Driving Miss Crazy

Where has a week gone?  I had hoped to post before now but you might want to thank your lucky stars that I haven't, because I am driving most people around me a little bit crazy.  I acknowledged as much to M on Monday and he assured me that if I haven't driven him crazy yet, he'll probably survive our current situation.  We just got in yesterday from 5 days in Chicago...five wonderful, fun days in Chicago which is the root of my current confused (bemused?) state. 

We listed our house after an exhaustive month or so of touring the Chicago area and deciding to focus our house search on a small area of inner(ish) suburbs.  On Monday, I went out with our realtor to look at several homes there, the whole time recounting to her our fun weekend adventures...the first, a Saturday evening business event in the outdoor gardens of the Art Institute.  We had grabbed a cab over but walked back to the apartment afterward, weekend fireworks bursting in the distance over Navy Pier .  Sunday, after after an afternoon of suburban open houses, M & I left our lobby in the evening and within steps were walking the trail along the waterfront, almost down to the Field Museum and back.  Walk the Line was on the big screen in Grant Park and, the area thick with rollerblading, cycling, strolling and picnicking humanity was people watching at its best...my favorite pastime.  After our house appointments on Monday, I told Linda she could drop me off anywhere, that I loved the challenge of orienting myself in the city and finding my way back to the apartment, coming across interesting spots along the way that I might not have come across otherwise. 

Can you see where this is heading?  Why the heck am I househunting in the suburbs?  So, my question of the day, for those of you who are still with me here have lived most of your lives in a house but have made the switch to condo living, how's that working for you?  Can a suburban housewife with red polka dot kitchen curtains find happiness in the big city?  Any and all input would be most appreciated.

First thing this morning, I headed to the post office to pick up my accumulated mail.  See it up there?  Notice that big white priority envelope at the bottom of the stack?  Here's just a peek.

 

FYI, this isn't just wanton indulgence.  There's actually a back story and I'll tell you about it next time.  And more mitten love, too!  The rest of today will be all about washing yardage and answering email...catching up from my few days away.  There's a stack of newspapers to be read, but I think I've seen enough in the headlines. 

Great news for home sellers.

How about this one?

I might as well go enjoy myself and make a big creative mess.  I think I'm going to be here a while.                

Comments

[Jane Ann]

Maybe it's a good thing you will be forced to take extra time to consider your options. I've never done such a drastic change as you're talking about, but I have lived in a townhouse condo and loved it. I personally have to have a little private green space where I can set foot on the ground (a little tough in a high-rise).

Every time I visit New York, I find the energy on the street so invigorating. But I realize that even if I were younger, 2 or 3 years would be as long as I could sustain myself at the necessary pace. I know Chicago is different, but it's still a busy city. Do you think frequent excursions from the inner(ish) suburbs would be sufficiently stimulating?

[Carole]

I've always thought living in the city would be so much fun. I've never done it but I think I'd like it.

[Annie]

I saw a lot of "houses" while we were in Chicago. Astor Place (or is it street?), Dearborn Ave., all those little side streets have amazing homes- with tiny front gardens. Beautiful! I can see how it would be a very appealing lifestyle. Hey, what about the Lincoln Park area?

[katie]

We just made the city/suburb decision, and I'm very happy with the choice to live downtown. Of course, the downtown in question is in Fort Wayne--so it's not nearly as much of a change as living in Chicago--but even here we were pretty excited to give up things like easy parking and big yards in favor of walking to parks and restaurants and museums. Came about in the same sort of way, we hadn't considered moving downtown until our realtor suggested it.

[debbi]

I have lived all my life in the burbs north of Chicago and love going downtown to visit. I have alway said when the kids are grown I want to move downtown. Go for it!

[Theresa]

There are a surprising number of condos that have community green spaces in them that the whole association maintains -- the building next door to me has a whole side yard available to the people who live there.

I've lived in both condos and a house (now) in the city, and given the yard size you usually have with an urban house, gardening can be very similar. But compared to suburbia...well, you have to pick and choose your gardening options carefully to fit into a smaller space.

I've said it before, but I love living in the city -- Chicago neighborhoods have a lot to offer -- and you can find some fairly good-sized 2-3 bedroom condos that won't feel like shoeboxes. Some older and rehabbed places have beautiful details. And there are also some very interesting loft spaces if you like the free form of that.

There are a lot of people moving back into Chicago from the burbs right now.

