There’s no place like home. And many people, even if they have moved from the city, still consider Chicago their home. And have more than a few regrets about their move.
Today I will discuss the different regrets of people who move from Chicago. Yeah, I know we had a previous video about people regretting moving to Chicago. So here I will show the other side of the story. About people who regret moving out of Chicago.
Six reasons why people regret moving away from Chicago
Here are the main reasons why people regret moving from Chicago.
a. Culture clash
One issue former Chicagoans face when they move into other states, cities or countries is the stark culture clash.
Chicago is distinctly multicultural. With thousands of people coming from different countries, Chicago is hailed as one of the cities with the most diverse cultures. The diverse communities that can be found in different neighborhoods bring so much refreshment and most have already established friendships that were definitely hard to come by in other nearby states.
To leave Chicago and move into another state or city would mean familiarizing oneself with a different culture. And how people live in Chicago can be incompatible with how people live in that new place. So many feel out of place and regret ever moving out of Chicago in the first place.
b. Missing Chicago's energy
And when talking about Chicago’s culture, many former Chicagoans cannot forget about the energy of the place. It’s just so lively, so larger than life energy.
Chicago has a big-city feel to it. It's hardly surprising that people regret going away because of the city's gorgeous and lively pulse. The ambition and competition of Chicago's culture allow the city to thrive on its own.
Despite it being a big city full of busy streets, the fun and entertainment is never compromised. You can enjoy bar-hopping every night until your feet get sore, but it’s all worth it. Chicago’s nightlife was able to balance the stress and fun at the same time. If you had a bad day, hit the streets of Chicago and take a break in the bars and nightclubs!
c. Lakefront and nature views
In Chicago, nature is part of the appeal. Lake Michigan is stunning and Chicago benefits a lot from the lakefront views.
And Chicago’s natural landscape is very beautiful. Spring blooms with cherry blossoms and wildflowers, and the air is fragrant with green and fresh scents. In the spring and summer, it rains a lot. Evenings in the summer are pleasant, and lightning bugs shine like enchantment. Thunderstorms are exciting to see.
The nature parks and preserves are a must-see and part of Chicagoan’s recreational routines. So when people move out of Chicago, they feel very bad about leaving all this natural beauty behind.
d. Diverse food
Chicago is renowned as a foodie’s paradise. Many regret leaving the diverse, rich food scene here.
Chicago’s popular culinary items include deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches. Chicago has a plethora of regional specialties that reflect the city's ethnic and working-class origins. The city is also known for its thin-crust pizzas, which are popular in Chicago. Charlie Trotter, Rick Tramonto, Grant Achatz, and Rick Bayless are just a few of the well-known chefs that have owned restaurants in Chicago.
Of course, it is also the home of fast food - in particular, Mcdonald's.
Food is central to Chicago and the festivals and big events often feature rich foods. The Taste of Chicago is a huge annual food festival held in Grant Park in downtown Chicago in early July.
After a satisfying meal, many Chicagoans go for a drink. Chicago has a long brewing tradition that extends back to the city's founding. While the city's history of large-scale commercial brewers came to an end with Prohibition, it now has a thriving microbrewery and brewpub scene.
e. Active arts and music scene
The final regret of Chicagoans who leave is leaving the active arts and music scene in the city.
Chicago is the place for music, so they say. Chicago blues, Chicago soul, jazz, gospel, indie rock, hip hop, industrial music, and punk rock are just a few of the notable pop-cultural contributions produced by the city. The city is also the origin of the house type of music, which contributed to the creation of techno music in Detroit, Michigan, with the introduction of Chicago house in the 1980s.
While the Chicago area lacks a music school of the caliber of the Juilliard School or the Curtis Institute of Music, it does boast a number of colleges. The Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University is the most well-known outside of the region. Both Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts and DePaul University's School of Music are great for musicians.
Chicago is also passionate about performing arts. Chicago is a significant theatrical city, as well as the cradle of modern improvisational comedy. The Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago and Steppenwolf Theatre Company on the city's north side have nourished generations of actors, directors, and writers since their findings in 1925 and 1974, respectively.
They've evolved into internationally recognized artist collectives. Many other theaters, ranging from nearly 100 black box performance spaces like the Strawdog Theatre Company in the Lakeview neighborhood to historic downtown houses like the Chicago Theatre on State and Lake Streets, present a diverse range of plays and musicals, including touring shows and original works like Spamalot, which had its world premiere in December 2004.
Conclusion
When you’ve lived in Chicago, you will always carry it with you. The Chicago culture never leaves you. So there are many people who have moved away from Chicago and regret their decision.
They clash with the culture and lifestyle in the place they moved in. Then they miss Chicago’s distinct energy, natural beauty, diverse food, an active arts, and music scene.
If you want someplace where you can enjoy Chicago without the negatives of the metropolitan area, I highly recommend you check the small towns and suburbs. Homes and expenses are more affordable there.
