Chicago Happenings

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
The folks at the site that can't be named are acting like the sky is falling re: the real estate market. I don't see that. Granted, things have begun to slow down, and cookie-cutter condos in high rises will take longer to sell, but there seems to be an agreement (on infirm) that a market correction will occur, resulting in a significant decrease in real estate prices. I expect things to plateau, but don't expect any major decreases.

Thoughts?

With respect to condos, there is a long-standing joke:

What's the diffrence between herpes and a Chicago condo?

Someday science will find a way to get rid of herpes.

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
Are you no longer in Chicago?

Nope. Back to my roots.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by taxwonk
With respect to condos, there is a long-standing joke:

What's the diffrence between herpes and a Chicago condo?

Someday science will find a way to get rid of herpes.

Looks like I've got both for life, then.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Originally posted by baltassoc
Nope. Back to my roots.

Dr. Bunsen's lab?

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by Did you just call me Coltrane?
3 floors, lots of storage space . . . I plan to stay 5-7 years, so who knows where the market will be then?

Sounds unique enough and with your time horizon anything that happens in the near term shouldn't have a big impact. I'd say your risks run more with the overall economy (esp. interest rates and local taxes) than the housing bubble. Same issue I have and I bought 5 years ago.

Also, I do concur fully with Balt. Specifically because anything genuinely close to an L stop has the necessary uniqueness w/r/t location. Of course, those young families also want single family homes in the local attendance areas of about 3 or 4 elementary schools (probably a growing number as more families stay in the city). I think that's the safest bet.

And there is no way Chicago suffers like Vegas, South Florida (w/r/t condos) and probably southern California will suffer. New York will probably be okay in much the same way as Chicago.

[Cletus Miller]

Originally posted by baltassoc
Nope. Back to my roots.

They need IP lawyers in West Texas?

[baltassoc]

Originally posted by Cletus Miller
They need IP lawyers in West Texas?

Not that far back, although you'd be surprised. The oil fields are booming, and from what I hear from a couple of attorneys back there (business, not IP), business is good.

[greatwhitenorthchick]

I will be in Chicago on Friday night and would like to eat dinner at a good restaurant. I believe I am staying on the north shore (?). Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
I will be in Chicago on Friday night and would like to eat dinner at a good restaurant. I believe I am staying on the north shore (?). Any recommendations would be appreciated.

PM me with the Hotel you're staying at and I can give you a good local recommendation. The North Shore covers a wide range of territory.

Originally posted by taxwonk
PM me with the Hotel you're staying at and I can give you a good local recommendation. The North Shore covers a wide range of territory.

I have saved this note for over a year because of its thoroughness and the source, who is someone knowledgable about Chicago and food. Plus it makes me hungry when I read it. I was staying the Penninsula hotel at the time, which explains the first recommendation.

If you like Asian food, there is a great Asian restaurant in the Peninsula itself. It's been called one of the best new Asian places in the city.

For steaks, I recommend either Keefer's or the Chicago Chop House.

Italian, I love Volare, on St. Clair at Grand Ave. It's a small place, and it can get crowded, but the martinis are excellent, they have good house wines, and the food is among the best I have eaten.

If you want more avant-garde fare, then Marche, Blackbird, or Avec (all on the new "restaurant row" on Randolph street) are all excellent. Closer to your hotel would be Nomi and Naha, but they might be tough to get in to.

For sushi, the popular place is Sushi Wabi, but I prefer Kamehachi or Kaniwa, both older and more established, with excellent sushi and somewhat more reasonable prices. Also, Sushi Wabi is very loud.

I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention that the Cape Cod Room at the Drake is still one of the classic dining rooms in Chicago. Their Dover Sole is as good as any I had in London.

For Mexican, authentic Mexican or avant garde Mexican, try Frontera Grill or Topolobampo. Both places are owned by Rick Bayless, the undisputed dean of traditional Mexican cuisine in the US. He actually has a Ph.D. in anthropology, and his dissertation was on the native cuisine of Mexico.

[greatwhitenorthchick]

Originally posted by ironweed
I have saved this note for over a year because of its thoroughness and the source, who is someone knowledgable about Chicago and food. Plus it makes me hungry when I read it. I was staying the Penninsula hotel at the time, which explains the first recommendation.

Excellent. Thanks to you and wonk.

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

Sorry I didn't get back to you, but I've been out of the loop with a lengthy trial and a medical issue that took a while to resolve. I'm back and close to 100% now.

[taxwonk]

Originally posted by Aloha Mr. Learned Hand
Sorry I didn't get back to you, but I've been out of the loop with a lengthy trial and a medical issue that took a while to resolve. I'm back and close to 100% now.

I'm sorry to hear you were on the DL, but I'm glad you're better. PM me if I can help in any way.

[Aloha Mr. Learned Hand]

For those interested, I'm going to Lollapalooza next month. Please let me know if you'll be in town.

[Did you just call me Coltrane?]

Anyone know of a reasonable place to buy carpet and have it installed in the Chicago area? Home Depot gave us an initial quote...and then gave us an final quote that was 50% higher.