I have a few questions about Chicago for a college student?
I graduate high school this year and I think I want to go to college in Chicago. I love big cities.I really don't like to drive and I just love the idea of being able to sell my car and use a subway all the time. I was wondering:
(1) If I sold my car it would save me about 250 a a month ( car plus insurance) plus some gas money. Does that savings balance out going to a more expensive city?
(2) What are the realistic drawbacks of only using the subway?
(3) How is Chicago's attitude towards gay guys?
(4) Please rate gay life in the following places of best to worst: Chicago, Houston, or Wichita Kansas, which is my current residence.
(5) What would be a realistic $$$ amount for a studio, what about renting a room?
Thank you!
Where would be a good site to find roommates or studios? The sites I looked at were all like $500-thousands. One reason I think I can afford Chicago is that I wont own a car, will the higher expense of daily goods eat up that savings?
(1 and 2) The transit system is great. 75 dollars to ride all of the trains and the buses per month. I've been up here w/o a car, and I have to say that sometimes it sucks waiting for a bus to come by, but the trains are super reliable.
(3) Chicago is super gay-friendly. And yes, there is Boystown, which I would recommend checking out. Also, there are a lot of pride events and advocacy groups for the GBLT community.
(4) I don't know about Kansas or Houston, but I have to say that Chicago, being a progressive city, is bound to be more gay-friendly than either places you mention. And there are so many hot guys here I can't believe it.
(5) You can get a studio anywhere from 400 and up. But you can get a nice studio in a safe neighborhood for around 700. But given your car savings, you will have plenty of cash. For renting a room, you can expect cheaper, from 300-600 a month.
You'll heart chicago. You may want to come up for a weekend visit (soon, since it's getting cold) to feel it out. Maybe spring break.
