Must be hard to live to work (or work to live) in Chicago without a car?

[july]

Check out this link. It describes the now defunction "Lincoln Park Trixie Society". Flak Magazine: Review of The Lincoln Park Trixie Society, 08-20-01

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity.

I got rid of my car when I lived in DC. I used it maybe once a month, and I didn't have a parking spot, so I had to move it twice a week for street cleaning. Not having a car feels like freedom to me. The main reason I settled in the city when I moved here is because I didn't want to be dependent on a car. So far, I've been getting along just fine without one. And I don't have to worry about gas prices!

[j33]

Originally Posted by jimbo13

well, you really limit yourself dating-wise then because this city is packed full of them...

I pity the guy that would settle for one of them. Just because there is a lot of a certain type of person somewhere doesn't mean you have to date them. If the city were crawling with 300lb crack-heads with two teeth who looked down on guys without cars, would you go and buy one so you can date them, just so you wouldn't limit your dating pool?

[Mel2882]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

are you serious? I'm paying $75 a month to get me everywhere I need to go. This is compared to when I was filling up my car at $40 a week (in a place with much cheaper gas about a year ago) JUST to get to work, let alone anything else. This doesn't include the money necessary to pay the car payment and insurance.

and it's called "figure out how long it takes you to get to work before you even start your job and the CTA is generally reliable." I think i've only been really late to work (say 15 minutes) twice.

no, i'm not rich. if i WAS rich, i'd own a car that would just sit there so i could look at it and remind myself that i AM rich.

plus if the "ghetto" transportation system bothers you so much, you can always ride a bike.

I agree completely. And I'm from California as well. Yes, I needed a car there, but Chicago is not in any way like California. I was also paying $600 a month for insurance and payment (not including gas, oil changes, etc--and add parking in Chicago)...$75 for the bus and train here and I've never had a problem. Yes, you need to leave a little time in case they are late...but same goes for traffic on the freeway, right?

[Avengerfire]

I think there are some wonderful responses here and others that have strayed a bit (but in good fun). I petition that this thread be locked.:-)

[Chancelynn2002]

I'm moving to Chicago in 2 weeks' time and have visited several times a year for nearly a decade. Considering the number of blocks, stoplights, stop signs, sheer number of cars, not to mention pedestrians walking wherever they please, I'm surprised ANYONE would care to own a car in Chicago when it provides for the masses with the CTA bus and elevated train system. If you live in the suburbs, Chicago also provides for that with the Metra and South Shore trains. I have a car now and am looking forward to being car insurance-, oil change- and gas pump-free. Not to mention accidents and inevitable wear-and-tear that drains your wallet.

That being said, I do like to be in control of my motions, and so will miss piloting myself on my adventures. But having a car in the city is absolutely not worth it, when you can walk / bike / bus / and train yourself anywhere you need to be.

[movingsomewhere]

Do most of you people not having to own a car work at an office?

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere

Do most of you people not having to own a car work at an office?

I sometimes work at an office. Sometimes at home. Sometimes in other locations.

Then again, I own a car, but not for long. I think I'm officially getting rid of it within the next few weeks.

Is this question about whether or not we use our vehicles for work? Clearly, if your job involves driving around, a car's a good idea. (Think that falls into the 'no sh*t, sherlock' category).

[j33]

Originally Posted by movingsomewhere

Do most of you people not having to own a car work at an office?

Uh, yeah. I live right by the 'el', I work in an office downtown, and my job does not require me to go gallivanting around the city; so of course I don't own a car. If my job were somewhere not accessible to public transportation, or required me to take three buses to get there, or required me to travel around the city, then I'd buy a car. Seriously now.

[reppin_the_847]

Little do those bimbo's care that a car is simply a depreciating asset! Oh well, at some point they themselves will probably depreciate in market value if you know what I mean. LOL!!! Unless they aspire to transform into a cougar!

Originally Posted by jimbo13

i went without one the first year i lived here, but am pretty sure the gold digging trixies here look down on a dude that doesn't own a car. it's sad, but true.

[jimbo13]

yes, the will definitely fade into oblivion as cougars, leaning on the bar in martini park...