and car. I met a woman recently with six grown children and two of her daughters, one who lives downtown and one lives in the city, and both are looking to move out of the city.
We moved out of the city and to a transit-oriented development in the burbs a couple years ago so we could take advantage of mass transit and walk to restaurants/bars but still be able to have a yard and a garage.
If you're looking to be close to cultural events (say opera/symphony/plays) and museums, there's not a lot of alternative than living in a city. You could still do transit though.
This is a matter of personal opinion but I wouldn't think of your choice as "investing" - where do you want to *live* your everyday? Sunday grocery runs become as important as the latest restaurant.
It always seems cities go through a cycle every 50 years or so with good and bad times. It's hard to say the outcome that increased work from home will have on large commercial regions, but I think things eventually balance out.
They ended up picking 4 places to visit and did an AirBND each quarter for a year. Then the one they liked best they bought a year later.
Lincoln Park, Lakeview and most recently Lincoln Square.
When my son graduates high school we will be selling our Chicago place and keeping our place in SW Michigan near the lake and finding a second place in warm weather someplace.
North side of Chicago is a great place to be a 20 something and even raise a family. I am not sure I would want to retire here. If anything I would think retirement to the Goldcoast or West Loop might be better just from a dining perspective.
It's no surprise that crime has been on the rise in Chicago (I've heard stories from several friends/colleagues who live in the city), but I heard on WBBM last week that police we're investigating a series of robberies in the near-north neighborhoods, Lincoln Park being one of them. Cars stop pedestrians on sidewalks at gunpoint and demand their money. Scary stuff, as I also have two nieces in the city. This won't be the case forever, and it sounds like your decision is a long-term one, but positive steps need to be taken.
My drivers are friendly and courteous
Their good manners you always will get
For they are all recent graduates
Of the charm school in Joliet
Cold as shit for at least 5 months a year.
I do think it has a lot to offer younger folks. But retired folks? I am not so sure.
to downsize and move to a condo in the city when they become empty nesters (often with somewhere else to spend the cold months). But it does strike me as an unusual move for someone who doesn't already live in the Chicago area. But it's still a great city with a lot to offer folks of any age.
Be concerned about the crime aspect vis a vis Lincoln Park, compared to any major city.
Chicagoans recently shot down a real estate tax hike, but I doubt its the last we hear on those issues. If taxes are a primary concern, there are significantly better and significantly worse cities.
political, fast. I’ll avoid that other than to say do your due diligence at the state level as well.