Does anyone else feel like they exist just to work here? (Chicago: apartment, student loans)

[Vinny Lugo]

I am constantly pulling double shifts, quick less than 8 hour turn-arounds until I go to the next job (so I do not get a lot of sleep), and feel like I can still never afford to have fun, go out, have a girlfriend or anything. I simply exist in Chicago to work and pay bills. Does anyone else here feel the same?

[Chicago South Sider]

No, I don't.

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by Vinny Lugo

I am constantly pulling double shifts, quick less than 8 hour turn-arounds until I go to the next job (so I do not get a lot of sleep), and feel like I can still never afford to have fun, go out, have a girlfriend or anything. I simply exist in Chicago to work and pay bills. Does anyone else here feel the same?

Big cities can be dangerous. You are surrounded by people but can also be completely anonymous and lonely.

It sounds like you need to evaluate your life a little and figure out how to bring some people into it.

[NARFALICIOUS]

Originally Posted by Vinny Lugo

I am constantly pulling double shifts, quick less than 8 hour turn-arounds until I go to the next job (so I do not get a lot of sleep), and feel like I can still never afford to have fun, go out, have a girlfriend or anything. I simply exist in Chicago to work and pay bills. Does anyone else here feel the same?

I felt like that before. Starting from age 19 and for most of my 20s I worked 2 jobs in Chicago.
Never had enough time nor money to enjoy the city the way I wanted to.

One particular span of 10 months, I took full time classes - 4/semester, 1 day job 30 hours and 1 night job starting off 2 nights a week----escalating to 4 nights a week. I barely slept or even spend time with my friends.

In those situations, something has to give.

This is probably partly a Chicago question---because Chicago can put you in this cycle. But also partly a economic/financial/job type question.

Perhaps you need to find a way to do either of the following:
- Get a better job with more money to afford to do what you want
- Get a set schedule so you can plan more, and get more sleep
- Relieve yourself of bills (any useless bills you can cut out?)
- Online dating like OkCupid, POF, and Tinder work great for someone who doesn't have time to do a lot of the whole bar, parties, social events and just wants to get straight to meeting someone. Perhaps use that to meet women.
- Move away from Chicago

[3goodmonths]

Well I believe it depends on where you live in chicago. Are you living beyond your means? If you are living by the lake in lakeview move to logan square where you will be paying less.

Or you can do what I am doing I am considering moving to somewhere out of state with cheaper cost of living.

THe chicago Lifestyle is for the rich you can only go out to eat so much and enjoy what chicago has to offer only so much if you are middle class.

[prhill]

Sometimes if sure feels that way. Especially in Illinois where so much of our money is taken by taxes and it seems you are working just for that. Then after you pay bills with what little money you have left after taxes there is not much left to spend on fun. Plus you hardly have time or energy for fun after working and spending so much time commuting to and from work

[Chicago South Sider]

Originally Posted by prhill

Sometimes if sure feels that way. Especially in Illinois where so much of our money is taken by taxes and it seems you are working just for that. Then after you pay bills with what little money you have left after taxes there is not much left to spend on fun. Plus you hardly have time or energy for fun after working and spending so much time commuting to and from work

Sounds like you need to either scale down your expenses or increase your income. The truth is unless you are single and make at least $120k($250k as a family), you're going to have to sacrifice something.

[andrew61]

I take it you're working at menial, low-wage jobs? If you're unable to do better than that, perhaps you'd be better off living in a second- or third-tier city where the cost of living is lower.

BTW, I've noticed by observing here in Cleveland that most people who work such jobs tend to make friends/find someone to date where they work.

[beachguy10]

I feel the same and I'm in the Chicago suburbs. I think I just do a really bad job of spending my time wisely and planning things out. I spend a lot of my valuable time on the internet. And it's becoming very regretful.

[Vinny Lugo]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Big cities can be dangerous. You are surrounded by people but can also be completely anonymous and lonely.

It sounds like you need to evaluate your life a little and figure out how to bring some people into it.

The problem is not bringing more people into my life. I have excellent people skills and am great and bringing people into my life; when it comes to dating with women and also with guys when it comes to friends. The problem is that I am working SO MANY hours that I have no time to do anything but work. I have looked and looked for jobs and I am lucky to even have a full time job here. I have a full time job and am also working a part time job on the side. I work 7 days a week just to barely hold my head above water. It is making me very mad.

Originally Posted by NARFALICIOUS

I felt like that before. Starting from age 19 and for most of my 20s I worked 2 jobs in Chicago.
Never had enough time nor money to enjoy the city the way I wanted to.

One particular span of 10 months, I took full time classes - 4/semester, 1 day job 30 hours and 1 night job starting off 2 nights a week----escalating to 4 nights a week. I barely slept or even spend time with my friends.

In those situations, something has to give.

This is probably partly a Chicago question---because Chicago can put you in this cycle. But also partly a economic/financial/job type question.

Perhaps you need to find a way to do either of the following:
- Get a better job with more money to afford to do what you want
- Get a set schedule so you can plan more, and get more sleep
- Relieve yourself of bills (any useless bills you can cut out?)
- Online dating like OkCupid, POF, and Tinder work great for someone who doesn't have time to do a lot of the whole bar, parties, social events and just wants to get straight to meeting someone. Perhaps use that to meet women.
- Move away from Chicago

I am originally from Florida. I moved here because I thought it would be really cool and fun experience because there is so much to do. However, it is turning into a nightmare because I can never afford to do anything. I originally lived in Jacksonville, Florida, which is extremely boring. However, I am VERY VERY seriously considering moving to Tampa, Florida or Orlando where the cost of living is WAY WAY lower and you can still actually enjoy your life and not just feel like a slave too work.

Originally Posted by 3goodmonths

Well I believe it depends on where you live in chicago. Are you living beyond your means? If you are living by the lake in lakeview move to logan square where you will be paying less.

Or you can do what I am doing I am considering moving to somewhere out of state with cheaper cost of living.

THe chicago Lifestyle is for the rich you can only go out to eat so much and enjoy what chicago has to offer only so much if you are middle class.

I am living in a tiny, tiny 400 sq ft apartment studio with a room mate. I am not an idiot with money either, it's just that the city is just so damn expensive and they either raise or create a new tax every time you turn around. I'm getting very frustrated.

Originally Posted by prhill

Sometimes if sure feels that way. Especially in Illinois where so much of our money is taken by taxes and it seems you are working just for that. Then after you pay bills with what little money you have left after taxes there is not much left to spend on fun. Plus you hardly have time or energy for fun after working and spending so much time commuting to and from work

Exactly....EXACTLY! You pretty much just took the words right out of my mouth.

Originally Posted by Chicago South Sider

Sounds like you need to either scale down your expenses or increase your income. The truth is unless you are single and make at least $120k($250k as a family), you're going to have to sacrifice something.

With student loans, my jobs, and my room mate I think I may pull in 35k this year if I am lucky. I am DYING in this city. And the thought of homelessness constantly lingers over my head. I see homeless people everywhere here and it seems like once you become homeless it is VERY HARD if not impossible to come back up.