by "elsewhere," I basically mean by o'hare, since I am not at all familiar with Chi-Town!

Thanks for any input you can provide, fellas!

Downtown is a pain because of traffic, parking.  Stick with the suburbs.

I try to avoid downtown because of no or limited parking available.

Downtown Chicago has one of the densest office markets in the nation - DT you will have significantly more people within close proximity to your location - what % of those people are potential customers - I'm not sure. I say (100% self serving) downtown as i never leave the city.........

Downtown for those of who work there. It gets expensive to drive in to work and then drive to Oakbroo or O'Hare

Personally, I don't go downtown.  I'm happy with O'Hare/Naperville/Schaumburg/Downers (popular spots surrounding Chi).  Naperville is probably my favorite.

Too much LE watch. Unless you're staying at an upscale hotel and can get around the issue of people at the front desk keeping an eye out.

Which is why downtown is better.  Or Oakbrook.

Oakbrook.

I have had to pay just as much for parking near Ohare as I have downtown.  

I vote for Oakbrook.  Easy access, hotels with good traffic to blend in with, and easy parking.

-- Modified on 3/30/2010 4:04:04 PM

Gents who would have to travel the Ike (290) will not come to Oakbrook/Lombard.  Those on the North Side would use the Kennedy (90) to the Tri-State (294).

when you are happy, the chances that we are happy is higher.

You will find potential clients either downtown or in any of the sites mentioned. If you are actually taking an unscientific poll, I prefer Oak Brook and parts west along I-88. I will go downtown if the urge is great or I happen to be spending the night. I'm from out of town 150 miles west and regularly drive in and out on a day trip.

While downtown is difficult for burb dwellers, it can be a greater strain for some downtowners to get out to the burbs.

You will find it more difficult to get around in the burbs without renting a car. It’s easier to get a cab around O’Hare than other places, but still not as easy as the city, unless it’s raining of course.

You can usually find hotel deals unless it’s a major event week/weekend, but burb hotels are a little cheaper and many are just as nice as downtown. Your dining choices will be greater downtown, but there are still many nice places elsewhere. I suggest you spend a couple of days downtown and then move further out for a period. You’ll end up with a shorter trip to the airport home and you will have a chance to make EVERYONE happy


-- Modified on 3/30/2010 5:36:28 PM

Ohare for me since I live in Bucktown and it's not as congested as downtown. I hate Oakbrook because of the damn traffic on the Eisenhower. The Kennedy at its worst is better than the Ike!

OAKBROOK

They were out stripping the shoulders tonight and by Thursday, one lane will be closed in each direction. Getting between the NW burbs and Oakbrook will be a pain as will getting into the city with all 27 miles of 290 to start work on Thursday as well.

Having said that, downtown ia always a no-go for me. Way too far to drive in and with the massive construction underway, it will be impossible. My play area will be limited to the O'Hare and NW burbs for the rest of construction season.

I prefer the suburbs, Oak Brook, Schaumburg, and O'Hare are some of the places I have met ladies. With I-290 being under repair, it will be more difficult to get downtown, so I will probably stay out in the suburbs for my hobbying.

Downtown without a doubt.

I vote for Downtown as well. I have never understood why some of the gents push so hard for the Suburbs especially if it is a Providers first visit to Chicago. I just imagine some incredibly sexy provider stuck at a major chain hotel acroos from a too large shopping mall and missing out on the fun in the city..........

Downtown...

If a girl is staying anywhere except downtown, it means zero chance that I'll patronize her services.

Just search the Chicago board, this question has been asked and answered a thousand times over.

No matter where you stay you will make some people happy and will eliminate others from possibly seeing you.  The city guys won't trek to the suburbs and vice versa.

The best answer is to divide your stay and spend half of it downtown and the other half in the burbs.