What Irked You Today?

[cobraman]

On average, in Chicago, a person is shot every 2 minutes, and shot DEAD (murdered) every 13 minutes.

Doesn't sound like America does it ? I was born in Chicago many years ago. Lived for years right across Midway Airport. 63 rd and Long if I remember right. That area at least back then was a nice place to live. Not sure about now. Moved from there to a town called Oak Lawn.

[crazyjim]

We were almost neighbors Ray.  I grew up in Berwyn.  After returning from the 'Nam, I stated going west and lived in Westmont, Downers Grove, Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, Aurora and then to Florida.

[Harry P.]

We were almost neighbors Ray.  I grew up in Berwyn.  After returning from the 'Nam, I stated going west and lived in Westmont, Downers Grove, Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, Aurora and then to Florida.

Any particular reason why you kept on moving so many times? I mean, Wheaton, Winfield, and West Chicago are all just minutes apart. What was the point of the constant moves?

[Harry P.]

Lived for years right across Midway Airport. 63 rd and Long if I remember right. That area at least back then was a nice place to live. Not sure about now.

It's still not too bad. A mix of whites and Mexicans/Hispanics. Not a terrible neighborhood, but the mix is probably different now from what you remember.

[crazyjim]

They weren't constant.  Those moves happened over a span of about 30 years.  My plan was to buy a small fixer upper house and spruce it up.  Sell it for more than I paid and buy a larger fixer upper and keep on going.  That was the plan and then life got in the way.

My best move was getting out of Illinois (hint, hint).

Edited July 4, 2016 by crazyjim

[Harry P.]

My best move was getting out of Illinois (hint, hint).

I hear ya. But packing up and moving my stuff, selling this house, finding and buying another one, let alone deciding where to go, is kind of intimidating to me. I'm not the "moving" type... I've lived in this house since the day it was finished (29 years).

[Harry P.]

The cost of living here is sky high. Prices for everyday goods, highest property taxes in the country, high state income tax, etc.

My two daughters both live in Urbana (which is actually the "twin cities" of Champaign and Urbana... where the U of I is located). Nice cities... combined population around 100,000, maybe a quarter million in the metro area.

I could sell my house, pay off the mortgage, and have enough left over to buy a house down in Urbana for cash. No mortgage. That's how much less housing costs down there vs. the Chicago metro area.

[crazyjim]

Sell it with all the furniture in it.  Pack your clothes, computer, and modeling supplies and get out already.  You're way overdue.

[Harry P.]

You make it sound so easy.

Maybe it really is that easy and I'm just afraid to pull the trigger.

My daughters have been nagging me to move down to Urbana. It's beginning to sound like a pretty good idea.

[crazyjim]

I know all about the cost of living in the Chicago area and Illinois in general, Harry.  I stopped complaining and moved out.  Additionally, my body couldn't take the winters anymore and I was sick and tired of sitting in traffic.  Citrus County, FL has about 125,000 people in the whole county.  Nothing like peace, quiet, and not a lot of people around.

[Harry P.]

Jim, thanks for your continued "kick in the pants" to get me to pack up and leave. Eventually I'm going to do it. There is no logical reason for me to stay here.

BTW... how are you doing? Back to normal, pretty much? I hope so.

[Joe Handley]

It's still not too bad. A mix of whites and Mexicans/Hispanics. Not a terrible neighborhood, but the mix is probably different now from what you remember.

Hmmm, sounds like where I live in West Chicago, we've been there since '79, although my Sister did live in Carol Stream for a number of years, a few with her now ex-bf, right near the Carol Stream PD.  She moved back home several years ago and has a new BF that also is from around here, and not only hispanic, but a really good kid too!  CS cost her a bunch of money, which is some of why she's still at home even though her pay had been better than mine had been.   Now that Mom has had medical issues, it's been really good that we're still living with Mom and Dad as extra hands, just in case.

[crazyjim]

How about doing a financial analysis to figure how much money you're losing by staying around Chicago?  Of course in southern Illinois you'll still be paying state taxes.  I had a 1300sf house in Aurora, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 2 car garage, decent size lot and was paying about $2500.00 in real estate taxes.  I can only imagine what the taxes are now.  Here in FLA?  1900 sf, in ground pool 16 x 32, 3 beds, 2 bath, 2 car garage, almost 3/4 acre and taxes are $650 a year.  Figure out how much I saved in 15 years in just real estate taxes alone.

[Roadrunner]

I just discovered that the tomato plants I've been nurturing for weeks and weeks, have been heavily raided by squirrels. Very few tomatoes remain, and what does, will probably be gone in the next day or two.

