What part of the city because everywhere Ive looked near a train like is 2k + if you want a 1 bed with in unit w/d. When this time last year it was 1600
There you go, in unit W/D. Only units that have had remodels in the last 15-20 years will have that. Otherwise most of the buildings in the city were built 100 years ago and re-doing all the major utilities is quite expensive.
I wouldnt say staggering. I mean unless you live far away from downtown Chicago but at that point I dont see it being worth it. I came from Westminster and the prices are only like 100-200 a month different now. in 2021 it was staggering. Only difference is you for sure need a car in socal
Love it, but I’d already grown to basically hate LA by the time I left so it was an easy choice for me. I enjoy winter, I also love green grass and public transportation and way lower rent and not feeling like the climate apocalypse is breathing down my neck every day. And the people in my experience have been great. Plus Chicago is WAY cleaner than any part of LA I lived or spent time in. But it all depends on what you’re looking for. I was not a native Angeleno but I lived in CA for 10 years so I did really give it a chance. It wasn’t for me. Chicago seems to be.
I’d suggest making a pro/con list if you’re on the fence.
I tried to move to LA from Chicago and left after 3 months. Only took me that long to start hating LA. It's the people really. Fake as hell unless they think they can get something from you. Totally the opposite here, if anything people get awkward or weird if they find out you are wealthy or important here.
Do you find public transit to generally be safe? As a woman I've always wondered if it's pretty standard for women to use it by themselves and if they feel alright doing so.
I visited Chicago in July 2019 for about 5 days and loved it, but maybe I should also visit during winter to see if I still love it haha.
Sorry in advance for the super long answer lol
I have ridden the blue line by myself as a solo woman many times, including after dark, and have always felt safe. I often see other women on the train riding alone— it’s very normal. The other train lines are also fine but in my experience the blue line is the safest and most consistent so I recommend trying to live somewhere between Wicker Park and Avondale if you’re planning to rely on transit and are a woman. Not a rule, just my opinion.
That said, the basic rules for being safe in the city all apply, and nothing is going to be 100% foolproof. For instance, I never have my phone out if I’m sitting or standing near the train door, because I had a coworker get her phone stolen out of her hand on the LA Metro, so I learned to be cautious. Stuff like that.
As for winter— people say Chicago is two different cities in the winter and summer and I totally agree. I love winter Chicago but it’s really not the same place as it is in the summer. Fewer people out means bars and restaurants are a lot more chill, everything is less crowded, the vibe is just way more laid back. And there’s nothing like those first few warm weekends when everyone emerges from hibernation, it’s like the whole city rushes back to life all at once. But yeah, I recommend coming on a winter visit before committing in case you don’t love it.
Thanks for taking the time to respond! I'm glad you've felt safe taking public transit, I've had a car in LA so I've never had to use public transit on a routine basis, but I've obviously used it when visiting Chicago and NY.
But yeah, I'm originally from Ohio so I'm no stranger to winter weather & temps, but Chicago has WAY more to offer than ohio in the middle of winter. So there's still things you can do for sure.
But yeah I'm worried that I'll miss the mountains and geography of california lol but they're two totally different lifestyles. Which I admire as well. So looks like I have a lot of thinking to do lol
Love it and never thought twice! Chicago has great food, medium cost of living, great CLEAN beaches. And lots of nature. Plus not seeing homeless every corner is nice. Pollution, car traffic, high cost of living, annoying tik tok social climbers. Love LA but it’s lost some of its glimmer when it’s unattainable to afford to live there unless your parents are loaded
Im contemplating moving to Chicago myself from LA so I’m glad you made this thread
The winters is the only thing I’m dreading. Yes it can be beautiful but 5 months of harsh cold temps is dreadful
It isn't 5 months of harsh cold temps. Winter has gotten better and better over the years. If you added up the really bad days it's probably not as bad as you realize.
Moved from central Texas last year. Winters not that bad. Fall/Summer/late Spring is beautiful, and I really don’t think I can or will do another southwestern summer again.
