# Reasons to live in Chicago? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 3, 2003, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647 "2003-12-03T04:08:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/1 "2003-12-03T04:08:30Z")
I’m trying to compile reasons for someone to live in Chicago. The list is guerilla propoganda to try to get some friends to move here, cus I’m lonely…and stuff. Young lady-centric ones especially welcomed. So far I’ve gotten: 1. There are no rice rockets. 2. World’s largest public library (Harold Washington Public library-over 2 million books) 3. World’s largest free public Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo) 4. World’s Largest food festival (The taste of Chicago) 5. Chicago produced the first crackerjacks, controlled atomic reactions, zoot suits, and Mr. T 6. No hills. This means that prey can see any approaching predators as far as the horizon…unless it’s THE Predator, in which case you won’t be able to see him anyways…_until you’re dead._ 7. You will realize that you didn’t ever really _know_ pizza before. 8. Handguns are absolutely outlawed, so no one has 'em. We promise. 9. Streetpeople have the best deals on the _coolest_ stuff. 10. Cubs fans have to be seen to be beleived. 11. The Shedd Aquarium…yadda yadda 12. Yuppie coffee fiends aren’t an insurmountable voting bloc. 13. Mancow 14. Smashing Pumpkins, Twista, Styles, Styx Care to add more? ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/2 "2003-12-03T06:08:33Z")
Good public transportation, and fairly safe (if you stay north of the Eisenhower, east of Racine and south of Irving Park). Italian Beef Shops so expensive even rich people can’t afford to shop there (Oak St.) Greek Town Grant Park (during daylight hours) Crowded blues bars Lake Michigan Beaches (July and August) Twenty below zero on New Years Eve (oops, better leave that one out). ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/3 "2003-12-03T07:38:23Z")
You might also want to leave Styx out. 😉 Historical architecture: Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, and Mies van der Rohe. The view of the skyline from the Planetarium. I’ll second the Italian Beef. The Italian Lemonades at Mario’s on Taylor Street. Wrigley Field. The Art Institute of Chicago. The entire park system. Free music concerts _every day_ at, what is it, Lake and Michigan? Where the fine arts library used to be before the Washington library was built. A lively music scene (Metro, Aragon, Vic, Schuba’s, Double Door, Empty Bottle, Beat Kitchen.) Decent public transportation system (for an American city.) A bar that serves deep-fried bacon. Down-to-earth, no bullshit people. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/4 "2003-12-03T07:39:26Z")
On the other hand is it true about how Chicago got founded? Was there really a bunch of New Yorkers standing around saying “Ya know I like the crime, and I like the overcrowding. The problem is it just isn’t cold enough here.” ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/5 "2003-12-03T08:29:27Z")
I would leave Mancow out. He’s one of the reasons I left Chicago. Ok, not really, but my ex used to listen to him and I never got the point. How about it’s where the poetry slam was born? ---
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/6 "2003-12-03T10:43:23Z")
Mancow\>Stern, that’s why I put him on the list. Rick: HAHAHAHA!! Nice one! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/7 "2003-12-03T13:30:01Z")
Fat people tend to blend in. Food is an olympic sport. Great comedy. Great jazz, blues, and rock. The lake. Lots of jobs. Transportation is a snap. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/8 "2003-12-03T14:13:57Z")
The ChiDope lunch bunch? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/9 "2003-12-03T14:53:03Z")
You can go to Wrigley Field the prettiest little ballpark there is. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/10 "2003-12-03T14:54:38Z")
Oh yes, on the way there from The Loop you can go right by the building where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/11 "2003-12-03T15:03:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by David Simmons \* > \*\*Oh yes, on the way there from The Loop you can go right by the building where the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre took place. \*\* Oh no you can’t. [http://www.prairieghosts.com/valentine.html](http://www.prairieghosts.com/valentine.html) ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/12 "2003-12-03T15:08:50Z")
Sorry, but according to this site: [http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/wxpns/chi\_2002summary.html](http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lot/wxpns/chi_2002summary.html) the average temperature in Chicago in January 2002 was 31 degrees, and the average temperature in February was 32 degrees (with 8 above being the low). That’s just too fucking cold. Keep Wrigley Field, keep Italian beef, keep the Lake - give me reasonable temperatures. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/13 "2003-12-03T15:36:50Z")
