone but there was an ad campaign Indiana and Wisconsin
trying to poach Illinois jobs.
It kind of rubs some the wrong way.
As i said Sunny Pat Quinn and this is even more pathetic the lame duck democrats that passed the Tax Hikes Set all this up. If only thing would of thought what might happen if they jacked up taxes 66%. Hmm let me think for a second......... I might scare people away cause already were 15B in debt and why would Illinois be 15B in a debt anyway? Answer: The corrupt politicians spend the money on themselves. The political system in the US needs a change and *Hopefully* keeping my fingers crossed on this one in 2012 either the Republicans or Tea Party or the american people in general deliver.
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