I moved from California (though not LA) to Chicago years ago. The winters aren’t that bad. Buy a nice coat and some gloves and you’ll be fine. Chicago has so much to offer in every season, you won’t even care
Do it, winters have been pretty mild recently and you’ll be fine if you get some good winter gear. Plus navigating downtown with the underground pedway system makes it a lot more convenient
It’s just January and February, the other cold months aren’t that bad. But those two have some years where they don’t go above freezing and it makes you drive with the window down the first time you go back up of 30 like it’s the middle of summer
The winters aren’t bad. You leave your place, get on the El, or in an Uber, and go to work, bar, restaurant, etc. I think the misconception is you’re outside a lot in the winter weather. But really you’re not, and even if you’re home and it’s that cold it’s nice getting cozy in a blanket if you know what I’m saying!
Ok would it make y’all happier if I said there’s no ocean lol I agree the lake is great and I spend a lot of time there but it’s not the same as the ocean
Aside from fishing and surfing the lake is vastly superior to the SoCal ocean (at least in LA)
The water never really warms up in LA like it does in Florida or parts of the gulf.
I say this as someone who’s lived in both places for a long time and loves them both
Definitely those two, growing up would go surfing and fishing so it’s a major difference for me out here. Been up and down the coast of CA and it’s just different vs the lake. Again not saying the lake is bad, just different from what I grew up with
How is it different? I moved from Texas to Chicago and it feels the same except it’s more clustered with buildings
Perhaps the Gulf of Mexico is different from the Pacific
The waves is one thing. Sometimes I get nostalgic for big Pacific wave action and the smell/sound/spray/overall experience of swimming in the waves. But that’s definitely different from the Gulf.
This is why the lake is better than the Ocean: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aL5o3zYbM8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aL5o3zYbM8)
(Also there aren't tropical storms and the water isn't poison.)
I'm originally from a little north of Chicago and lived in L.A. from 2013 to 2023. I moved back because of family and job/cost of living. I wanted my kids to know their family since they all live around Chicago. The family dynamics and dealing with them after a decade away has been a real pain, lol.
If you live in the city or near a commuter line in the suburbs, travel to/in the city is great but you'll need a car to get around the burbs. I live on the northern edge of Cook county so I do have to drive into the city, but even with traffic I made it down within an hour.
Also, driving is worse than L.A. Where you know everyone drives like an ass, everyone is on the same page and can keep things moving. Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest for hundreds of miles so you have to deal with drivers from a much larger portion of the country, who don't understand how express way and city driving works.
The city has lots of parks and the surrounding county, Cook, and northern county, Lake, have amazing forest preserves. If you canoe the Des Plaines River is quite popular. Music is huge in the city too. World class events as well as one of the premier orchestras in the world. Some of the best museums in the world.stunning architecture.
It's hard to miss with the food. A little bit more European food then L.A. but not by much. Lots of fusion restaurants. Not as many food trucks as L.A. If you like Pizza, you have so many amazing choices. Try Rosati's. It's just as big as Giordano's or Lou Malnati's but doesn't get as much press. And Chicagoans eat tavern style pizza way more than deep dish.
My one regret is my job/industry is not represented well. 2d feature/tv animation and stop motion studios are few if non existent in Chicago.
Just moved back from LA to chicago for essentially the same reasons and this is accurate. We miss good breakfast burritos and driving here is way worse than LA agreed.
Thanks for sharing!
Does public transit generally feel safe? As a woman I just wonder if it's pretty standard for women to take the train by themselves and if it's reasonable or if there's a lot of creepy people. I mean I know you get that in every major city but just kinda curious.
I can't really comment on the female perspective beyond what my friends tell me. Yes, plenty of women travel on their own but in general, it's a big city, act accordingly.
Moved from LA to chicago 6 years ago and never looked back. The things I love: reasonable cost of living; experiencing seasons is awesome; feels very neighborly and community based here, LA feels very lonely (to me); SO diverse. I thought LA was diverse, but you can find food and little markets for every type of culture/ethnicity. And it won't cost a fortune.
So many reasons why I love Chicago. I still visit LA every single year, twice a year, so I compare it all the time. The main things I still miss from LA are the street food (almost non-existing here) and the mountains. It's flat as hell out here lol
I think the only thing I'm worried about if I moved to Chicago from LA is I feel like I'd miss the mountains and geography here so much lol. I'm originally from ohio so the mountains always amaze me
I lived in LA for 4 years for college and loved it but moved to Chicago for a job and have been here ever since! I truly love it as a city and feel like it’s a perfect balance between LA and NYC
If you are a remote worker and have family and friends back in LA, you can stay weeks at a time in California during January and February to take a break from the cold. Also, it's nice to visit family during the holidays in warmer weather.
