My 5 Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago Illinois

[@knucklehoagies]

I just moved to Chicago. Originally from CA. Chicago gives “textbook city” vibes. It’s basically your quintessential American city with everything you need and more. Crime is over exaggerated and it’s expensive but not really that expensive compared to other places. I like it here.

[@PeterNicieja]

I completely agree with you. I hope you continue to enjoy the city!

[@colddeadhands5167]

I live in River North/downtown. You are either a fool or naive. The city is NOT safe anytime day or night. Especially at night. If you believe anything else.... you are a future victim

[@MITdork]

The coasts are awesome 😎👍 in your 20s for education, work and play but you get so much more yield in Chicago. Don't believe me? (Compare a $1m property in Chicago proper vs NYC or Boston. )

[@MarcAureleYetgang]

I totally agree with you. I pay 1200$ a month for a room here in San Francisco, in Chicago with the same money I will have an apartment.

[@john56801]

What suburb did you move to?

[@timward3116]

I don't live in Chicago (I often wish I did), but one of the amazing things about it is the enormity of Lake Michigan. It feels like an ocean. You look across it into the distance, searching for the other side, and there is no other side... just a blurry blue horizon.

[@PeterNicieja]

Absolutely - Impeccable views!

[@edilee5909]

Lived in Chicago for 4 years during college and loved it. Would love to move back if a good job opportunity comes up bc I hate the heat down here in Texas. I was out and about way more during Chicago winters than the searing heat of Texas summers

[@PeterNicieja]

Come back we'd love to have ya 😎

[@prestonradtke222]

So the weather is definitely a con, but if we had more mild winters, we would have New York City pricing and even more people would want to move here, so it’s a nice trade-off

[@Alverant]

The last few winters were mild and so is the nxt one. Last winter I was in the Loop in early February with just my hoodie and I was fine.

[@patrickilunga3312]

I plan relocate in Chicago in next year.

[@collinkoolaid3519]

I’m a senior at U of Iowa and have lived my entire life in small town Iowa so the only big thing holding me back is the cost of living and worrying that my career field (exercise and nutrition) won’t get me far but after seeing Chicago twice I’ve known I want to live in the big city it just sounds so so nice hoping to be there the end of next summer 🙏🏼

[@PeterNicieja]

You're young, now's the time to make the move. What's the worst that can happen?

[@kevinrakow380]

I grew up in a small city in Wisconsin so I get that but really wanted to experience the city. I always knew that is what I wanted. Now is the time to take calculated risks. You'd probably have an easier time if you were in Finance but it can work. Reach but be realistic. Us Mid-westerners are cautious. Push it just a bit but be realistic. I have had a life I could have never dreamed of growing up in Wisconsin and never would have had it if I hadn't left. The worst thing that could happen is having to move back to Iowa and you could always go back to Iowa City. There are a lot worse places to live than Iowa City. Good luck with your decision! PS I was often fairly close to broke when I first moved here. I am now extremely comfortable. It will come - just be patient.

[@Alverant]

The burbs are good too. Just pick a spot close to the Metra.

[@jonicoble1898]

Decembers have been fairly mild as of late. But January, February, and March I would say months months.

[@adventuresconjuan]

I lasted a year in Chicago and I loved Chicago but his right , the winter was terrible

[@SamuelPinargote-h7u]

Where'd you originally move from? I'm curious just how bad the winter is comparatively. Thanks!

[@adventuresconjuan]

@@SamuelPinargote-h7u I moved from Ohio and yes winters get cold in Ohio but Damm Chicago was a whole different experience… it’s tough

[@Vitalekpess]

I’ll be moving there pretty soon and I consider this video really helpful. Could you make a video about the crime rate? I heard it’s pretty high😢

[@kickflipperland12]

I know the media blows the crime out of proportion, but I’ve met many locals that say the city is totally different after covid. Do you feel this is true or any thoughts on that?

[@PeterNicieja]

The in-person workforce is only about 50% back from pre-covid levels, so neighborhoods in the downtown, such as the Loop, feel very empty compared to how it was.

[@orion3706]

I was born, raised, and still live in Illinois, and I love Chicago, but as much as I love it, I could never live there. Too cold!

[@PeterNicieja]

Good point! Where in Illinois do you live?

[@RideWithAnthony]

Any New Yorkers did the live the in chica

[@duongpham989]

As a foreigner to the US residing in Chicago, I’m still struggling with the food here. Been visiting several States in the US, one common notice: reaching out to healthy food is expensive, strenuous and challenging while fast food is ubiquitous. Most of available food is too much oil and salt which will affect to your health especially when you’re getting after 60. If you want to have a life and eat healthily like an average income person in Europe, you may have to earn over $200,000/year here in the States.

