Commuting from Chicago to Milwaukee (Kenosha, Racine: hotel, house, construction)

[CHI/MKE Commuter]

I was just offered a GREAT one-year job in Milwaukee... the only problem is that my husband and I live in Chicago and for various reasons cannot move from the Chicago-metropolitan area. What are the options for commuting from the Chicago-area to Milwaukee? Am I crazy to even consider this commute, even if it is only for a years time?

[Nuclear_Art]

I wouldn't want to try it with a car but if the job is really that great, meaning they are paying you well, then just take the Amtrak train. It will still eat up your time but at least you can make it quality time by being able to nap, work, or read.

You could also post to Craigslist to see if you can find a rideshare agreement.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by CHI/MKE Commuter

I was just offered a GREAT one-year job in Milwaukee... the only problem is that my husband and I live in Chicago and for various reasons cannot move from the Chicago-metropolitan area. What are the options for commuting from the Chicago-area to Milwaukee? Am I crazy to even consider this commute, even if it is only for a years time?

There are a couple of train options like Amtrak or the Metra. I am not too familiar with the routes, schedules, etc., however, this subject comes up fairly regularly on this forum, so maybe do some searching through posts, etc., and they could be of some info or use. Otherwise, hopefully someone can chime in.

The train option wouldn't necessarily be ideal in my book due to the time of driving to the station, parking, catching a train on schedule, then getting to your office once in Milwaukee. However, if I had to do this (Chicago to Milwaukee or vice/versa) I would definitely utilize a train I think.

As depending upon where you are coming from in Chicago, the commute could be hellacious. However, when you say Chicago, do you mean Chicago itself? Or, do you perhaps mean a suburb? If you are coming from a northern suburb that is close to the freeway - say, Vernon Hills for example - then your commute wouldn't be all too, too bad, and it would be definitely doable by car.

The key in this commute would be just getting past that northern suburban area - traffic-wise - of Chicago such as Vernon Hills and up through Gurnee. If you got through that all and started to get into far northern Illinois, you can get to Milwaukee in a reasonable timeframe. Traffic from that Northern Illinois through Milwaukee is a breeze - even during the rushhour portion of the day. Milwaukee can get a decent rush hour, but it is more manageable and shorter than Chicago's by far.

I personally would hate to do it for a period of any length. I just bought a house up here from a guy that has been commuting from his house up here to Downtown Chicago everyday (mixture of driving into northern Illinois and then the train the rest of the way) and it takes him 2.25 hours daily...over 4.5 hours total roundtrip daily, not to mention the financial aspect. But, he is going into Downtown Chicago, so his scenario may be rougher than yours. I also had a colleague who commuted from Milwaukee to Vernon Hills daily and that wasn't too bad whatsoever (although I still wouldn't want to do it).

But...if the job is great enough...it may be worth it.

[CHI/MKE Commuter]

Thanks for the advice! Luckily, we have some flexibility as far as where we can live within the Chicago-metro area. We currently live on the NW side of the city, which would make for a terrible commute. But we are open to moving to Glenview, where I could take the Amtrak train or maybe further north so that I can drive. I would prefer taking the train, but I can't find any information about commuter passes/discounts. Without some sort of discount, $40 a day for transportation seems high. Its comforting to know that I'm not the only crazy person thinking about doing the commute regularly and I will definitely look through the old posts for some more information. Thanks again.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by CHI/MKE Commuter

Thanks for the advice! Luckily, we have some flexibility as far as where we can live within the Chicago-metro area. We currently live on the NW side of the city, which would make for a terrible commute. But we are open to moving to Glenview, where I could take the Amtrak train or maybe further north so that I can drive. I would prefer taking the train, but I can't find any information about commuter passes/discounts. Without some sort of discount, $40 a day for transportation seems high. Its comforting to know that I'm not the only crazy person thinking about doing the commute regularly and I will definitely look through the old posts for some more information. Thanks again.

No, you by no means are the only person that does this...I am surprised by how many people up here in the Milwaukee metro area do it, or at least have done it (or dabbled in it for awhile). I don't know how many would do it the opposite way (your way - Chicago to Milwaukee). Typically people up here do it for a promotion, opportunity, etc., that only massive Chicagoland offers. But hey, if you've got that great opportunity up here, I am sure others do it too.

Good luck to you!

