Are you here long term? (Chicago, Evanston: real estate, condo, to buy)

[lepoisson]

I moved to Chicago a few months ago and really like living here. The food, the transportation, the lower cost of living (compared to other big cities), and the things to do all make it a great place to live. It's awesome not having to worry about driving everywhere!

However, I often wonder if I'll still like living here in 5 years. Will I get tired of dealing with parking, crazy people, the weather, the ever increasing taxes, and having to buy a smaller house/condo?

Do you still plan on being in Chicago next year? In 5 years? In 10 years?

If you are planning on leaving, where do you anticipate moving?

[ToriaT]

There are a few other threads like this. There is one on the page now that is similar. You will find a mixed response. Diehards like me who will stay forever, people who can't wait to leave or have left, etc. The grass is always greener on the other side. Despite our high taxes, other large cities comparable such as Los Angeles, and New York have high costs of living also. It unfair to compare Chicago with a place like Tennessee because its way different. If you get sick of crazy people and parking issues you can move to a nice suburb and most of those issues will disappear.

[Vlajos]

Are you here for the long term?

Yep

[IrishIllini]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

There are a few other threads like this. There is one on the page now that is similar. You will find a mixed response. Diehards like me who will stay forever, people who can't wait to leave or have left, etc. The grass is always greener on the other side. Despite our high taxes, other large cities comparable such as Los Angeles, and New York have high costs of living also. It unfair to compare Chicago with a place like Tennessee because its way different. If you get sick of crazy people and parking issues you can move to a nice suburb and most of those issues will disappear.

This. Most people you'll meet in Chicago love living in Chicago, even though they'll complain about things like taxes or weather. The "are you leaving Chicago/Illinois" threads are way overdone on this site, but that's expected given the topics of discussion around here.

[prhill]

After 46 years I doubt very much I will ever leave. Although these endless brutal summers do make me think about leaving each year but I haven't yet

[knitgirl]

Most of the other places in the US I'd like to live in are even more expensive. I'd possibly like to retire overseas (in 10+ years), but not sure I have the guts to do that on my own.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

I moved to Chicago a few months ago and really like living here. The food, the transportation, the lower cost of living (compared to other big cities), and the things to do all make it a great place to live. It's awesome not having to worry about driving everywhere!

However, I often wonder if I'll still like living here in 5 years. Will I get tired of dealing with parking, crazy people, the weather, the ever increasing taxes, and having to buy a smaller house/condo?

Do you still plan on being in Chicago next year? In 5 years? In 10 years?

If you are planning on leaving, where do you anticipate moving?

I've been here for most of the past 22 years. I'm 43, but I've lived in Chicago longer than any city, and in Illinois longer than any other state. I like it a lot and have no plans to move. One can never know the future, though.

[compactspace]

If I manage to get there, it'll be to stay. And it'll be with eyes open: I already own real estate in the city -- I'm paying its property taxes. I know the financial prognosis and how screwy the aldermanic system is. But it's a city worth putting down roots in, IMO. I'd rather do that there in in NYC, being honest.

[MSchemist80]

It depend how bad it gets. If they raise taxes more I'll look for ways to shield more of my income (more in 401k, not buy house, buy online) and possibly start looking for a job out of state. Otherwise, I definitely plan to leave when I retire.

[MassVt]

I don't live there now, and I might not during my working life, but I still consider it as a viable retirement possibility. Imagine having some sort of residence in Evanston, near the Northwestern campus, on the shore of Lake Michigan..