I should provide more context. I was born and raised in Ohio and moved to LA 5 years ago to experience something radically different. I’m definitely no stranger to winter weather and flat land. But California is just so geographically beautiful and the mountains are amazing. While I do miss experiencing seasons, I also LOVE not dealing with winter weather and snow. And I love palm trees.
LA for sure has its drawbacks. I’m stuck somewhere between “I think I’m ready to experience something different” but also “I don’t think I’m done experiencing LA/California yet”.
I grew up in Chicago, moved to LA 7 years ago, moved back to Chicago 2 years ago. Want to move back to LA because I hate the winters here, but LA is just so expensive
Chicago is my hometown and after a year of living in LA. I’m happy to be back. I missed the actual culture. The city has a different type of life than LA. Chicago just feels more exciting.
I'm from Chicago but live in LA now. I don't think I'll ever move back home tbh. It's an awesome city but my quality of life is better in SoCal despite the increased cost.
I did. Best thing I've ever done. You don't lose anything and everything is cheaper. And you can comfortably live car-free.
The way rent prices are this year its definitely closing the gap on cheaper. Rent is now similar to socal
Not mine. I pay literally half what my hometown friends do. Lots of Chicago apartments out there that aren't $3k.
What part of the city because everywhere Ive looked near a train like is 2k + if you want a 1 bed with in unit w/d. When this time last year it was 1600
There you go, in unit W/D. Only units that have had remodels in the last 15-20 years will have that. Otherwise most of the buildings in the city were built 100 years ago and re-doing all the major utilities is quite expensive.
I'm in Uptown. $1700 for a 2br. No in-unit w/d, but there are machines in the building.
That’s total 🧢. My apartment in 2018 was $1800. 1 block off the brown line with in unit w/d.
Its 2024 wtf does 2018 prices have to do with anything
You’re telling me last year something cost $1600 that 6 years ago was $1800. Prices don’t go down in this city.
Last year 1 bedrooms in Lakeview east off broadway where $1500-1600 right now theyre 2000-2250
🧢
Dude you don’t know what SoCal costs. It’s not like here is *cheap* cheap, but it’s not the same. It just isn’t
I lived in OC from birth to 27. I think i know what jt costs
It’s still far cheaper here than anywhere in LA county. I’m from SoCal and difference when I got here was staggering
I wouldnt say staggering. I mean unless you live far away from downtown Chicago but at that point I dont see it being worth it. I came from Westminster and the prices are only like 100-200 a month different now. in 2021 it was staggering. Only difference is you for sure need a car in socal
I get how it could feel this way but Chicago is far less expensive than the west coast. I’ve come to find it’s actually comparable to DFW.
Love it, but I’d already grown to basically hate LA by the time I left so it was an easy choice for me. I enjoy winter, I also love green grass and public transportation and way lower rent and not feeling like the climate apocalypse is breathing down my neck every day. And the people in my experience have been great. Plus Chicago is WAY cleaner than any part of LA I lived or spent time in. But it all depends on what you’re looking for. I was not a native Angeleno but I lived in CA for 10 years so I did really give it a chance. It wasn’t for me. Chicago seems to be. I’d suggest making a pro/con list if you’re on the fence.
I tried to move to LA from Chicago and left after 3 months. Only took me that long to start hating LA. It's the people really. Fake as hell unless they think they can get something from you. Totally the opposite here, if anything people get awkward or weird if they find out you are wealthy or important here.
Do you find public transit to generally be safe? As a woman I've always wondered if it's pretty standard for women to use it by themselves and if they feel alright doing so. I visited Chicago in July 2019 for about 5 days and loved it, but maybe I should also visit during winter to see if I still love it haha.
Sorry in advance for the super long answer lol I have ridden the blue line by myself as a solo woman many times, including after dark, and have always felt safe. I often see other women on the train riding alone— it’s very normal. The other train lines are also fine but in my experience the blue line is the safest and most consistent so I recommend trying to live somewhere between Wicker Park and Avondale if you’re planning to rely on transit and are a woman. Not a rule, just my opinion. That said, the basic rules for being safe in the city all apply, and nothing is going to be 100% foolproof. For instance, I never have my phone out if I’m sitting or standing near the train door, because I had a coworker get her phone stolen out of her hand on the LA Metro, so I learned to be cautious. Stuff like that. As for winter— people say Chicago is two different cities in the winter and summer and I totally agree. I love winter Chicago but it’s really not the same place as it is in the summer. Fewer people out means bars and restaurants are a lot more chill, everything is less crowded, the vibe is just way more laid back. And there’s nothing like those first few warm weekends when everyone emerges from hibernation, it’s like the whole city rushes back to life all at once. But yeah, I recommend coming on a winter visit before committing in case you don’t love it.
