I've only been there three times, twice for week-long conferences, and once for only two days on a vacation that got cut short. I LOVE CHICAGO!! If I had a job offer, I'd move there in a heartbeat. (You may give this the weight it deserves. There is no doubt the winters are horrible and it's expensive, and depending on the neighborhood, not so nice.) That said - oh my God, the cultural and scientific opportunities - sailing on the Lake! Hanging out in those parks - and Chicago has like, a dozen in-city nature centers! Great restaurants and cafes with ethnic foods from everywhere, the Chicago Art Institute (Or is it Museum...can't remember) - the Aquarium! The Natural Science Museum! And a BUNCH of great used book stores downtown. Scads of live theatre with some of the best actors in the world, and most exciting up-and-comers - symphony, opera. Egads, not to mention the shopping. I could spend DAYS just walking around downtown Chicago. I'd love to take a ride on the El, I never got a chance to do that. Summer arts and food festivals! Rock concerts! And sports, if you love sports. I mean, come ON! What's in Chicago???? You're kidding, right? Start networking, dood, someone with your brains and talent will find a job! If nothing else, get a waiter job in one of the cafes along Michigan Avenue for a season - talk about great characters for your fiction!

Ahem.