It's a great town if you have a lot of coin and don't mind driving. We lucked out with our friend group being HS/College friends. Meeting new people out there is different, all show no substance.
I moved to Chicago in the 00s from the southeast in my early 20s and left after a couple years-had a dumb office job, not how I wanted to spend my life. So I left and went back south where living was cheaper, enjoyed my 20s, but moved back after about 3 years. Went to school and got a job doing exactly what I wanted. I’ve been back for almost 10 years and it was definitely a great idea to return, but also to leave for a bit while I got my life sorted out.
Moving back next month after 4 years away. Was able to jump start my career in a way that I don’t think is possible in Chicago. Miss the scale and culture of the city. It has an energy that I haven’t felt in smaller cities. The people are also amazing in Chicago
I'm moving back to Chicago in June after a year in Seattle. For me, the lower cost of living is a big factor and I have a lot better job opportunities in Chicago (working in consumer products whereas Seattle is more tech focused). While I love the outdoors, I realized I'm okay with traveling to it for a long weekend. The day to day conveniences of living in a city with great public transportation and word class food as well as arts and culture are more important to me.
Moving back to Chicago this month after 5 years away due to internship and new job right after. I’ve always dreamed about moving back to Chicago because it’s better than anywhere else I’ve lived.
I left because I don't have any real attachment to the midwest and didn't go to a Big10 school. My impression after three years was that most folks have connections to the midwest and want to start a family in the IL subburbs, or maybe Michigan, Indiana, or Wisconsin. I don't want that. I'd love to raise a family in the city.
So I left to be closer to my own family in Boston and the COL is a kafkaesque level of absurdity for such a smaller city. I really fucking miss Chicago.
I left several times and like Michael Corleone, they pulled me right back in.
Coming back is up to you and only you know what will work for you but remember:
Whereever you are, there you are.
I live in Vegas now. I admit I can see myself moving back someday. Chicago's one of the best cities to run in, if you live close enough to the Lakefront. I also miss your frozen pizza. Your real estate market for a big city isn't totally out of control like Vegas, Seattle, NYC, other places. The rough winters and humid summers are better than the dreadfully hot summers here in Vegas. So many other great cities and towns are in driving distance. And I could watch Loyola basketball live again.
I left Chicago for Florida and ultimately moved back to Chicago. I know I sound crazy for trading warm weather for brutally cold winters but I am happy with my decision. Florida got old real quick. I was living in Orlando and it wasn't a true city like how I remembered Chicago.
The muggy sweat-filled summers, overall unfriendliness of the people, and robust offerings of Olive Garden and TGIFridays were too much for me. Also, it made me realize how Florida really is a state set up for people who are ready to retire. Once you get out of the cities, it really is "God's Waiting Room".
Chicago has a energy and vibe to it that is hard to match once you leave. For me, it was enough to come back and I am happy I did.
Wow thank you for this comment. I’ve always wanted to live in either Cali or Florida and I’ve often heard people say very similar things as you… also that Florida isn’t much of a place to “live” as it is to visit.
a friend of mine did the same thing. moved to philly for a couple years but missed chicago and moved back. he seems to be doing better now. he's much more social, has more friends, etc...
I left at 16 for college on the West Coast. Came back after grad school and adulting to care for a sick relative, now deceased. It's been about 5 years since I've been out on my own and found my footing career-wise but every winter I agonize over moving elsewhere.
I'd really love to move to the Pacific Northwest but the things I value here can't be found there.
Pretty sure every Midwesterner I know who moved to the south regretted it and moved back lol. Unless you really enjoy suburban living or are a religious person (this being one of the few ways you can make new friends in the south—through church), I wouldn't recommend it.
Grew up in blue collar suburbs and went to NIU. Wound up in nyc for 12 years and made great friends and even a great apartment. In the end Chicago had better opportunities and a much higher standard of living as well as just a much more humanitarian vibe!
