Anyone in Chicago?

I'm gonna be moving to Chicago soon and don't know anyone there. I have a friend who knows a friend who lives there, but I haven't heard anything from him yet.

So I'm trying to make friends in the area, because feeling lonely sucks! I'm sure we can all relate. And it would be nice to know someone who understands mental illness.

I love comics, cartoons, video games, art, and music. I love anything creative! Drawing is my passion and I'm hoping to make it as an illustrator one day.

Let's chat!

Here's some of my art:
http://jamesorthii.wix.com/portfolio

Very nice work, James!

Wow, your work is amazing! I am in Chicago, not sure if I'd be comfortable meeting up because I don't know you well enough. Feel free to message me though!

I live about 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. Honestly, there's parts of Chicago I wouldn't even want to drive through. They don't call it "Chiraq" for nothing. What area are you moving to?

I'm not sure yet. It's still just an idea in my head. I'd love to hear of the best areas to live from someone who's lived in Chicago a long time. Got Any recommendations?

I like the oak park area, just outside the city itself to the west but you can easily take the green or blue lines downtown however if you are looking for night life better to live in the city itself the trains are safer downtown becuase there is an area on the west side that isn't great....everything is fine until about 6:30 at night but gets deserted after that. The trains do have cameras but that's not a huge deterrent...of course you can always drive a lot of restaurants have valet parking etc

Anyway you'll get bigger accommodations with cheaper parking outside of the city assuming you have a car....there is also an art league and arts district in oak park.

If you like the city itself wicker park is pretty trendy but you might try river north depending on affordability....Ukrainian village is more affordable but not a ton to do some ethnic restaurants etc. Not sure on current safety on that one, belive its ok.

All in all it will be very different than Kenosha so you might feel more comfy in the burbs or not.....

I do have a car, but I plan on using the subway. Driving in Chicago sucks. I've had to do it multiple times before, and each time almost gotten into an accident, not of my fault.

Oak Park sounds nice, I'll check it out. Thanks! I've lived/stayed in New York, Tokyo, and Toronto for about a month each. So the atmosphere isn't uncomfortable to me at all. And I used to go to Chicago all the time on the train with family, but never stayed there.

All in all, I should be ok. Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it.