At the possibility of moving from Chicago I ponder the things that I love about Chicago and the things that I do not like so much. Back in December I wrote about my love-hate relationship with the city. Over the next two days I’ll be describing some of the likes and dislikes.
Especially over the past few months I have felt an even bigger urge to just “get out” of Chicago. Here are some of the reasons why:
Although Chicago is full of alternative ways of travel: buses, trains, and bikes the city and surrounding suburbs are still controlled by car travel. Many people are able to walk or bike to most of the activities in Chicago, however many more still have to depend on a car (or bus) to do shopping and other community activities. Wherever you go cars are everywhere in huge amounts. Working outside of the city has created quite a commute for me. And I will never miss it. Traffic is by far the greatest thing I will love leaving.
Along with traffic is the amount of time it takes to get somewhere. Even though the closest grocery store is only a mile away, it can sometimes take up to twenty minutes to get from point A to B. A “quick” trip to the grocery store can take thirty plus minutes.
The home prices in Chicago are outrageous. Many people are taking advantage of cheap houses right now. As I stare at the $700K house for sale at the end of my block, I think I could never be a home owner here.
No yard, no garden, no fun. Without any seeable future of owning a home in Chicago the only prospect left is a condo or rented apartment. Like most in the city they have no yard, no opportunity for a garden, or to use the yard for activities.
Chicago has its own culture like any place. As I wrote a couple weeks ago, some of it is not so good. People don’t say ‘hello’ to each other here. Driving etiquette is out the window. And it always feels like I am wearing an invisibility cloak around when I am here.
Much of this bad culture is expressed in mass aggression and dangerous driving. Everyone feels like they can do whatever they want to other drivers. Much like what we all did in the first-grade lunch line to get the food first.
It always feels odd to walk or drive in the dark. Why? Because in Chicago the street lights are always on and they are everywhere.
With thousands of lights always on that means I can’t see the stars. Well, unless they are moving stars.
I live in a fairly busy neighborhood. There are always cars driving by. (You could never play a pick-up hockey game in the street.) But, that’s not the problem. The problem is there is always noise. Whether it is a car, blaring, ambulance, and sometimes simply just noise.
Chicago has a lot of people. So many in fact that everywhere I go it always feels like it is crowded.
High food costs. Jewel is out of their mind! I don’t know how people can afford it.
My job is thirty miles away. Enough said.
It is hard to run (and I won’t bike) because of all the unsafe drivers in the city. I don’t know how the bikers bike around without a helmet.
President Parkyn. Grrrr.
Police that disregard red lights just because they are police. Just the other day a police car got stopped by the red light. No one was coming so the car just went through the intersection. It didn’t do it because they had to get somewhere. No flashing lights were involved. They gladly stopped at the next light that was 100 yards ahead without going through that one. No wonder regular drivers decide to do the same thing.
Jewel. It deserves its own bullet point.
Fear of little children. I always feel like when walking around all the punk kids are going to pull out a club and beat me. Why does everyone have to have an attitude problem around here? Would it hurt so much to smile every once in a while?
Flooded apartments. Never again!
Weird and crazy neighbors. Never again!
The sight of sleazy, pay-by-the-hour hotels.
High sales tax. Chicago has a 10%. What do you have?
Everything is so fast paced. I don’t mean slow paced, as in when I say I’ll build you a shed in two weeks time I it actually end up doing it in 4 months time. I mean everyone is going 80 in a 30, cutting me off, running red lights. Just take a chill pill - we are going to all get there at the same time anyway. At least you could drive safe!
If it looks like I am ready to move you are right. That doesn’t mean there isn’t anything good about Chicago. Tomorrow I write the even harder list: the reasons why I love Chicago.
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