[thebmw]

Where in Chicagoland are you planning to go? Schools matter. That's one of the biggest selling points of certain Chicago burbs. Literally the best public schools in the country. Great schools, job opportunities, and family are why my most people stay in Chicagoland. If it wasn't for those things, I think many people would probably get out because of the property taxes.

Downtown is a whole separate story. Unless you're young and single, it actually kind of sucks after a while. Once you have kids and when you get older, you should be over all day pointless bars and clubs and stuff like that. You start running into real problem such as finding parking or walking 10 min from your parking spot up to your apartment while carrying a baby and bags and pushing a stroller, etc. It just sucks. And then add covid, the violence, winter...no point living downtown.