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* You’ve probably seen or heard about this already…

Chicago: City of big - and perhaps, tight - shoulders.
Using a formula that includes unemployment, pollution and congestion,

Forbes magazine has ranked us as America’s most stressful city.

…according to Forbes: “With 7.3 percent unemployment and a gallon of gas going for just under four bucks, the Windy City has some economic headwinds that result in a perfect storm for stress. Chi-town’s pollution problems (No. 7 in poor air quality) and lack of breathing room (No. 2 in population density) couple to create a Midwestern Molotov cocktail of stress.”

* The question: Are you stressed? About what?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:19 am

Comments

The tollway’s executive director and chief engineer have seen their pay increase by 58 percent since 2006, agency records show. The tollway’s chief of operations has gotten a 93 percent raise in that time.
Still, the number of people making more than $100,000 a year at the agency has more than doubled — from 15 in 2006 to 38 this year.

Go back to 2004 salaries and it’s more mind boggling!
And this doesn’t account for the high-priced farmed out consulting friends of Blagojevich.

Comment by Where's the OUTRAGE? Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:22 am
I am stressed, but that’s due more to getting up at 4:30 AM for meetings and then calling Asia at 10 pm the same night.

I seriously question how bad the air quality really is. I wonder how many of the pollutants are temp peak vs average.

As for density, well, that is SUPPOSED to make for a more livable city.

Comment by Pat Collins Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:26 am
Oh, but they’re so much more culturally refined that we, the great unwashed of downstate Illinois.

Comment by anon24 Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:26 am
Cubs

And for others, the Sox

Comment by GoBearsss Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:27 am
no, stress is low. i’m downtown today.

Stress only goes up when I have to go to the suburbs. God I hate driving.

Comment by jerry 101 Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:29 am
dating stresses me…

Comment by BandCamp Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:30 am
When I moved from Chicagoland I gained two to three hours of rest from sitting in traffic, grinding away in first gear. And the horrific schools! The taxes! The mass government incompetance and the nepotism!

You better believe I was stressed!

Goodbye! Goodbye! Good riddance! After three generations of living in Chicagoland, my family and my wife’s family have left for good. We visit Chicago and miss it’s great variety, but are also reminded by the time we leave, why we left.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:30 am
Stressed? At this moment I have other things to be stressed about other than living in Chicago.

Comment by Levois Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:32 am
It stresses me out that my employer may find out how much time I spend on the internet instead of working. I’d hate to have to find a new job in this economy. But then I go home and drink, and the stress goes away.

Comment by phocion Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:41 am
I grew up in central IL. While pleasant, I’ll take the stresses of living in the city (or at least near it, I’m currently 6 blocks west of Austin) to the sheer boredom and lack of options of living in a smaller population region. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to bicycling, Mattoon and southeast Iowa beat this region hands down (less traffic and nice wide country roads) but for produce, seafood, ethnic foods, entertainment… the Chicago Met region beats everything else hands down.

Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:41 am
And this doesn’t even take into account state government, county government, and city government!

Comment by Amuzing Myself Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 11:52 am
In the last month I have seen 3 fights, actual blows struck, because of road rage. It is quite stressful out there.

I personally am stressed about the economy and politics. I would like to say I should relax because there is nothing I can do about it anyway, however, I know that is not true and people can make a difference. So I guess stress is warranted.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:06 pm
The only thing that stresses me out about Chicago is Todd Stroger and 10.25/11.25% sales tax. Ok, the mayor’s disregard for small businesses in his taxing plans stresses me out too, but at least he does a better job of running a tighter ship than Todd does.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:10 pm
“Individuals living in Los Angeles experience a 7.5% unemployment rate and the second least affordable homes relative to income in the country. The metro features the worst air quality in the country; indeed, Angelinos often need to stay in doors when the smog gets really bad. Throw in the country’s seventh highest gas prices and this car-dependent city has a lot stress about.”

So how many points should Chicago get over Los Angeles considering the fact that sometimes it’s not even comfortable to go outside?

I love these kind of stories. If you had 20 people in a study and 19 of them weighed between 180-190 while the other dude weighed 320, the headline for the 190 guy would be ‘Scott Adams second fattest man in the world’. Brillant!

