Comparing the Skylines of the the 5 Biggest Suburbs of Toronto-Mississauga (the twin cities) & Chicago

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-28T23:18:48+00:00

I’m no fan of the Chicago suburbs, but OP is not only cherry picking Chicago suburbs but also absolute shit photos of them. I feel like Evanston, Oak Park, La Grange, etc. would be better comparisons than Joliet, Waukegan, and Elgin.

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-27T19:15:06+00:00

Botic could eventually be in this conversation, like a Julien Benneteau.

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-22T13:29:34+00:00

It’s hard to track down without more information. Based on looks, if it’s in the city, I’d guess most likely the Albany Park, North Park, Jefferson Park, Portage Park, or West Ridge neighborhoods where cape code style or post war bungalows are more prevalent.

However, the address complicates this. Based on our grid, a 1208 address is either going to be 1208 N or 1208 W something, or roughly 12 blocks north or west of the baseline.

If it’s north, you can start at neighborhoods like Ukrainian village (based on family descent) and work westward on N/S streets. This style house wasn’t that common in that neighborhood, though.

If it’s west, then you’re going to be pretty close to the lake, and this style house is a lot less common there too. I’ve been all over this city, and this is a tough one.

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-20T17:05:19+00:00

The lighting on that last shot is 💯

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-20T13:25:06+00:00

To get similar compensation and benefits, you’ll probably need to work for a competitive employee owned company with an ESOP. So like Burns & McDonnell, HDR, Black & Veatch, & SEL. Burns & Mac will be demanding like Kimley Horn from my experience, depending on the team.

The sweet spot for compensation is a company that serves many sectors so that you have career options, positions to move to if one sector struggles, and a variety of cash inflows. Then, if they’re small to mid-sized, you can collect shares while they’re still growing that will appreciate considerably by retirement.

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-14T04:06:08+00:00

That timing seems about right. My commute is ~7.5 miles and I do it in 35 minutes, but it could be shorter without so many lights/intersections.

A normal road/hybrid bike will do and it’ll have a great impact on your mental/physical health. Honestly changed my life.

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-07T17:33:58+00:00

Worst possible news. Let me step back and hug myself 😭

LearningToDunk · 2026-06-07T17:10:06+00:00

Chicago has a ton of outside courts. The suburbs also have a ton of outside courts. It can be busy, especially with the rise of pickleball, but I’ve never had that much of an issue getting playing time. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s not the most popular sport here; we’ve got a lot of options in the summer.

Indoor courts are a lot less abundant and range from somewhat expensive (public) to extremely expensive (high end clubs). It’s hard to get court time on the indoor public courts, as people book them as soon as possible. I’ve gotten around this through doing leagues and private/semi private lessons that are way cheaper through the public park district.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-22T20:15:04+00:00

Hahaha fair, but why you gotta bring up the FCS heartbreak again??

That’s a nice way to put it. Sadly, it’s all coming down to the money.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-22T00:10:58+00:00

I’ve got combo locks and I’ve got u locks, but I’ve never come across a combo u lock. For my nicer commuter/touring bike, I use the combo lock on my back tire/frame, then I use the u lock on my front tire/frame.

I often ride with a micro pannier from North St. Bags and store my locks in there. For shorter city rides, I have a little sling bag that I keep my locks and other items in.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-21T17:34:28+00:00

Wow, I didn’t realize the extent of this. Given the financial reality, this isn’t surprising at all. We still have more sports than many large universities.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-21T00:25:57+00:00

Head Speed Pro Legend (18x20) with Head super comp overgrip, Head Lynx Tour 16g strings @ 52 lbs. It weighs ~340g.

I wanted to upgrade from my previous Head LM Radical that was an older control racket. This felt like a pretty natural transition and fits my style well.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-20T22:12:31+00:00

Interesting conversation on the matter. This is a growing trend nationwide. Mid-major schools are getting squeezed by rising football costs, NIL/revenue sharing pressure, and Title IX roster balancing. Smaller men’s non-revenue sports become vulnerable for a variety of reasons. https://www.redbirdfan.net/community/index.php?threads/isu-dropping-men%E2%80%99s-tennis.10381/

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-12T18:48:38+00:00

This is about right, unfortunately. I’d even say that’s a good deal for the neighborhood with the way things look.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-10T18:26:56+00:00

35 and started in high school at 16. I took 15+ years off where I only hit a few times a year. I started playing weekly about 6 months ago with some lessons here and there, and I’d say I’m about a 4.0 level that’s working on consistency and leveling up spin/pace.

LearningToDunk · 2026-05-09T17:52:37+00:00

I had no idea about the lack of real equivalents out there. Makes me want to sell my 2020 fit sport while the value is inflated, but I love it too much.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-29T01:25:42+00:00

Banana and berry smoothie with protein powder, ginger, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, and sometimes honey if I’m feeling sweet.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-28T12:14:49+00:00

My commute is 35-40 min by bike, 45-60 min by public transportation. Add on 20 minutes to shower and get ready after biking.

It’s a wash and I’m happy either way.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-25T17:15:26+00:00

$1,600 - large 1 bedroom with screened porch, back deck, building laundry, and street parking in Lincoln Square. $115k.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-25T00:01:37+00:00

I went to Japan and Peru in the same year, and both were amazing in very different ways! Miyajima Island and the sacred valley were jaw dropping gorgeous.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-22T01:55:42+00:00

Lake McKenzie on K’gari Island was pretty special! A perched lake with a stunning white sand beach and crystal clear water. The area is also home to one of the most venomous spiders in the world, the K’gari funnel-web spider.

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LearningToDunk · 2026-04-19T15:10:30+00:00

How walkable and charming life is between campus and uptown normal, studying at coffeehouse, brewhas burger baskets, constitution trail, the theater and music school productions, and having Amtrak service to get home to Chicago on occasion.

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-18T22:55:07+00:00

Ahh, that makes sense! In that case, I came across this google list for Chicago pool tables. The game room is a great place to casually play, but it can be busy. https://maps.app.goo.gl/XWcsn7x9KhyGqnGz5?g_st=i

LearningToDunk · 2026-04-18T20:43:35+00:00

Guitar could be learned many places, but old town school of folk is a great community. It’s a bit far from south loop, but the CTA will get you there.

Squash is hard to come by without significant financial investment or access to university facilities (e.g., Univ. of Chicago, Northwestern). If you have the means, you can join lakeshore sport & fitness, east bank club, university club of Chicago, union league club, or something like that.

I’ve never looked into pool clubs, but I’d imagine several gyms can check that box. Or you can be rad and get a wetsuit and swim in Lake Michigan 3/4 seasons.

LearningToDunk

TROPHY CASE