1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

I'll still gladly visit Chicago again and enjoy its gorgeous architecture, the lake, and its great food

My own brother lives there and you couldn't pay me to visit him.  It has nothing to do with my brother either.  We get along great and always have.

 

Its not that I'm necessarily worried or in fear of the crime there.  I just can't stand going there.  The traffic is unbearable just about 24/7, the cost of living and expenses is very high, and there really isn't anything I can do there that I can't do here in the Twin Cities.

 

Ask me what my brother pays for daycare.  And then be prepared to have a stroke when I answer.  lol

Okay, what does your brother pay?

 

FWIW, I love the Twin Cities too. I've spent many days walking down Grand Ave. and then back up Summit. And your network of paths connecting your lakes are great, as are your elevated downtown walkways. Plus, I know a guy who lives in MN who caught so many big smallies and LMBs this summer. A gorgeous tiger musky too. Let's see...what's his name?

 

#missingcafelatte

6 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

Okay, what does your brother pay?

About 4 grand/month.  For one kid, 5 days/week.

 

Multiply that by 2 or 3 if you have more than one.  Doesn't take a math major to figure out that its unafforadable for most.  You better have a really good job...

You're right. I almost stroked. How much does that daycare make????

The money doesn't go to the workers at the daycare.  Most daycare workers don't earn enough to make a living.  It all goes to the executives of the company.

 

That's a different business topic altogether though.

On 12/30/2021 at 8:15 PM, softwateronly said:

Englewood has been hood my whole life and doesn't look to dramatically change for at least a decade.  My FIL is from there.  West Lawn definitely stabilized in the 90's.  It was tough for sure, but a beating not a stabbing or shooting.  It might have slipped again, but I still hit zaca tacos when I visit family and it seems fine.  I've been in bridgeport the last 20 some years, still the new guy in some of my neighbors eyes.

 

scott

 

scott  

 

It's great to hear from someone who has actually lived there and lives there still. 

 

@Swamp Girl It's a pretty accurate analogy in metro form of both the successes and rot of both our country and culture.  To me, the most American of metros and people and of course I want it to be better.  Yes, I'm biased. 

 

scott

1 hour ago, softwateronly said:

@Swamp Girl It's a pretty accurate analogy in metro form of both the successes and rot of both our country and culture.  To me, the most American of metros and people and of course I want it to be better.  Yes, I'm biased. 

 

scott

 

I will never forget the first time I walked into the Art Institute. I felt like I was walking into an art history book, "The World's Greatest Paintings." And walking downtown feels like I'm walking into a book titled "The World's Greatest Buildings." Then there's the food! And the blues and jazz clubs. And the lake. And....

Chicago is a great tourist destination but like any major city, it’s not the best place to live. I lived in the suburbs and worked in the city and surrounding area for 40 years. Too much of my life was spent sitting in traffic and too much of my money was spent on high real estate taxes, and parking. 

3 hours ago, Scott F said:

Chicago is a great tourist destination but like any major city, it’s not the best place to live. I lived in the suburbs and worked in the city and surrounding area for 40 years. Too much of my life was spent sitting in traffic and too much of my money was spent on high real estate taxes, and parking. 

Traffic yes, but I can forgive it because I've never spent time in a city I liked that was built for cars.  Plus my work is usually 20mins away.  Taxes on the other hand...never fun and the last 5+ years of mayoral leadership has been worse than I could've predicted or feared.  The can is running out of road.

 

scott

7 hours ago, Swamp Girl said:

 

I will never forget the first time I walked into the Art Institute. I felt like I was walking into an art history book, "The World's Greatest Paintings." And walking downtown feels like I'm walking into a book titled "The World's Greatest Buildings." Then there's the food! And the blues and jazz clubs. And the lake. And....

The art institute is still and possibly even more amazing than you remember.  I believe 1/2 to 2/3rds of their collection is on loan or in storage.

 

scott

Lived there until I turned 32 and ran quickly to NC. I love it here and do not miss living in the Chicago burbs. The only thing I miss is the food and constant sports news/tv. If I was sent to live in the north woods of Wisconsin, I would do so gladly. My NC wife says the same and she loves her home state.