Just got my 10-year certificate for a municipal job in the Chicago area - So I'm trapped. Even though, after 10 years, I'm still the last full-time hire in the department. So if axes start to fall, I'm the easiest one to chop at.

And if that were to happen, yeah, I think I'd leave this [SELF-CENSORED]ing state in a heartbeat. The weather? Sure. I'd give to be able to ride all year or at least most of it.

I'm a workaholic and and obsessive rider - Riding keeps me sane. I never liked winter - but ever since I started riding I hate it. And I mean "hate" very deeply and passionately - not like "I hate going to work" or "I hate Governor Blago" -- I mean "hate" like "despise" or "intense detestation." If I went outside with a blow-dryer and started melting the icicles, they could charge me with a "hate crime."

Other than that, out here in Crook County, with the highest taxes in the nation and some of the worst roads I've ever had the displeasure of riding/driving on, high crime rates, gang scrawl and gun shots in the night by my 7 YO daughters school two blocks away -- And I'm out in the burbs. It's not getting any better. Someone mentioned "anti-gun" earlier... Only the criminals get to carry in Illinois. And they Constitutionally protected about it (self-incrimination protects them from giving up their weapons). Meanwhile, some guy in a rather well-to-do North Shore suburb gets thrown in jail for winging a guy who broke into his home in the middle of the night - twice. Some of the most backwards-thinking goofiness I've ever seen. You can't write some of this stuff.

Sorry - I need a ride. Maybe in a few months if they don't decide to tax me so much that I have to sell the bike...

 

I live in Morris Il this AM was -20 without wind chill. Thank god for global warming who knows how cold it would get. Texas is looking good to me

 

If you aren't in TEXAS yet you are wasting your life, great weather, great riding-Hill Country/Big Bend- excellant gun laws, no state taxes, FRIEDLY people. ALL I hear is CA, IL, NY MI, PA-taxes-coroupt polticians-you want good food TEX-MEX and BBQ - Housing market is still good and jobs are to be had, gas prices $1.69 today in SA, can ride all day everyday like that--pack-it and move-it, if the wife won't come leave her, More Miss Americas have come from TEXAS than any other, SEE YA'LL here!!!

 

+3

San Diego: Helluva lot of money to pay for sunshine. I thought long and hard about leaving Georgia for San Diego last year, but the cost of living comparison just was too vast. + the wild fires evacuated most of the area at that time. Omen? If I was loaded $, I would probably live in San Diego----Paradise? Still haven't rented a bike a rode the coastline there yet. It is on my Bucket List.

 

-25 in Rock Falls IL this morning without wind chill. Spring is just around the corner...

 

But what's the down-side... What would my wife freak out about - Rattlers? Giant spiders? Killer bees? "Too much heat?"

 

Yep...I only think about it like maybe...EVERY DAY...not a windy city native..hate the weather, traffic, taxes, gun laws...crooks in the government...the only thing keeping me here is the job...too close to the gold watch to get out now...however, when I do check out of the workforce, I am so outta here...........................

 

I'm 90 miles north! I agree, but where to go?

 

I have lived in TEXAS for about 10 years, I have yet to have a run in with a Rattle snake, killer bees, I am not at all sure what a giant spider is-I haven't found one I can't step on. As for your "big City" Dallas, Houston and even San Antonio can rival anything anywhere (all three in the top in the country) As for the heat I spent a summer in Iraq 130 deg + daily this heat is nothing plus we have this thing here called AC works great.

 

We don't want any liberals moving into texas from liberal states and bringing their lib attitudes with them.We don't want a state income tax or any lib gun laws in Texas.