Moving to Chicago....tips??
- Thread starter UTGal
- Start date
accuratehorn
10,000+ Posts
Long underwear, ear muffs, and mukluks?
Hornius Emeritus
2,500+ Posts
Don't bring bratwurst or saurkraut. They already have some up there.
Pentaconta
1,000+ Posts
I used to live about two hours from Chicago. Went up to visit quite a few times. Really fun city. It's a lot different than Austin, and there are some things that take some getting used to.
You will have to buy a warm coat and get used to dressing in layers in the winter. The wind coming in off of Lake Michigan is ice cold. I suggest something wool, as it tends to repel moisture and retain warmth. Get hat, gloves, and a scarf, too. The scarf is important to protect your face when the wind blows.
You may find that you can get around everywhere you go without a car. Many Chicagoans don't even own one. I love riding the "El" every time I go to Chicago. Great way to people-watch and take in the non-touristy parts of the city, where all the everyday joes live. If you live near the El, you can even get all the way to both O'Hare and Midway Airports via the train.
Grant Park is awesome, especially in the summer. It's a great place to soak in some sun, play frisbee or catch, take in some live music at the Millenium outdoor amphitheater, etc. It's also close to Soldier Field (home of Da Bears!), the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium. Don't miss Navy Pier, too.
You absolutely MUST take in a Cubs game at Wrigley. It is one of the quintessential Chicago experiences.
There are lots of trendy restaurants in River North, just over the Chicago River in the north end of the Loop. If you love shopping, don't miss the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave. north of the Chicago River). The Marshall Fields flagship store is in this area, if I remember correctly.
Don't miss a chance to eat some Chicago deep-dish pizza, too. If you can eat more than about two slices, you're a better person (or much hungrier) than me.
There are a lot of different ethnic neighborhoods in Chicago. A lot of Poles have settled in Chicago, and Polish is actually widely spoken in some neighborhoods. Check out some of the unique ethnic restaurants and shopping in these neighborhoods, especially Polish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, etc.
Generally speaking, the south side has been traditionally dicey, as many of the city's housing projects were concentrated there. (Coming in from the south on the Dan Ryan has always been sort of a depressing introduction to an otherwise great city.) Chicago has been tearing down a lot of the run down tenements over the last 10 years or so, moving those families to newer mixed-income developments instead. Still, if you go down that way, be careful. Otherwise, just use standard common sense with regard to your personal safety.
Have fun!
You will have to buy a warm coat and get used to dressing in layers in the winter. The wind coming in off of Lake Michigan is ice cold. I suggest something wool, as it tends to repel moisture and retain warmth. Get hat, gloves, and a scarf, too. The scarf is important to protect your face when the wind blows.
You may find that you can get around everywhere you go without a car. Many Chicagoans don't even own one. I love riding the "El" every time I go to Chicago. Great way to people-watch and take in the non-touristy parts of the city, where all the everyday joes live. If you live near the El, you can even get all the way to both O'Hare and Midway Airports via the train.
Grant Park is awesome, especially in the summer. It's a great place to soak in some sun, play frisbee or catch, take in some live music at the Millenium outdoor amphitheater, etc. It's also close to Soldier Field (home of Da Bears!), the Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium. Don't miss Navy Pier, too.
You absolutely MUST take in a Cubs game at Wrigley. It is one of the quintessential Chicago experiences.
There are lots of trendy restaurants in River North, just over the Chicago River in the north end of the Loop. If you love shopping, don't miss the Magnificent Mile (Michigan Ave. north of the Chicago River). The Marshall Fields flagship store is in this area, if I remember correctly.
Don't miss a chance to eat some Chicago deep-dish pizza, too. If you can eat more than about two slices, you're a better person (or much hungrier) than me.
There are a lot of different ethnic neighborhoods in Chicago. A lot of Poles have settled in Chicago, and Polish is actually widely spoken in some neighborhoods. Check out some of the unique ethnic restaurants and shopping in these neighborhoods, especially Polish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, etc.
Generally speaking, the south side has been traditionally dicey, as many of the city's housing projects were concentrated there. (Coming in from the south on the Dan Ryan has always been sort of a depressing introduction to an otherwise great city.) Chicago has been tearing down a lot of the run down tenements over the last 10 years or so, moving those families to newer mixed-income developments instead. Still, if you go down that way, be careful. Otherwise, just use standard common sense with regard to your personal safety.
Have fun!
lostman
500+ Posts
If you like Ranch Beans and Rotel (or use them in recipes) find someone to send you some periodically or find Lostdaughter and borrow from her stash I send her!
Enjoy the city and all it has to offer. So different from Texas but still quite enjoyable. Follow all suggestions on this thread.
Enjoy the city and all it has to offer. So different from Texas but still quite enjoyable. Follow all suggestions on this thread.
i almost did the same thing last february. lived in texas all my life but after a training seminar in chicago, thought it was one of the few cities (besides phoenix) outside of texas i could live in. it was cold and snowing, but bustling with activity. people actually live downtown, which gives it a whole nuther feel from most texas cities. i dont know the west loop area, but did go as far as looking up apt/hm rents, and cost of living wasnt that high there. had the pizza and the dogs, and was not that impressed, but had to try it. didnt make it to the field museum or wrigley but definitely will on next trip. shoreline drive or lakeshore or whatever they call it is incredible. chicago is also home to rick bayless and frontera grill, which will also be on the agenda next trip. good luck in your move. keep us posted.
SA_Town_Horn
500+ Posts
Eat this (Giordanos):
Go watch these guys play:
Go here at night and checkout the view:
And if you want, take a river cruise and see this:
Go watch these guys play:
Go here at night and checkout the view:
And if you want, take a river cruise and see this:
S
smwhorn
Guest
If you can't have fun in Chicago, you can't have fun.
There are a LOT of Texas Exes up here.
Take in a game here to see what I mean:
brownstonetavern.com/
Chicago is a great city. Been here over a decade myself and really have no intention of leaving. Its an endlessly fascinating place so immerse yourself in it.
I think you will also find its very easy to meet people up here. Very friendly Midwest vibe.
Take in a game here to see what I mean:
brownstonetavern.com/
Chicago is a great city. Been here over a decade myself and really have no intention of leaving. Its an endlessly fascinating place so immerse yourself in it.
I think you will also find its very easy to meet people up here. Very friendly Midwest vibe.
So how did you like the Brownstone?
veggieboy
500+ Posts
I went to visit my brother-in-law and his wife for Christmas a few years back, and it was the coldest I have ever been in my entire life.
FYI, I grew up in Germany and Utah (Airforce brat) so I know what cold weather is. This was unbelievably cold.
But it is a great town. I've never lived in either Chicago or NYC, but NYC is better as a tourist town. I do think I could live in Chicago moreso than I could in NYC.
That pizza looks allsome...
FYI, I grew up in Germany and Utah (Airforce brat) so I know what cold weather is. This was unbelievably cold.
But it is a great town. I've never lived in either Chicago or NYC, but NYC is better as a tourist town. I do think I could live in Chicago moreso than I could in NYC.
That pizza looks allsome...
dang-str8
1,000+ Posts
FYI... Chicago's Famous deep dish pizza was invented by a longhorn, ... He played football for us... Ike Sewell
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