We went to Chicago the week before Labor Day and came to the conclusion that, yes we do LOVE Chicago, just not as much as we LOVE the easy life in Tulsa. By easy, I mean CHEAP!
When people start complaining about taxes, I'll have to remind them that Chicagoans pay over 10% sales tax, and then there's the property taxes, paying extra for your parking space at your condo, etc. We're always checking out real estate, just because it's fun to see how expensive it is to live elsewhere. Love you Tulsa. One condo seemed reasonably within our budget, given that we would sell a car, I would make more than double my current salary, use public transportation (love the El), and we wouldn't spend as much on gas. Then we called the realtor, found out the monthly association fees, cost of a parking space ($30,000!!! - get rid of both cars!!!), and property taxes (4x what we pay). Then we factor in the possibility of having children while we are living there, and the Chicago idea gets kicked to the curb. John's coworkers in Chicago pay over $2000 monthly for childcare. Our plan for Tulsa is that I stay at this school, and when prospective child(ren) turns 3, they are enrolled in the P3 program that tops out at $4,000 ANNUALLY.
Not to mention how upset my mom was when we mentioned our plan to them at dinner. "What about my grandson"? Uh, Jamie, the 15 year - old in Missouri? What does he have to do with this? No, Mom has already created a non - existent child for us, in hopes that we will soon procreate and it will be a boy. I know we're trying and all, but sheesh, talk about getting ahead of ourselves. I thought I was jumping the gun when I became obsessed with the European strollers I saw all over London.
When we returned home to our nice, quiet, cozy house, it seemed wrong that we would ever want to walk away from the comforts of Home. AC #2 is working, the yard is finally back in shape after the ice storm (with exception to the neighbors fence, that is still missing, between our yards and along the trail), and it just seems to give us a hug the moment we walk in the door. Not to mention family - within 20 minutes in either direction.
Don't get me wrong, Chicago was great! Loved the beach atmosphere of Lake Michigan, the shopping (when can we have H&M), the people were friendly and diverse, and it is probably my second favorite big city, following San Francisco.
Creat city to visit, but no thanks, I'll keep Tulsa.
This makes me feel better that I live in Tulsa. If it wasn't for family we would probably have moved. Mainly because of what they pay teachers in Oklahoma - nothing! You should send this blog to Urban Tulsa Weekly, would make a good letter!
ReplyDeleteLove the cartoon :)