[chicagolab]

by the el (train) to wells/grand:
from river north 10 minute commute
from lincoln park 20 minute commute
from lakeview 30 minute commute
give extra 15 minutes during peak times.

*depends how close you will live to the el and if you switch trains etc.
there is an el stop inside the Merch. its the Brown line

Driving can take quite a bit longer and you would have to have a parking spot. I have a parking through my employer and work downtown (huron/LSD) so I drive and live about 8 miles away (Edgewater). During non rush hour I can get to and from work in 15 minutes straight shot down LSD. But during rush hour can take about 30 minutes.

Originally Posted by evo119

Thanks! Looks like i'll be checking out more of the places north of the river and a lil west as well. Good thing i put that link up, I liked that one too!

Question - from lakeview, river north and LP, how far is it by train to downtown. The office is on Wells and Grand, near the Merchandise Mart. I just wanted to get an idea of the commute. It looks like a short distance, less than 10 miles, but we all know that public transportation takes longer.

[evoi19]

That's not bad at all. Considering my commute is about an hour at the moment, this is definitely good news. Most likely I won't have a parking spot through work (not quite there yet ) so I'll be taking the train. I don't mind it at all actually. It'll be a good change from driving all the time.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by evo119

That's not bad at all. Considering my commute is about an hour at the moment, this is definitely good news. Most likely I won't have a parking spot through work (not quite there yet ) so I'll be taking the train. I don't mind it at all actually. It'll be a good change from driving all the time.

Since you won't maximize your car 100% of the time, it shall remain in California.

[evoi19]

Originally Posted by Ray

Since you won't maximize your car 100% of the time, it shall remain in California.

I'm sure you'll take goooood care of it when i'm gone, huh? Maybe I'll find a new set of BBS' on there. hehe

I guess coming from CA the state that drives everywhere, i'd feel weird not having a car with me. It'd be like not having your wallet.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by evo119

I'm sure you'll take goooood care of it when i'm gone, huh? Maybe I'll find a new set of BBS' on there. hehe

I guess coming from CA the state that drives everywhere, i'd feel weird not having a car with me. It'd be like not having your wallet.

I heard BBS manufactures some OE wheels too.

If you are intersted in anything, I'll be more than glad to ship anything to Chitown.

You can take a person away from California, but you can't take a Californian away from their car.

[jet987]

evo119, so have you moved here to Chicago?

[evoi19]

Originally Posted by jet987

evo119, so have you moved here to Chicago?

Not quite yet. I should know about the position today or tomorrow. The company just finished checking my references, so it looks promising.

I've been looking at apt's/condos everyday, so once i accpet i can secure a place quickly and move out there.

I'm gonna need some help to find some reputable shops, a good dealer and some advice for winter once i get there.

I'm excited and scared at the same time. Excited to live and explore a new city. I've lived up and down CA all my life, so i'm familiar with the areas. I'm also scared because this is a huge move to me. I've never moved across the country for a job, and i don't really know anyone there. But i'm sure time will change that.

[jet987]

evo119, I am originally from LA, lived in SF for school, now in Chicago for the past 10 years because of my job. I know what the move is like, and what you should do for winterizing your car, let me know. I'm in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.

[evoi19]

Originally Posted by jet987

evo119, I am originally from LA, lived in SF for school, now in Chicago for the past 10 years because of my job. I know what the move is like, and what you should do for winterizing your car, let me know. I'm in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.

Good to hear! Yea i'm looking for a place to have a garage so i can store the car indoors as much as possible. I'll be working in River North so the train is my best bet. I'll let you guys know when i'm moving.

Hopefully we can start having some meets too.

[saosinned]

Originally Posted by evo119

Yea i'm looking for a place to have a garage so i can store the car indoors as much as possible. I'll be working in River North so the train is my best bet. I'll let you guys know when i'm moving.

Hopefully we can start having some meets too.

I live in the river north area, most of the buildings are high rises and have their own parking garages (charging between 200-300 per months, i pay 205). Check with wherever you're looking though to make sure they have a dedicated residential area of teh parking garage. Its a pretty tourist-y area and people will smash up your car. The residential areas (mine is gated after the 5th floor) have nicer cars with owners who will pay attention to how far they open their doors.


