Newark/Jersey city vs Chicago (Washington: neighborhoods, moving to, transit)
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Well Goofy 328, yes, I have posted the exact same thread in Chicago forums too. The difference is not much actually. The arguments for Chicago are very similar in both forums. Here in NJ forum many people are recommending Chicago to me while in Chicago forum the majority is recommending Chicago to me also.
I would disagree on winters, they're especially brutal in the Midwest. Add in the wind off Lake Michigan and Chicago winters are more brutal than what they experience in the Tri-State area.
As far as preparation, the first two winters will be the toughest, then you'll grow accustomed and maybe even look forward to change of seasons. The humidity in the summers can sometimes be worse than winter, though you are from Texas. I'm a California transplant living in Ohio, FWIW.
Well Goofy 328, yes, I have posted the exact same thread in Chicago forums too. The difference is not much actually. The arguments for Chicago are very similar in both forums. Here in NJ forum many people are recommending Chicago to me while in Chicago forum the majority is recommending Chicago to me also.
Well I haven't made up my mind 100 % yet. The case for Chicago is quite good but i am going to keep my options open till the moment i think it's time for me to move. NJ still is in the back of my mind somewhere will see....one thing that continues to bother me is chicago winters which might make me eventually change my mind but will see.
Well I haven't made up my mind 100 % yet. The case for Chicago is quite good but i am going to keep my options open till the moment i think it's time for me to move. NJ still is in the back of my mind somewhere will see....one thing that continues to bother me is chicago winters which might make me eventually change my mind but will see.
lol, its not just Chicago. Midwest in general has bad winters. One thing to consider before moving up there for sure.
lol, its not just Chicago. Midwest in general has bad winters. One thing to consider before moving up there for sure.
I know and it will be a factor in my decision but i am no fan of texas 100 temps/100% humdity for 9 months a year anymore. Maybe it's time i try the other extreme spectrum and see how it goes. Chicago still ranks very high on my wish-list hehe.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Natural510
I would disagree on winters, they're especially brutal in the Midwest. Add in the wind off Lake Michigan and Chicago winters are more brutal than what they experience in the Tri-State area.
As far as preparation, the first two winters will be the toughest, then you'll grow accustomed and maybe even look forward to change of seasons. The humidity in the summers can sometimes be worse than winter, though you are from Texas. I'm a California transplant living in Ohio, FWIW.
This is definitely true. I was an undergrad in Madison, WI (not that far from Chicago) and both air temps and the windchill frequently dipped below zero, sometimes well below. The wind in Chicago is wicked.
I also lived in Austin, TX, for ten years, and then moved here. I like it up here better than the Midwest--easy access to the city and the shore and lots of things to do. Just thought I'd add my thoughts as a former Texan
This is definitely true. I was an undergrad in Madison, WI (not that far from Chicago) and both air temps and the windchill frequently dipped below zero, sometimes well below. The wind in Chicago is wicked.
I also lived in Austin, TX, for ten years, and then moved here. I like it up here better than the Midwest--easy access to the city and the shore and lots of things to do. Just thought I'd add my thoughts as a former Texan
Hey fellow Texan and thanks for your input. However, it now looks more and more likely that I will end moving to Chicago. Will still keep these good cities in mind too.
Well I haven't made up my mind 100 % yet. The case for Chicago is quite good but i am going to keep my options open till the moment i think it's time for me to move. NJ still is in the back of my mind somewhere will see....one thing that continues to bother me is chicago winters which might make me eventually change my mind but will see.
Is there a reason you aren't considering NYC itself? Is it just because of the money? For sure you can forget finding an apartment for $800 in a decent area. $1000 might get you a decent place in JC(by decent I mean Journal Square, The Heights, not the trendy areas). However places in NYC(not Manhattan) are not much more expensive than JC(Brooklyn, Queens).
Forget Newark you don't want to live there. If you are moving without a job you might consider it temporarily but only for as long as you have too. Not because everywhere in Newark is unsafe but there are limited options for entertainment and not much going on. Isn't that the whole reason to move to the city in the first place? When moving to JC you have to consider NYC as part of the package. Where you live in JC, for the rent you want to pay in chicago it may very well take you the same amount of commute to get to where the action is, as JC to NYC
I think NYC has more to offer than chicago, and also a bigger job market than chicago for what you do. Better public transportation and more nightlife even though chicago is excellent in those regards. However Chicago is a good deal cheaper. I'm not as familiar with Chicago but I think you might get an apartment with what your looking for your price range. Also when the time comes to buy a house Chicago suburbs have much cheaper real estate.
I'm considering much the same question as you are, for the same reasons. Though I'm a bit younger and live on Long Island right now(for the same reasons I am willing to tolerate less than ideal living conditions(crappy apt etc). I'm leaning toward JC cause its not as a move and it seems to have more to offer than Chicago. The only advantage to Chicago I see is that its cheaper. In my case I don't have alot of career options in NYC so i have to work farther out in the suburbs. Thats why I'm looking at JC. That is not the case for you so i would look into the outer boroughs as well as JC.
I'm a native to NJ but have lived in the Chicagoland area as well.
One huge thing to consider about Chicago is that they just raised the income tax level dramatically (by about 66%). Also IL has taxes on clothes and groceries that vary by county. The sales tax rate in Cook county (where Chicago is located) is very expensive. Its been varying between 9-10.5%
Another city to consider may be Philly. It is smaller, but some nice areas are less expensive and I have friends who lived there and loved it. It may not be as much of a culture shock for you either.
You may want to rent a room on a month to month lease from someone for a while which might not be a bad thing. It'll be cheaper, you could have someone to show you around and then get a feel for the area, and if you don't like it you can move.
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