Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere?
We asked Chicagoans: Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere? If so, why, and where would you want to go? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“Love my city, love my state! Home is where the family is. My family is in Illinois. I also love the changing seasons.” Nancy Cullerton
“Absolutely! I was born and raised here. Chicago was a terrific city at one time, but the last year has been horribly unkind to Illinois: politics, taxes, crime, lack of a true justice system. Arizona is looking good.” Donna Morel Vitalo
“I saw an article that said Barbados was allowing people to live there free for a year to telecommute. So, so tempting. If we hadn’t just purchased a house, I’d be teaching my classes remotely from a sandy Caribbean beach.” Laurie Alfaro
“I was even before this. I wanted to move to Tennessee, even though I will miss the snow and the food. Now that COVID is here, kids are not in school like other states, they can’t play sports, businesses are closing, and there’s a lack of good-paying jobs.” Erica Hollis
“As far as the pandemic is concerned, if I was to move I’d go to Europe. Or Asia. They’ve handled the pandemic much better. Moving regardless in about 15 years to Mexico. Better weather, great people and cheaper.” Brice Notardonato Ellett
“No. Illinois is one of the states managing well. I’m staying because of the pandemic.” Christine Marron
“Yes: I joined an AmeriCorps program, and now I am serving in Helena, Montana. I most likely wouldn’t have sought out this opportunity if it wasn’t for the pandemic.” Max Seeley
“Not at all. Chicago knows leadership when it comes to disease control. Do other areas of Chicago need work? Sure. Though it will meet the challenge as long as everyone is in to make it happen.” Christopher Clai
“Canada looks better and better all the time.” Justin Blake Walters
“I’d move to Ireland! Pandemic or the president — I’d love to get away from both.” Robert B. Duddy
“My husband and I regularly ‘windowshop’ property for sale outside of the U.S. since this crisis began, primarily in Europe. We feel like we should stick around and help things to get better, but I also feel like: How long will that take? Will it work?” Rebecca Strauss Bettinger
“Yes. The lack of honesty in this country’s political landscape is maddening as well as terrifying, and it has trickled to the federal health agencies. I’m disappointed and discouraged. I think I’d go to a small town in central or northern Italy.” Delfina Cecchini Centanni
“YES! AS SOON AS MY JOB SAYS WORKING FROM HOME IS PERMANENT, I’M MOVING SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BEACH. NO REASON TO STAY IN CHICAGO ANYMORE.” David LaPlaca