Moving to Chicago!

[wodom1]

Well, I've finally got the necessary funds together to finance my relocation to Chicago--Aurora, to be precise. I'm planning on heading out of here on Saturday, October 4th to meet my best friend in Memphis, then hit the road to Chi-town on Sunday, the 5th. I've got a job interview lined up for Monday, the 6th, and so far everything regarding that is going smoothly. Maybe I'll get a new job and be able to buy some nice Polks and finally get to take real advantage of this forum. And RonP, I'll finally send you that beer that is long overdue. Like Oatmeal Stout? There's a great brewery in Chicago, and everything they make is excellent--Goose Island. I'll send you a six-pack of something. :D

-Josh

[Demiurge]

yay! a new neighbor! :D

[dorokusai]

Good luck on the move! I get into Chicago every year to see my father, and all I do is eat and drink. I think the pizza is overrated but the hotdogs are the best!

Dem- Where you at in Chicago? My father lives near the intersection of N. Damen & Diversey. My brother is a personal trainer up in there also...but I forget what gym. Great city.

[Demiurge]

I'm actually in Milwaukee, but Chi town is only a 1 1\2 hour drive. I go to a lot of concerts down there. It's a good city I must say.

[madmax]

Good luck on getting the job!
madmax

[dcarlson]

Good luck on the move and the job. That's quite a move. I've never been anywhere south of Niagara Falls. Don't they have some relatively cold winters in Chicago? Wind/cold don't mix well. Hope you bring your toque. ;) Winter's coming.

[sterling bug]

Welcome to Aurora. My wife and I recently moved here from Glen Ellyn at the end of July. Many places to spend lots of money and you will never get bored out here.

[wodom1]

Thanks for the well wishes, guys. I can't wait. It is going to get a little cold for my southern bones, but I'll have to adjust. I really do hope that I can land this job. That would be a huge fiscal burden off my back, plus I could buy some Polks! The only problem is that if I get this job, it is in Libertyville, IL--way up north. Well, only 60 miles, but I've been told that 60 miles in Chicago is not the same as 60 miles here--here, New Orleans is 60 miles away and can be reached in 45 minutes. Demi, I can't wait to check out the music scene. I've never had an opportunity in all my visits out there. Hopefully, I can find some guys to jam with and maybe get into a band and play some gigs. Thanks for the welcome, Sterling Bug, I appreciate it.

-Josh

[Tour2ma]

Good luck, wodom...

First winter will be a bitch, but then the second winter will be.... ummm.... a bitch... :D

doro... you kiddin'? Pizzeria Uno is fantastic...

[dorokusai]

Tour - Well, its ok...but I am a ultra-greasy, thin crust New York style pizza lover...the kind you roll up, and bite into, and the grease shoots out like a zit. :D

[wodom1]

I love the pizza up there, though I don't think very highly of Pizzeria Uno. My girlfriend and I ate there last October and neither of us liked it. We usually go to Giordano's or Gino's East, both of which are excellent. Their pizza is the best that I've ever had. Demiurge, if you're ever in the area, send me an email or i'll give you my number, we'll have to check out some music. Our music tastes seem to be pretty similar. I can't wait to get out of here. Only 7 more days until I hit the road! :D

[wodom1]

Tour, I really am afraid of the winter up there. I've never had to drive in ice or snow, so I'm kind of worried about that. What makes it even worse is that I've got a Ford F-150, so I'll have no traction. I read online that I'll need to put about 600lbs of sand in the bed over the axle to get traction. I've got big tires--31x10.50, so that should help out some. Anybody have any driving advice for snow and ice? When I was up there last January, the temp. in downtown Chicago was -7 with the windchill. I could hardly take it. We had to go into a store about every 10 minutes for me to warm up. Hopefully I'll get acclimated before too long.

-Josh

[Tour2ma]

Originally posted by wodom1
Anybody have any driving advice for snow and ice?

Turn in the direction of the skid...

