OT: Moving to Chicago?
#1
OT: Moving to Chicago?
Well it appears there is about a 95% chance that I will be moving to our home office in Chicago. It is a great promotion and a very good raise.
The office is in Bloomingdale for those familiar with the area. I just have some questions.
If I dont mind driving say 45 mins (early in the morning like pre 0700) got any recommendations on where to look for housing? Any prominent new home builders?
Do you guys do the GTG thing very often in that area? I know we are pretty active in the Houston area and I would like to stay active with other RLers.
Thanks for the OT WOB.
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The office is in Bloomingdale for those familiar with the area. I just have some questions.
If I dont mind driving say 45 mins (early in the morning like pre 0700) got any recommendations on where to look for housing? Any prominent new home builders?
Do you guys do the GTG thing very often in that area? I know we are pretty active in the Houston area and I would like to stay active with other RLers.
Thanks for the OT WOB.
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#2
Can't help with the housing. I know that some of the northern suburbs, near Schamburg, are a lot more expensive than where I'm at, in the southwest suburbs.
GTG's arne't *too* frequent, because there's just not that many of us and we're spread out a decent distance. Doesn't mean it can't change though. Damian (Lead Foot 944) is trying to get something together for late April, and we could always get a caravan to 944fest if anyone else is going. There was a small GTG at Michelle JD's last summer, she lives near Starved Rock, pretty much the only place in this half of Illinois with any kind of geological features.
GTG's arne't *too* frequent, because there's just not that many of us and we're spread out a decent distance. Doesn't mean it can't change though. Damian (Lead Foot 944) is trying to get something together for late April, and we could always get a caravan to 944fest if anyone else is going. There was a small GTG at Michelle JD's last summer, she lives near Starved Rock, pretty much the only place in this half of Illinois with any kind of geological features.
#3
Administrator - "Tyson"
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From: Up Nort
Matt, allow me to greet you properly from Wisconsin:
Wisconsin: Illinois largest state park.
Due to this, you will now have a couple of nicknames:
Flatlander
F.I.B = F*cking Illinois Bastard
F.I.S.H. = F*cking Illinois Sh*thead
F.I.B. - T.A.B. = F*cking Illinois Bastard Towing a Boat.
Not to mention 2 hours from Road America, life cannot get any better.
Get used to the phrase "Goin up Nort" (going up north) as most of you have places up here, north of Chicago.
Door county is a favorite Chicagoite play land. On any given summer Friday afternoon, all the license plates going south (out of door county) are Wisconsin. Every plate going north is from, you guessed it Illinois. We are trying to get the hell away from the F.I.B.'s.
You need to become familiar with a few food terms:
Brat - a.k.a. Bratwurst. If your at a function and refer to one as a Hot Dog, duck, there is a PBR flying at your head.
Cheese Curds - Yes, they do squeak when you eat them
"Go get some beer" if you come back with a 6-pack, you will be beaten. This means a case, 24. Unless you bring some really good import beer, such as Hacker-Pschorr.
Some people actually do drink Blatz, SliTz, and Kingsbury beer.
Culture: A "Youper" is a nationality, not a nick name.
Welcome to the area!
This was meant as a joke, although it is mostly true.
Wisconsin: Illinois largest state park.
Due to this, you will now have a couple of nicknames:
Flatlander
F.I.B = F*cking Illinois Bastard
F.I.S.H. = F*cking Illinois Sh*thead
F.I.B. - T.A.B. = F*cking Illinois Bastard Towing a Boat.
Not to mention 2 hours from Road America, life cannot get any better.
Get used to the phrase "Goin up Nort" (going up north) as most of you have places up here, north of Chicago.
Door county is a favorite Chicagoite play land. On any given summer Friday afternoon, all the license plates going south (out of door county) are Wisconsin. Every plate going north is from, you guessed it Illinois. We are trying to get the hell away from the F.I.B.'s.
You need to become familiar with a few food terms:
Brat - a.k.a. Bratwurst. If your at a function and refer to one as a Hot Dog, duck, there is a PBR flying at your head.
Cheese Curds - Yes, they do squeak when you eat them
"Go get some beer" if you come back with a 6-pack, you will be beaten. This means a case, 24. Unless you bring some really good import beer, such as Hacker-Pschorr.
Some people actually do drink Blatz, SliTz, and Kingsbury beer.
Culture: A "Youper" is a nationality, not a nick name.
Welcome to the area!
This was meant as a joke, although it is mostly true.
#4
Thats overwhelming! It seems I will be out of place!
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#6
Dallas to Chicago? (some joking involved, but not much) - Will your increase in $ keep you warm?
Are you concerned about the fact that rust starts .5 seconds after salting starts on the roads?
Do you like it when everyone you meet is a complete a$$wipe? COmpletely uninterested in even smiling when they are happy?
Oh, and 100 degree summer day and 99% humidity? You can 't even breathe?
Anyway. Born and raised in Arlington Heights, IL, 60004. I now live in the wonderland I call San Diego, CA for a myriad of solid reasons.
There are a REAL good group of prosche guys that meet for Beer thursdays in various places in the suburbs or downtownish. They reside on the 944 email list. The main group organizer is LEE - tell him Brendan said hi.
Are you concerned about the fact that rust starts .5 seconds after salting starts on the roads?