[crazyjim]

Oh yeah.  My double vision is gone almost a month now.  Don't know what happened.  Just gone.  Life is good but I haven't heard back from Gregg about volunteering to help MCM.  Oh well.

[cobraman]

We were almost neighbors Ray.  I grew up in Berwyn.  After returning from the 'Nam, I stated going west and lived in Westmont, Downers Grove, Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, West Chicago, Aurora and then to Florida.

I used to make deliveries in Downers Grove in the early 70's. I worked at a electrical supply house in Chicago near 63 rd and Pulaski. I had to go out to Downers Grove every other week. Used to stop for food at a joint called Cock Robin.

[High octane]

I used to make deliveries in Downers Grove in the early 70's. I worked at a electrical supply house in Chicago near 63 rd and Pulaski. I had to go out to Downers Grove every other week. Used to stop for food at a joint called Cock Robin.

If I remember right, Cock Robin used to be an ice cream chain in these parts and have been long gone for years.

[High octane]

The cost of living here is sky high. Prices for everyday goods, highest property taxes in the country, high state income tax, etc.

My two daughters both live in Urbana (which is actually the "twin cities" of Champaign and Urbana... where the U of I is located). Nice cities... combined population around 100,000, maybe a quarter million in the metro area.

I could sell my house, pay off the mortgage, and have enough left over to buy a house down in Urbana for cash. No mortgage. That's s\how much less housing costs down there vs. the Chicago metro area.

See Harry you do "have a plan," however I don't think that you'll ever "pull the trigger."

[Harry P.]

How about doing a financial analysis to figure how much money you're losing by staying around Chicago?  Of course in southern Illinois you'll still be paying state taxes.  I had a 1300sf house in Aurora, 3 bedrooms, 2 bath, 2 car garage, decent size lot and was paying about $2500.00 in real estate taxes.  I can only imagine what the taxes are now.  Here in FLA?  1900 sf, in ground pool 16 x 32, 3 beds, 2 bath, 2 car garage, almost 3/4 acre and taxes are $650 a year.

No pool. 2300 sf., 3 BR, 2 baths, two car attached garage. Maybe 1/8 acre. My real estate taxes are TEN times what yours are.

[metalhead]

We have a ban on fireworks inside city limits here if not paid for by the city.There is a huge party in the park right across from us and they are popping off fireworks one right after the other. We have already called the police once. Got here fast because they are literally right around the corner from our house. Now, it's a public park, so they're allowed to be there. But, the law is still the law. As I am typing this, they are still shooting off fireworks. Right next to the police station and our house! So, I'm going to call the cops again. I'm all in for fireworks and all, but not if it breaks the law.

Edited July 5, 2016 by metalhead
forgot something

[cobraman]

No pool. 2300 sf., 3 BR, 2 baths, two car attached garage. Maybe 1/8 acre. My real estate taxes are TEN times what yours are.

Harry, your taxes are really that high ? You my friend are being held up . That is an insane amount of taxes to pay. Not only that but what do you get for that money ?

[Joe Handley]

Last I heard, the taxes on my parents house was around $5k in West Chicago.  Could be worse, I know somebody that almost moved into Wayne Township and while she could afford the house, the property tax was beyond reason.  They had also been one of those communities that you didn't want to speed through, going all the way back into the early 70's when my parents moved here from Iowa the first time.

[Harry P.]

Last I heard, the taxes on my parents house was around $5k in West Chicago.  Could be worse, I know somebody that almost moved into Wayne Township and while she could afford the house, the property tax was beyond reason.  They had also been one of those communities that you didn't want to speed through, going all the way back into the early 70's when my parents moved here from Iowa the first time.

West Chicago is in DuPage County. I am, unfortunately, in Crook County.

[Harry P.]

Harry, your taxes are really that high ? You my friend are being held up . That is an insane amount of taxes to pay. Not only that but what do you get for that money ?

The finest political corruption that money can buy.

[Mike_G]

We have a ban on fireworks inside city limits here if not paid for by the city.There is a huge party in the park right across from us and they are popping off fireworks one right after the other. We have already called the police once. Got here fast because they are literally right around the corner from our house. Now, it's a public park, so they're allowed to be there. But, the law is still the law. As I am typing this, they are still shooting off fireworks. Right next to the police station and our house! So, I'm going to call the cops again. I'm all in for fireworks and all, but not if it breaks the law.

Call the fire department- the cops always want there to be a payday involved