Irving Park Commute (how much, homes, neighborhoods)

[IrvingPark_Newbie]

A quick question to any Irving Park residents...

My wife will be starting her residency at Mercy this fall and we are looking for the best commute to the south side of town.

We chose Irving Park because of the beautiful neighborhoods and the still affordable priced homes, but the commute can be overwhelming now that we have been driving it.

Should we cut over to Lake Shore?

Should we drive 90/94 to Roosevelt and take Michigan to 31st?

Are there any other routes?

[NSH]

YOu're going to hate the commute for about another 3 months, then the Dan Ryan reconstruction should be just about done and you should be able to get down there in 20 minutes during rush hour by just exiting at 31st.
Until then... buy a few good books on tape, and exit at 1-55 chicago then exit at king drive

When it gets really bad try to exit at congress to lower wacker and take that to lake shore drive
Stay away from Michigan ave in the summer time it's a parking lot for commuters and a race track for taxi cabs.

[IrvingPark_Newbie]

Originally Posted by NSH

YOu're going to hate the commute for about another 3 months, then the Dan Ryan reconstruction should be just about done and you should be able to get down there in 20 minutes during rush hour by just exiting at 31st.
Until then... buy a few good books on tape, and exit at 1-55 chicago then exit at king drive

When it gets really bad try to exit at congress to lower wacker and take that to lake shore drive
Stay away from Michigan ave in the summer time it's a parking lot for commuters and a race track for taxi cabs.

Thanks - I wasn't sure how much longer the construction would last.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by NSH

YOu're going to hate the commute for about another 3 months, then the Dan Ryan reconstruction should be just about done and you should be able to get down there in 20 minutes during rush hour by just exiting at 31st.

20 minutes during rush hour??? He won't even make it to downtown in 20 minutes during rush hour.

The portion of the commute from Irving Park to downtown is always going to suck during rush hour, even when the Dan Ryan construction is done. However, when done, the portion from downtown to the 31st St. exit should be relatively smooth.

[NSH]

Originally Posted by Drover

20 minutes during rush hour??? He won't even make it to downtown in 20 minutes during rush hour.

The portion of the commute from Irving Park to downtown is always going to suck during rush hour, even when the Dan Ryan construction is done. However, when done, the portion from downtown to the 31st St. exit should be relatively smooth.

I used to make it to state and lake via express lanes and the ohio feeder in 15 minutes from addison and pulaski at 8:30 am on a consistent basis before construction. going to 31st and king in 20 minutes would not be a problem.