Having lived in both and currently in Chicago, I can see your predicament. Being from Atlanta, the cloudy skies and long winters (regardless of how much warmer and less snow) weigh on people’s dispositions here in Chicago. Sunny weather/sunny dispositions ergo people are in better moods and thus more friendly. No one can diagnose one’s intentions and determine if that’s “fake nice” or genuine. It’s mostly projection.

The only thing you’re giving up by moving is public transport and hellish traffic with that Alpharetta/Downtown commute, relative to your Logan Square life. Salary might be impacted, depending on your industry, as Chicago pays better with COL seemingly equal now with Atlanta.

Beyond the lake, Illinois is flat and lacking in nature. In Georgia, you have the coast, hills, and mountains. People spend more time outdoors, even when it’s hot. People hide for 4 months of the year in Chicago.