this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2009
9 points (90% like it)
10 up votes 1 down vote
Submit a link
to anything interesting: news article, blog entry, video, picture...

reddit is a source for what's new and popular online. vote on links that you like or dislike and help decide what's popular, or submit your own!

1
8
9

My friend is leaving Chicago, and made an interesting analogy as to why.... (self.chicago)

submitted 8 months ago by BOREN

comments

sorted by:
best
hotnewcontroversialtopold

Varnu 7 points8 points 8 months ago[-]

I'm not a Chicago native, but I've lived here twelve years after stints in London and San Fran. This is my favorite city and now its home. The winters suck, but what are you going to do? I would like Chicago more if it were about 50 in the winter. However it's about the same temperature as Boston in January and about 3-degrees cooler than New York. I also love Toronto and Montreal and it is far more temperate than those cities.

If you can't stand the weather in New York, Boston or Toronto, then it will be a deal-breaker in Chicago too. It's too bad, but outside of San Fran, Seattle and Portland, all the real urban areas in the this country have wintry winters.

BOREN [S] 7 points8 points 8 months ago[-]

My friend is leaving Chicago, and made an interesting analogy as to why:

"I don't hate Chicago like i did when we first moved here. I like it now. LIKE, not love. I enjoy the different communities that I'm involved in, and i appreciate that there are very 'Chicago' things here that you can't find anywhere else- both good and bad. I like the summers, although unlike most people here, I can recognize that we tend to grade on a major fucking curve here- the summers are so 'awesome' simply because the winters are so horrific in comparison.

I still stand by my analogy that living in Chicago is like being in an abusive relationship, where during the summer everyone's in love and happy, then in October they start drinking, then starting in November they beat the shit out of you for 6 months straight, then they show up with flowers and promises to change in May, then everything's good again for a little while but sure enough, 5 months later they're hitting the bottle again and a month later they're hitting you again, and you think 'I should leave... but the summers here make it all worth it.'"

Thoughts, Chicago reddit?

[deleted] 6 points7 points 8 months ago* [-]

Don't rain on my parade.

Seriously, she loves me again. I swear this time it's different. She's checked herself into rehab and is on the mend.

Really, it was only four months of bad... and if you layer up the punches aren't even that hard.

robotevil 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

Personally I like the winter. The only months that are tough are January and Feb because there's just not a lot to do. But October is awesome with Halloween and the changing cooler weather, in November the leaves are fully turned a bright red, you pull out the cozy winter clothes, fire up the fireplace, and spend time with friends and family during thanksgiving. December the snow starts falling and winter is here. Atheist or not, you can't deny the holiday season is awesome in Chicago. Snow in December is heavy but not overly cold, it's awesome.

Then you have January and Feb, which, yes, suck. It's just cold and dark, not much snow, not much going on, more boring than unbearable (this is why I always try to take a vacation in January or Feb). But in March spring starts to creep back in, in April it starts to get warmer with rainy days and greening trees and then summer is here again.

So I think your friend is being a little over dramatic that we have "6 Months of winter". We usually have 80 degrees days up until October, and 80 degree days back in June.

gusbustafunk 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

totally agree here.

and if i can make a comment, the winters aren't so bad if you're used to them and you are prepared. get some damn long underwear and a nice hoodie and hat to wear with your winter coat and you should be fine.

my brother left chicago for dallas about 8 years ago. he says a similar thing about their summers as to what people whine about our winters. it's fucking hot down there in the summer, but you just get used to it and deal with it.

Rhode 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

I disagree. Chicago is awesome, it's just the miles of endless suburban sprawl surrounding Chicago that suck.

Pray for me, Chicago reddit, I live in Skokie :(

[deleted] 4 points5 points 8 months ago[-]

Oh god, Skokie. I'm in Evanston here, I feel your pain. Although not as much.

Rhode 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

My condo's been on the market for 15 months. We've had exactly one person come by to check it out. It's awful man. The market is dead, and I'm stuck here for the forseeable future.

butch5555 2 points3 points 8 months ago[-]

Maybe I'm a masochist but I like the winters here. I like bundling up and shoveling and having a snowball fight with my wife. I like playing with my dog who likes the snow even more than I do and literally rubs himself in it. I like playing hockey and watching the Blackhawks (now). I like putting my truck in four wheel drive after it snows and having the roads to myself.

