GolfHos

the 'ol job situation here is looking a bit shaky since the feckheads in congress won't pass a budget for the new FY  anytime soon.   so I've applied for and am being considered (fingers crossed) for a position near Chicago.  specifically, around "Lemont", "Woodbridge", "Bolingbrook" area ?.  anyone lived/worked around there?   pros/cons ?  etc?

1.  No.  Sorry, no help.  :P

2.  It's only a 6 hour drive to/from Minnehopeless!   [sm_fingersx] [sm_hump] [sm_beertoast] [sm_buddies]


3.   8)  Good luck, either way.

I once ate a Chicago deep-dish style pizza. PM if you want details.

Pizzeria Uno? That's some good *feces*.

One word:

Cog Hill

as nice as Cog Hill #4  is,   unfortunately i don't think my salary would afford any rounds there.

Come down to good ole VA, we have plenty of jobs for you.  Unfortunately for me, there are a lot of steeler fans here also.

I was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base for 7 months. Does that count? I was 19 at the time so I don't think any of my experiences will help.

Can't be of any help either.  Most I've done is travel through Chicago.  The traffic was heavy, iirc, and we came across more than enough toll bridges.  Didn't bother me then - actually, it was rather fascinating - but I think that would be a headache to those that live there.

Minnehopeless?  Stroh!  Minnesnowta ain't hopeless!

Hope everything works out for you and Sal, Aske.  :)

Never lived there, but have spent time there with friends - mostly north of the burbs you mentioned.

1)  You want to live close to where you work - commutes will wear you down.

2)  Bears fan are passionate - they may carve some flesh out of your skinny Steeler lovin arse!  ;D

3)  Its not a bad place to live - lots to do.  I'd recommend taking a serious look if the job suites you.

Just think, you can get tickets to go to.........."Oprah"!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D, and isn't Jerry Springer filmed there!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

I have college friends who lived in Naperville and now live in Woodstock. I've always enjoyed Chicago. And going to Wrigley is a spiritual event. I even saw my Twins play there during the first year of interleague play.

As others have mentioned, commutes can be a bitch but that's the norm in any major metro city these days.

Good luck!

unfortunately, i don't know of any such jobs. my only extant skills are pretty damned specialized , and there isn't a major computational research lab in the state (afaik). aside from mowing lawns, i don't think i'd be of much use down there

One of the more liveable big cities in the U.S., IMO.  Love the city; I'm simply a converted Southerner and no longer feel the need to subject myself to the winters.  If I were to move back to the cold, it would likely be Chicago.

lennyq-  any thoughts on those particular areas?

Never lived there, though have some friends who still reside in Chicago.  I'll actually be seeing them next week in Vegas - will make a couple of inquiries. 

thanks!  [sm_beertoast]

The list of Cog Hill-like facilities in major American cities is a very short one:    Bethpage, Torrey Pines, Cog Hill

Several years ago I had a chance to move to San Diego and work in a building overlooking the course and within walking distance of the Torrey Pines starter shack. 

I still regret not taking that job.

Please don't make the same mistake I did, grasshopper.

Have you checked your PO box lately?

2 - so you'd buy me rounds whenever i came up to minne?  ;)
3- thanks!  [sm_beertoast]

indeed it is

 [sm_shock]

yeh, traffic here sucks too (although obviously not AS bad...), those areas I am inquiring about would all be reasonably close to work.

1- those 'areas' i posted would all be within 8-10 miles at most of where I would work if i get the job

2- f da bears

3- thanks

Damn straight.  (I would even pay for golf  ;) )

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria!!!  :drool:

Aske,

I am a lifelong Chicagoland resident and currently live in the Bolingbrook area.

Naperville is #2 on Money's top 100 places to live list
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/snapshots/PL1751622.html

In general, the farther you get frrom Chicago the more house you can get for the $$$. Naperville is fairly pricey, Bolingbrook and Plainfield are good values housing wise. Bolingbrook has a GREAT park district, water parks, and two golf courses - a nice 9 hole executive and a Championship, resort level course Bolingbrook Golf Club www.bolingbrookgolfclub.com

GOLF - Tons of courses in the Chicago area, one of the golf crazy capitals of the World. Everything from $30 daily fee munis to $100+.

TRAFFIC - I will not kid you, traffic here sucks just like most big cities. Ideal to live 10 miles or less from work. I live 25 miles from work and my commute takes 45 minutes on a good day. Throw in some snow and that could easily change to 1:15. Taking a drive in morning rush from Naperville to downtown take and hour and a half, minimum.

SCHOOLS - Not sure if you have kids yet or not but the schools vary greatly by area. Illinois has the most screwed up way of funding schools, with property taxes paying for about 60% of all school funding. The result is that wealthy areas have really great schools and poor areas have terrible schools. It aint right but that's the way it is. Check schools carefully. Here's a good site http://iirc.niu.edu/

TAXES - State income tax is 3%. Property taxes are high - $400k house will run $7-8K per year in property taxes.

Not sure what else to say.  I'm sure you have questions so fire away.