I Hear Ya Amy - Brady

So, I'm just getting ready for yoga, and I'm feeling guilty that I insulted Amy's blog layout choice and also thinking about the negativity she's encountered when she says she's going to interview at an inner-city charter school. And then I remember something about my own experience moving to Chicago for the first time.

People who only have passing experiences with big cities (weekend sporting events, shopping trips, plays, etc.) have a lot of misconceptions about them. When I told people I was moving to Chicago, I heard over and over things like:

1) "I could never afford to live there."

2) "That's great when you're young, but you can't raise kids there."

3) "The schools are terrible."

4) "It's dangerous."

After living there for two years, I feel I can confidently answer:

1) Boloney. You can afford to live just about anywhere if you budget right. Salaries are higher there, too.

2) Also boloney. I saw tons of kids living happy, healthy, urban lives.

3) Some are not great, but some rural schools in Indiana aren't either! Most big cities have plenty of good options plus cultural attractions that are an education in themselves.

4) The whole time I lived there, I had one friend get pickpocketed. That's it. And she was walking home, alone, at 4 a.m. That's not a good idea anywhere!

And, Amy, I found that, truly, people who have never lived or worked somewhere really have no idea what they're talking about. They're just repeating stereotypes. Just smile and nod and be happy that you'll get an experience they'll never allow themselves to have.