More Chicago questions - North Central U.S

Amy · 09-27-2009, 11:06 AM

I've been looking for jobs in the Great Lakes area, without a whole lot of luck. Devin would rather live off base, and if we do live off base, I would rather find an apartment in Chicago, which would really open up a lot more job opportunities for me (which is imperative, because I imagine that living off base is going to cost quite a bit more, once utilities are factored in). Devin should have a regular schedule- maybe an 8-5 or 7-6 or something like that, and I'm wondering what the drive would be like at those times. He would be going opposite the direction of traffic, but I still imagine that it would be awful.

If the drive from Chicago to Great Lakes is ridiculous, I think we'll need to live in base housing. What kinds of job opportunities are there in the Great Lakes area? Which town is actually nearest to Great Lakes, and which towns are a reasonable drive?

*skittles* · 09-27-2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Amy

I've been looking for jobs in the Great Lakes area, without a whole lot of luck. Devin would rather live off base, and if we do live off base, I would rather find an apartment in Chicago, which would really open up a lot more job opportunities for me (which is imperative, because I imagine that living off base is going to cost quite a bit more, once utilities are factored in). Devin should have a regular schedule- maybe an 8-5 or 7-6 or something like that, and I'm wondering what the drive would be like at those times. He would be going opposite the direction of traffic, but I still imagine that it would be awful.

If the drive from Chicago to Great Lakes is ridiculous, I think we'll need to live in base housing. What kinds of job opportunities are there in the Great Lakes area? Which town is actually nearest to Great Lakes, and which towns are a reasonable drive?

Ehhh living in the city and commuting to great lakes everyday would be a commute. If anything, I'd recommend living off post in the great lakes area, and just hopping on the metra everyday if you do find a job in the chicago area.

Here's the thing...your dh's job is settled, its done...he has it and its in great lakes. You do not have a job, but you still have the ability to find one in the north suburbs or in the chicago area. You have no idea what you'll get or where it will be so choosing to live in an area with a MUCH higher cost of living/crime rate on a question of 'what if' doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

The train system in chicago is pretty good though. My dad and brother take metra into the city everyday. Its very reliable. I'd look into that before I looked into getting an apartment in chicago. Cost of living is ridiculous in the city.

SSG's Girl · 09-27-2009, 11:55 AM

Try talking to shelle_08...She and her DH live in the great lakes/Chicago area as her husband is stationed there. She might have some helpful advice for you!

*EmAzing* · 09-27-2009, 12:03 PM

That would be one heck of a commute, and the cost of living in Chicago would be very high. Some nicer areas around there that would be much closer are Grayslake, Vernon Hills, or Lake Forest. I thought Lake Forest was especially nice, but houses there are a little more costly then the other places.

allbluezoo · 09-27-2009, 12:46 PM

even though traffic would be going the other direction, that commute would be hellacious...especially with all the construction going on. Then figure in that crappy weather that we are about to get and it could be a big fiasco!

I haven't been really looking for a job recently b/c of some other stuff that is going on, but when I was looking I only got one call back. It sucks, but I think it is equally the crappy econonomy and the area. There will be lots of retail stuff coming up soon b/c of the holidays. Have you been going through USAJobs at all? Also, check out MWR Great Lakes for some other opportunities on and around base.

For us, living off base wasn't an option because of the amount of space we would need vs. how much it would cost out in town. We get alot of house for our BAH in my opinion. Now if it was just DH and I we would have probably lived out in town.

I like living where we are, close close close to base so I can run over whenever I want and DH can come home for lunch etc. We are close to the commissary and NEX, Vernon Hills shopping is about 20minutes and we can be in Gurnee in like 10min.

Amy · 09-27-2009, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by *skittles*

Ehhh living in the city and commuting to great lakes everyday would be a commute. If anything, I'd recommend living off post in the great lakes area, and just hopping on the metra everyday if you do find a job in the chicago area.

