CHICAGO — Ever think of leaving Chicago?
It's a simple question from a Yelp post a few years back with many complex responses. Despite its age, the post created by Yelper "Christine S." contains answers that still ring true today as to why people might consider moving out of Chicago.
Those reasons include crime, gentrification, taxes, schools and brutal city winters. The post also features numerous Yelpers defending Chicago's uniqueness, its amazing food, the people and other great things the city has to offer.
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Check out some of the responses below:
Katarina X: "Every single winter I want to flee to warmer climate. Also, every time the tax issue comes up I cringe. I think the plan is to push out the lower and middle classes out of the city and make it more like New York City where you have to have a million dollars to buy a broom closet."
Matthew S.: "I'm in love with my job. I think I'm here to stay. It's actually been relationship criteria — is he going to stay here? Cuz I'm sure as hell not moving. I imagine I'll retire to Brooklyn Heights someday...but I kinda love Chicago. Mostly because Chicago has been so good to me. There are problems everywhere you go if you look hard enough."
Alexis B.: "I swear every winter here is my last."
Deanna M.: "Things I love about Chicago:; Traditional cultural and artistic accessibility; Public transit and walkability; Access to reasonably priced niche market and non-Western cuisine. ... Things I hate about Chicago: Deteriorating affordable housing stock and lack of rent controls; De facto racial segregation (what is this city? a high school cafeteria?); Provincialism."
Mike O.: "Yes, it was 3 years ago and now I'm in the suburbs. No regrets."
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Tina B.: "Chicago, like a lot of other American cities, is fun if you have enough money and access to enjoy the best parts of it. All of the 'great' things that people mention about the city — great public transportation and walkability, for example — aren't really applicable to most of the city. Race is a factor I have to consider, since the likelihood of death for black males is extremely high here — and I have a 1-year-old black male. I was thinking of this very topic today when, a few blocks from my home, there was a massive billboard that said: 'Don't shoot. I want to live' or something to that effect, with a giant face of a baby boy not so different than mine."
Rob L.: "My dream IS to leave here. To go somewhere remote but not too far from a town. Live a little more simply. Still train. Still do other things. But have a house in the woods. Grow my own veggies, live in quiet, have a few nice things, but get the hell away from the city ... . Peace. That's all I want, all I need and I will get it. One day. Wooded. Closer to nature. Will I miss some things? Yes. Absolutely. Will I miss everything? No. One day I will get there and finally breath. Then my allergies will set in and I will have that to complain about..."
Andy M: "I moved here in 1999 with the idea that I would be staying forever. But every year it has just gotten harder and more miserable for me. It pains me because I love Chicago so much, but I won't live in a police state, and that's exactly what this city has become. It disgusts me the blatant, outrageous antics that the citizens put up with all because 'well, Chicago is so much nicer now than in the 1980s.' "
Erika G.: "I adore this city, and all the irresistible chaos. If you're not tough enough to live here — then yes, please go. :-)"
Melissa L.: "Seriously, you have to consider what is right for you. For me, I just moved here five years ago and bought one year ago. Perhaps in time I will want to move away but now, leaving is just for vacation. Every time I drive into the city and see our ever evolving skyline, my heart skips a beat."
Jo W.: "Yes, this city has its problems but no place is perfect. I love this city and all its imperfections. I can't wait to get married and raise my kid(s) in the city and give them all the opportunities I never had growing up. Maybe I'll change my mind when/if I ever get married and start a family and I'll go running for the suburbs, but for where I'm at right now in my life this is perfect and I can't imagine living anywhere else."
Dane K.: "Outside of Yelp I rarely encounter anyone that doesn't love it here."
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