Do you like it when everyone you meet is a complete a$$wipe? COmpletely uninterested in even smiling when they are happy?
Oh, and 100 degree summer day and 99% humidity? You can 't even breathe?
Anyway. Born and raised in Arlington Heights, IL, 60004. I now live in the wonderland I call San Diego, CA for a myriad of solid reasons.
There are a REAL good group of prosche guys that meet for Beer thursdays in various places in the suburbs or downtownish. They reside on the 944 email list. The main group organizer is LEE - tell him Brendan said hi.
#7
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From: Up Nort
Originally posted by BrendanCampion
Do you like it when everyone you meet is a complete a$$wipe? COmpletely uninterested in even smiling when they are happy?
Do you like it when everyone you meet is a complete a$$wipe? COmpletely uninterested in even smiling when they are happy?
Originally posted by BrendanCampion
Oh, and 100 degree summer day and 99% humidity? You can 't even breathe?
Oh, and 100 degree summer day and 99% humidity? You can 't even breathe?
There are 3 seasons up here:
Winter
Fall
4th of July
Brendan - you know I'm 100% jealous you live out there, don't yea? But I could probably not handle the rat race of the larger cities.
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#9
As a transplanted Southerner, I LOVE living in the midwest. I've absolutely fallen in love with seasons! Yes, Virginia (and FL, GA, NC,etc.) there are Four, count'em, FOUR different seasons. FL has almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. Blech! So, welcome to the midwest; it's nice to have you here And yes, a raise will make it all the better
As for housing:
If you live in or near the city the costs will eat you alive. If you drive in, the traffic will eat you alive. Your best bet is to ride Metra (train). I'm assuming your office is in the loop. Take some time to look around a bit before you buy. I work out in the far west 'burbs; the train ride in is roughly an hour. Many folks (yes, I said "folks" ) out here work in the loop. The difference between a 45 min ride and one hour ride are HUGE when it comes to housing costs. I work with people that live in Naperville and live in $300K homes that would cost a little over $200K in Batavia, Elgin, or Aurora (although the crime in Aurora is bad near the city (job security for a Public Defender!). If you're intersted in chatting, send me a PM and I'll give you my number.
Again, it'll be great having you here in the frozen tundra!
Michelle
As for housing:
If you live in or near the city the costs will eat you alive. If you drive in, the traffic will eat you alive. Your best bet is to ride Metra (train). I'm assuming your office is in the loop. Take some time to look around a bit before you buy. I work out in the far west 'burbs; the train ride in is roughly an hour. Many folks (yes, I said "folks" ) out here work in the loop. The difference between a 45 min ride and one hour ride are HUGE when it comes to housing costs. I work with people that live in Naperville and live in $300K homes that would cost a little over $200K in Batavia, Elgin, or Aurora (although the crime in Aurora is bad near the city (job security for a Public Defender!). If you're intersted in chatting, send me a PM and I'll give you my number.
Again, it'll be great having you here in the frozen tundra!
Michelle
#11
Thanks guys.
I know it is cold, I have been going there on and off for about a year (even cold as hell in early Feb last I was there). It might beat 100 degree summers though, never had the opportunity to try it.
I should know for sure by Monday of next week, maybe even today depending on a few factors (like salary negotiation).
Even my wife is excited, which I didnt see coming, I hope it works out as much as I would hate to leave my greaseslinger buddies behind!
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I know it is cold, I have been going there on and off for about a year (even cold as hell in early Feb last I was there). It might beat 100 degree summers though, never had the opportunity to try it.
I should know for sure by Monday of next week, maybe even today depending on a few factors (like salary negotiation).
Even my wife is excited, which I didnt see coming, I hope it works out as much as I would hate to leave my greaseslinger buddies behind!
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#12
Matt H-
My family lives in the Northern suburbs and I grew up in that area. I do not know what level of accomodation you are used to, but nothern suburbs are expensive, at least some of them.
As for GTG, there is a bi monthly beer night that Scott mentioned. Those are a lot of fun and I try to attend whenever I am visiting.
Enjoy your move.
My family lives in the Northern suburbs and I grew up in that area. I do not know what level of accomodation you are used to, but nothern suburbs are expensive, at least some of them.
As for GTG, there is a bi monthly beer night that Scott mentioned. Those are a lot of fun and I try to attend whenever I am visiting.
Enjoy your move.
#13
I know it is cold, I have been going there on and off for about a year (even cold as hell in early Feb last I was there). It might beat 100 degree summers though, never had the opportunity to try it.
Since you're willing to drive 45 min., that leaves jsut about any of the suburbs open. A lot of the suburbs can be overwhelmingly expensive (like Napeville), but still could have good, affordable homes in them. Would you mind giving a pricerange, and what size you hope to get? That would help others with recommendations.
#14
Yeah, I'm one of the ones left behind.
We'll be sad to lose Matt, but we're all supporting his (pending) promotion. Way to go Matt!
I've already threatened to refer to him as our Greaseslinger-in-exile.
We'll be sad to lose Matt, but we're all supporting his (pending) promotion. Way to go Matt!
I've already threatened to refer to him as our Greaseslinger-in-exile.
#15
ilove - We have never bought a house before, I would like to get at least 1750 sq feet (our rental is only 1200). As far as price, I need to spend less than 200K I am thinking. I have some friends near Naperville and I like that area, just dont know if I can afford it out there.
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