[@gridblaze6573]

then go back to Europe

[@karend2323]

LOVELY VIDEO

[@1975brett]

Several feet of snow at one time? Exaggerate much?

[@PeterNicieja]

I meant inches, accidentally said feet.

[@lorenzell3104]

Many more people are moving out than moving in. Take a hint folks. There are many better places to live. Suburbs of Chicago are probably a ,much better choice.

[@PeterNicieja]

Different strokes for different folks!

[@toothsweet5839]

Lots of people leave for many reasons. Some hear a sound at night and run screaming to a gated suburb community, and some simply get tired of the cold winters. Not everything is about crime, even if some would love to make it about that.

[@Therazorschannel]

Chicago is way too cold 6 months out of the year. I can’t believe the Chicago Bears don’t have a Dome with the prices they charge. You can also be hanging out in a Starbucks or McDonalds downtown and it wouldn’t be weird to see a hobo or drifter digging through the garbage can inside the restaurant while you are eating. Best time is the summer when Cubs play at home and there is a festival or parade happening at the same time, but coincidentally that is when the crime ramps up also.

[@george_davituri]

Hello from 🇬🇪

[@irmakalember3709]

My city it has tons of Eastern European.

[@quinnrivera5075]

Lived there for 35 years. Love Chicago. It’s turned into something very different from what it was. Crime is crazy. You can live in Lakeview , Roscoe Village, Lincoln Park and still get stuck up from the pack of shitheads that hunt for people to rob on a daily basis. Taxes are insane. CTA was once pretty good now the Redline is a moving insane asylum, homeless shelter, drug vending machine that has the add on of smelling like piss and is dangerous at night. CPD is now fetal and can’t/wont do its job. States attorney doesnt prosecute anyone either. Murderers get out in 7 years to practice their craft again. Moved here from LA in 1990. And it was great. It was a bargain. It’s changed. And not for the better. Covid, Lightfoot and now Brandon Johnson , crime , taxes have quickly eroded this city into a place that if you don’t need to live there for work you should definitely try to get out of. And I hate saying that because my son lives here. But if you can get out get out

[@toothsweet5839]

Glad you left, you sound like a sad person

[@timothyawe5103]

What about the crime?

[@Vindico0711]

He's a real estate agent ofc he isn't. I'd love to see bro try and live past 31st Street. Bro WOULD NOT last 5 minutes in downtown past 8pm. 💀 He'd be a fresh piece of tasty meat down here. ion think he'd even stand Little Village or Pilsen much less the o'block. ion think he's even got on the red-line train. In fact, I just got off my shift where the stores are at in the south loop near the Southgate market and the Roosevelt collection. Saw some rich-looking folk get absolutely eviscerated and punked a few feet from where I was standing during a teen takeover/trend. I told them to run but they were being so stupid. There was a hoard of teens running our way (maybe around 40-50?) They stole a lot of shit all we could do was protect the customers. It's the 3rd time this month. Had to run away but luckily the cops came by and heavily patrolled the area. I'm just trying to work my shift, get this bread, and go home. But nah - people gotta loot and steal. I'm out this bitch. 🚶Just keeping it real.💯

[@PeterNicieja]

This is hilarious

[@PeterNicieja]

Every city has crime, and it's fairly concentrated within a few neighborhoods in Chicago. I generally find that it's not as bad as people think.

[@evanferris5035]

​@@Vindico0711comment of the month

[@Vindico0711]

@@PeterNicieja I was being serious. This Sunday - 40 teens arrested in the south loop. 1 security guard dead. The number grew to more than a hundred. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6CwaHZ7d5lseZo Getting a new job tomorrow.

[@Jhihmoac]

I left Chicagoland and Illinois in 2005 when it was evident that my career in machining and manufacturing was gone mostly to Asia and never coming back... Chicago _WAS_ once the place to be because while NYC and the Cali Cities took care of International Commerce, it was Chicago, through manufacturing, that once took care of America... That all changed in the late 1990s when corporations decided to cut costs and send most manufacturing jobs abroad for the cheap labor... Most of those jobs have never returned, and whenever they do, they come back in the form of automation... Much of the Midwest has become a "Rust Belt" as a result... In addition, thanks to all these Illinois State Pensions, the taxes on everything is phenominal! Also the gang activity has gotten way ouy of hand since I left! No way would I ever return now!

[@PeterNicieja]

Very interesting-Thanks for sharing!

[@adgdashaef]

really, you are not going to mention crime as a con? did you forget your kevlar or what