Does Chicago have the midwest hospitality? (Northbrook, Wilmette: employment, schools, live in)

[CarolL]

We were transferred to CT (suburban NYC) from Chicago. Lived there 2 years. We'd never before encountered such cold, rude people. Our neighbors wouldn't even wave or say hello from their porch when we walked right past them to the mailbox. We joined groups, went to church, were active in school and with the kids, and the only friends we made were transplants from MN. The day we left, we heard a local say that a friend of his had "only lived in town for 10 years" and was, therefore, "a newcomer." I used to love to nip into NYC and be around what I considered "normal" people. New Yorkers are friendly. They talk to you in elevators. Help you with directions. Love their city and want you to love it, too.

We moved back to Chicago. My sister, who has lived all her adult life in TX, always remarks when she visits us that Chicagoans are some of the friendliest people she's ever encountered anywhere.

[randomguymike]

Originally Posted by LSDetroit

No. This city is exactly like New York. The only civil people are midwest transplants.

from what I've encountered so far, that covers about 80% of the population of the city. I don't think I've actually met a Chicago native. Everyone's from MN, OH, WI, or MI.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by Digital Entropy

As long as people are open and willing to make conversation where you would normally find it (and even in some places where you might not), I think that would be quite refreshing. In NYC people will often go far and out of their way to avoid other people no matter what and the "If I don't know you, I don't want to know you" attitude all over the place really stinks.

If I can just share a laugh with a complete stranger because some schmoe faceplants off a skateboard in front of us, that's a great start.

There's plenty of that sort of camaraderie in Chicago. I've shared a laugh with strangers many times in Chicago.

Chicago isn't a city that coddles, though. I'll be honest: I suspect that people who find Chicagoans really rude might not be the friendliest people themselves. Just putting that out there. If you make the effort, it's generally welcomed. I'm a transplant. Not a "midwestern transplant". I'm from the land of smiles and waves, and I still nod and wave to strangers in Chicago. 75-80% of the time, it's returned. Not a bad ROI.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by randomguymike

from what I've encountered so far, that covers about 80% of the population of the city. I don't think I've actually met a Chicago native. Everyone's from MN, OH, WI, or MI.

Definitely true in neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park.

There are still areas of the city, though, that are mostly native.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

Definitely true in neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park.

There are still areas of the city, though, that are mostly native.

Lincoln Park is called "New Trier South" for a reason. I think there are more suburbanites there than transplants. Very few of the "Chads" and "Trixies" are from WI, MI, OH, etc. Most of them seem to be from Northbrook, Hinsdale, Wilmette, Winnetka, Oak Brook, etc.

[Anthera]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Lincoln Park is called "New Trier South" for a reason. I think there are more suburbanites there than transplants. Very few of the "Chads" and "Trixies" are from WI, MI, OH, etc. Most of them seem to be from Northbrook, Hinsdale, Wilmette, Winnetka, Oak Brook, etc.

Agreed. But they went to school in OH, WI, MI etc.

[j33]

Originally Posted by LSDetroit

No. This city is exactly like New York. The only civil people are midwest transplants.

Uh, last time I looked at a map, Chicago was in the Midwest, therefore making Chicagoans Midwesterners. At least, I always thought of myself as being from the Midwest, having lived in and around Chicago my whole life.

So I'm not sure how one could actually be a 'midwest transplant to chicago'. It would be just as absurd as stating that someone is a 'new england transplant to boston'.

[thePR]

Originally Posted by randomguymike

from what I've encountered so far, that covers about 80% of the population of the city. I don't think I've actually met a Chicago native. Everyone's from MN, OH, WI, or MI.

I don't see that really at all. Most of the people I've met that live in Chicago, are from Chicago or moved at such an early age that it doesn't matter.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by thePR

I don't see that really at all. Most of the people I've met that live in Chicago, are from Chicago or moved at such an early age that it doesn't matter.

It is because he moved to South Lake View and Lake View as a whole is probably 75% people that did not grow up in the city or were born in it now. As far as what area he works in I have no idea, but plenty of transplants work downtown.

Where do you live and work around?

[thePR]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

It is because he moved to South Lake View and Lake View as a whole is probably 75% people that did not grow up in the city or were born in it now. As far as what area he works in I have no idea, but plenty of transplants work downtown.

Where do you live and work around?

Edison Park and Norwood Park. Although I am from a suburb. I know a lot of people form Chicago that live in those areas.