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Life in Chicago, Illinois

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Avis Yarbrough's review of Chicago Illinois
Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Chicago, Illinois? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Chicago?
WeatherSafetyNeighborhoodsPeople
In the summers it is usually hot and sometimes humid, the temperature rises up to 90 degrees, in between that it is between seventy to eighty five degrees. Winters have been mild for a few years, this year 2013-2014 it been snowing a lot, and extremely cold.On the south side of Chicago there is a bit of crime. You turn on the news, and you hear about shootings usually on the south or west side. Someone once broke into my mother's apartment on the southside of Chicago. Of course some parts of the south side is better than others.Roger Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Northside are considered good parts of Chicago. Some parts of the westside are very bad, and some parts of southside like Englewood.People in Chicago are friendly, and will help you if you need directions. I think that people in Chicago are also kind of guarded like the cynical city person.
Downtown AreaRestaurantsSchoolsSingle life
It very nice especially the magnificent mile on Michigan ave. Also, you can still shop on State street, and find some places to eat.I can't answer this, I usually eat in or at McDonald's.I went to public schools, they were fine. I think it is some of the children who go to public school that spoils it for the rest of the other children.Yes. There are clubs, nightclubs, social gatherings like in any other city.
NoiseCompared to other placesBest hospitalGeneral comments
No, unusual noise sources. You hear a plane or a train sometimes.I have traveled to smaller cities and some around the same size as Chicago. Chicago's public transportation is really good. You can catch a train or bus pretty much any time. I think neighbors in Chicago can feel like a small city within the greater Chicago city.There is Rush university hospital.The city feels, while big kind of small in a way. A lot of things to do downtown, and cool buildings and a interesting mix of people.
faith's review of Chicago Illinois
Are you thinking of moving or relocating to Chicago, Illinois? Would you like to know what the quality of life is like living in Chicago?
WeatherSafetyNeighborhoodsPeople
The weather here I like. It's hot and humid in the summer, there are amazing thunder storms all summer, most without rain. It doesn't rain here much, but sometimes it can flood from whats called flash floods. There are tornadoes here every summer and the winters can get pretty dang cold, so cold your nose hairs freeze. The snow can get pretty deep sometimes up to 4 or 5 feet in some areas. You don't really notice the other seasons, just mainly summer and winter.The first two weeks I was there, I went out to the train on a friday evening, and ended up having to outrun a mexican gang, that later I learned were called the Deciples. The following friday, I left to go to a Polish festival early in the day. In the same exact place, a car pulled up to me and someone was yelling at me and I looked over and there was someone hanging out the back door with a gun in their hand. This time I wasnt going to run, and I didnt. I just ignored them and kept walking. I learned real quick how to turn my sense of fear and all feeling when I went outside. I also learned real quick to stay away from the parks. I could sit on my front porch in the evening and count gun shots being fired, and sometimes count past 50. Then I would bet myself on weather or not I would hear sirens responding.. but often times I just heard the gun shots. There are a lot of shootings. So many that I think there are more graves then homes here.I think they're all bad. I cant stand Chicago, and you couldnt pay me enough to ever go back there. They're all bad. Some may be less bad, but still bad. My first two weeks here I went through what I did, and I lived in the good neighbourhood. The races are white, black, polish, Russian, Greek, Italian, Mexican, and Chinese AND they all stay in their own areas.Friendly? I walked around for two days straight to learn the area, and get a feel for what the people were like, and It took all two days to finally get someone to smile back at me and not look at me like they'd rip my head off. It was an older, small Polish lady and I will never forget her smile back to me. It was a huge relief. The people all have an attitude, and trust no one if they dont know them and it is obvious. After living here for a while, I understood why. YOU cant trust anyone and the higher up you go on the list of who's important in town, you'll understand why. They're the ones you have to worry about the most because their decisions effect people the most.
Downtown AreaRestaurantsSchoolsSingle life
The Downtown area has some pretty cool stuff to see, from the fountains, to the old buildings, and stores galore. It would be better not to drive down here though because parking can run you around 30.00 an hour. There are all types of shops, and even an amusement park down at navy Pier.Now the food here rocks. From the hot dogs to the polish sausages, the pizza, to the pasta, there isnt a place here I wouldnt reccomend. But I would have to say my all time favorites are Giordano's, Girl and the Goat, Ruxbin, Smalls Smoke Shack, Portillo's and Gene & Judes,The schools? You mean the poor teachers and students? They dont use enough of the tax money to properly fund the schools here. Kids are upset about it, schools are upset, and so are parents, but the city doesn't think the money needs to go there. Many speculate on where it's really going, and I think we all know.Hmmm... It depends on what kind of opportunities people are looking for because here there are alot of people who just like to have the pleasure of "seeing" many different people at the same time while never committing to anything. They want the milk, but not the cow because in Chicago this is yet just another thing that makes you "cool in Chicago." You're better off bring a mate with you.
NoiseCompared to other placesBest hospitalTourist attractions
If you live down town, its going to be noisy or if you live by Ohair Airport. If you live by a park, your going to hear gun shots more then likely, and or sirens.Its pretty much the same. If you go south or to southern Chicago, you're going to run into more crime, if that's possible.. but it is. If you go North it mellows out once you get to the Wisconsin Border. Other then that, its the same crap in each place. The only difference in the areas is who stays where. The Hispanics and Blacks mainly occupy the North Side, but they have their own areas they stay in within that place too. There is Rosemont and it is less scary, as well as brandywine.The cancer treatment center is here, and very popular but Id have to say that the one I have heard the most good about is North western Memorial HospitalNavy Pier is fun, they have all types of things going on inside and out on the pier. Some people enjoy visiting the Mc Donalds University which is actually a University that people who work for Mc Donalds, actually attend. It comes with a security gaurd at the gate and everything. I wasnt for some reason impressed or eager to see it. Others however may. There are a lot of man made little lakes everywhere, so if youre driving threw a random neighbourhood, you'll run into one and can pull over and feed the ducks if its nice and you need to stretch. There is the lake front that is actually beautiful, and by it you can find the art museum and the aquarium, which are both wonderful.
General comments   
It feels like a foreign land of the lost. The youth think they only have two options in life, shoot, or be shot. Be one who bangs, or one who thinks they will survive if they are lucky and try to be good while not having a gun. Its sad!!!! Many people here dont just go to work every day, they have a hustle on the side. Something else they do to make money, and some have more hustles then others. It can be anything from burning and selling movies, to selling you their home made rap CD. Its all about the money in the Chi. It feels to me like they should let this city burn again.   
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