I moved to Chicago 3 months ago, this is city is my New York. I fell in love when I visited my family when I was 13 for a month out of my summer. I come from a small North Carolina city (maybe it's just a big town) of roughly 25,000. It was a culture shock with the variations of attractions from the extravagant architecture of the Smurtif-Stone building to these "big city" houses converted into apartments. There was a sense of comradery that I feel didn't exist in northern major cities. I still remember the smell of Lake Michigan and the lovely cool chill I felt down my spine as I sat outside eating lunch with my friends at camp.
During Christmas break in my senior year of high school I made trips to museums and Art Institute where I became deliciously overwhelmed with artistic wonder. I even smiled in the unforgiving Chicago winter wind.
In my final trip, before I made the bold move to the city, it was my junior year in college. I was old enough to venture out on my own and I felt a sense of independence that differed from dorm life. The world, well the city at least, truly felt like my oyster. I could go anywhere and do anything because for that Spring Break I was a city girl. As I hailed a cab to meet up with my uncle so we could take to the Metra home I thought, 'This is it, I'm moving to Chicago.'
I've never been to New York and I would like to visit, but I think moving there is out of the question. It is The city to make dreams come true or at least attempt to. From t.v. I've found it to be magical with Madison Square Garden's Christmas tree and the Statue of Liberty steadfast a late-night rainstorm. All of these things I fear are ploys that will eventually lure me there and the flashing lights will blind me or burn. I've heard of the dirt and grim, the sketchy neighborhoods, the rude people, the ridiculous rent. For what? That little piece of magic portrayed in photo shopped pictures and the wealthy exiting in their town cars to Upper Eastside apartments.
Before I get mauled by self-proclaimed New Yorkers, it's the perfect place for YOU.
I'm glad to say I didn't get fooled by Chicago. I came in knowing about the rough edges like the crime, it happens everywhere. Sure, there are neighborhoods where it's a little more dangerous and more frequently the random acts of crime.
It's not has large as New York, but it's big enough for me. It's more Southerner-friendly, meaning I can get away with saying 'hello' to a stranger. I've found a tourist spot that brings me peace, The Crown Fountain.
As it gets cooler fewer people sit near it, but I like to stop and watch the faces. The way the facial lines settle on the smiles of these strangers, who eventually spit water onto unexpected admirers.Now that I've moved to Chicago I get to live my dream. I've learned to move at a downtowners pace, swift and determined. Everyone has somewhere important to go and now that I'm not visiting I do too. I'm slowly discovering the young adult Chicago, which I believe is hidden in free sponsored concerts, swanky hotel bars, and house parties by invitation only. Come on to my city and see how great it is.
So there you have it a rant on the city that never sleeps and the city that gets slept on.