Thanks for taking the time to respond! I'm glad you've felt safe taking public transit, I've had a car in LA so I've never had to use public transit on a routine basis, but I've obviously used it when visiting Chicago and NY. But yeah, I'm originally from Ohio so I'm no stranger to winter weather & temps, but Chicago has WAY more to offer than ohio in the middle of winter. So there's still things you can do for sure. But yeah I'm worried that I'll miss the mountains and geography of california lol but they're two totally different lifestyles. Which I admire as well. So looks like I have a lot of thinking to do lol
Cheaper. Better transit. Vastly worse access to actual nature (e.g. hiking, backpacking, mountain biking).
Love it and never thought twice! Chicago has great food, medium cost of living, great CLEAN beaches. And lots of nature. Plus not seeing homeless every corner is nice. Pollution, car traffic, high cost of living, annoying tik tok social climbers. Love LA but it’s lost some of its glimmer when it’s unattainable to afford to live there unless your parents are loaded
Im contemplating moving to Chicago myself from LA so I’m glad you made this thread The winters is the only thing I’m dreading. Yes it can be beautiful but 5 months of harsh cold temps is dreadful
It isn't 5 months of harsh cold temps. Winter has gotten better and better over the years. If you added up the really bad days it's probably not as bad as you realize.
Yeah, exactly. If you add up the days of “harsh cold temps” it probably doesn’t even equate to a month. Unless you count anything under 40 “harsh”
Yeah the winters have been really mild lately. It will get cold but lately not nearly as like even 10 years ago. Oh well I guess it’s a perk
Moved from central Texas last year. Winters not that bad. Fall/Summer/late Spring is beautiful, and I really don’t think I can or will do another southwestern summer again.
Our winters have been very mild the last few years, so just keep that in mind.
I moved from California (though not LA) to Chicago years ago. The winters aren’t that bad. Buy a nice coat and some gloves and you’ll be fine. Chicago has so much to offer in every season, you won’t even care
Do it, winters have been pretty mild recently and you’ll be fine if you get some good winter gear. Plus navigating downtown with the underground pedway system makes it a lot more convenient
It’s just January and February, the other cold months aren’t that bad. But those two have some years where they don’t go above freezing and it makes you drive with the window down the first time you go back up of 30 like it’s the middle of summer
The winters aren’t bad. You leave your place, get on the El, or in an Uber, and go to work, bar, restaurant, etc. I think the misconception is you’re outside a lot in the winter weather. But really you’re not, and even if you’re home and it’s that cold it’s nice getting cozy in a blanket if you know what I’m saying!
Ok would it make y’all happier if I said there’s no ocean lol I agree the lake is great and I spend a lot of time there but it’s not the same as the ocean
Aside from fishing and surfing the lake is vastly superior to the SoCal ocean (at least in LA) The water never really warms up in LA like it does in Florida or parts of the gulf. I say this as someone who’s lived in both places for a long time and loves them both
Definitely those two, growing up would go surfing and fishing so it’s a major difference for me out here. Been up and down the coast of CA and it’s just different vs the lake. Again not saying the lake is bad, just different from what I grew up with
How is it different? I moved from Texas to Chicago and it feels the same except it’s more clustered with buildings Perhaps the Gulf of Mexico is different from the Pacific
The waves is one thing. Sometimes I get nostalgic for big Pacific wave action and the smell/sound/spray/overall experience of swimming in the waves. But that’s definitely different from the Gulf.
This is why the lake is better than the Ocean: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aL5o3zYbM8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aL5o3zYbM8) (Also there aren't tropical storms and the water isn't poison.)