The only things I don't like about winter are the potholes and the shorter days.

[deleted] 2 points3 points 8 months ago* [-]

Where is your friend going?

I think the summers are only awesome because the winters suck so hard. But the great thing is that everyone (people, businesses, the city governement, everyone) embraces summer. There are endless street festivals, endless music, the lake, the parks and most of it is free. Every weekend there is something going on...if you are bored in the late spring/summer/early fall it is your problem. Plus it makes you appreciate the limited amount of time you have to just lay in the sun...like an extended vacation.

BOREN [S] 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

She's thinking of Portland or maybe going back to San Francisco. For context, we're both originally from Virginia.

ContentWithOurDecay 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

She does realize weather isn't perfect there correct?

BOREN [S] 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

She does, she lived in the Bay area for about 2 years.

ContentWithOurDecay 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Alright, I guess I'm different - I couldn't live anywhere that doesn't have snow in December.

cabin_fever 0 points1 point 7 months ago[-]

http://www.onpdx.com/pictures-of-portland/portland-snow/

it doesn't snow like it does here, but it does snow in portland. it's of the "a few inches and everything shuts down" variety. after walking to the el through a foot of gray slush, i could use a few snow vacation days. :)

swytz 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

Wow! This is my fourth winter in Chicago, and I've already made plans to head 600 miles south to get out of the winters here. I have made a vow never to return here during the 7 months of hell they call winter. I absolutely cannot take it anymore.

I grew up in southern California so I'm used to everyone being happy and outside all the time. It is absolutely miserable up here most of the year. Yes, the summers are amazing but it's just not worth it. That's why I'm leaving near the end of summer this year :)

[deleted] 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

Take me with you. I don't talk much and I can cook pretty well. I won't get in your way. Promise.

gusbustafunk 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

winter in chicago is thanksgiving to early march. i count three months. hmmm...a quarter of the year.

BOREN [S] 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

I like to say to her that Chicago has three seasons: Summer, Winter, and Sweatshirt- which comes twice annually.

swytz 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

While that sounds good in theory, I attempted to run a 10K in early October and it was 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Practically speaking, you can't really do much outside from early Oct until around May. I count 8 months.. hmmm... a majority of the year. Even if you start doing things again in April (sculling/rowing/running/outdoor activities), you're still looking at 7 months.

Either way, if 3 months is your perception of "winter" by all means, enjoy it. It's just not for me.

swytz 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

An interesting followup: it's the first day of spring and it's 25 degrees outside. No thanks.

korpios 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

This was my second winter here, and I'm already losing my mind. I don't know if I can take a third one at this point, but I'm going to try anyway; I hope moving into Chicago-proper will help (as I'm in Oak Park now, commuting to work via the Blue and Brown lines). If the city keeps beating the crap out of me, so to speak, I'm going to have to leave before I snap. :/

kopo27 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Wow, that truley is the perfect analogy for Chicago and I think that is why I am going to leave in about 2 years. I'm in the abusive relationship and I need to let go, spread my wings and move on.

roddesu 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

I grew up in Montana and South Dakota; I will always use that as my frame of reference. This means I will always love living in Chicago. Chicago winters are mild in comparison to MT & SD. -20 for two weeks with more than occasional dips to -40 is cold...Chicago's occasionally below 0 is not a big deal. And, I like winter. I like the idea of being inside and warm while outside it's nasty.

My favorite season? The next one.

swytz 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I think that's the key, everyone I know up here in Chicago loves it. Everyone who continues to love it grew up in a place with similar winters in the surrounding areas. Everyone I know who came from a place with good weather (i.e. closer to the equator) hates it with a passion and has already moved out faster than I have. Only 4 more months and I'm out of here for good. The summers make it an awesome vacation spot though.

jarotar 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

On pins and needles here...

ghostrunner 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

He promised that this year would be different and that he'll change. Just you wait.

hgielrehtaeh 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

They said he'd say that at the shelter. But I want to believe him....

brian_c 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I've always accepted that winter sucks, but it's just something you deal with until it's over. I mean, people live in Canada, where it must be much, much worse, so Chicago can't be that bad.