Here's the thing...your dh's job is settled, its done...he has it and its in great lakes. You do not have a job, but you still have the ability to find one in the north suburbs or in the chicago area. You have no idea what you'll get or where it will be so choosing to live in an area with a MUCH higher cost of living/crime rate on a question of 'what if' doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

The train system in chicago is pretty good though. My dad and brother take metra into the city everyday. Its very reliable. I'd look into that before I looked into getting an apartment in chicago. Cost of living is ridiculous in the city.

Yeah, you're probably right. I figured him commuting to Great Lakes from Chicago going in the opposite direction of traffic would be easier than me commuting to Chicago going with traffic. I know I may still get a job north of Chicago, but it's a little disheartening to search through the jobs in my field in the entire Chicago area- and then limiting the search to the Great Lakes area and seeing all of the jobs disappear. I wanted to spend the next 3 years getting all of our debt paid off (two cars, no credit cards or anything else) and hopefully getting me through a master's program so that we're in a better position when his time in Great Lakes is up- but I figure I would have the most opportunities for a career and education closer to Chicago. I've found some awesome internship positions that would at least allow me to get some really good experience (one as a development coordinator for a NPO- I've been talking with the executive director about the position and it seems perfect), but I feel that they're almost out of the question if it involves a commute to Chicago, from Great Lakes, through traffic.

But thank you ladies so much! I'm just going to tell my husband that Chicago is out of the question, and that living off base near GL is as well. I've seen the prices for housing, not to mention the costs for utilities, and if we were going to be comfortable financially, I would HAVE to have a job lined up immediately- which will be harder in that area, I imagine.

ChicagoGirl · 09-27-2009, 01:05 PM

These ladies covered it, sounds like you got everything you needed to hear! I'm jealous though, I miss home! I hope you enjoy it there! What's your career field??

Amy · 09-27-2009, 01:13 PM

Family resources- kind of like social work but focusing on preventing problems through education, counseling, etc. I was thinking of going into school counseling but have nixed that idea because I don't think it would work very well with us moving every couple of years. Now I'm thinking of doing something like grant writing- which is why that internship as a development coordinator for a NPO would have been perfect.

ChicagoGirl · 09-27-2009, 01:24 PM

Oooh okay, that's AWESOME! I don't know anything about internships, but if it's a paid one, would your salary and his be enough for you both to take the train from a location in between the city and Great Lakes? Like Northbrook or Wilmette? My mom used to work for AT&T and commuted on the Metra into the city M-F for work (45 minutes or so from our home which is in a different direction than the base) and I used to do it for school. I know if the pay's not worth the hassle then that can be a problem going suburbs to city and vice versa. I dunno. But that's a really awesome field you're looking to work in! Sounds rewarding too. Did you try/think of DCFS? I know it may not be the same at all lol but I always thought it was interesting, and they need people all over the place! (At least they did 2 years ago.) I think they have family resource positions for the Y and Children's Memorial Hospital too, but all of those may be a different type of Family Resources... I'm rambling now sorry!

*skittles* · 09-27-2009, 01:29 PM

yeah don't write off working in the city just yet....look into metra. 45 minutes on a train is soooo much better than 45 minutes driving. I worked in the suburbs and it was only a 15 mile commute that took me an hour. If I could have chilled out on a train napping, drinking coffee, or playing online I would have chosen it in a heartbeat.

you'll find something. Keep your options open.

09-27-2009, 11:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Amy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Posts: 8,958 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 94% Longevity: 46%	More Chicago questions I've been looking for jobs in the Great Lakes area, without a whole lot of luck. Devin would rather live off base, and if we do live off base, I would rather find an apartment in Chicago, which would really open up a lot more job opportunities for me (which is imperative, because I imagine that living off base is going to cost quite a bit more, once utilities are factored in). Devin should have a regular schedule- maybe an 8-5 or 7-6 or something like that, and I'm wondering what the drive would be like at those times. He would be going opposite the direction of traffic, but I still imagine that it would be awful. If the drive from Chicago to Great Lakes is ridiculous, I think we'll need to live in base housing. What kinds of job opportunities are there in the Great Lakes area? Which town is actually nearest to Great Lakes, and which towns are a reasonable drive? __________________

