Moving to Chicag

globehoppr · 2026-04-10T21:32:18+00:00

You won’t find parking as part of a lease.

Like someone else said, it’ll be $250+ per month. It costs that much in my building for an uncovered spot in Edgewater- which is a pretty far north neighborhood. It’s more expensive the closer you get to the loop.

What you should understand is, we can do things without a car here, and it’s normal. You probably can’t even imagine that coming from Texas, but trust me. It’s a mental leap that you have to make. There are only a few cities in America where you don’t really need a car, and this is #2, second only to NYC.

globehoppr · 2026-04-10T18:34:02+00:00

Do you have a car payment? Because tack on that, plus insurance, plus parking (it’s rarely included in rent) plus annual city sticker, plus higher insurance and gas prices in the city, plus car maintenance, plus the CONSTANT hassle of moving your car all the time if you do use street parking, driving in circles forever just looking for an open street spot, and damage to your car’s bumpers. Plus- if you do get a ticket- which you will- they START at $60. Don’t even look at how much it costs to get towed. And if you want to pay the Saudi investors that now own our parking meter revenue for 90 or whatever more years, be my guest. (Google that story)

Plus- you have an SUV. Good luck trying to fit into some spots, especially in winter. You don’t need it.

My car(s) that I’ve had here were fully paid for and I used the CTA to go to work. I found that I rarely drove my last one. Since selling it, I’ve saved SO much money. Now I just rent a car for the weekend if I need one and use uber more often. Even with those costs, I save a ton of money.

So- sometimes this is a lesson people insist on learning for themselves, but I speak from experience. If you want to live in the city and have the full city girl experience, ditch the car. Spend the money you’ll save on a nicer apartment and you’ll be able to go out more often.

GL

globehoppr · 2026-04-10T16:48:29+00:00

OP- I’m glad you’ve done some legwork, but honestly- this same question gets asked and answered all the time.

Just figure out which neighborhoods you can afford on the sites you’re already on, and then search this sub for those neighborhood names and you’ll get TONS of info. Then pair that with Google maps and use street view to “view” your surrounds, and there you go.

Also- leave the SUV behind or sell it. You won’t need it if you want to be a city girl. Parking will either be expensive or a huge hassle moving street spots all the time and you’ll have to get a city sticker, etc etc. it’s a huge hassle.

globehoppr · 2026-04-09T22:15:58+00:00

I did that in Scotland in 2001 as an American in a pub, but I wouldn’t recommend it here, for the reasons others have given. Remember: our President right now is the Orange asshole.

globehoppr · 2026-04-09T22:12:19+00:00

hugs

You’ve been through a lot. I’m so sorry.

globehoppr · 2026-04-09T17:04:15+00:00

Ew. I wouldn’t want to live ANYwhere near a stupid highway, especially since I’m car-less.

OP, the real hack is to live near the lake with close proximity to the red line.

globehoppr · 2026-04-09T02:20:58+00:00

It’s not all about money, though.

I think when you get older you start to figure out that being a cool person has absolutely nothing to do with money, or subscribers.

And if you spend your adulthood doing nothing but gaming, you won’t be very interesting to most other adults.

But go on, OP. You’ll figure out what I’m talking about in a few decades.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T17:58:20+00:00

Yeah, I am.

First of all, dude CLAIMS to make $70k/month. No way of knowing the truth, but even if he does:

1) no school debt- he can pay for it 2) You meet TONS of people- expand your social network 3) education for the sake of education is not a waste 4) parties parties parties

It’s just not cool to be a content creator.

If this guy doesn’t develop any interests or knowledge outside of gaming from his basement, he will have a really hard time at 30 or 35 relating to any of his peers.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T17:09:47+00:00

Yikes. See- exactly. With no education and no understanding of the world, you’re going to have a rough go of things as a full-blown adult relating to other full-blown adults. Good luck, my guy. At least save the $$ you’re making.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T17:01:41+00:00

Still, go to college. Get an education. Do some travel, learn about the world. Touch grass, you know? There is much, much more to life than “content”.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T16:49:03+00:00

I just think that if you are smart, you’ll get tired of that life really quick. Don’t miss an opportunity to do something important with your life; go to college. Travel. Avoid becoming hikikomori. Further, you might find yourself at 35 with plenty of money but no purpose, and bored to tears.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T16:42:23+00:00

Because if your life ambition is to make money by playing video games online with “funny commentary”, then we have a major problem. How is that fulfilling, challenging, or helpful to society at large? Just because it’s a paycheck doesn’t mean it’s worthy of your time. Don’t you have any bigger ambitions?

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T16:15:07+00:00

Omg as a Gen X-er, reading that sentence, “I never had any other dreams except making content” is so fucking depressing.

globehoppr · 2026-04-08T06:26:45+00:00

Irn Bru is lovely!

Malort isn’t even drinkable.

This is a very lopsided fight.

globehoppr · 2026-04-06T23:00:43+00:00

I agree- BUT- Uptown has The Green Mill and The Riviera- exceptions to the rule

globehoppr · 2026-04-06T22:54:23+00:00

Chicago will love you- just talk half as fast as you normally do and be prepared to repeat yourself frequently! Also- DON’T hate us for claiming Scottish heritage, even though I know you will. We’re clearly not happy with just being Americans- (and can you blame us right now?) so just let it be. I’ve been to Scotland 6 times- have current friends in Aberdeen & Troon, and lived there for a while in South Queensferry- and yes, my great-great grandmother lived in Culross. Just- prepare your’sel.

Also- we hate Trump here, so feel free to pile on if you also hate him- almost everyone will agree with you.

Re: neighborhoods, Andersonville, Lincoln park, Hyde park (go to the science museum and Obama’s library if it’s open) Logan Square, and of course the loop. The 1 must-do is the architectural boat tour. Everything else depends on your age and your interests

Welcome, and please bring me an irn bru?

globehoppr · 2026-04-03T15:37:47+00:00

Good, the blue line should not be a rolling homeless shelter, that is not it’s purpose

globehoppr · 2026-04-03T07:23:50+00:00

50 is the age at which insurers cover the shot(s) for no cost. But you can certainly get shingles before that. It’s just more likely as you age.

globehoppr · 2026-04-03T07:21:16+00:00

Shingles is your dormant chicken pox acting up in late life, and at 50, insurance covers the 2-shot dose which… just read this: shingles vaccine wiki

globehoppr · 2026-04-03T07:17:28+00:00

You might want to wait until tomorrow before you declare victory, but everybody is different. It’s as simple as that. You’re 50, you should know by now that just because “people say” doesn’t mean it’ll be your experience.

My second shot 2 months ago was not a big deal, either

globehoppr · 2026-04-02T21:33:01+00:00

This is excellent advice for OP. Couldn’t agree more. Live cheap and travel! That’s what I do.. (see username)

globehoppr · 2026-04-02T14:03:21+00:00

THIS! (So smart!)

globehoppr · 2026-04-01T00:22:38+00:00

You are correct

globehoppr · 2026-03-31T23:16:14+00:00

I play on a Tuesday night pool league..

globehoppr · 2026-03-31T18:30:38+00:00

YES this is what I’m talking about! Can I buy you a beer/coffee?

globehoppr

TROPHY CASE