From rats to trains, Chicago is one interesting city to visit
Living in Chicago certainly has many ups and downs, from beautiful Navy Piers to rats on the subway. The biggest pros and cons of the Windy City are listed below.
The Pros
Chicago, Illinois has been voted ‘The Best Big City in the U.S’ for the sixth consecutive year by Condé Nast Traveler. If you’ve ever visited Chicago, it’s clear to see why it’s the best big city in the U.S. There’s many different sides to the city to love; there’s something for everyone, from the Bean, to visiting Chinatown!
The Bean is one of Chicago’s most popular monuments! Ever since the unveiling in 2004, it’s been a famous tourist attraction, loved by many.
The CTA Red Line is a whopping 16.5 miles long from Howard, all the way to Dan Ryan. This is one of the most important public transportation with 70,000+ people every day.
The I-294 has been an important part of Chicago since 1958. It’s currently 53 miles far and helps transport 300,000 vehicles daily. The I-294 will also be under construction until 2026, to improve the intersection.
The iconic Chicago Riverwalk has been a Chicago landmark ever since 1972. The Chicago Riverwalk is free for anyone to visit. Don’t worry if you’re hungry; there’s many places to get some food while you stroll down the Riverwalk
Another Chicago staple, the Navy Pier. The 3,300 ft long pier has many rides and games to enjoy while visiting Chicago. There’s plenty of places for food and drinks along the pier. The pier also has a history with World War I! The pier used to house soldiers’ barracks, which helped give the pier its name, the Navy Pier
The Cons
Recently, Chicago was ranked the most rat-infested city in the U.S. by Orkin. Most Chicago citizens can confirm this, with rats being a common sight in alleyways, at train stations, etc.
Chicago’s famous sculpture, Cloudgate, otherwise called ‘The Bean,’ is known around the world for its cultivating design and beauty in the middle of Millenium Park. However, there was a shooting there earlier this year, one of several hundred this year.
The CTA, just like the major train systems in New York, Los Angeles, and other large cities, is known for its convenience for Chicago residents. However, just as with other train systems, it is also very much known for its violence and squalor, and earlier this year, there was a shooting on the CTA’s red line.
The I-294, along with the rest of Chicago’s fast network of highways, is an extraordinarily useful thing – it connects the highly populated suburbs with downtown and the job opportunities it has to offer. Unfortunately, it is not without problems, whether that be traffic jams or carjackings.
The Chicago Riverwalk is perhaps one of the most beautiful spots to take a stroll in the Windy City. Built alongside the man-made Chicago River, it often charms visitors with small performances, shops, and of course the breathtaking views of the waterway. Sadly, earlier this year, a woman was shot after an argument without someone outside a building near the riverwalk.
Ah, Navy Pier. Often compared with the famous Coney Island in New York, the marvelous amusement park excites guests of all ages with many different rides every day. Unfortunately, shootings in Chicago are not limited to any certain area, and Navy Pier was yet another place that suffered one earlier this year.
Overall, it is clear that living in Chicago certainly has many highlights as well as many challenges, and balancing them is the perfect way to enjoy the Second City to its fullest extent.
Andrei is a senior at Niles North. This is his first year writing for NSN and he loves to play basketball, hang out with friends, and working out.
