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question regarding the ease of living in Chicago without a car (pg. 2)
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| wolverine16 |
Taking the L works pretty well since every line winds up in the loop. I agree with Tolgar that getting west when you're a red liner is an inconvenience, but if you absolutely have to, most major streets have buses with reasonable hours. Going to be great when the GPS system is in place for most bus lines so you can check on your phone when the next one is coming. The L is also quality entertainment, with homeless people selling oddities and old people who forgot to take their medicine screaming about the Korean War or Batman.
Now I live right by the grocery store, but last year when I didn't, I usually went to the store by my work and just took the bags on the train with me on the way home. It doesn't help when you need something from the store at that moment, but if you have a nearby small convenience store or CVS for those cases, it's do-able. |
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| neutron liar |
| quote: | Originally posted by lücid
(45 miles round trip) |
sounds like you work near me or something [heading west?]
..im off of 94 south of Delafield |
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| lücid |
| quote: | Originally posted by neutron liar
sounds like you work near me or something [heading west?]
..im off of 94 south of Delafield |
Sussex |
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| DjRow |
| quote: | Originally posted by Blake_Jarrell
ben and nikos do just fine because im apparently their chauffer |
A chauffeur is one who drives an automobile as a job. While the term may refer to anybody who drives for a living, it usually implies a driver of a luxury saloon, especially a limousine; those who drive non-luxury cars are simply called "drivers"
:clown: |
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| RJT |
| I had no idea we were moving to Chicago. Huh. |
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| hectorc |
| quote: | Originally posted by DjRow
i live and work at the same building :clown:
and downtown is 15min with the grand ave bus! CTA FTW! :thepirate |
Oh crap I live on Grand Ave.
Anyway, most of my friends are in the burbs, and I live closer to Oak Park. Public Transportation is pretty good closer to the city. the only exception is the trains. I live close to most of what i would need but getting a bus to Melrose takes longer than me walking there. Pace runs less frequent than CTA. With the warmer weather, and rising gas prices i plan on biking to work. It's only 6 miles each way.
Surviving without a car is possible, but only closer to the loop |
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| DjRow |
| quote: | Originally posted by hectorc
Oh crap I live on Grand Ave.
Anyway, most of my friends are in the burbs, and I live closer to Oak Park. Public Transportation is pretty good closer to the city. the only exception is the trains. I live close to most of what i would need but getting a bus to Melrose takes longer than me walking there. Pace runs less frequent than CTA. With the warmer weather, and rising gas prices i plan on biking to work. It's only 6 miles each way.
Surviving without a car is possible, but only closer to the loop |
Oak Park?Blakes there too lol..im on grand too |
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| tolgar |
| quote: | Originally posted by lücid
this is the boat i'm in right now. i love my current job but it's in bumble- suburbs outside Milwaukee, and i'm just dying to get rid of my daily commute (45 miles round trip) and move somewhere that has good public transportation. i've relied on a car to get me through life ever since i turned 16, but now it's just feeling like more of a hassle than it's worth... so i was curious to hear from others what life without a car is like. |
I was driving about 180 miles and spending 3 to 4 hours pending on traffic daiy between home, school, and my job. I was starting to get serious road rage since every expressway was always congested during my travel times. It wasn't a relaxing or fun experience. My back started hurting and I always in a hassle to find affordable parking in the city. Yea, the cta trains can smell..and sometimes, they're late... but for the minimal amount I pay to travel given today's gas, insurance, parking costs..it's excellent. I can power nap before my job or class... or sit back, study, read, whatever. If the train doesn't make it to my end destination..I'll hop on a bus or take a cab for the additional 2 miles...lol. |
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| neutron liar |
| quote: | Originally posted by lücid
Sussex |
ok..im a lot further west.
but sussex does suck... :wtf: |
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| lücid |
| quote: | Originally posted by tolgar
I was driving about 180 miles and spending 3 to 4 hours pending on traffic daiy between home, school, and my job. I was starting to get serious road rage since every expressway was always congested during my travel times. It wasn't a relaxing or fun experience. My back started hurting and I always in a hassle to find affordable parking in the city. Yea, the cta trains can smell..and sometimes, they're late... but for the minimal amount I pay to travel given today's gas, insurance, parking costs..it's excellent. I can power nap before my job or class... or sit back, study, read, whatever. If the train doesn't make it to my end destination..I'll hop on a bus or take a cab for the additional 2 miles...lol. |
jesus, 180 miles? looks like you made the right decision. :p
the other day i calculated how much i'd save every month if i got rid of my car (almost $500), and it made the idea of moving to a bigger city with decent public transport all the more appealing (obviously i'd be paying more in rent, but i feel it'd be worth it).
| quote: | Originally posted by neutron liar
ok..im a lot further west.
but sussex does suck... :wtf: |
indeed. we used to have offices in Pewaukee but after we outgrew those we built an entirely new building in an office park in Sussex. it's a big cement shoebox with white walls and gray cubicle dividers. not a very inspiring environment for a graphic designer to be working in... reason #2 why i want to GTFO of here. |
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| tolgar |
| quote: | Originally posted by lücid
jesus, 180 miles? looks like you made the right decision. :p
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Indeed. It was the triangle of death... leave home from Streamwood, drive to work in Northbrook, go to school downtown, and then head back home.
Besides, the entertainment of being on a train with the general public, the people you see... you can't put a price on that. You might only save $500 a month...but you'll gain a lifetime of memories... which, with the money you've saved, you can put towards a good psychologist to help you forget what you saw on the train. :p |
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| factory81 |
| quote: | Originally posted by denys envy
dude it takes me 45 mins to get to work in the morning... and i live 15 miles away. |
Hahaha yeah thats the whole reason I am hesitant to move to a big city :)
Blake, world wide known DJ, and chauffeur.
I feel I almost need to ride the train now (first time on a public transportation system). If not to go anywhere, just to laugh. |
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