Remind me why Chicago's great... (Detroit: apartment, how much, neighborhoods)

[randomguymike]

I accepted a job today in chicago, but right now I feel like I made a mistake. I told my best friends and she started balling and hasn't answered my calls today. I called my dog walker and she was in tears. People at work are begging me not to leave. I was already very nervous about relocating to a new city. Now, I feel like backing out entirely. I'm scared to leave my happy, safe, albeit lonely suburban life.

I know I have always enjoyed chicago when I've been there. I guess I'm just looking for some encouragement that I'll be able to meet people and my dog will be able to enoy his new life too when I get there.

So, toss me some Chamber of Commerce style advice.

[jessiegirl_98]

Well, moving is always hard, but there is obviously a reason you decided to apply for jobs in other cities and decided to take the job (OK, no more being a therapist!)

I would check out the pics on the Chicago appreciation thread. That may help!

I personally LOVE Chicago. I am in Tampa for 1 year (then back to Chicago) and am so excited to get back! So much to do, great people, it's a big city that is still accessible.....

Many great things!

Where are you moving from?

[Drover]

We have everything anyone could want here (except tropical weather, but you already know what to expect). We have great restaurants, great nightlife, great bars and pubs, great music scene, great arts scene, great summer festivals, great museums, great shopping, great ethnic neighborhoods, great public transportation (well, adequate public transportation, but the coverage is quite comprehensive)... and unlike Detroit, you can actually live right in the middle of it all -- it's not all lumped together in one smallish downtown area surrounded by No Man's Land. It spreads out into a lot of very vibrant residential areas that have nice compact walkable districts and a very good quality of life.

[chet everett]

Dude, you are leaving Detroit -- they are crying because the herd is thinning. It might not be long befor the lights are turned off...

Is absolutely everything better in Chicago than Detroit? Of course not, but our economy is considerably more robust. We have about 6000% better restaurant options. We have about 8000% more entertainment options. We have a helluva lot better social scene. And our air smells better. What's not to love?

[Steve-o]

And 10,000% better sports teams. lol

Er, at least we think so, anyways. lol

[scarletneon]

if you're moving from Detroit, tell your friends to stop crying, buy an Amtrak ticket and come visit you when you get to Chicago.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Sounds like you've got people that love you. That's a good thing, but remember that giving up what could be a better life isn't doing anything good for them or you.

When I visit family and friends down south, they inevitably ask when I'm planning on moving closer, and tell me how much they miss me, etc. It's tough, but I've built a life here in Chicago that I simply wouldn't have been able to create back home.

Come to Chicago. Remind those around you that they, too, have a chance to make changes in their lives. Comfort is tempting. Loneliness is tough.

Do what's best for you. It sounds to me like, at least for now, that's Chicago.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

if you're moving from Detroit, tell your friends to stop crying, buy an Amtrak ticket and come visit you when you get to Chicago.

Better yet,they could buy a ticket on Megabus for like $10 roundtrip!

[Steelers06]

Chicago is not all it is cracked up to be; someone said "you know what to expect from the weather." I thought I knew what to expect, and it exceeded my expectations 1000%. You better like incredibly bitterly cold winters, so cold the wind hits you and it feels like paper cuts on your face. The summers are so hot (heat index 125 degrees) you wish for summer. It is rediculously expensive. I guess the people are nice....
That being said, the city is gorgeous, especially in May, June, September and October. Wrigley Field is amazing. There is awesome nightlife...try the strip of bars on Southport in West Wrigley. Hye Bar is awesome! If you want to meet friends sign up for a sport on Chicago Sport and Social Club.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

If you're coming from the Detroit area, I doubt the weather is going to come as that big a shock. It always comes up on these threads, but as someone who grew up in the sweaty, humid South, I find the weather hard from time to time, but I realized some time after moving here that I do, in fact, own clothing, have a heated apartment, and can plan around the weather. Life got better after that.