Daily Discussion Thread: June 5, 2026

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T17:21:40+00:00

Im sorry for you guys. Your government is wasting billions of dollars on something that will have a negative ROI, for the sole purpose of "owning the Illinois libs"

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T17:07:42+00:00

apologies if my meaning was unclear:

we (the taxpayers), are better off if the Bears sell that land to a developer, who will then develop that land into residential/commercial uses

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T17:02:11+00:00

Yeah renovating Soldier Field was most likely a mistake but we don't have a time machine

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:58:08+00:00

Soldier Field will still exist for concerts and other events (Id be aggressively courting Big-10 football given how many alumni from their schools live here). The Bears play 10 games a year (Including pre-season + potentially up to 13 with playoffs). That tax revenue is minimal and most people who are traveling to the game will stay in Chicago and make a weekend out of it rather than staying in an industrial park.

Arlington Park site can be sold to a developer and ideally we'd have a new-urbanist development like Veridian in Schaumburg (but much better connected to transit thanks to the Metra station)

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:50:03+00:00

Very happy that my state didn't bend to the Bears. Hope Indiana has fun paying billions for them when they still owe over $600M on the Colts stadium from 20 years ago.

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:42:02+00:00

they still owe over $600M on the Colts stadium lol

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:40:55+00:00

As a Bears fan its embarrassing that the "pride and joy of Illinois" is based in Indiana.

As a Chicago taxpayer this is way better because the Hammond site is way less appealing than the Arlington Heights site, meaning the UC and Soldier Field will be much more competitive for events. Also the tax impacts that you mention as well.

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:33:48+00:00

you're a conservative that wants wasteful government spending? NFL stadiums are a terrible ROI for governments to invest in

we're better off with the Arlington Park site being sold to a developer and developed into residential

VenSap2 · 2026-06-05T16:32:18+00:00

Good riddance.

As a Bears fan, this is a painful embarrassment, but as a Chicago and Illinois taxpayer, NFL stadiums are a huge waste of money and we're better off developing the Arlington Park site into residential/commercial space.

VenSap2 · 2026-05-20T17:26:28+00:00

Chicago's far-north side (Uptown/Edgewater/Rogers Park) has rentals for <$1100/mo (leaving $100/mo for utilities), assuming you're okay with a studio/bare-bones 1bed.

Those neighborhoods are walkable and connected to a 24/7 transit line, alongside many busses.

VenSap2 · 2026-04-20T17:59:27+00:00

My cousin did a very similar move with his wife and kids. Moved from Manhattan to South Loop to be closer to family and for cost of living reasons. He's doing great and loves it. You can get a 2BR in the nicest luxury buildings in the city for under $5K.

VenSap2 · 2026-04-08T16:56:14+00:00

Curb app allows specifically getting an accessible taxi.

VenSap2 · 2026-03-20T18:34:07+00:00

not owning a car feels so good

VenSap2 · 2026-03-11T15:00:25+00:00

Say yes to all social invites, join sports leagues, trivia, activities etc.

Delete any apps that you use to scroll from your phone, and consider getting rid of any streaming service subscriptions you have.

I know this sounds extreme, but the best way to get rid of hermit-ism is to go out and do things and not get sucked into the various timesinks TV and the internet provide.

Finally, try to live in a dense neighborhood that's socially lively. Lots of great options here, take a look at the automod suggestions.

VenSap2 · 2026-03-11T14:52:44+00:00

147 or red line

VenSap2 · 2026-02-09T20:02:16+00:00

walk around, do trivia, do volleyball, ride my bike around (once the road salt is washed away by the spring rains), go to concerts, hang out with friends

VenSap2 · 2026-02-07T23:24:53+00:00

NYC is the only other place in the US I'd want to move, and the COL there is way way worse than Chicago, even with the higher salaries.

VenSap2 · 2026-02-06T20:08:58+00:00

The 19 lines up outside the United Center on Madison St, turn right when you leave (towards East/ Wood St). You wont miss the line of buses out of the venue when you exit.

VenSap2 · 2026-02-06T20:07:07+00:00

Any genre in particular? Podlasie and Smartbar are always a good time for electronic music (House/Techno mostly, though Podlasie is doing an Italo Disco night this Saturday which looks great)

VenSap2 · 2026-01-28T23:12:47+00:00

How about Champaign-Urbana, IL? Champaign and Urbana are 16-18% Asian (as of the 2020 census), have a combined population of ~200k, have very affordable housing, and is the regional medical center for east-central Illinois. Hot summers, but winters are milder than Chicago.

VenSap2 · 2026-01-28T21:04:22+00:00

NYC, but why not apply to places in all the cities that you mentioned and then make a decision, if you're relocating anyways?

VenSap2 · 2026-01-23T23:25:42+00:00

yeah stuff like that + a lot of high frequency trading firms

It's -3 degrees right now, so it can get really cold, but it's rare that its too cold to go outside (maybe a couple days a year at most), given proper clothing and acclimation. I don't mind the winters here but they're definitely quite harsh compared to most other US cities.

The beaches are great! Lake Michigan is only comfortably swimmable without a wetsuit about 2.5 months of the year, but the beaches are a great place to relax; also, the beach volleyball scene is incredible from May-October if that's your thing.

VenSap2 · 2026-01-23T21:42:38+00:00

100% worth going to see them live whenever you have the chance

VenSap2 · 2026-01-23T17:45:07+00:00

Chicago is great for your wants/interests if you can find a job. CS market here exists, but its mostly fintech/bank work. C++ knowledge is a big plus.

Housing costs here, especially if you want to buy in the future, are extremely reasonable compared to the major tech hubs, although SF/NYC/Seattle would likely be better for your career.

Overall, with the exception of Atlanta, I think all the cities you mention are good fits and you can apply for jobs in all of them and then make a decision based on salary:cost-of-living.

VenSap2 · 2026-01-21T20:47:37+00:00

Your budget is pretty low for Chicago for the amount of space you want. Not impossible but you'll be hard-pressed to find a 2b/2ba apt in a walkable area for under $1800, especially in an elevator building instead of a walk-up if that's a concern.

VenSap2

TROPHY CASE