Comment by C.C. Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:20 pm
The quality of life in the West, where I grew up, is helped tremendously by the environment: the mountains, the forests, the whitewater, etc. Midwestern plains–especially crowded, congested plains–make me grumpy and miss home even more.

Comment by Greg Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:21 pm
Fear not the stress. LG Quinn is going to start an online petition to end it.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:36 pm
I am stressed about the White Sox, flood damage and the impending property tax bill I will receive in the mail.

Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:38 pm
Traffic congestion.

Comment by Squideshi Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:39 pm
I am stressed because the Cubs may win the pennant and the Sox may not. And if they both win, I am stressed that the Sox may not win the World Series.

Comment by Fred Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:45 pm
1) Highest tax rate in the entire country
2) murder rate [year to date] matches US soldier murder rate in Iraq, a war zone
3) miserably poor rate of graduation from high school
4) elected leaders [local, county, state and US congressional] completely ineffectual; some are destructive, selfish and likely corrupt.
Otherwise happy & productive as long as I stay indoors with local news blocked out.

Comment by North of I-80 Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:50 pm
First, why take living tips from Forbes Magazine?

In any case, Chicago is the best place to live on planet earth. There are a lot of stresses but I find few of them have to do with living here.

Comment by leo Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 12:56 pm
I tell my team-stay focused no stress-but wit dat bullpen i’m as stressed as a cat in a fight in Venezula…if i were Lou–no stress

Comment by ozzie Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:07 pm
I’m stressed because I try to avoid the 18 city sales taxes that can be avoided by going to other towns. These taxes are the automatic amusement device tax, cigarette tax, employers’ expense tax, home rule municipal retailers’ occupation tax, hotel accommodation tax, liquor tax, motor fuel tax, motor vehicle lessor tax, municipal automobile renting occupation tax, municipal
automobile renting use tax, municipal hotel operators’ occupation tax, off-track betting
tax and admission fee, parking tax, personal property lease transaction tax, restaurant and
other places for eating tax, soft drink tax, and vehicle fuel tax.

Comment by PhilCollins Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:18 pm
I don’t live in Chicago now, but don’t like it as much as when I lived there. Too “upscale” (pretentious and phony) now, although there are some very good new things. As for the tollway, as George Will says, “Well”. The gov got away with what amounts to a 100% surtax for paying cash. What really frosts me is that federal highway funding, which I assume is involved somehow, apparently does not come with a requirement for I-Pass type transponders to be interoperable between states. If you could put some money on it and use it anywhere, that would be one thing. But it seems you have to buy a different one for every state. I would be relieved to be corrected about that.

Comment by Excessively rabid Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:32 pm
I’m stressed about the fact that the Cubs are losing 1 - 0 going into the top of trhe 2nd.

Comment by Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:49 pm
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.
I am not stressed.

There. That’s better.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:56 pm
It’s hard to figure how Chicago could be rated as more stressful than New York City or even Los Angeles. It appears to be a classic case of lies, damn lies, and statistics, as well a story bgeing outdated beore it’s published, given the Wall Street finacial meltdown.

I’m chronically financially stressed and slightly politically stressed - not eneough time to squeeze in the volunteer work that I’d like to do, or money to donate to deserving candidates I really like.

I was a little distressed by the Palin bounce/bubble in the national polls, but I am more serene, relaxed, and confident that Obama will win - now that the debate has shifted back from “pigs wearing lipstick” to the economy.

Comment by Captain America Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 1:59 pm
Stressed…anxious…dismayed…and generally disappointed (particularly in Democrats)! As a Chicagoan who works in Springfield Monday - Friday, it has indeed been refreshing to leave all the stress on I-55 and enjoy the relative calm of Springfield during the week.

Comment by Black Ivy Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 2:02 pm
I’m too old to be stressed. I’ve seen it all before. Stock market tanks? Many times. War? Sadly, that, too. Corruption? Please.