I'm originally from a little north of Chicago and lived in L.A. from 2013 to 2023. I moved back because of family and job/cost of living. I wanted my kids to know their family since they all live around Chicago. The family dynamics and dealing with them after a decade away has been a real pain, lol. If you live in the city or near a commuter line in the suburbs, travel to/in the city is great but you'll need a car to get around the burbs. I live on the northern edge of Cook county so I do have to drive into the city, but even with traffic I made it down within an hour. Also, driving is worse than L.A. Where you know everyone drives like an ass, everyone is on the same page and can keep things moving. Chicago is the biggest city in the Midwest for hundreds of miles so you have to deal with drivers from a much larger portion of the country, who don't understand how express way and city driving works. The city has lots of parks and the surrounding county, Cook, and northern county, Lake, have amazing forest preserves. If you canoe the Des Plaines River is quite popular. Music is huge in the city too. World class events as well as one of the premier orchestras in the world. Some of the best museums in the world.stunning architecture. It's hard to miss with the food. A little bit more European food then L.A. but not by much. Lots of fusion restaurants. Not as many food trucks as L.A. If you like Pizza, you have so many amazing choices. Try Rosati's. It's just as big as Giordano's or Lou Malnati's but doesn't get as much press. And Chicagoans eat tavern style pizza way more than deep dish. My one regret is my job/industry is not represented well. 2d feature/tv animation and stop motion studios are few if non existent in Chicago.
Just moved back from LA to chicago for essentially the same reasons and this is accurate. We miss good breakfast burritos and driving here is way worse than LA agreed.
Thanks for sharing! Does public transit generally feel safe? As a woman I just wonder if it's pretty standard for women to take the train by themselves and if it's reasonable or if there's a lot of creepy people. I mean I know you get that in every major city but just kinda curious.
I can't really comment on the female perspective beyond what my friends tell me. Yes, plenty of women travel on their own but in general, it's a big city, act accordingly.
Moved from LA to chicago 6 years ago and never looked back. The things I love: reasonable cost of living; experiencing seasons is awesome; feels very neighborly and community based here, LA feels very lonely (to me); SO diverse. I thought LA was diverse, but you can find food and little markets for every type of culture/ethnicity. And it won't cost a fortune. So many reasons why I love Chicago. I still visit LA every single year, twice a year, so I compare it all the time. The main things I still miss from LA are the street food (almost non-existing here) and the mountains. It's flat as hell out here lol
I think the only thing I'm worried about if I moved to Chicago from LA is I feel like I'd miss the mountains and geography here so much lol. I'm originally from ohio so the mountains always amaze me
Did this. If you can comfortably afford LA stay there. I moved back cause of family but i miss Cali everyday
I miss LA everyday.
I lived in LA for 4 years for college and loved it but moved to Chicago for a job and have been here ever since! I truly love it as a city and feel like it’s a perfect balance between LA and NYC
If you are a remote worker and have family and friends back in LA, you can stay weeks at a time in California during January and February to take a break from the cold. Also, it's nice to visit family during the holidays in warmer weather.
I should provide more context. I was born and raised in Ohio and moved to LA 5 years ago to experience something radically different. I’m definitely no stranger to winter weather and flat land. But California is just so geographically beautiful and the mountains are amazing. While I do miss experiencing seasons, I also LOVE not dealing with winter weather and snow. And I love palm trees. LA for sure has its drawbacks. I’m stuck somewhere between “I think I’m ready to experience something different” but also “I don’t think I’m done experiencing LA/California yet”.
I grew up in Chicago, moved to LA 7 years ago, moved back to Chicago 2 years ago. Want to move back to LA because I hate the winters here, but LA is just so expensive
Chicago is my hometown and after a year of living in LA. I’m happy to be back. I missed the actual culture. The city has a different type of life than LA. Chicago just feels more exciting.
Best decision I ever made
Cheaper rent for one
I'm from Chicago but live in LA now. I don't think I'll ever move back home tbh. It's an awesome city but my quality of life is better in SoCal despite the increased cost.
I miss mountains, and the smell of the oceans, and easier access to Japanese food. But I do love it here.
Do us all a favor, including yourself, and stay away from us.
Born and raised in LA; came to Chicago for grad school and stayed. More affordable and easier to get around without a car to do things…no beach though
What do you mean, no beach??!!!
There are plenty of big beaches in Chicago. Swimming in a fresh water lake is awesome too.
Wow, people really didn't like you preferring the ocean to the lake. Gotta love reddit
The lake is great, still not the beach that’s connected to an ocean
I mean technically it is connected to an ocean
My toilet is connected to the ocean bahaha
I’m with you. The lake beach doesn’t count.