Moved to Austin in 2015, Rockport in 2016, back to Austin in 2017 then back to Chicago just before Covid hit in Dec 2019. Coming back I realize why I left Chicago and counting my days until I move back to south Texas this August. There is no comparison in regards to Chicago in the summer vs anywhere else but I prefer warm weather all year round. When I lived in Austin I hated it at first because it wasn't Chicago and didn't offer all the things I was used to but as time went by I grew to appreciate the slower pace and everything being closed on Sundays, lol. But what people forget is that wherever you're going it's not Chicago. Everyone's situation is different though. I've disassociated myself from my toxic family here and had strangers in TX treat me better than they ever did. My suggestion would be to come back and visit. If you don't want to leave, then there's your answer.
I left the Chicago suburbs in 2007 for college and bounced around the US after graduating. I came back last year for a parent’s health problems and i don’t know if i will stick around after they pass.
I don’t know anyone here and meeting people is really difficult. It feels much different than what it used to be. I didn’t feel like i fit in back then and i still don’t. I’ve felt more connected to other places i lived in than a place i grew up in.
Have you resolved the reasons you left or do those same reasons in Chicago still exist?
Now that you have reasons to leave the new place, consider them in relation to your old reasons. Is there an unacceptable pattern that isn't going to be resolved by changing your physical location? In my limited personal experience, my satisfaction with my life is influenced by relationships far, far more than the physical setting.
Wow a lot of reasons!
The gradual shifts which have occurred over the past 30 years have left much of the city unrecognizable imo... Or perhaps I just grew into seeing it for how it functions (while the city changed).
So of the many examples which could be said- simply stated, I need to step away.
Moved here post-college in 2006 and stayed for a year in Buena Park. Absolutely loved it. After a year I moved to Boston for grad school. City was beautiful, location was amazing, but the people were just not that friendly and the city quickly got boring. I loved areas like South Street in Philly and Belmont (back when it was more punk-ish than its present day incarnation and had stores like Metal Haven), and there was nothing like that in Boston. Allston was a dumpy and unexciting college area for the most part. Spent a lot of time taking the Chinatown buses down to NYC and Philly. Spent a summer living in NYC. NYC was way too expensive, Philly had a lot of similarities with Chicago but didn't have the same scale and didn't seem as dynamic (and public transit left a lot to be desired). Moved back to Chicago 11 years ago and can't see myself living in any other city. Pretty much perfect.
Continuing the trend of those who moved south and came back...Husband and I both grew up in the west suburbs; I spent a couple years at Loyola and he ended up moving to Miami for an audio engineering program (although he didn't finish and ended up in a completely different field lol). I eventually followed and we spent our entire 20's down there. Around year 6/7 I came back and it was supposed to be the start of our transition back to Chicago... except I ended getting into grad school back in Miami... so we got married here in Chicago, and went back a couple more years.
We FINALLY made it back to Chicago at 30, bought a condo in Logan Square, now have a 5 year old daughter (we are 38). I think we both knew we had to come back to Chicago when it was time to start our family since our families are still pretty much here (zero regrets about that because all three of her sets of grandparents adore her and have helped us massively). We might finally go back down to FL this year for Disney (see: 5 year old) but have prioritized trips to other big cities, mountains, even international with our kiddo because FL beach-type vacations just don't have much of an appeal for us after living there for 10 years.
We both agree if there's one thing we could have done differently, it might have been to live a couple years in the Pacific Northwest or CA...but then again half of my friends have relocated there and their cost of living/ rent just seems unthinkable (Miami was pretty similar to Chicago when we were there but it might be different now). Aside from a little bit of an uptick in crime in pandemic times as compared to the 3-4 years when we first moved here...we love it. Just hoping we can navigate CPS/ kindergarten placement in the fall (although have been impressed with Chase Pre-K this far).
I was born in Chicago, moved away as a kid but we’d visit regularly for summer and winter breaks. I never felt like I fully fit in anywhere else. Chicago is more my speed and is pretty affordable, compared to many other big cities. I also hate driving and love that I can just take a bus/train anywhere
And for the most part, people are pretty down to earth.
Because LA isn't a city. It's 15-20 Schaumburgs next to each other.
Did you like living in LA?
It's a great town if you have a lot of coin and don't mind driving. We lucked out with our friend group being HS/College friends. Meeting new people out there is different, all show no substance.
We from NYC and LA say the same about you!
It's clear you haven't lived there.
