moving to Chicago area...

[6StringShooter]

Hey folks,

Well, most of you don't know much about me. I'm a student at the University of Florida and I will be graduating in May. I'll be moving to the Hammond/Crown Point, Indiana area which is very close to Chicago from what I understand. Do any of you folks live in this area? How is it different from Florida (other than the obvious climate difference)? Any good vintage/classic clothing stores, hat/shoe stores? I'll be visiting the area in early March. Any good hat places near Midway International Airport? Thanks!

 

[SinatraStyle]

Welcome (although premature) to the mid-west.

There is currently talk of a possible Fedora Lounge event in Chicago sometime in March. I don't know whether or not it is going to happen, but there are two threads and a sticky in the Events section. It may be a good chance to check out the area. I'm not familiar with Hammond/Crown Point, but add a post when you visit/move...there may be opportunities to meet up with other Loungers in the area when you are in town.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

[6StringShooter]

that's fine! I probably can't make the event as I'll be pretty busy when I'm there...thanks anyway! Do you live in Chicago itself, or in the surrounding area (I think it is referred to as the "Chicagoland" area)?

 

[Ben]

For what it is worth, here is what I can tell you as a Chicago resident.

You are moving to what is called "The Region." It is not really Chicago, and the long time residents refer to themselves as 'Region Rats." There are a lot of depressed areas in Northwest Indiana from when the steel industry collapsed. Some of the places there are quite run down.

The Region is full of suburban like ares with some rural spaces thrown in.

Since you are in an interstate corridor near a big city, you can expect traffic on the Interstate to always be bad.

A lot of the people there will be long time residents. Florida tends to be more transient for the most part. Many of the folks will be able to show you the high school they went to and talk about the blizzard of '78.

You can get into Chicago on the train, and in fact that is proabbly your best way to do it, because driving can be a hassle and parking expensive. Still, it is worth making the trip. Just bring a good book for the ride.

Also, take the climate change seriously. The cold is not something to be trifled with, nor are bad roads. These things can both ruin your day. Also, people become acclimatd to the cold over time. You will get used to it, but I know from relatives who have moved from the north to Florida that the blood is a little thinner in the south.

It is a great place to live because there is plenty to do and see. The lake is like a low sodium ocean, so you have at least a little of that. The quality of the seafood will drop, though.

Also, do some research when you get up here on the little treasures that are around. For example, there is a John Dillinger Museum in Northwest Indiana. As I understand it, there are also several historical car museums. There is also a nice microbrewery called Three Floyds' in Munster.

I hope that gives you a little local color. Good luck with your move.

 

[Tomasso]

The quality of the seafood will drop, though.

Not at Hugo's, Joe's, Shaw's, etc.......

There is also a nice microbrewery called Three Floyds' in Munster.

Alpha King :beer:

 

[Harp]

Chicago Seafood

Not at Hugo's, Joe's, Shaw's, etc.......


...McCormick & Schmick's...and the grilled Salmon at Dublin's Pub!

 

[Tomasso]

and the grilled Salmon at Dublin's Pub!

I've had it many a time but never before 2 A.M.

 

[Harp]

I've had it many a time but never before 2 A.M.

Fish bite best in the A.M.

 

[Phil]

Alright! Welcome to the greatest city in the world. Some things to consider...
- Buy a nice winter jacket
- If anyone asks, you love the Bears (or at least say you oppose the Packers and Colts)
- Watch "The Blues Brothers" a lot and become familiar with it, it's the greatest movie in the world filmed in the greatest city in the world
- You're from Chicago now, that means you're better than eveyone else
- Start working on this list

 

[beaucaillou]

I second everything that Ben said.

I just moved out of Chicago after 30 years. Where you are moving is *drastically different* than Florida in every way. It will take time to adjust and get the feel. You will have a great adventure.

As far as Vintage goes, Chicago is terribly overpriced and over shopped. I usually waited until I was on a road trip or visiting some other area to buy, or just used ebay. I'm betting you'll find some deals in Indy, and I could find some in the outlying areas too.

Chicago is a brilliant city. It has a great pace and great heart.

Whatever you think a Winter coat is, is actually an Autumn coat. Buy the bigger/puffier/warmer one. You will need it. A lot. Also, nothing shuts down for weather almost ever. 5 ft. of snow?? You're still going to work/school/life.

Some *must visits* in Chicago:
The Green Mill
The Drake Hotel
The Palmer House
Hot Doug's

Good bars:
The Skylark
The Hideout
Webster's
The California Clipper
The Charleston
Pop's for Champagne
Club Foot

Also, if you have any restaurant/dining questions, I'd love to chat those. That's my industry.

Good luck on your move. I think you will be happy.

 

[Matt Deckard]

I don't think I want to ad anything other than Ida Noyes Hall at University of Chicago for swing dancing.

 

[Tomasso]

Ida Noyes Hall at University of Chicago for swing dancing.

I'm well acquainted with Noyes Hall, but mainly for the Pub located in the basement.

 

[Phil]

Whatever you think a Winter coat is, is actually an Autumn coat. Buy the bigger/puffier/warmer one. You will need it. A lot. Also, nothing shuts down for weather almost ever. 5 ft. of snow?? You're still going to work/school/life.

Ah yes, the cold and snow. I almost forgot about those, mainly because there's so much of it now I block it out of my mind. As said before about the winter jacket, bigger and heavier is better. It's been reaching -20 F, either get fat like me and have personal insulation, or buy a nice winter jacket. It's also entirely acceptable to wear those big, fur Russian style hats. For the snow, if you plan to have a house that you have to shovel yourself, buy 2 good shovels and a snow blower, or hire a neighborhood kid to do it. If it's going to snow or it has snowed, but a bag of salt and have it ready to sprinkle in your driveway.

