So, I might move to Chicago within the next couple of years to teach. It turns out, Chicago Public pays about $13,000 more per year than Detroit Public for first year teachers. Part of working in CPS is that I would have to live within the city limits. So, should I ditch my car if I do this? Will I need it? Is it too expensive to keep there? Do you have a car in Chicago, and is it worth it?
Thanks all.
I have a car now, as it came with the husband. Our place comes with parking so we do that for free. We both take public transportation to work, though I do have a $6/day lot near me should I need it. As for downtown, though, the parking is usually awful and traffic can be bad. (Not Atlanta or L.A. bad, but bad enough).
I didn’t have a car the first 5 years I lived here though, and I survived. It really only became a pain once I got a dog since he wasn’t allowed on the El. There was also the problem late at night when trains are slower, dealing with groceries, etc.
I think if you already have the car, you should bring it along but don’t plan to use it everyday for work, if you can avoid it. (Where will you be working? Living?) In most cases, you should be able to get downtown without a car. You can keep the car parked at home (there are places that come with parking spots, you can rent them, or some places have ok parking) and use it for errands that can’t be done via train or bus, or for late night trips, going out of town, etc.
I admit, after 5 years of no car, I love having one around when I need it. It does make things easier.
I have a car and live in Chicago. Depending on where you want to go, a car can be a benefit or a hinderance. There are lots of places to live that have parking included, so that is not a problem. Typically, if your house/apt doesn’t have parking, you should be able to rent it for around $100 per month (assuming you’re not living downtown or in a yuppie area). If your job is downtown, you’re better off getting rid of the car, or just using it on weekends. It is hugely expensive, and cost-prohibative for a teacher to park downtown. Think $20-40 per day. Not only that, but Chicago’s public transit system is designed to bring people to and from downtown. All the trains start at the extremeties, and end up downtown. Most trains end up circling downtown before heading out, so you should be able to find a stop within a few blocks of your destination. If you’re not working downtown, you might find it very handy to have a car. While public transportation can get you from anywhere to anywhere else in the city, it is slow, and not terribly reliable. I don’t even know why the CTA bothers to publish schedules - just so you can see how late they are? Assuming you don’t live terribly close to your job, you’ll probably have to take 2 buses, or a train and a bus, and for that you have to allocate at least 1 hour each way. A car can make that trip a lot shorter. Good luck.
I’m in Evanston and commute to the West Suburbs 60 miles round trip and I have kids to ferry around so a car is pretty much essential for me.
If I was single, lived in the city near the el and worked near the el there’s no way I’d own a car. I’d probably get a scooter for fun and convenience.
So to answer your question, you can probably get away without a car in the city with little problem. Heck, there’s always a taxi for the rare time you need to schlepp something.
Thanks for the replies. I have a couple more questions.
First, what counts as inside the city limits? More specifically, what zip codes should I look at when I’m looking for apatments?
Second, how bad is the cost of living? I’m looking at about $36,000/year there, acording to the CPS website. Plus, my girlfriend will probably move with me (I hope), and can make between $24,000 (now) and about $40,000 (when she gets her degree).
Finally, I know that I’m talking about something that’s almost two years away (actually, it’s closer to 18 months). But, after visiting Chicago a couple weeks ago, I fell in love with the city. Everyone told me that the South side is really bad; I disagree, after growing up near Detroit, South Chicago seems rather clean.
Check out our very own Chicago Reader ‘s Spacefinder for the best selection of apartment rentals. Anything that starts with 606 is in the city. As a life long Far Northsider I find it hard to say anything good about the Sout’ Side but there are very nice parts of just as there are parts of the N side where I would not go without an armed escort or a very fast car :).
COL is variable. I know people who live comfortably on half what you anticipate making while I make more than that and it can be tough at times ( of course I have child support and I live in heinously expensive Evanston- I made the choice and I pays the rent).
Bonus: if you live on the N side you can catch Northwestern’s lacrosse games! I played in high school (Mid/Def) and still enjoy watching from time to time.