Oak Park is not really expensive if you know where to look. Seeing as you’re new I’d highly suggest the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. The’re non-profit and can help you find something you can afford. I’d ask them about Forest Park also - I think they had connections there too last time I checked.
Thanks everyone! I’ll look into all of this, and I love the idea of a Chi-dopefest.
:raises hand : Hey, count me in if there’s going to be any of that sort of thing!
(I also say “soda” now and again, as an East Coast transplant - I think of myself as bilcultural.)
It does - my boyfriend just did this a few weeks ago. They made him take the vision test and the written test, but not the road test. (His previous license was from Michigan, if that makes any difference.)
Thanks, Eva Luna! I don’t mind having to pay a fee, or take the tests, but I do want to get a new license ASAP! Also, you and pulykamell and sugar and spice can all give me culinary tours. I like food. You’d think with how much I like food, I’d be a better cook…
It’s funny, I grew up in Chicago, and I grew up saying “soda,” not “pop.” While “pop” certainly is the predominant terminology, there’s definitely a not insignificant amount of “soda” users around here.
According to this web page at least, we’re looking at about 76% for “pop” and 18% for “soda” in Cook County.
Okay, enough geeking out about generic soft drink statistics. As far as Chicago culinary offerings, Chicago is awesome with regional Mexican cuisine, it’s got a good Chinatown, good Thai and Indian choices and, of course, pizzas of all types from Chicago thin crust to deep dish to Neapolitan to East Coast/New Haven styles. Let us know when you get settled and I’m sure we can arrange something.
And this time you’ll make it, so we don’t have to grill **Sugar & Spice **all about you?
:dubious:
Hey! I was working it’s a legitimate excuse! 
Anyhow, yeah, I can pretty much make my own schedule for the next few months, so I’ll make it.
Well, I’ll end up contributing to the 18% who say “soda” if I stay there for any length of time. Though I think in NM, where I grew up, the default is actually “coke”. I don’t drink much of any of it, so I don’t really know.
And, besides, everything below the “generic soft drink statistics” is making me drool. Hows about we do all of it? Sound good?
Well, I am in Ohio now, and will be in Chicago by this afternoon. Hopefully we can arrange something soon!
I’m free most of the next few weeks, although I may have a couple evening meetings here and there. Let me know what day works for you and we’ll see if we can round up the troops.
I am officially in Chicago! It was a long drive, and I am convinced I don’t have enough cold weather clothing. I need to find a consignment shop to sell my wedding dress (or some place similar) and buy winter clothing. Also, a job.
The puppy will be arriving on Saturday. Santa told me that I’m getting a digital camera this year (no, I do not own one right now), but that Christmas (and my birthday) might come late this year. I will try to get pictures as soon as possible, but make no promises.
I have to be around for the puppy during the day, but have evenings and weekends free. So let’s go for whatever time that isn’t this Saturday that works for the most Chicago dopers. Or something. Also, a place that is close to public transit or a ride.
Speaking of public transit, does the situation for CTA still look grim?
The CTA is okay til Jan 20, although because of construction the Red line randomly skips stops sometimes.
Welcome to Chicago! Yelp.com is a lifesaver when it comes to finding stuff, including consignment shops.
So CTA is fine right until I get it figured out, then BAM! Good times.
I’ll check out Yelp.com, after I get a bit more unpacked. But I would really like to get this dress gone. And probably other things. I always seem to move more than I need, even when I try to dramatically cut down on what I take. Though this was the most dramatic reduction thus far, so maybe it won’t be so bad.
Yay! You made it! It is pretty cold here right now, although rest assured that most of the winter we won’t have this much snow on the ground.
There is a used wedding dress shop in Forest Park called For Richer or Poorer. Not sure where you are staying, but if you are around the University of Illinois, Forest Park is a quick 10-minute drive from there. According to their website, you have to make an appointment to do a consignment, but let me give you directions in case they can’t give you good ones when you call them. Just take I-290 West and get off at the Harlem exit. The Harlem exit is on the LEFT-hand side of the highway, so look out for it. When you get to the top of the exit, turn right. Take Harlem maybe about 4 stoplights to Randolph and turn left. It’s a couple blocks up on the right-hand side.
They are a consignment shop, so I’m not sure if they will buy it outright or if you have to wait until it’s sold, but it’s worth checking out.
Sarahfeena, thanks so very much. I will discuss with my new housemate and see if she’s willing to drive down there with me. I can’t imagine I’m going to get a lot of money for this dress (it wasn’t hugely expensive to begin with), but right now I’m trying to pinch pennies to the squeaking point. I am planning to look for jobs, but my grad school applications are due at the end of the year, and I really need to do a bunch of things. Like ask for references, which I just reminded myself of!
Anyway, until January, that’s my major priority. Then I have to sit back and wait and hope.