Chicago vs. Columbus? Am I crazy? (Dublin: home, neighborhoods, college) - Ohio (OH) - City-Data Forum

bu__jonathan · 03-31-2013, 07:12 PM

A little background: I'm a 30 year old gay guy with a degree in Engineering. I was born/raised in Chicago. After college I spent 4 years in Columbus. Loved it, but my job at the time was not a good fit. In 2011, I moved back to the greater Chicago area and now live in the far western 'burbs.

Now that the economy is picking up, I'm contemplating what to do with my future: The obvious choice would be to move to Chicago proper. But, part of me would love to get back to Columbus. I enjoyed how easily accessible the city was (Short North, Downtown, and German Village). I lived in Dublin and could easily access downtown on the weekends -- Chicago is not nearly as easy/cheap to access. The people in Columbus were genuine as well. Though the dating pool is admittedly a bit smaller.

Am I crazy for wanting to move back to Columbus in lieu of Chicago? Or am I just lamenting good times?

kjax317 · 03-31-2013, 08:00 PM

Why would you be 'crazy'? Columbus is a great city, as you know... you already know you like it, so I don't think there's much risk? Chicago is one of my favorite cities but I have to admit I'm not sure I could live there for very long. The cost of living and the winters are INTENSE. Good luck whatever you choose!

brianjb · 03-31-2013, 08:22 PM

Good luck to you as well.

I ended up in Columbus by chance. It wasn't a city that I chose; the job is here.

I interviewed with Groupon in Chicago, and was hoping to move there. That fell through, and I ended up getting a job here in Columbus. It is a nice town so far. I have only been here for three weeks though.

bu__jonathan · 03-31-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjax317

Why would you be 'crazy'? Columbus is a great city, as you know... you already know you like it, so I don't think there's much risk? Chicago is one of my favorite cities but I have to admit I'm not sure I could live there for very long. The cost of living and the winters are INTENSE. Good luck whatever you choose!

Cost of living is decently higher in Chicago (especially taxes). Home ownership is obtainable in Columbus. Chicago.... eh, home ownership is allusive.

I'm looking for a reality check to make sure I'm considering all sides of the decision.

cali3448893 · 03-31-2013, 08:37 PM

the cost of living is not that bad at all in chicago....yes taxes are high but the foods are cheaper st grocery stores in chicago versus ohio, the housing cost is also cheap in fact its almost the same price as cities like columbus, and for all the things you want in a major city the beach, downtown, festivals and such are probably worth the price.

Mplsite · 04-06-2013, 02:01 PM

If SN, Downtown, and GV are all you'll need then it could work. Unlike Chicago where, if you get tired of one cluster of neighborhoods you can just up and go live in another group of neighborhoods with lots of new places to go. You can't do that in Columbus without leaving the city entirely. That and you'll see the same faces a lot at different places, which makes sense once you tally the total number of people/neighbors living in the good inner-city neighborhoods and see it's much smaller than 800,000. The Columbus you're talking about is more around 100,000 or so. And what about Milwaukee if it's a little Chicago you're looking for? That way if you get bored with it Chicago's right there in your backyard. And pay no mind to the "INTENSE" winter nonsense: Chicago and Columbus' winters (the latter perhaps more so due to less snow) are mostly mild. If I can layer enough to ride in the coldest days up here with -20 or so windchill you easily invest in a pair of thermals to magically turn that all caps adjective into a ho-hum one.