I just re-read your post and realized you're probably not thinking of moving to the actual river north area. But who know's, this info could apply to other areas, though once you get into wicker park/bucktown/etc parking garages are much less common.

[evoi19]

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely let you know when i get there!

Looking for places is pretty difficult. But I'm a picky person when it comes to where i live and what the place has to offer. I know condos there are a bit more affordable than here in SF and that's why i think i'm a little skewed. LOL It amazes me how much you can get in Chicago for the same price as you would here! I'm starting to like it more and more and i'm not even there yet.

[evoi19]

oh i do have a question though.

Do you guys have a winter setup or is it not really necessary? I was there in Feb. and the roads were pretty much plowed and looked fine, but wanted to get your opinions from those who've lived through it so far. I'm running 19's with general exclaim UHP right now.

[chicagolab]

i did OK with all season tires last year, but I was not feeling safe a couple of times and bought a winter set for this season. My wife drives the car as well and I felt it would be best to get a winter set for peace of mind. If your running peformance tires I really think you should get a winter set unless you do not plan on driving much. My set was very inexpensive because I got 4 michelin alpin winter tires (used one season) off of craigslist for $250 and bought an extra set of 159 rims from a member here at e90 for $300 shipped...the winter set cost me a total of $550.

[evoi19]

Yea i was thinking of just throwing on some stock rims and winter tires for cheap. My girl will be driving the car as well, so a little more safety doesn't ever hurt.

Originally Posted by chicagolab

i did OK with all season tires last year, but I was not feeling safe a couple of times and bought a winter set for this season. My wife drives the car as well and I felt it would be best to get a winter set for peace of mind. If your running peformance tires I really think you should get a winter set unless you do not plan on driving much. My set was very inexpensive because I got 4 michelin alpin winter tires (used one season) off of craigslist for $250 and bought an extra set of 159 rims from a member here at e90 for $300 shipped...the winter set cost me a total of $550.

[saosinned]

I've been using all seasons on my 325 for the past 3 years without any problem. The roads are *usually* pretty aggressively plowed, but sometimes it can get bad. We also haven't had any bad winters in the past few years so that could make it seem better.

I am getting a winter tire setup for the 335 though, because everyone says the sport package tires are completely useless when it gets cold out. If you just have a summer setup then you'll want to throw some cheap winter tires on some wheels. I've been in SF in the "winter" and it doesn't even get remotely cold there, you could probably go the whole year with max performance summer tires there if it weren't for those hills. I've also been in Canada during the winter so I guess it doesn't get cold in chicago either ...

[jet987]

Evo119, I had the same concern moving from Cali to Chicago.... I also have 19" rims with General Exclaim UHP tires too, 265/30-19 rear, 235/35-19 front, and they're passable in the snow here in Chicago. I bought these Generals because they were the only ones in a stagerred 19" size that could be driven year round, including snow, not to mention they were rated number 1 out of 46 on tirerack customer reviews. They're great in summer and have some bite in the snow, but not as good as snow tires of course. I used to have a dedicated winter set up, but with this tire it's good enough that I don't have a need for a dedicated winter set up. Notice the General UHPs have an M+S rating (mud and snow), pretty rare for low profile 19" tires.

Originally Posted by evo119

oh i do have a question though.

Do you guys have a winter setup or is it not really necessary? I was there in Feb. and the roads were pretty much plowed and looked fine, but wanted to get your opinions from those who've lived through it so far. I'm running 19's with general exclaim UHP right now.

[Daya]

if you move here feel free to pm me for some advice about anything city-related - I grew up in the suburbs, and have lived in the city the last 7 years after I finished school.

I have lived in:
Loop (rented)
South Loop (owned)
Lincoln Square (own)

I work in the Loop (adams and the river) but travel to the West Coast all the time for work so I am familiar with both NorCAL and SoCAL. You will definitely get a whole lot more house here than NorCAL for the same $$$.

Good luck

[jet987]

evo119, still moving to Chicago?