We've been feeling a ridiculous amount of pride for our city lately. Part of it is induced by the euphoria that happens to most Chicagoans during our brief but beautiful summer, but lately it's been more than that. After reading the Alex Kotlowitz article about Chicago that Heather posted, we've been thinking about what Kotlowitz describes as "Chicago's lure and its beauty: its ability to take what was and figure out what could be..."
Chicago is not without its problems. We've bemoaned the city's ineffective recycling program, and although we have some cool new public housing projects we also have a serious shortage of subsidized housing for those who need it. Kotlowitz knows Chicago's problems well - his most famous book, There Are No Children Here, makes the problems with Chicago public housing very real and present.
Still, despite the city's problems, there is a sense of life that feels like it's reaching a fever pitch right now. Yesterday we found out that Chicago has been short-listed for the 2016 Olympics, and this week our Senator from Hyde Park, Barack Obama, secured the Democratic Nomination for the Presidency. Chicago is in flux, and whether or not we like the direction things are going, we're in the middle of an exciting moment.
We're very lucky to have a job that allows us to write about living in this city. Our schedule is such that we work from home in the mornings and go downtown in the afternoons for our second job. Every day, our route from the bus takes us through some of Chicago's most spectacular spots, and we get to see the city moving, breathing, and changing.
Sometimes we take a moment just to look, although we've seen these places hundreds of times before. Chicago has some of the world's best modern architecture (okay, maybe not the Trump Tower...but at least it's not gold). It's hard not to feel some sort of awe when you're walking across the Chicago River. Everything around you seems monumental in scale and very much alive.
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
OK, that's creepy. It's like you were hanging around outside my office....
As far as Chicago and summer coming, I've talked with a lot of friends and we all have this sense that this summer is going to be very memorable. Be it memorable for good or bad no one knows yet, but now that the weather broke (and we completely bypassed spring, it seems), I'm waiting to see what will happen. Or what I'm going to make happen.
view any such name's profile
Speaking of new architecture & city in flux, check out the new Armitage Brown Line station that opened today. It has a great permanent art installation and I'm not just saying that because my husband designed it!
http://chicagoelstories.com/
view robinm's profile
There are times when I want to pack it up and move back to Wisconsin to live in the country (usually when the drunks are screaming outside my bedroom window), but most of the time I can't help but be proud of Chicago. It is truly a beautiful city that is so often overlooked, which is fantastic because then we get to keep it to ourselves and not share it with too many tourists.
We truly have to work on the whole recycling thing, though. Most inefficient system ever.
view first5times's profile
Oh, this makes me so happy and so sad. I've lived in Chicago for 3.5 years and this month my stint here comes to a close. I've loved (almost) every minute of it! It truly is a wonderful city, with some pesky problems but with such amazing personality. I'm moving back to my home town of Portland, Oregon which is a place I have always been proud to call home. But now Chicago has a huge place in my heart, and I'm sad to leave!
view robin's profile
fix the potholes.
view Johnp's profile
I haven't been in Chicago for years, but I loved it. It has wonderful buildings, and people were nice on the street (hope that's still true). Great photos, thanks for the memories.
view Deborah's profile
Chicago is my favorite city to visit. Of course compared to Orlando any other city becomes my favorite city! Love the giant mirrored "jelly bean". The architecture is amazing, I come home with a stiff neck from looking up all the time. When I grow up maybe I'll live there for a few years...that'd be great.
view crash's profile
"those inhabitants."
not to dehumanize anyone, right "tylerdurden?" if only chicago could rid itself of provincial thinkers like you we'd really be getting somewhere.
view steves's profile
I absolutely LOVE my city! My power walk route is Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue. Even though it can be jammed up with tourists from time to time, I still love living in downtown Chicago.
This summer is going to be amazing. This winter was BRUTAL but let the summer fun begin!
view CityKitty's profile
I moved away 20 years ago and I still miss it. I've always been in love with the architecture of the city. It probably helped that my dad would often point out different buildings and say things like "I sold the concrete for that building" or "They got the stone from me" (he was a salesman for Material Service). To this day, I look forward to driving on Lake Shore Drive, enjoying the view of the lake on one side and buildings on the other, and exploring the different neighborhoods.
I'm glad you recognize your good fortune, Sarah!
view greer's profile
There is a scarcity of public housing because the people who pay property taxes don't want it built near them. They know it's not good for property values. The quickest way to rid Chicago of "provincial thinkers" is to build lots of public housing. It's also a good way to reduce the city's tax revenue. Then we could be more like the great city of Detroit!
view redketchup74's profile