I'll be living in Chicago this summer for a summer job and was wondering about a few things. I'm from Southern California where a car is an absolute necessity. Would I need a car in Chicago? If not, how expensive is the public transportation since the job's in the Loop? I was thinking of bringing my car because I don't think I could rent a car cause I'm under 25. I also want to experience places not far from Chicago like WI or MO on weekends, so maybe a car would be good to get to those places, unless there's good public transportation for going there there too. Another thing, the only car I own is a 4dr '56 Chevy. It's my reliable daily driver. I was thinking of driving it out there but don't know how safe it would be theft/vandalism-wise to use it as my daily driver. I still don't know where I'll live. Anything else to consider?
If you're working in the loop, try to find an apartment in a neighborhood in the city that's close to an L- stop (elevated train), or if it's not too far from the Loop simply a CTA bus stop. You simply do not need a car if you're living and working in the city. Public transportation in Chicago is great. If you need a car, rent one on weekends. Plus, if you have a car count on spending $200/mo. or more to park it. On street parking is tough. If you're from SoCal and have a nice '56 leave it there. It will be stolen quickly or will quickly be eaten up by road salt. Long story short: if you're working in suburbs you need a car -- if you work in city you don't want to have one -- just a hassle.
I think your '56 will get messed with on the street. If you work on the loop, do some research, google, etc, on the brown line and the blue line. The blue line runs from downtown to OHare. The brown line basically runs up the north side. You can have a nice life without a car in chicago, but to go to WI you will need a car or take the train or something. But you'll spend 80% of your time in Chicago so I would not bring a car like that unless you plan to park it in a garage. We have a lot of those zip/igo cars around too fwiw.
Don't bring your '56 to the city, parking is tight. Your car will get bumped and scratched by parallel parking. If you live near an L-stop in Chicago, you've got it made for the summer. It'll take you pretty much anywhere you want/need to go in the city. My friends who still live in Chicago rarely use their cars.
Mmmmm - Malnati's deep dish pizza - usta eat lunch there at least 2x a week when I worked in Lincolnwood. vic
Thanks guys. You saved me the trouble of finding out the hard way. And Portillo's is good. I ate at the California one a couple nights ago.
Where will you be living? Chicago, and it's surrounding area is huge. You can live way out in the 'burbs and still take the Metra commuter trains downtown. You can find a lot of info about public transportation at the CTA's site. I think it's yourcta.com. I take it every day. I've actually gone 2 weeks without driving. I live in a nearby suburb and take a Pace bus to the CTA subway. It's about $2.50 one way including the transfer. Get a monthly pass and it will be cheaper than buying as you use it. Don't drive into the Loop. That will cost you $15/day or more. As for your 56, between getting it here and dealing with street parking, you'd be better off leaving it at home. Maybe buy a cheap beater for while you're here. Getting anywhere outside of the Chicago city limits will be tough without a car. You can commute someplaces with Metra trains, but once you get to your destination you will be SOL. I've lived in Chicago for 20+ years (moved to the burbs less than a year ago) and I didn't have a car for the first 5 or so, and got along fine with only driving on the weekends for many years after that. Licensing a car in Chicago sucks. $75-80 city fee on top of $75-$80 state license plate fees. Maybe borrow a car here, or drive a beater out from CA. Feel free to PM with questions.