But I've never spent a winter anywhere except Chicago, so I don't know how it is elsewhere. I recently had a friend move to Arizona in part because he just hated the winters here. I thought it was just insane. You're gonna pick up and move everything because of the weather? Really?

So I guess I'm asking: do some places have good winters? Am I missing out?

swytz 2 points3 points 8 months ago* [-]

Yes. You are. I grew up in both southern California and the dirty south. Both have amazing weather year round. The south can get warm and humid in the middle of summer but the key is that you can actually still go outside and go swimming and biking and running and actually do things. Compare that to here where you're stuck hibernating inside for months.

12 months of being able to be outside at any time for as long as you want is priceless. I don't feel like giving up half of my life to being inside is worth it.

EDIT: Some people have adapted though, and are perfectly happy. I say as long as you are happy, why change?

cabin_fever 1 point2 points 7 months ago[-]

THANK YOU!

I really don't understand why this is such a hot button issue. Some people love cold weather, some people hate it.
It's not a personal rejection of Chicago, nor is it a litmus test for a person's ability to be happy/successful in life.

And yes, to some people, being able to go outside for 10-12 months out of the year is absolutely worth packing up and moving.
For some people, living in the place they grew up in and being around family is more important.
And other people have other reasons/priorities that form their decision to stay in or leave Chicago.

It's a very personal choice, and I don't understand why some Chicagoans take it as a personal affront if someone decides to move elsewhere.
Jesus, they're not BREAKING UP WITH YOU! Think of it this way: they're making more room for someone else who loves cold weather.

[deleted] -1 points0 points 8 months ago* [-]

You can't have day without night. You can't have pleasure without pain. You can't have summer without winter. Southern California does not have summer because it does not have a temperate climate.

I have a feeling that if you cannot appreciate winter for the benefits it brings. You will not be happy in life unless everything is going perfect for you.

There is something to appreciate here. If you cannot be happy during the winter and you need the weather to be perfect to be happy...that says a lot about you. You probably cannot be happy with a significant other unless they are perfect. You probably cannot be happy at a job unless it is perfect.

Winters suck, but so do summers.

Also winters make sleeping naked under the covers so much more satisfying.

cabin_fever 1 point2 points 7 months ago[-]

"I have a feeling that if you cannot appreciate winter for the benefits it brings. You will not be happy in life unless everything is going perfect for you."

Those are some pretty lofty words, my friend.

There are plenty of places in this country where you can experience all FOUR seasons, with equal distribution of 3 months each. Places where it snows in December and is already back up to the 50's by late February.
Places where you can enjoy autumn leaves and the green buds of spring for a few months, not just a few weeks before the winter frost or summer heat sets in.

How does preferring to live in a place with all four seasons automatically equate to being perpetually unhappy in life?

"There is something to appreciate here. If you cannot be happy during the winter and you need the weather to be perfect to be happy...that says a lot about you. You probably cannot be happy with a significant other unless they are perfect. You probably cannot be happy at a job unless it is perfect."

Wow. Could you make a few more offensive assumptions if you tried really, really hard?

Not everyone loves winter. It's nothing personal. It's not a terrible rejection of Chicago if you simply don't enjoy negative 20 degree weather! I am just amazed at how personally Chicago natives take this issue.

Again, I ask: how does not liking brutally cold weather automatically equate to being perpetually unhappy in all other aspects of your life?

Your statements are melodramatic and illogical. I could make the same argument for any of your personal dislikes. "Gee, you don't like bad traffic? Sounds like you won't be happy in life unless everything is perfect."

[deleted] 0 points1 point 7 months ago[-]

I didn't say anything about not liking or liking winter. I said and I quote

If you cannot be happy during the winter

You do not have to like winter. So don't be so upset.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy. (c) 2009 Conde Nast Digital. All rights reserved.