You'll be fine... First, you get to see and enjoy a real Fall season. You will freeze your ass off (repeatedly) winter #1, but you will get acclimated and will have a white Christmas, then a glorious Spring and next summer when everyone is complaining how hot it is, you'll be going, "you think this is hot?"

[VR3]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Tour - Well, its ok...but I am a ultra-greasy, thin crust New York style pizza lover...the kind you roll up, and bite into, and the grease shoots out like a zit. :D

Thats a great combo Mark.

1) Eat a pizza like that

2) Pop a zit like that from the pizza

Perfect match up!

[dorokusai]

Trey - I am too old to get zits anymore ;)

[dan t]

Hey good luck in Chicagoland wodom1,

When you get tired of pissing Ice Cubes in the winter, there might be one more spot for you here in Southern Cal.


Dan

[GZ]

wodom,
Welcome to the midwest. If you like music you have got to go to Summerfest on Milwaukee's lake front next summer. It's an annual event featuring all sorts of big name acts. Lots of great food and suds too.

[dcarlson]

Originally posted by wodom1
Tour, I really am afraid of the winter up there. I've never had to drive in ice or snow, so I'm kind of worried about that. What makes it even worse is that I've got a Ford F-150, so I'll have no traction. I read online that I'll need to put about 600lbs of sand in the bed over the axle to get traction. I've got big tires--31x10.50, so that should help out some. Anybody have any driving advice for snow and ice? When I was up there last January, the temp. in downtown Chicago was -7 with the windchill. I could hardly take it. We had to go into a store about every 10 minutes for me to warm up. Hopefully I'll get acclimated before too long.

-Josh

Sorry but I LMAO at this one. There's no way I could take the heat you guys get down that far south. Man, my blood is even too thick for the humid Toronto summer weather. I could enjoy the year round golf though. I only have about 3 weeks left of golf here and we usually start to see some snow flying around Halloween.

As for driving in the winter, sand bags are a must when you're talking a truck a truck cap helps too. You'll also see your gas mileage drop like crazy in the cold. Once you get the hang of having your ass end sliping out on you around corners you'll actually get to like it. It's a hell of a lot fun taking corners at speed a la rally racing. ;)

[gvogt62470]

It will be rough the first few winter's. There's really no getting used to...snowfall amount has been way below Avg last couple of years...but the Cold...well..that your can always bet on.

As far as the drive from Aurora to Libertyville...Your looking at least an Hour plus.

Pizza....Lou Malnotti's (Downtown Chicago) or Rosatti's (Franchise throughout West & South Suburbs). Absolutely Fanstastic !

Other than the Winter Winter & Commute,you'll love it up here...Always a lot to do, great Food, Entertainment, Etc. I'm from the South "Burbs".

[VR3]

I like 102 degree summers. Couldnt take much more, prolly could adapt easily as I bake in that temp for over 7 hours during the summer. I went to NY and came back sick with a soar throat. Effin cold at night!!!!!!!!

Don't think I would want to go to Chicago, maybe to go see a bull's game or something. What is up there? Good luck on da move!

[Demiurge]

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Don't think I would want to go to Chicago, maybe to go see a bull's game or something. What is up there? Good luck on da move!

People say da all da time I think you'd fit right in. :p


Actually, if I'm not mistaken it's America's second largest city, and a beautiful one at that.

We also have 4 distinct seasons here...so you get a mix of everything. While I'm 1 1/2 hours north of Chi town...I wouldn't have it any other way. It's nice having snow for Christmas, Nice Summer Days, Colored leaves in Fall, and the beauty of everything coming back to live in Spring.

Travel!

