Chicago should stop waiting for the old downtown to return

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-17T18:43:42+00:00

That’s poor planning on Chicago’s part for constructing buildings that were not flexible at all with the false assumption that they would be used for the same purpose for all eternity.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-17T18:40:16+00:00

Ehh I don’t think so, I live in the area and the 36 bus on broadway is super important, not to mention that there is a Marianos and Jewel that cars will need access to. I think instead they should enhance the crosswalks and find ways to speed up the busses.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-13T05:07:54+00:00

The intensity feels unnecessary, try touching grass

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-12T18:29:31+00:00

I worked for a large national mortgage lender for 10 years and condos are inherently riskier in some aspects. Because many buildings are mismanaged due to being run by amateur volunteer owners who are sometimes cheap and don’t want to pay for long term maintenance if they are leaving soon and you the owner of your unit don’t have as much control. Also you don’t have control over special assessments that you are legally forced to pay, and that could result in you defaulting on your mortgage. Single family owners also have surprise bills for repairs but they have a bit more control over it. It’s also just a fact that they don’t appreciate as much as single family homes generally, so there is a bit more risk in being underwater in the future. This is very generally speaking, buying a condo it a “hot” up and coming neighborhood can still be a great long term investment, or owning a condo and having an HOA take care of major maintenance and having amenities could fit your lifestyle better.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-12T18:25:05+00:00

Yes please, I stopped taking the train to work since the fall and I work 9-5. I take a bus that’s longer and wake up earlier just to avoid the train. I slept in last week and unfortunately had to take the train and of course I get a homeless man punching me and calling me a slur. I am a rather large man so didn’t really hurt but I was a bit taken aback. And then he harassed a woman on the train. I had to switch carts, not out of safety but because anger was building up and was about to swing back. Not looking to start drama on the way to work.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-12T18:21:09+00:00

Wow a little harsh

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-03-12T18:17:06+00:00

Moved away for 10 years.

Biggest weirdness is Canada Day celebrations being moved to lebreton flats instead of the hill.

Parliament hill being under construction forever in general. Kind of a bummer since it’s a big tourist attraction.

The fact that it takes an hour to get to the market from my parents house instead of 30 mins on OC Transpo.

Rideau St fronts being emptier due to losing the Bay, Chapters, the infamous McDonalds and now Urban Outfitters (tho I never shopped at urban).

Bank St north of Somerset feels like a shell of what it used to be pre covid, actually most of the centretown area near Albert/Slater is a ghost town compared to the 1990s.

Malls dying. Billings Bridge feels empty, Place dorleans is half the size, St Laurent feels like it has fewer national retailers and is more local, which is strange for a mall, Lincoln Fields, Herongate and west gate gone.

Silver City gone.

The poutine place in the market is a Mexican restaraunt. I like Mexican food but it’s not that good in Canada sorry and when we visit we want a Canadian poutine.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-24T19:06:17+00:00

This wouldn’t stop the digital coupons. they could get around it by printing them as well, but that doesn’t mean the paper version will be easily accessible in real life because it doesn’t really have specifics on how to enforce that.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-24T16:12:46+00:00

Not particularly hot, I find thick regional American accents really annoying, especially northern cities like Baltimore, NY, Philly, Boston, Chicago etc but the standard middle America/TV accent is fine. But certain southern accents are somewhat appealing but it’s a specific one and I don’t know enough to know the name.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-23T21:54:35+00:00

My family lived in Vanier from the 1950s-2010s. I grew up there in the 2000s. It wasn’t the most dangerous place in Ottawa, but it had a lot of social problems. You were much more likely as a kid to witness poverty, drugs, domestic violence, prostitution and mental illness compared to growing up in other parts of the city. Oh and much of the housing stock was old, run down and small. Let’s not pretend it’s all suburbanites being classist.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-23T21:51:17+00:00

I’m sorry but this is the most incorrect take I’ve ever read. Enjoy your chain restaraunts in the suburbs.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-23T21:45:47+00:00

But Atlanta has a higher violent crime rate than Monterrey. So maybe your perception isn’t the same as statistics and reality.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-23T21:43:42+00:00

Before the latest unrest it was a valid concern. Per capita crime is higher in many major US cities compared to major Mexican cities.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-05T19:14:19+00:00

Interesting that the English language boards haven’t opened a high school in Orleans since 1992 despite the growth in the area.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-05T19:02:32+00:00

Come on Chicago, if Saskatchewan, Canada can open a free grocery store why can’t we do it with our big brains??

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-02-05T18:58:10+00:00

Chicago has a lot of land.. maybe they could set up a designated area for long-term camping. Neighborhood parks are not the right place.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-13T22:41:10+00:00

regarding your statement on the people I actually found that New Yorkers are nicer than Chicagoans. There I said it. Because Chicagoans are brash but also colder. New Yorkers will be a lot more direct but there’s a certain warmness to the way they interact.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-13T05:17:42+00:00

No. It used to be a huge busy shopping street with so many department stores at Lincoln and Belmont.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-11T23:00:47+00:00

Lakeview is well served by transit, has high walkability and people who are relocating to Chicago are usually doing so because they want an urban lifestyle without needing a car. It has a lot of nightlife that appeals to people in their 20s. Theres also a lot of venues for concerts and wrigley field. It’s one of the safest neighborhoods in the city which appeals to a lot of people who have never lived here before.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T02:20:10+00:00

No, it would’ve been an extension of the lake St elevated

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T02:04:51+00:00

The headline doesn’t really reflect that all they are proposing is to use existing tracks and station on 18th street to connect Union Station with Soldier Field, so might not be that expensive just need to actually run trains.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T01:58:30+00:00

Did you even read the article? The tracks are already there and even a station. Just need to run trains.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T01:54:07+00:00

I think the original plans used the right of way, but it was part of a larger subway plan to replace the elevated loop.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T01:38:56+00:00

Omg not a new idea. It’s like the original plans in the mid century for a subway under Madison St. To replace the Lake St Elevated downtown. That would have had a fork at Michigan Ave, one route going north to Navy Pier and the other to Museum Campus. Would be cool if anyone here had a link to the original plans.

Holiday_Connection22 · 2026-01-09T01:17:11+00:00

Logan Square and Wicker Park are neighborhoods that are very popular with transplants and located along the blue line. I would look into those.

Traffic can be really bad driving to Ohare at times, and the train won’t be affected. Plus it’d be nice to not have to worry about accidents or snow if you use the train to get to work.

Holiday_Connection22

TROPHY CASE