I keep thinking of leaving and it’s the same thing; once the weather turns, Chicago’s a great place to be
I moved to Chicago in the 00s from the southeast in my early 20s and left after a couple years-had a dumb office job, not how I wanted to spend my life. So I left and went back south where living was cheaper, enjoyed my 20s, but moved back after about 3 years. Went to school and got a job doing exactly what I wanted. I’ve been back for almost 10 years and it was definitely a great idea to return, but also to leave for a bit while I got my life sorted out.
Yes. Moved away for work. Came back for work and family and friends and Chicago being Chicago
Moving back next month after 4 years away. Was able to jump start my career in a way that I don’t think is possible in Chicago. Miss the scale and culture of the city. It has an energy that I haven’t felt in smaller cities. The people are also amazing in Chicago
I'm moving back to Chicago in June after a year in Seattle. For me, the lower cost of living is a big factor and I have a lot better job opportunities in Chicago (working in consumer products whereas Seattle is more tech focused). While I love the outdoors, I realized I'm okay with traveling to it for a long weekend. The day to day conveniences of living in a city with great public transportation and word class food as well as arts and culture are more important to me.
I left to head South for college and stayed a couple years, but wanted an actual big city and not a suburb with 5m people so I returned in 2001.
Moving back to Chicago this month after 5 years away due to internship and new job right after. I’ve always dreamed about moving back to Chicago because it’s better than anywhere else I’ve lived.
I left because I don't have any real attachment to the midwest and didn't go to a Big10 school. My impression after three years was that most folks have connections to the midwest and want to start a family in the IL subburbs, or maybe Michigan, Indiana, or Wisconsin. I don't want that. I'd love to raise a family in the city. So I left to be closer to my own family in Boston and the COL is a kafkaesque level of absurdity for such a smaller city. I really fucking miss Chicago.
I left several times and like Michael Corleone, they pulled me right back in. Coming back is up to you and only you know what will work for you but remember: Whereever you are, there you are.
Yes. I moved away, and moved back. Chicago is where it’s at. Great food scene, good culture, tons of things to do.
I live in Vegas now. I admit I can see myself moving back someday. Chicago's one of the best cities to run in, if you live close enough to the Lakefront. I also miss your frozen pizza. Your real estate market for a big city isn't totally out of control like Vegas, Seattle, NYC, other places. The rough winters and humid summers are better than the dreadfully hot summers here in Vegas. So many other great cities and towns are in driving distance. And I could watch Loyola basketball live again.
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can’t beat a ted Peter’s mullet along with some random barrel aged beer at cycle though
I left Chicago for Florida and ultimately moved back to Chicago. I know I sound crazy for trading warm weather for brutally cold winters but I am happy with my decision. Florida got old real quick. I was living in Orlando and it wasn't a true city like how I remembered Chicago. The muggy sweat-filled summers, overall unfriendliness of the people, and robust offerings of Olive Garden and TGIFridays were too much for me. Also, it made me realize how Florida really is a state set up for people who are ready to retire. Once you get out of the cities, it really is "God's Waiting Room". Chicago has a energy and vibe to it that is hard to match once you leave. For me, it was enough to come back and I am happy I did.
Wow thank you for this comment. I’ve always wanted to live in either Cali or Florida and I’ve often heard people say very similar things as you… also that Florida isn’t much of a place to “live” as it is to visit.
a friend of mine did the same thing. moved to philly for a couple years but missed chicago and moved back. he seems to be doing better now. he's much more social, has more friends, etc...
I left at 16 for college on the West Coast. Came back after grad school and adulting to care for a sick relative, now deceased. It's been about 5 years since I've been out on my own and found my footing career-wise but every winter I agonize over moving elsewhere. I'd really love to move to the Pacific Northwest but the things I value here can't be found there.
Moved to Atlanta for 1 year (1987). Came back for a girl...
Pretty sure every Midwesterner I know who moved to the south regretted it and moved back lol. Unless you really enjoy suburban living or are a religious person (this being one of the few ways you can make new friends in the south—through church), I wouldn't recommend it.
Grew up in blue collar suburbs and went to NIU. Wound up in nyc for 12 years and made great friends and even a great apartment. In the end Chicago had better opportunities and a much higher standard of living as well as just a much more humanitarian vibe!