I’m healthy, my family’s healthy and I’ve got two nickels to rub together. That’s enough.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 2:22 pm
I’m stressed by the economy, the state of the country here and in the world’s opinion, politics and the stock market. I only hope my savings will be safe until I can retire. As far as Chicago is concerned, I used to live there (12 years) until 1981. I agree with Excessively Rabid. When I lived there it was a city of neighborhoods and people were friendly. You could go downtown easily and cheaply for an evening out, even with kids. Now it’s Yuppie City, very pretensious, and visitors are taxed to death. Darn shame because it’s a beautiful city.

Comment by Disgusted Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 2:32 pm
Transportation is probably the worst stressor for Chicagoans in general. All that time spent waiting for trains, buses, and stuck in traffic takes time away from family and R & R.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 2:40 pm
Little Known Fact:

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 310,924 Chicagoans use public transportation to get to and from work every day.

They spend an average of 81 minutes on the train or bus each day, or 337 hours per year.

That’s equivalent to 8 work weeks that they’ll never get paid for, and that doesn’t include their walk to the stop or the wait.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 2:57 pm
I spend a fair amount of time in Chicago each year for work and fun. It is 10 times more stressful to travel to and around Chicago than where I live. I am old enough to remember when the air quality was much worse than it is now, and it doesn’t really bother me much (after all, EPA keeps lowering the standards for violations, so an EPA violation “ain’t what it used to be”). Unemployment can be a blessing if you don’t have lots of responsibilities or dependents, or if you are a trust fund baby.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 3:12 pm
whether on the expressway or in the fast food line - where did the feeling of teamwork and common good go?

how can we ostensibly rally around the same flag during the Olympics or World Cup then fly someone the finger as they try to merge to get home to see their kids? it doesn’t make sense

I mean, there are non-profits trying to give inner-city kids encouragement that they, too, can grow up to be successful… but what kind of a world awaits them?

I’m stressed by not having enough hours in the day to try and find ways to make things better for my little ones… what sort of legacy is this that we are leaving?

thanks for the question Rich

Comment by 21st State Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 3:25 pm
YDD-

I spend an average of 8 minutes each way for my average work commute, door to door. In Chicago, I would probably have to live in an upstairs apartment above my workplace to achieve the same result, no matter what mode of transportation was used. For some people, a long commute could be a stress reliever, but I suspect they are in the minority.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 3:26 pm
Grew up in Chicago and still have family there which brings me back fairly regularly. Every one of my cousins are looking to leave or is gone. Lived around the country at various times. In my podunk world, 2 songs and a joke gets me to work. The house is 1/4 the value of similar quality in Chicago and paid for. Bucks are good, money in the bank, mostly healthy, kids finishing college. Going to Jewel, while visiting, and paying roast beef at $5.99 a 1/2 pound makes me appreciate $5.99 for a full pound at the local grocer. Stress? Always some, almost all of it comes from things I have no control over. Wish the economy was better abd there were better restaurants locally, but a Blue Moon with orange on the back deck works. Like Wordslinger, been there, done that, seen it before.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 4:07 pm
The Cubs.

The Edens Expressway reconstruction fiasco.

Not necessarily in that order.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 4:12 pm
Try this:

Have a couple of beers with some twenty-somethings about the Cold War and the concept of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD).

They’ll look at you like you’re speaking Esperanto.

How’d we live with that hanging over our heads every day?

It might be wise to remember the good old days as we keep adding NATO members at the Bear’s door.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 4:15 pm
Blago, Rezko, Kjellander, Hurtgen, Cellini, Kelly now that’s stress…

Gots to wonder how stressful things are in the Downtown Federal lockup? If only they could get rid of Fitzy the stress might abate…oh, they already tried that.

Comment by GofGlenview Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 5:24 pm
No stress now, CUBS WIN CUBS WIN!!!!!!!!!!! Magic # now 2.

Comment by Dan S a Voter and a Cubs Fan Thursday, Sep 18, 08 @ 5:59 pm
Stress is a subjective thing. What’s stressful beyond endurance to one person is no big deal, even exciting, to another. I grew up in a very small town and a community of about 100,000 to 150,000 is big city enough for me. Beyond that it would be too stressful. However, I have family that live in the Chicago area and love it.

Comment by Bookworm Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 7:40 am