Hi friends,
I grew up in Ames, graduated from ISU in 2007, and then moved to Austin, where I've been for the last 10 years. My wife recently completed a PhD at UT and just found out that she's been selected for a job at the Field Museum, so we're mentally preparing to relocate to Chicago over the next couple of months.
I've visited Chicago a few times from when I lived in Ames, but I don't know too much about actually living there. Naturally I thought CF is the best place on the internet to find recommendations.
My wife and I are both 30+ and we have a 3-year old daughter and two 50 lb+ dogs. We operate at a moderate speed but our income is modest and we're not exactly party folk. My idea of a good time is beer on a patio with an ISU game on. So, probably like most families moving to the area, we're looking for a safe, family- and budget-friendly area with good schools and relatively easy access to public transportation (we spent 30 minutes studying the Metra and CTA maps the other night but gave up and started drinking instead), especially for her to reach the museum campus.
I'll add that I haven't found work of my own yet, but I've started hunting. My current employer in Austin would let me work remotely but I'm not sure I have the discipline to sustain that for more than a few months. I'd definitely prefer something local.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks, fam.
I grew up in Ames, graduated from ISU in 2007, and then moved to Austin, where I've been for the last 10 years. My wife recently completed a PhD at UT and just found out that she's been selected for a job at the Field Museum, so we're mentally preparing to relocate to Chicago over the next couple of months.
I've visited Chicago a few times from when I lived in Ames, but I don't know too much about actually living there. Naturally I thought CF is the best place on the internet to find recommendations.
My wife and I are both 30+ and we have a 3-year old daughter and two 50 lb+ dogs. We operate at a moderate speed but our income is modest and we're not exactly party folk. My idea of a good time is beer on a patio with an ISU game on. So, probably like most families moving to the area, we're looking for a safe, family- and budget-friendly area with good schools and relatively easy access to public transportation (we spent 30 minutes studying the Metra and CTA maps the other night but gave up and started drinking instead), especially for her to reach the museum campus.
I'll add that I haven't found work of my own yet, but I've started hunting. My current employer in Austin would let me work remotely but I'm not sure I have the discipline to sustain that for more than a few months. I'd definitely prefer something local.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks, fam.