09-27-2009, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
SSG's Girl Missing My Soldier Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Me:Illinois/ Him:Afghanistan Posts: 2,245 Blog Entries: 7 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 6% Longevity: 16%	Try talking to shelle_08...She and her DH live in the great lakes/Chicago area as her husband is stationed there. She might have some helpful advice for you! __________________ (

09-27-2009, 12:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
EmAzing I miss you love.... Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 646 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 25% Longevity: 12%	That would be one heck of a commute, and the cost of living in Chicago would be very high. Some nicer areas around there that would be much closer are Grayslake, Vernon Hills, or Lake Forest. I thought Lake Forest was especially nice, but houses there are a little more costly then the other places. __________________

09-27-2009, 01:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Amy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Posts: 8,958 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 94% Longevity: 46%	Family resources- kind of like social work but focusing on preventing problems through education, counseling, etc. I was thinking of going into school counseling but have nixed that idea because I don't think it would work very well with us moving every couple of years. Now I'm thinking of doing something like grant writing- which is why that internship as a development coordinator for a NPO would have been perfect. __________________

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09-27-2009, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
allbluezoo Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 238 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 17% Longevity: 31%	even though traffic would be going the other direction, that commute would be hellacious...especially with all the construction going on. Then figure in that crappy weather that we are about to get and it could be a big fiasco! I haven't been really looking for a job recently b/c of some other stuff that is going on, but when I was looking I only got one call back. It sucks, but I think it is equally the crappy econonomy and the area. There will be lots of retail stuff coming up soon b/c of the holidays. Have you been going through USAJobs at all? Also, check out MWR Great Lakes for some other opportunities on and around base. For us, living off base wasn't an option because of the amount of space we would need vs. how much it would cost out in town. We get alot of house for our BAH in my opinion. Now if it was just DH and I we would have probably lived out in town. I like living where we are, close close close to base so I can run over whenever I want and DH can come home for lunch etc. We are close to the commissary and NEX, Vernon Hills shopping is about 20minutes and we can be in Gurnee in like 10min.

09-27-2009, 01:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
ChicagoGirl Lovin' CPT HandsomePants Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Huachuca, AZ Posts: 449 Blog Entries: 2 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 51% Longevity: 4%	These ladies covered it, sounds like you got everything you needed to hear! I'm jealous though, I miss home! I hope you enjoy it there! What's your career field??

09-27-2009, 01:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
ChicagoGirl Lovin' CPT HandsomePants Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Huachuca, AZ Posts: 449 Blog Entries: 2 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 51% Longevity: 4%	Oooh okay, that's AWESOME! I don't know anything about internships, but if it's a paid one, would your salary and his be enough for you both to take the train from a location in between the city and Great Lakes? Like Northbrook or Wilmette? My mom used to work for AT&T and commuted on the Metra into the city M-F for work (45 minutes or so from our home which is in a different direction than the base) and I used to do it for school. I know if the pay's not worth the hassle then that can be a problem going suburbs to city and vice versa. I dunno. But that's a really awesome field you're looking to work in! Sounds rewarding too. Did you try/think of DCFS? I know it may not be the same at all lol but I always thought it was interesting, and they need people all over the place! (At least they did 2 years ago.) I think they have family resource positions for the Y and Children's Memorial Hospital too, but all of those may be a different type of Family Resources... I'm rambling now sorry!

09-27-2009, 01:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
skittles MilitarySOS Jewel Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 2,495 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 92% Longevity: 11%	yeah don't write off working in the city just yet....look into metra. 45 minutes on a train is soooo much better than 45 minutes driving. I worked in the suburbs and it was only a 15 mile commute that took me an hour. If I could have chilled out on a train napping, drinking coffee, or playing online I would have chosen it in a heartbeat. you'll find something. Keep your options open.