moving, part II

i never lived in a high-rise before. i got a really good deal (well it will be good when my condo in atlanta sells and i won't have to pay the mortgage). i like high-rise living a lot; i have a great view, doorman, taxi-caller. real in-town living. there are a few bad things about high-rise living: getting all the way out the door and realize you forget something, not knowing if people in other high-rises can see you, and in chicago, the wind. i think i've gotten used to it by now, but i live close to the lake and when the wind is blowing, it screeches and howls by my windows. the first night i heard it, i kept getting up to check the windows to make sure they wouldn't get sucked out. still intact, so no worries.



my view


my neighborhood is mixed with high-rises, graystones, big sidewalks, old trees, and flowers. a few streets over is old town. old town is great. i love it. it's home to second city (famous improv comedy theatre), a few good mexican restaurants, fleet feet sports (they watch you run and pick out shoes for you), a spice store, an oil store, a chocolate store, the twisted sister bakery, a 24 hour starbucks, a few delicious italian restaurants, to name a few things. north of my neighborhood is lincoln park. it's huge, first of all, and there is a lot more to do than go for a stroll. a free zoo, the lincoln park conservatory, a lake where you can paddle around in a giant swan (or row). i also joined the chicago sport & social club and play softball at the fields.


i know 1 person who moved up here from atlanta last year. she's been great, inviting me out places and introducing me to her friends. i also have gotten to hang out with my cousins a few times. suprisingly few of the people at work live in the city, so i don't really think i'll be making life long friends there. that and apparently people stay in my department for 2 years or less before moving on.


i'm still not used to the weather. in atlanta, i'd be in flip-flops and shorts by may. in chicago, i still wear a jacket to work and some days wish i had a scarf and gloves. have only brought out the flip-flops once and regretted it by the end of the night.


all-in-all, the moving process was a success. i think i managed to move quite cheaply too. i like the city and neighborhood and the lake. i'm sure come warm weather, i'll love all those things too.