I remember a faaaabulous pizza place right across the street from the St. Valentine’s day site. Mushrooms as big as doorknobs on the pizza. What was that called… ---
**Author:** ![spogga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ab097/32.png) [@spogga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spogga)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/14 "2003-12-03T16:15:06Z")
Field Museum Museum of Science and Industry O’Neills Bar and Grill (N Lincoln Ave) Chicago hot dogs Hot chicken sandwiches that would choke a horse [if horses ate chicken] Great people …and so on and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/15 "2003-12-03T16:53:00Z")
**plnnr** , how is snow supposed to stay on the ground if the temperature is higher? I mean, really, you have to think about these things. (And don’t worry about snow removal - that’s taken care of. A previous Chicago mayor lost his re-election because he’d majorly screwed up in responding to a blizzard. They’ve learned.) Seconded on the public transportation - I live way out in the burbs and haven’t driven to my job in Chicago in 7 years. Liz Phair. Smashing Pumpkins/Billy Corgan. Michigan Avenue. Ice skating rink at Millenium Park. Friendly, fairly down-to-earth residents. Restaurants for probably any cuisine you can think of. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/16 "2003-12-03T17:46:51Z")
Thirded or whatever it is now on the public transportation. Genuine neighborhoods. If you move here, skip the Lincoln Park apartment that first-time Chicagoans usually rent and find a real neighborhood with character and diversity, and where you won’t get freshly legal frat boys puking on your stoop. If yer pal likes shopping, there are several neighborhoods with main-street style rows of shops. An awesome local music scene with great venues; bars & clubs for any type of music/entertainment that suits you; plentiful independent movie theaters; excellent and varied restaurants. And finally…lots of cute boys. ---
**Author:** ![Hellboy37](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hellboy37](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellboy37)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/17 "2003-12-03T18:31:26Z")
Right on that one Gundy. The neighborhoods are one of the best features of this city. Chicago offers access to a host of damn fine people…and Lets not forget there is a lot of great live theater here as well!! ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/18 "2003-12-03T18:44:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by plnnr \* > \*\*the average temperature in Chicago in January 2002 was 31 degrees, and the average temperature in February was 32 degrees (with 8 above being the low). > > That’s just too fucking cold. \*\* The average temperature in January is 31? That seems like the high temperature for January when I lived there. Maybe they’re not taking into account the windchill. :eek: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*I remember a faaaabulous pizza place right across the street from the St. Valentine’s day site. Mushrooms as big as doorknobs on the pizza. What was that called… \*\* Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinders, 2121 N. Clark. I would put this place on my “must visit” list. Pizza in a pot pie that they flip over when it’s served. The Mediterranean bread appetizer alone is worth the trip. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/19 "2003-12-03T18:47:47Z")
**Kalhoun** you’re thinking of the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. Kick ass pizza, I agree. [http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/](http://www.chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/) Reasons to come to Chicago - erm, the lakefront, the skyline (two things I love about it), the food, the music, the shopping, the Mag Mile, State Street - plus we’re all really, really, really friendly. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2003, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647/20 "2003-12-03T21:30:31Z")
Actually, there are only three reasons NOT to live in Chicago: 1. The Weather 2. The Weather 3. The Weather Otherwise, I cannot think of a single bad thing to say about Chicago. Seriously. Great food, great people, great theater, great park(s), great museums, the lake, night life, shopping, cost of living…the list is endless. Again, if it weren’t for those nasty three reasons listed above, I would move back there in a minute. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-to-live-in-chicago/216647.md?page=2)