I'm going to Chicago as an international student next year and I'll be staying there for a year.
Before going there, I want to know general information about Chicago.
These are the things that I would like to hear about Chicago:
1. Safety and Crime rate
2. Environment and Pollution(esp. air pollution)
3. Public Transportation System
4. Living Expenses (except for housing)
5. Friendliness of People(Residents)
6. Weather and Climate
7. Cultural Activities (Clubbing, Parties, Gay Culture)
Is there anyone who has lived in both Seoul and Chicago?
Since I am from Seoul, it would be great if you compare Chicago with Seoul.
(If you haven't lived in Seoul, just give me some general answers for my question. You can also compare Chicago with other big cities in the US such as LA or New York.)Living in Chicago?? (compared with Seoul)?
Hi, I'm from Seoul, Korea and I was an exchange student of UIUC. So I've been to Chicago many many times and I can compare both cities for you.
1. Safety and Crime rate
Seoul is definitely safer than Chicago in terms of crime rate.
In fact, Seoul is one of the safest big cities in the world along with Tokyo and Singapore. In Seoul, you can see a woman walking down the street alone after midnight. However, you should be careful and know which areas to stay away from in Chicago.
2. Environment and Pollution(esp. air pollution)
I'm not sure about the exact measurement of air quality level but I think Chicago is generally a little bit cleaner than Seoul.
The traffic was less crowded back there.
3. Public Transportation System
Chicago does have buses and subway system but it is not as extensive as Seoul which means there are some places you may not be able to reach by public trans. Chicago has a better public trans system than LA but when compared to Seoul, it's more of a driving city and it's good to have a car if you can manage it.
4. Living Expenses (except for housing)
I think both Seoul and Chicago are pretty much similar in terms of living expenses. However, the food and grocery was cheaper in Chicago. Housing? Of course, Chicago is cheaper.
5. Friendliness of People(Residents)
It really depends who you meet and hang around with.
But Champaign where I stayed in Illinois were very friendly. lol
6. Weather and Climate
The weather of Chicago was pretty similar to Seoul except that it has the colder and longer winter. Even their April can be very cold and stormy! Summer was really similar - hot and humid weather. It snows a lot in the winter as well.
7. Cultural Activities (Clubbing, Parties, Gay Culture)
Chicago is a home to various cultural activities and there are a lot of things to see and enjoy.
I also think Chicago is more open to gay culture than Seoul -the largest and only officially recognized gay neighborhood being Boystown, centered along Halsted Street between Belmont and Addison. (Here is a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q%26amp;hl=en%26amp;ge鈥?/a>
A Wikipedia article about Boystown can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boystown%2C鈥?/a>
As far as I remember, Loyola school is located in the downtown Chicago called Michigan Ave. So it's quite safe and great place to shop, eat out and have fun.Living in Chicago?? (compared with Seoul)?
I lived in Chicago nearly all of my life, and I loved it. There is so much to do and see, sporting events, museums, concerts, theater, fine dining, and the list goes on.
Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the United States, as with any big city, you are going to have high crime areas and areas that crime in nearly non-existant. Downtown and in the University areas are generally safe, and are well patrolled. The idea is to be self aware and watch your surrounding, just like any other place you go.
I can't say that Chicago is a clean air city, but it has improved. There is alot of industry in the area, and with that comes air pollution. When you get there you will notice it, but take allergy medication and after a couple of weeks, your nose will get used to it.
There are several good modes of public transportation. Aside from cabs, there is bus service, the "L"-elevated train, a commuter train which services the suburbs, and the South Shore which runs from the north side of Chicago to South Bend, Indiana (Notre Dame). They are all cost efficient and run night and day.
As for living expenses, Chicago is relatively inexpensive compared to other big cities. I guess this would have to depend on what items/services you were looking at using. For example, a gallon of milk would cost about 4.00 per gallon, but I live in a rural area now and pay about the same. The only thing that may be taxed at a higher rate would be tobacco products and alcohol.
I would like to think that people from the Midwest are friendly, since I am one of them, but I have to admit, most people are blunt and busy and do not like to engage in conversations with strangers. However, if they see that you are in distress (car broken down, someone harrassing you) they will step up and help you if they can.
oh..weather....well, you have two seasons there.....one last about 2 months and it's called hot and humid, then the remaining ten months is cold and windy. It will snow....alot....but life does not stop and places do not shut down unless it's a blizzard because Chicago has a fairly decent (and some may argue) snow removal plan.
As far as cultural activities, I cannot comment on the gay culture, but I am sure that once you get there, someone will be able to assist you with that. Again, it's a big city, and as with all large cities, there is a place and activity for everyone!! Aside from that, as I stated at the beginning, there are many many things to do, and once you get there, you will find so much more. From ball games to opera, from pizza to fine dining, there is really nothing you cannot find in Chicago.
I would suggest while you are there to check out Navy Pier, the Field Museum, eat at least once at Gino's East Pizza, go to Cub's game, take in a concert at the Aragon Ballroom (and check out the amazing architecture in there!)...get on the south shore and ride it from the beginning to the end..there's alot of things to see. If you are old enough to drink (21) make sure that you spend one night bar hopping on Rush Street as well.
I wish you great success in your education, and I hope that your experience in Chicago will be memorable in a good way.Living in Chicago?? (compared with Seoul)?
Never been to Seoul but know enough about to Korea to answer. Native Chicagoan.
1. Fairly safe.
2. Air quality cleaner than Seoul. Street sweepers clean certain areas more than others.
3. They is plenty to choose from. Depends on where you are going to and from.
There are several line for each. I have included a website that should be helpful and gives detail information on most of the transportation options.
CTA-buses and trains that run mostly within the city of Chicago.
Pace-buses that operate mostly in the suburbs.
Metra-trains that operate from the suburbs to downtown
Chicago with some stops within the city of Chicago.
Amtrak-trains that cross the entire country. (separate website)
Cab-several companies.
http://www.rtachicago.com/
4. I heard Seoul was more expensive. It's in the middle. Not cheap not expensive depends on your spending habits.
5. Natives are friendly. Always ranks as one the friendliest people in the country and definitely nicer to out of towners than Koreans are to non-Koreans.
6. Chicago's weather is so predictible because it is so unpredictable. The weather depends on Mother Nature's mood. Normally the winter is colder and Chicago receives more snow than Seoul.
7. Cultural activities would be museums, theatres, dinners, etc. Field Museum, Art Institute, Shedd Aquarium, Museum of Science and Industry, etc.
Clubbing, parties, etc will depend on where you stay and where you go to school.
Most out of towners/college students usually hang out in Lakeview. Do not know about gay culture but Lakeview is one of Chicago's gay communities.
It was recently announced that a gay community center opened in Lakeview. (tried to find the info but couldn't)
Here a website I found about Lakeview.
http://centerstage.net/neighborhoods/lak鈥?/a>
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