To Bluestater and anyone else from the Chicago area --
How do you like living there? Ups? Downs?
There is a possibility I might be relocating. Any insight you can provide would be great, especially which of the surrounding areas are better suited for people in their late 20s - early 30s. I can tell you right now that I would go insane if I lived in Napervillle.
I live in Evanston. We moved here 13 years ago for the schools. Before that we lived in Ravenswood- about a mile north of Wrigley Field. That was good - close to public transportation to get downtown and not so trendy that you paid a fortune for a decent sized apartment. We like Evanston - it's more urban than Naperville, but you might like Chicago too.
__________________ "You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie
Yay! I actually live in Ravenswood now, not far from where Bonnie used to live. I love love love Chicago. It's urban, but friendly, and very neighborhoody. My current neighborhood is a little more quiet; lots of condos and single family homes, people walking their dogs, and walking to the neighborhood bars. There are tons of great neighborhoods for people in their late 20's/early 30's. Wicker Park and Bucktown are hip, have great bars/restaurants/boutiques, and are about ten mins from downtown by the L. The other neighborhood that I think you might like is South Loop, a neighborhood that is exploding right now. It's just south of downtown, near Soldier Field. It's on the lake, walking distance of downtown, and also has tons of great restaurants/boutiques/bars.
Wow, I could go on about Chicago for days. Hope that helps - pmail me if you need anything else!
I listened to a Little Walter CD (killer Chicago blues) last night, and was thinking what great music came out of that time (50s) and place. Of course that was a different era, but I'm guessing the music scene is still strong.
And right now is the best time of year. Jazz Fest, Blues Fest, the Airshow, Taste of Chicago, Venetian Night, Forth of July fireworks. Best 4th of July parade is in Evanston though. Best used bookstore is in Evanston too - Bookman's Alley.
Here's a link to Chicago stuff: http://www.sidestep.com/travel-info-...nts_chicago_il
I have to say though, that Taste of Chicago is not my kind of eating. We sometimes go for the music at The Taste and eat in the restaurants downtown. It's cool inside, you don't fight the crowds and the bugs with a plate full of food and the service in the restaurants is fantastic because they're not so busy.
Also, the beaches are good and the bikepath along the lake is a great thing to do on Saturday morning. All that and Bluestater and me, too - what more could a girl want???
__________________ "You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie
Is the Wild Game Room still around? I believe it was over by the stockyard. Nothing on the menu was normal - rattlesnake, emu, antelope, gator.
I'm not sure about that one, but there is a place near my work/apt. called Hot Doug's, and in addition to fantastic hot dogs, brats, polish/Italian sausage, they have special sausages, including the Game of the Week. I've had antelope and elk sausage, and they've served all of above mentioned sausages, and then they're paired with special cheeses and condiments. Heaven.
And right now is the best time of year. Jazz Fest, Blues Fest, the Airshow, Taste of Chicago, Venetian Night, Forth of July fireworks. Best 4th of July parade is in Evanston though. Best used bookstore is in Evanston too - Bookman's Alley.
Here's a link to Chicago stuff: http://www.sidestep.com/travel-info-...nts_chicago_il
I have to say though, that Taste of Chicago is not my kind of eating. We sometimes go for the music at The Taste and eat in the restaurants downtown. It's cool inside, you don't fight the crowds and the bugs with a plate full of food and the service in the restaurants is fantastic because they're not so busy.
Also, the beaches are good and the bikepath along the lake is a great thing to do on Saturday morning. All that and Bluestater and me, too - what more could a girl want???
Indeed! Bonnie, will I see you at Mayfest in Lincoln Square tonight? (yes, Mayfest is in June. Oktoberfest is also in September. It's Chicago, we're slaves to the weather.)
I'm not sure about that one, but there is a place near my work/apt. called Hot Doug's, and in addition to fantastic hot dogs, brats, polish/Italian sausage, they have special sausages, including the Game of the Week. I've had antelope and elk sausage, and they've served all of above mentioned sausages, and then they're paired with special cheeses and condiments. Heaven.
Whenever you get the chance with Antelope on the menu, jump at it. It one of the best tasting meats I've ever had. Lightyears ahead of beef steak from KC, TX and OK and they serve some pretty darn good steak in those parts.
Not tonight, Bluestater - I have to go to a graduation party - one of the HS wrestlers. It's outdoors though, so that's good. I've been out all day - at the farmer's market, and doing a little gardening (as you can see by my new avatar- it's my Easter Island head pot with some fiber-optic grass in it.)
Not too many cicadas here yet. They were buzzing bigtime yesterday in Oak Brook when we were playing whiffle ball at work/lunch/bbq/party.
__________________ "You can't have a light without a dark to stick it in." -- Arlo Guthrie
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