[susan]

i would do it in a heartbeat! if things were a little different for us, we would have lived in munster, germany where DH is from. his place in the city was stunning, invigorating, green spaced enough (as is chitown) and well, yes, you have to "pare down" a bit, but the liberation would be worth it.
sigh, i envy your position! happy summer jan!

[Vicki]

I'd be asking myself the same questions. I've always wanted to live in the big city -- even for a while. But why be in such a hurry to buy a place right now? Why not continue renting for a while -- six months, a year -- see how you feel about it? You'd know, then, what it's really like to live in the city, what you miss about the 'burbs (if anything) and be better able to make an informed decision -- based on your own experience.

[Jen]

I'm facing a similar dilemma - I lived in the city (Chicago) for 12 years, in a 1 bedroom apt. on the north side, and I loved it and never wanted to leave. Now I'm living in the suburbs in a 3 bedroom house, and I don't think I could possibly go back to having so little space. The problem is, I commute into the city by train every day, wasting about an hour and a half each way.
Which suburbs are you looking at?

[Chris]

Well, mostly I've lived in apartments for the last 20 years. But I LOVE my condo and its location in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. I love being able to walk to so many things and have great people watching.

[Lauren]

What about renting for a while in a neighborhood you like? It may be worth the extra hassle to get to know the ins and outs of the city before you commit to anything. In any case, good luck!

[JudyC]

The things I miss the most about living in the condo now is that (1) I don't have enough space. I need a 3rd bedroom and a garage. So get one big enough. (2) I miss having the place to plant flowers. But if you find a big enough balcony or even a green space, like a garden townhouse, you'd be all set. Or if you hate planting flowers, don't worry. I'd love to live in the city!!

[Judy]

Chicago is a very livable city. There are a variety of housing situations, including single family homes. The north side of the city is very nice and a quick el ride to the major attractions. I have lived in a northern suburb for many years and often visit the city. We often drive in just to have dinner. You will enjoy living here. Good luck with the move!

[PJ]

ooooohhh, this is a tough one..being that I moved from a suburb city (San diego) to a mountain town (the town we wanted to) ;) You really just need to listen to your inner compass..everything has pros/cons, but I don't think a person is happy until they really listen to where their heart is heading. Just my take... at one time, many moons ago, we lived on base just north of Chicago... I think a person would have to take into consideration commute times in the middle of winter there!

[Tonya R]

I LOVE living in the middle of a city. Taking the metro and walking everywhere. It's fabulous. But I'm not a gardener and never spend much time out on the deck when I have one. Just make sure you have enough space/rooms. Sounds like you saw some amazing things. Very exciting.

[Kathie]

Life in the big city sounds like a great adventure. And Chicago would be fabulous. I'm laughing at your "creative mess"--that's a great way to cope with relocation frustration.

[Thimbleanna]

Chicago sounds so much fun -- I'm sure you'll love it there, no matter which option you choose. And good luck selling with those headlines, which, btw, we'd gladly take that meager 34% increase. Up here in the northern part of the state, where we just got city-sucked-up, our increase is expected to be 57%. Someone is smoking something and they all need a swift kick in the you-know-what!

[Sharon]

I've lived on the northwest side of Chicago for 25 years (I've lived nearly my whole life in one neighborhood or another of the city) and I can tell you that I'd move downtown in a hot minute. I've loved the neighborhood but now that my son is grown I would love to be able to walk out my front door and be in the middle of everything. Even if it's just for a few years...go for it.

[mathea]

Excuses, explanations or wanton indulgence I don't care! With all the stress of moving house you deserve it - and that's the best kind of mail to get, isn't it ;-) Remember to have some fun!!

[Norma]

I like Vicki's (and others') idea -- rent for a while and reevaluate later. I need some excitement in my life, and I kind of wish I were in your shoes. How funny is that? I'd hate, hate, HATE the having-to-keep-the-house-pristine-for-the-market part, but the rest of it sounds exciting!

[Ruth]

I also live in the suburbs but for 5 super carefree years just past I moved away from my home and into the real CITY of Los Angeles. It was unbeleivably freeing...! I LOVED it ... but would I stay there forever? Nawwww I moved back home when my non compete agreement expired... but I do have memories of those 5 carefree years of being anonymous!
Hugs Ruth

[robiewankenobie]

i lived in apartments in philly. two of them had darling courtyards, which made it een better. i have a house now, but miss the convenience and hustle and bustle. my husband? he's compromising by being in a town, as we are now, in the first place. he comes from way up in the mountains...downtown didn't work for him at. all.