shedd aquarium: It's a neat city. I liked it a lot, but I loathed the area where I live. to me, I'd describe it the way Sherlock Holmes did a horse and how I would a Chinese fingertrap in that it's dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle. There's lots of fun things to do there. Right before I left, I saw the Shedd Aquarium, the Field Museum, and Navy Pier. I finally got to ride the L train. The people there are really nice which is what I liked more about it. It's quite humble for an alpha city. In fact, that's why I loved it so much. The people there were incredible for the most part. However, it's bonechilling cold up there in the winter. Yes, it is windy, too. Also, there's lots of abandoned buildings, and the roads up there are all beat to hell. I had a hard time getting my head around how one of the world's wealthiest cities had an infrastructure resembling that of a Third World country. Everywhere I went, I'd see that or the bridges were all rusted up. Now I understand why they call it the Rust Belt, but that's nobody's fault. The State of Illinois is going bankrupt, so that's to be expected. Last but not least, I can't overlook that Chicago is where I was just raked over the coals. To make a long story short, I just moved back from there, and it was a no-go. This time I've thought about starting over in Seattle once I'm regrouped. Seattle is another city that gave me great vibes. It's squeaky clean and one of the most eco-friendly and Asperger-friendly locales in America. I love the mountains, the forest, and the ocean which are all nearby. It's in a later time zone than Chicago. Seattle doesn't have a long track record of corrupt politicians, organized crime, and street gangs like Chicago. It's not colder than a son-of-a-***** five months out of the year because the winters there are milder. Stuffed crust pizza and beef hot dogs are delicious, but I also love salmon and sushi. Not to mention Vancouver - one of my other favorite places - is down the road. I've heard good things about Portland as well, and I also know just as many people there as I do in Chicago - including a lifelong family friend of ours that I've known since I was a kid. She and I grew up together in Houston. So now that I've just stated all that, can someone give me a good reason to move back to Chicago instead of starting over in Seattle when the time comes? If someone here can do that, I'm game.|||Where did you live when you were in Chicago? Most of the problems you mention....corruption, organized crime, street gangs, I have never seen that in my neighborhood. I guess it depends on where you lived. You said you were "raked over the coals", but I am sure you realize a bad experience could happen anywhere. As far as the weather , yes Chicago has a cold/windy/snowy winter but it has a glorious, comfortable, festival-filled summer. If you know where to go in Chicago you can find most any type of cuisine including sushi and salmon and many more. Did you get to try our Chicago style Italian roast beef sandwiches? Everybody needs to decide for themselves what they want. Seattle and Portland and Vancouver are much smaller cities than Chicago. I have been to the Pacific Northwest. The two big drawbacks for me, for that part of the country are the long cool/cloudy/rainy/drizzly/misty winters and the fact that the Pacific Northwest is so far away from most of the rest of the country. Good Luck with your decision!|||Up to you as to where you live I do not care. All that matters to me is myself and my loved ones and none of us would ever want to live anywhere else as Chicago is the greatest place on earth which is why we chose to come here over all other places we considered|||Chicago is my kind of town, heres my reasons.. 1,. musuims 2 beaches 3 navy pier 4 tall buildings 6 pigeons 7 the seagulls ( love to feed them bread @ the beaches) 8. great eating spots, 9 great bars 10 carols pub on N clark street is a great bar, 11, hyde park chicago is REALLY fun 12. the falcon Inn bar off 53rd street 13, the cove bar in hyde park chicago, 14... mac property is the best to rent from. 15.windermere house in chicago ( its a apt ) has lotts of older people there & its a cool place to visit a friend there. 16...the weather 17. the fairs, african fair, 18,parades, 19..gay parade in chicago 20.. the people, everyone is SUPER nice !!|||I know Chicago isn't the best place to be considering some of the people there but I think you should stay there It's fun and sounds like home. But your friend in Portland just won me over. Im sorry if you want reasons to stay in Chicago but I think you should see your friend in portlan:) hope I helped