One thing that is a little odd about Chicago expressways is that they merge and separate. Not sure how different that might be from other cities. Usually the names refer to just limited portions.
For example, 90 and 94 run together from the loop north, but divide around Motrose w/ 1 going to O’Hare and the other to Milwaukee. I often forget which number is which (pretty sure 94 goes N - joins w/ 294) but I have no difficulty remembering that the Kennedy goes to O’Hare.
290 runs due west from the loop, but around 20 miles out it bears to the NW. The Eisenhower is just the E-W portion. The portion that continues W is tollroad - what- 88? Used to be the I5. I personaly refuse to call it by it’s satanic moniker!
Didn’t know Chi had a snake specific law. I guess that makes sense. If most folk were asked to identify the most pressing issues facing the city, I’m sure they would reach consensus on the need to be protected against snakes! :rolleyes: Of course, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest it is unlikely they conduct door-to-door raids seeking reptilian violators…
f you are not looking at the city, I think Evanston is definitely your best bet. All of the places mentioned in the city or Evanston are congested, and will have parking issues - especially the closer you get to walk-to locations. There is plenty of parking available - but you are likely going to have to pay for it. If parking is a huge problem, you’d do better off looking somewhere less congested with more of a “suburban” vibe like Park Ridge, Glenview…
IMO, the Metra is far preferable to the el in terms of ease and comfort.
I’d like to clarify that I don’t actually know any caselaw on the subject, and “life-threatening” doesn’t appear to be defined anywhere (and nevermind the idea of a “poisonous” reptile, which should properly be called “venomous”). If your constrictors are small, there’s a good case to be made that they’re not life-threatening. But if someone got an adequately-sized bee in their bonnet about your snakes, you should know that the law is vague enough to at least cause you some annoyance, possibly leading up to losing your snakes if said person can convince a judge that your snakes are life-threatening. Just something to be aware of. You should probably try to see if someone actually knows what the state thinks is life-threatening, maybe by finding a herpetological society or reptile store that could guide you on this.
All of our snakes are FAR less life threatening than any medium sized dog. The only snake that is even remotely dangerous is our carpet python, who is large/strong enough that if you LET him get completely wrapped around your neck, without anyone else nearby, IF he got startled and decided to constrict could probably strangle you unconscious before you could get him unwrapped.
Having the smallest amount of knowledge on how to handle a snake and/or another person nearby completely eliminates that danger.
Yeah, sadly most city ordinances are not written by lawyers, so they are impossibly vague and often misguided. The Chicago ban on pythons and boas I’m sure was stemmed from someone seeing a reticulated python once (which can get to 18’ long and 150lbs) and having a conniption saying there out to be a law. Our 5’ and maybe 2lb Savu Python is a threat to no one.
I had a much harder time parking when I lived in Evanston than I do now living in Lincoln Park. The permit parking makes it a breeze most of the time. Then again, for all I know, they may have a similar arrangement in Evanston by now.
I think you’re going to have a really tough time finding a condo with that much parking. The majority of Evanston condos are in 1920s courtyard buildings that have no parking at all, or possibly a strip by the alley offering one space per unit. However, you might find a little old lady down the street who’ll rent an unused space in her garage.
It’s possible that in west Evanston, or more likely Skokie, you might find a garden apartment complex with surrounding parking lot, the kind you’re familiar with in Texas—but none come immediately to mind. Those are more common in the suburbs I mentioned along the Milw-N commuter train line.
Some high-rise apartments will rent you as many space as you want, but they’re probably $80 per month or more.
Yeah, we’re kinda leaning towards a high-rise apt that has a ramp. Some places around Mpls (where we are now) have motorcycle sections so you don’t actually have to pay for an extra spot for the bikes, but we’ll see. Frankly if it’s only $80/month for a space I’ll be thrilled.
I’ll second this (third? fifth?) and add that these neighborhoods are near enough the Ravenswood Metra to make that another (much nicer) option for getting downtown for work. Downside is that Metra is a commuter train and has very limited frequency outside of the standard morning and evening rush hours.
When I spoke up for Evanston, I assumed the OP was not averse to renting spaces. In my wife’s bldg in Skokie, we could rent extra spaces for $100/mo - the same price my buddy is charging for his extra space in Oak Park - W of the city.
A friend came over yesterday. He lives in Evanston, and parks on the street. Said he never has problems finding a space. May not always get one right in front of his bldg, but said he never has to park more than a block or so away. Said his biggest problem was remembering where he parked! So now if he doesn’t get a space on his block, he goes down one particular street where there is always a space within a block.
Of course, Evanston is a large town, and I’m sure many spaces are more/less croded than others. And I have zero experience whether there are any limits of how often a car/bike must be moved.
If you are going to rely on street parking in Evanston, remember the Evanston Snow Parking Regulations. During the summer it may seem like there is tons of parking, but after a snow fall, the available parking shrinks dramatically.
Evanston does not allow parking at night on the main streets after a snowfall and it enforces an odd/even parking ban during the day on residential streets. They use their air raid sirens to tell you it’s time to move your car.
It’s odd, but the parking situation is probably my biggest concern on the move. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to park a car outside and frankly I’m not willing to park my Ducati Diavel on the street as a mater of course. So I suspect I’m destined to be spending a lot in extra parking spaces.
So now if he doesn’t get a space on his block, he goes down one particular street where there is always a space within a block.