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by CHI/MKE Commuter

I was just offered a GREAT one-year job in Milwaukee... the only problem is that my husband and I live in Chicago and for various reasons cannot move from the Chicago-metropolitan area. What are the options for commuting from the Chicago-area to Milwaukee? Am I crazy to even consider this commute, even if it is only for a years time?

Depending on where in Chicago you live, Amtrak is great. Union Station or Northbrook are boarding points.

If you live in the north suburbs you can just drive. You'll spend 1.25 hours each way, but then again, traffic will be bad in NEITHER direction. Actually, you could argue that for the city of Chicago, except for the commute on Fridays, where the inbound Edens is just plain unpleasant.

You are not crazy at all. I worked in Milwaukee and my boss lived in Niles, IL. He drove 75 miles each way and loved it. No traffic, easy drive, 1:15 from starting his car to walking in the door at work in Milwaukee. He did it for 4 years. I, conversely, commuted to Lake Forest from Milwaukee for one year. I also lived in Lake Forest for 5 years, and commuted by car to Milwaukee during that time. The commute was LESS than one hour.

In this day, you can easily commute over an hour anywhere. Once you're free of the congestion of Chicagoland, you can easily drive in Milwaukee. And Amtrak ($40/day) is a very viable alternative if you live near a train station or another train that connects with one of the Amtrak stations.

Don't overlook the opportunity. Also, if you get in a jam a couple of times a year, stay in a hotel (look around ahead of time and you'll find the best places to stay. Your company may get a deal too).

Despite the commuting expense, it is not bad at all. I have done the Amtrak commute a long time ago for an extended period. Not bad. Not bad at all.

[liz0012]

I would take the Amtrak. My husband is working at the Amtrak station right now and he talks to the poeple who commute from Mil. to Chic. he says there are lots of people that take the train. We take it when going to Chicago. IT's fast and reliable.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by CHI/MKE Commuter

Thanks for the advice! Luckily, we have some flexibility as far as where we can live within the Chicago-metro area. We currently live on the NW side of the city, which would make for a terrible commute. But we are open to moving to Glenview, where I could take the Amtrak train or maybe further north so that I can drive. I would prefer taking the train, but I can't find any information about commuter passes/discounts. Without some sort of discount, $40 a day for transportation seems high. Its comforting to know that I'm not the only crazy person thinking about doing the commute regularly and I will definitely look through the old posts for some more information. Thanks again.

If your situation changes, consider just moving to Milwaukee. You are in the city now(Chicago NW side)....living in Milwaukee(in the city) is pretty good lifestyle. I have lived in both Chicago and Milwaukee, so I understand the similarities and the differences. I am also more of a "city" person in general. You could have the city life, and an easy high quality city life in Milwaukee as opposed to suburbs of Chicago. Glenview is pretty close in...but if you start going West of 294...imo...not a question, I'd live in Milwaukee before I lived West of 294 in Chicago....just a thought for future reference. .....you don't gain much by living in a far out burb of Chicago vs heading a little more North and living in Milwaukee. You said you couldn't do that....but if that changes, I would strongly consider it. Heading down to Chicago from Milwaukee via train or car is pretty easy.

It's much easier to drive into Milwaukee than into Chicago....easiest times to drive into Chicago are Sun-Thurs 10am-2pm. You won't have that problem in Milwaukee....only occasional....too frequent construction that can happen in Kenosha or Racine on 294...

Many people commute either direction...I've seen it all the time....Milwaukee's train station is getting a massive make-over as we speak, and will be much nicer....and it is consistent 90 minutes...from downtown Chicago....and comfortable for doing work on the train. You can do better sometimes with a car...but all depends on what time of day and day of week....etc...

[zz4guy]

For only a year? Do it. Make sure you factor in your driving costs of course.

I know a guy who has commuted for 20+ years from his home in a west Milwaukee suburb to a norhtern suburb of Chicago. It is about an hour drive each way I believe. The traffic isn't bad in between the cities... its dealing with it once you get to one of the citites

[arimor]

hmm the metra doesnt come to milwaukee it only goes to kenosha and thats not frequent last time i took it, it was one train in the morning and one in the evening but things may have changed since 1 yr and a half ago but im+ the metra does not come here

a coach bus also stops at that location of the metra station and the kenosha airport just do the research of the metra and the coach the amtrak would be expensive tho

it sucks it'd be nice to have a speed train from milwaukee to chicago like some of those california cities are proposing from so cal to central cal