10 things I wish I knew growing up in Chicago

A few months ago after moving to the city, I published this post outlining realizations about Chicago. Now that I have become more acquainted nearly four months later, here are a few things I've learned that would have made a lot more sense as a high schooler roaming around after a Metra ride.

1. All of the good restaurants are across the river.
From Union Station, we would often roam around and wonder why there were no sit-down restaurants. It was too far to walk to the Michigan Avenue stretch as a 16-year-old, and Potbelly's by the train was even closed. Well…all the restaurants we were envisioning are in River North. 

2. Young people actually do live in Streeterville, and besides shopping - there is not much to do around there.
Streeterville is the neighborhood by Michigan Avenue and the John Hancock building, and it's pretty much just shops and high rises.

3. Lincoln Park and Old Town are just an L ride away, and it's not as difficult to get there as it seems.
Some of the most exciting parts of the city, there is always something to do in Lincoln Park. We always thought you couldn't get there without a car, but the more I think about it, it's not really difficult at all to get on the Brown line from Union Station.

4. No one lives in the Loop.
At all.

5. Highway 90 actually does have a lot more traffic than 94.
Friends from the west suburbs always claimed this and I didn't believe them. Well, after the junction when you look back, 90 really is incredibly backed up. #sorrywestsuburbanites 

6. The closer you live to 94, the worse location you are in.
The highway is awkwardly west of where most young people are, except Wicker Park, Bucktown & Logan Square. And if you live near it downtown, you're awkwardly a few blocks more north than any transportation or food. Basically, don't live near the highway. 

7. While Loyola's campus is prettier, it's more dangerous and DePaul is in a better neighborhood.
I always liked Loyola more because of its beautiful, lakefront campus buildings, but as I've learned, DePaul has a more grand appeal because of its Lincoln Park neighborhood, which is more renowned than Rogers Park. 

8. Randolph Street in the West Loop is awesome.
Best restaurants in Chicago. 

9. Both Chicago airports are accessible by public transportation.
Until traveling to cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, etc…I discovered how HUGE it is for a city that you can get to Midway or O'Hare on the L. 

10. There are buses, and they can take you far!
It's easy to get acquainted with the bus system, and it can get you everywhere you are used to driving. The Halsted bus to Greektown, 77 Belmont bus in my neighborhood to the Blue Line and many more are pretty direct and don't take long at all.