[wodom1]

Chicago is America's third Largest city ahead of Los Angeles, but not too far above Houston. I think that Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to, and I've seen quite a few, with the exception of the west coast, New York, and Boston. It's already getting cool down here as a front has just come through, and it's already in the 30's up there! In September! I'm afraid of the winter to come...
I've just got done packing some things. Haven't gotten too far, but getting ready to move is a son of a bitch. I don't even have that much stuff. It's all the little things that kill me. I didn't go to work today so that I could spend a day packing, but I ended up having to change the Oxygen Sensor in my truck. 'Check Engine' light comes on, so I head over to Auto Zone and get them to run a diagnostic check for me since it's free and they tell me it's something in the oxygen sensor. So, I head over to the Ford dealership just to see how much the part is, then buy it for $20 less at Advance Auto Parts ($50) and go see to my mechanic to get it changed for $30. After that I go back to Auto Zone for them to clear my code so the 'check engine' light will go off. It stays off for about 30 minutes and comes back on as I'm driving home. I've no idea what's the problem now. I guess I'll have to go and get it checked again on Friday. Hopefully it won't cost me too much, so needless to say, I didn't get much accomplished today. Now I've only got about two or three hours after I get home from work until I quit on Friday afternoon to get all this crap together and boxed up.
gvogt62470, my girlfriend and I plan on going to Lou Malnotti's. She heard some radio show that was asking people to call in and name their favorite pizza place in Chicago, and that one came out on top. So far, Giordano's and Gino's East have done it for me. Well, time to go to bed. I don't look forward to my alarm clock going off at 5:00.

-Josh

[mccarts747]

went to a wedding in Chicago a year ago. Had a lot of fun. Great city!! We stayed at The Omni. The wedding was at the Three arts Club. The entire area within walking distance was great. I checked it out during the day before the wedding.

Best city i've traveled to (within the states) so far has been San Fran.

[sterling bug]

Hey Wodom, have you been down Rt. 59 yet? We avoid that road as much as possible, its usually a parking lot. Check out the Barretts on the east side of 59, it just opened recently and has a lot of cool home theater products. There also is a Tweeter on the west side of 59.

Ken

[Billm57]

Originally posted by wodom1
Thanks for the well wishes, guys. I can't wait. It is going to get a little cold for my southern bones, but I'll have to adjust. I really do hope that I can land this job. That would be a huge fiscal burden off my back, plus I could buy some Polks! The only problem is that if I get this job, it is in Libertyville, IL--way up north. Well, only 60 miles, but I've been told that 60 miles in Chicago is not the same as 60 miles here--here, New Orleans is 60 miles away and can be reached in 45 minutes. Demi, I can't wait to check out the music scene. I've never had an opportunity in all my visits out there. Hopefully, I can find some guys to jam with and maybe get into a band and play some gigs. Thanks for the welcome, Sterling Bug, I appreciate it.

-Josh

Libertyville from Aurora???? ouch....you gonna learn to hate 53 north or 294 North..anyway welcome to the Chi-town Burbs..the traffic around here gets worse every year.
as fara s music and food though you have come to the best spot!

[Billm57]

Originally posted by dorokusai
Good luck on the move! I get into Chicago every year to see my father, and all I do is eat and drink. I think the pizza is overrated but the hotdogs are the best!

Dem- Where you at in Chicago? My father lives near the intersection of N. Damen & Diversey. My brother is a personal trainer up in there also...but I forget what gym. Great city.

the only over rated pizza here in Chicago is the tourist places like Gino's, Uno's and all that crap. FInd yourself a mom and pop pizza joint in the city or the burbs and you will find some of the best pizza in the country.

[wodom1]

Well, I'm here and I love it! My apartment is pretty small, but it works. I just got a phone call about the job, and they are going to call and make an offer sometime this week and want me to start on Monday! The drive to Libertyville only took me about 45 minutes on Monday when I went up for the interview. I'm still learning my way around, but I live in a pretty neat area--downtown Aurora. I may be buying my first pair of home Polks soon! Well, I'm at my girlfriends and we've got to get going. I'll have to meet some of you guys who live here and check out your systems.

-Josh :D

[fireshoes]

Time to update the profile there, amigo. Have fun in Chi-town, I'm sure it's a crazy place right now!

[Billm57]

welcome...
45 minutes to Libertyville from Aurora????!!!!!!

You gonna tell me your secret route..???
You must be working third shift to do that trip in 45

[Billm57]

by the way..there is a Tweeter center up near where you work..Route 60 and Milwaukeee..vernon Hills SHopping Center..just a few miles or so south of Libertyville