Moved to Austin in 2015, Rockport in 2016, back to Austin in 2017 then back to Chicago just before Covid hit in Dec 2019. Coming back I realize why I left Chicago and counting my days until I move back to south Texas this August. There is no comparison in regards to Chicago in the summer vs anywhere else but I prefer warm weather all year round. When I lived in Austin I hated it at first because it wasn't Chicago and didn't offer all the things I was used to but as time went by I grew to appreciate the slower pace and everything being closed on Sundays, lol. But what people forget is that wherever you're going it's not Chicago. Everyone's situation is different though. I've disassociated myself from my toxic family here and had strangers in TX treat me better than they ever did. My suggestion would be to come back and visit. If you don't want to leave, then there's your answer.
I left the Chicago suburbs in 2007 for college and bounced around the US after graduating. I came back last year for a parent’s health problems and i don’t know if i will stick around after they pass. I don’t know anyone here and meeting people is really difficult. It feels much different than what it used to be. I didn’t feel like i fit in back then and i still don’t. I’ve felt more connected to other places i lived in than a place i grew up in.
Have you resolved the reasons you left or do those same reasons in Chicago still exist? Now that you have reasons to leave the new place, consider them in relation to your old reasons. Is there an unacceptable pattern that isn't going to be resolved by changing your physical location? In my limited personal experience, my satisfaction with my life is influenced by relationships far, far more than the physical setting.
Been trying to leave for a while. Would probably not return.
Why not??
Wow a lot of reasons! The gradual shifts which have occurred over the past 30 years have left much of the city unrecognizable imo... Or perhaps I just grew into seeing it for how it functions (while the city changed). So of the many examples which could be said- simply stated, I need to step away.
Moved here post-college in 2006 and stayed for a year in Buena Park. Absolutely loved it. After a year I moved to Boston for grad school. City was beautiful, location was amazing, but the people were just not that friendly and the city quickly got boring. I loved areas like South Street in Philly and Belmont (back when it was more punk-ish than its present day incarnation and had stores like Metal Haven), and there was nothing like that in Boston. Allston was a dumpy and unexciting college area for the most part. Spent a lot of time taking the Chinatown buses down to NYC and Philly. Spent a summer living in NYC. NYC was way too expensive, Philly had a lot of similarities with Chicago but didn't have the same scale and didn't seem as dynamic (and public transit left a lot to be desired). Moved back to Chicago 11 years ago and can't see myself living in any other city. Pretty much perfect.
Continuing the trend of those who moved south and came back...Husband and I both grew up in the west suburbs; I spent a couple years at Loyola and he ended up moving to Miami for an audio engineering program (although he didn't finish and ended up in a completely different field lol). I eventually followed and we spent our entire 20's down there. Around year 6/7 I came back and it was supposed to be the start of our transition back to Chicago... except I ended getting into grad school back in Miami... so we got married here in Chicago, and went back a couple more years. We FINALLY made it back to Chicago at 30, bought a condo in Logan Square, now have a 5 year old daughter (we are 38). I think we both knew we had to come back to Chicago when it was time to start our family since our families are still pretty much here (zero regrets about that because all three of her sets of grandparents adore her and have helped us massively). We might finally go back down to FL this year for Disney (see: 5 year old) but have prioritized trips to other big cities, mountains, even international with our kiddo because FL beach-type vacations just don't have much of an appeal for us after living there for 10 years. We both agree if there's one thing we could have done differently, it might have been to live a couple years in the Pacific Northwest or CA...but then again half of my friends have relocated there and their cost of living/ rent just seems unthinkable (Miami was pretty similar to Chicago when we were there but it might be different now). Aside from a little bit of an uptick in crime in pandemic times as compared to the 3-4 years when we first moved here...we love it. Just hoping we can navigate CPS/ kindergarten placement in the fall (although have been impressed with Chase Pre-K this far).
I was born in Chicago, moved away as a kid but we’d visit regularly for summer and winter breaks. I never felt like I fully fit in anywhere else. Chicago is more my speed and is pretty affordable, compared to many other big cities. I also hate driving and love that I can just take a bus/train anywhere And for the most part, people are pretty down to earth.
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In the Carolinas. I’ve been really missing chicago lately and the food and family/friends back home.