 

[Lincsong]

I lived in DeKalb, IL about 50 miles west of Chicago. I haven't been back in 15 years, so hopefully the place has changed for the better.

 

[Ben]

Look, gang, I am not denying that good seafood can be had, but it is never going to be as fresh as it is on the coasts.

I've never been to Ida Noyes hall, but should probably check it out. Is it a swing dance club or just a place where they hold dances?

Also, Lincsong, I am not sure what in particular you are talking about, but I have been here about six years, and except for a few troubles with the CTA, which will probably get worser before they get better, it has improved.

 

[Tomasso]

Look, gang, I am not denying that good seafood can be had, but it is never going to be as fresh as it is on the coasts. .

It's really not an issue since the advent of airplanes and refrigeration. Seriously, a fish caught off Miami in the morning could just as soon be served for dinner at Hugo's in Chicago than Grillfish in South Beach.

I've never been to Ida Noyes hall, but should probably check it out. Is it a swing dance club or just a place where they hold dances?

It's a U of C facility that features a movie theatre, pub and holds special events.

Also, Lincsong, I am not sure what in particular you are talking about

I believe he's referencing DeKalb.

 

[Lincsong]

Look, gang, I am not denying that good seafood can be had, but it is never going to be as fresh as it is on the coasts.

I've never been to Ida Noyes hall, but should probably check it out. Is it a swing dance club or just a place where they hold dances?

Also, Lincsong, I am not sure what in particular you are talking about, but I have been here about six years, and except for a few troubles with the CTA, which will probably get worser before they get better, it has improved.

Actually the seafood in the Midwest is far superior to the coasts just because of the cost of shipping it. For instance; it costs the same to ship huge crabs and lobster tails to Chicago from; San Francisco, Maine or Alaska than it does to ship the smaller catches. Therefore the fish companies would want to ship their biggest product which carries a higher market price than the smaller ones which bring in a lower price. I don't see as big seafood here in San Francisco Bay as I've seen in the midwest or Las Vegas for that matter.

Actually, I'm talking about Chicago itself. DeKalb was ok, I figured it was a small town anyway, but I found Chicago to be confusing, dirty and full of suspicious and rude people. I was on Cermak Boulevard once, drove through Cicero, people were staring at my car as though they had never seen California plates before, drove over some railroad tracks and ended up in this area with buildings missing their sides. I ended up at Loyola Marymount Medical Center and told the guard at the parking lot; "where's the Eisenhower I want out of this place?".lol In downtown I was trying to find McCormick Place, asked some woman for directions and she replied; "I don't know, I stay in my own neighborhood".:rage: Needless to say, Chicagoland left a bad taste in my mouth. That was in 1991, like I said, I hope it's changed for the better.

 

[6StringShooter]

Thanks very much for your replies! I am looking forward to a different town! I'll definitely check out some of these restaurants, watch blues brothers, and get heavier coats. I bought a wool/cashmere overcoat (which is an autumn coat now, I guess!) and I have a leather bomber jacket which is a puffy, furry thing that is way too hot to wear, so I guess that will become my new best friend once i'm up there

 

[Ben]

If you freeze food or handle it a lot or subject it to pressure changes, the quality goes down.

My friends and family in Florida and Seattle know, if I am coming to town, I want sea food. it is better. I know I seem to be contrarian about this, but it is true, there is a difference between fresh off the boat and flown in.

But that is not the point of this discussion.

Chicago is one of the best cities in the country. it has the variety of New York with most of the manners of the midwest. It is easy to get around and a little more user friendly for lck of a better term.

Lincsong, the problem was you were in the wrong neighborhoods at the wrong times. Chicag is much better than you experienced. It is just like anything else, it takes some time to learn where to go and what to do.

But, I am the man who danced with his wife, to reference Sinatra, and it really is my kind of town.

 

[beaucaillou]

If you freeze food or handle it a lot or subject it to pressure changes, the quality goes down.

My friends and family in Florida and Seattle know, if I am coming to town, I want sea food. it is better. I know I seem to be contrarian about this, but it is true, there is a difference between fresh off the boat and flown in.

But that is not the point of this discussion.

Chicago is one of the best cities in the country. it has the variety of New York with most of the manners of the midwest. It is easy to get around and a little more user friendly for lck of a better term.

Lincsong, the problem was you were in the wrong neighborhoods at the wrong times. Chicag is much better than you experienced. It is just like anything else, it takes some time to learn where to go and what to do.

But, I am the man who danced with his wife, to reference Sinatra, and it really is my kind of town.

I absolutely agree. Food is the same as wine, and after you've flown wine, it is entirely discombobulated and mere shadow of what it should be. (Fortunately laying it down for a good while will allow it to recombobulate properly.) The same rules apply to food. Not that's it's bad per se, it's just not the same as a fish that's caught, cleaned, cooked and served all inside of a half hour (or a few hours).

Chicago has changed so much and so many times in the time I lived there (12 years in the city proper, the rest of my life just outside). Gentrification is so wide-spread, and the stream of new residents so constant that the (sigh) "Bad" neighborhoods are kept out of sight (or demolished), just how Daley likes it. It is clean and pretty and there are flowers everywhere they can be stuck.

My relationship with the city is conflicted, but that's after years of living there. I suspect 6string will be wholly happy, as almost all newcomers are, in Chicago.