Yup, that's where I was. How I didn't get in an accident I have no idea. Every 1/2 mile? I wish, it was like every 200 yards, probably not but seemed like it Friday night. Tons of money too. Lots of shiny metal boxes with tinted windows and fancy wheels. Big houses and apartments everywhere.
Prime place not to be if the world goes just slightly off kilter.
"Suburban" Chicago was and is essentially a mélange of bedroom communities, strip malls, office buildings, and not much else. Core industry is diminishing. Many areas are blighted. Most of it is actually much more urban rather than suburban. Big homes on tiny lots all crammed together on crowded highways.
Not my idea of any "quality of life". Every daily commute was a supreme effort and shopping on the weekends was another pain in the rump. Between commuting and work, we would be out of our house for at least twelve hours a day. Not acceptable IMHO.
We left the state in the 80's because of the horrible traffic and the wildly expensive home prices.
I think the City of Chicago is essentially unsustainable now. Not enough good jobs and a crime culture gone unabated.
The Chicago suburbs are not far behind IMHO.
Not saying that Milwaukee County is a Golden Gem of the Midwest, but things are a lot simpler and cheaper up here.
Except for the confiscatory state and local taxes.
At least, a 30 minute drive yielded some decent hunting and camping opportunities away from the city. Something you never can find in Illinois.
Illinois is just the rats feeding on the rats.