How far is Chicago from Philadelphia?

If I move to the Chicago region, and my family lives in metro Philadelphia, pros and cons of living there?

• I will appreciate a detailed and long list of pros and cons (like, 15 for each), and please, make sure they're considerable. Here are a few I can think of. Do you agree with them? If you think they're incorrect, just tell me. Pros: 1. Lots to do in the region (e.g. museums, sports, shows, events, outdoor activities) 2. World-class culture 3. Transportation hub, both by car and airplane 4. Robust public transit system Cons: 1. Brutal Winters 2. Cost of living 3. Bad traffic, especially on expressways Also, there are some which I'm not sure about. Would you consider these pros and cons true? 1. Distinct seasons. True? 2. Lots of scenery. True? 3. Interesting blend of the old and new (e.g. Navy Pier, Wrigley Field, Chicago Board of Trade). True? Another question, during most of the year, flights to/from Philadelphia and Chicago and vice versa depart every hour. Since Chicago is about 800 miles away, how much hassle would I have to go through to visit my family? How expensive are the tickets are on average during both the off-peak and peak season? Also, one of the alternatives is Amtrak, which takes 17 hours. Some people claim it's no cheaper than the airline, including the luxuries, for example, the sleeper car. Is that true, in all cases, or something else, like some cases? I also have a weather-related question which I couldn't fit in the subject line. My Aunt Paula claims Chicago vs. Boston, I'd be much happier in Boston, primarily due to weather. Can people who move to Chicago deal with the weather? Also, even though the winters are brutal, in the summer, are there still common summer activities, for example, state parks, pools, etc.? Also, although Chicago's beaches are on Lake Michigan and not on an ocean, are people still satisfied with their experience? I know I may have asked a lot of questions, moving far from my family is very difficult, although that's what many people do. Chicago is isolated, unlike Boston, Washington DC, NYC, etc. To be a tourist if you live in Chicagoland, you have to travel a distance. Do people still tour destinations in Chicago (e.g. Canada, NYC, San Francisco, Mexico)? Despite my account is configured not to allow email, for this question, I will allow it. Feel free to private message me at [email protected]. Thank you.

• Answer:

  I do not have time to go into a much detail, nut your pros and cons seem pretty much correct. Yes, there are distinct seasons, but some say there are only two, winter and road construction. Winters can be cold and snowy at times, and summer can get hot. However, not that much more or less so than anywhere else in the upper Midwest. As far as scenery goes, there is a great deal, but I am sure it depends on how you define scenery. It is not like the mountains or the coasts, despite having access to Lake Michigan and all the rivers in the state. The Vermillion River S/SW of Chicago even has white water rafting and there are many state parks in this part of the Midwest. Travel is not a problem from the Chicago area, unless it is getting in/out of the airports at busy times. Amtrak is good, but it is much slower than air travel of course and can be more expensive if you go with sleeper accommodations. Be aware that Chicago has relatively high taxes compared to the rest of the country and even the surrounding metropolitan area. I hope this helped.