I visited your fair city (Chicago, Madison: condo, crime, live in)

[Gaylord_Focker]

And was super impressed. Impressed enough to move there? IDK, but pretty close.

Positives -
Great downtown, duh, not much else to be said there. Gorgeous skyline, super walkable, a lot of great restaurants, people were friendly enough. Remarkably clean


People - down to earth, friendly enough.

Food - super diverse, lots of options. Had great pho and the best quesadilla I've ever had.

Negatives -
Weather- still a bit nippy for April. Not unbearable, but unpredictable for sure.

Drivers- I was expecting midwest friendliness. I didn't get that. Far more aggressive than Californians, which was surprising.

[ChiGuy2.5]

Thanks for the positive review! I like to think of Chicago's aggressive driving as "purposeful". I can't stand going to other cities where drivers are recklessly aggressive. I feel like Chicagoans are aggressive with a purpose and typically are aware of their surroundings.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

Thanks for the positive review! I like to think of Chicago's aggressive driving as "purposeful". I can't stand going to other cities where drivers are recklessly aggressive. I feel like Chicagoans are aggressive with a purpose and typically are aware of their surroundings.

I'm not sure I can agree with that but I was only there a week. Definitely more aggressive tailgating here than in Seattle, Denver, DC, LA, Texas.

[Drewjdeg]

Totally agree for the most part. Chicago is so underrated.

For negatives, I would maybe add car jackings and lead pipes lol.

[Drewjdeg]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

Thanks for the positive review! I like to think of Chicago's aggressive driving as "purposeful". I can't stand going to other cities where drivers are recklessly aggressive. I feel like Chicagoans are aggressive with a purpose and typically are aware of their surroundings.

Could make an argument that Chicago drivers are better (in some ways) than the recklessly timid drivers in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest. At least nobody in Chicago merges onto the highway at 35 mph like they do in Madison.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by Drewjdeg

Totally agree for the most part. Chicago is so underrated.

For negatives, I would maybe add car jackings and lead pipes lol.

Likely will be parked in condo garage. Very limited car usage.

But honestly, I wasn't getting that vibe downtown, and I was kind of looking for it.

[ChiGuy2.5]

Originally Posted by Drewjdeg

Could make an argument that Chicago drivers are better (in some ways) than the recklessly timid drivers in Wisconsin and other parts of the Midwest. At least nobody in Chicago merges onto the highway at 35 mph like they do in Madison.

Exactly what I meant. Many outsiders see us as aggressive but they don't realize that we are still courteous, just not if you are slowing us down and impeding the flow of traffic.

Another example is when people are looking for a spot to park driving 10 mph. Nothing irks Chicagoans more I think.

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Likely will be parked in condo garage. Very limited car usage.

But honestly, I wasn't getting that vibe downtown, and I was kind of looking for it.

That's good to hear too. Downtown looked a bit scary during the pandemic when it seemed almost ghost town like with nobody around. Then because of the BLM protests and looting lots of windows were boarded up. For the most part, car jackings are other bits of crime are still statistically rare. You just hear about it a lot on the news since everything is sensationalized. I'm not suggesting it isn't a problem though.

[personone]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

I'm not sure I can agree with that but I was only there a week. Definitely more aggressive tailgating here than in Seattle, Denver, DC, LA, Texas.

Nice review. I have to disagree only with DC on your list, in terms of drivers (although don’t have too much experience with the other cities other than being a tourist). But DC drivers are the most aggressive in the country. I don’t drive much since I live in the city, but have only experienced faster paced drivers in Chicago (not rude or aggressive). But driving is something that everyone experiences differently. For me, it’s DC that are hands down the worst.

[glass_of_merlot]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

I'm not sure I can agree with that but I was only there a week. Definitely more aggressive tailgating here than in Seattle, Denver, DC, LA, Texas.

Seattle is full of passive aggressive people. That is much worse. lol

[Koji7]

I was also in Chicago recently and I appreciate that it’s much easier to get around and actually relax when getting around and sightseeing than NYC. And the drivers do seem much kinder and accommodating so thanks Chicago!