Two young professionals in Chicago? (high school, income tax, living)

[grapico]

Eh depends on what big purchases you are talking about. If it was a CAR or something then sure. I guess I never really do 500 dollar shopping sprees so it is kind of pointless. The time and gas it would take me to go to the suburbs to save a bit on tax would be negligible.

As for expense, again yes it will seem cheap compared to NYC, no doubt.

For me not being from here, it is also cheaper than being either around a) my parents in Florida or b) gf's parents in CA, or extended family where you are in New York. So we get cool city plus it's cheaper than where we were previously. My mom's side of the family was originally from Chicago, but they all went to FL already also.

Now to throw this out there... Austin is certainly not crappy, and depending on what you are looking for could be a better choice than Chicago...I personally wouldn't want to live there however, but I know others who like it.

[newyorkobserveher]

My style of life and what I prefer is definitely not in tune with the south. I like a much faster pace and I don't want to drive everywhere (I don't even have a license because I don't need to here). It's just not my style. My boyfriend is much more flexible with where he lives. He's a beer drinker though, so I'll pass on the news about cheap brews to him!

[grapico]

Originally Posted by newyorkobserveher

My style of life and what I prefer is definitely not in tune with the south. I like a much faster pace and I don't want to drive everywhere (I don't even have a license because I don't need to here). It's just not my style. My boyfriend is much more flexible with where he lives. He's a beer drinker though, so I'll pass on the news about cheap brews to him!

No worries there. Chicago definitely has a good bar scene, with a burgeoning microbrew scene and local breweries.

[newyorkobserveher]

I'll be sure to let him know.

[Drover]

You mentioned upthread that you like to try new foods. Chicago is one of the best food cities in the country. Not quite at New York's level but pretty close.

As for your boyfriend's beer-drinking proclivities, there are a handful of really good beer bars in town, a few good brewpubs, and driving around Wisconsin is a beer drinker's paradise. There are tiny little breweries all over the place up there.

[faintlyamused]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Bucktown/Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village = hipsters, good nightlife, and getting more yuppie. Probably the best place in Chicago to get a lower Manhattan or trendy Brooklyn type scene. Ukrainian Village is less gentrified than the other two.

Likeview = yuppies, sports bars, frat types, and a gay district. Wigleyville is a sub-section of Lakeview with a bunch of bars around the baseball park.

Lincoln Park = like lakeview, but more yuppie and no gay district.

Andersonville = Laid back and funky. Not too yuppie, but not much nightlife. Is a bit a a gayborhood.

North Center/Lincoln Square/Ravenswood/Roscoe Village = Like Andersonville but with less gays and more neighborhood bars. Linclon Square is an old German neighborhood that has some holdovers from back in the day.

Edgewater = Racially diverse but kind of boring.

I would also add Logan Square as a possible place to live. It's the younger, cheaper, less-gentrified sibling to Wicker Park/Bucktown. Hipsters, more diversity, cool bars, good restaurants, etc.

[tonesdef]

Originally Posted by faintlyamused

I would also add Logan Square as a possible place to live. It's the younger, cheaper, less-gentrified sibling to Wicker Park/Bucktown. Hipsters, more diversity, cool bars, good restaurants, etc.

I give it 2 years before its just like wicker park

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by tonesdef

I give it 2 years before its just like wicker park

There are huge swaths of Logan Square that have barely any hipsters and yuppies. When was the last time you were in Chicago?

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by tonesdef

and oh how about 2 months ago (im on vacay so i'll be back soon)

Could have fooled me.

[newyorkobserveher]

I think income tax is even higher in NYC, and also the article states that that is a temporary tax raise. Income tax in NY + NYC tax coupled with a NYC premium on prices for everything along with 8.875% sales tax and astronomical rents?

I'll take Chicago.