Moved to the city about 6 months ago and I’ve been disappointed in my experience. I know the pandemic is playing a factor but I didn’t expect the winter days as gloomy as they’ve been. For those who have lived here for a while, is this normally what the winters are like? What do you do to keep things interesting when you can’t go outside? Last two months have made me consider moving but part of me feels like I won’t have given the city a fair shot

Why can’t you go outside? I’m outside for at least an hour a day on a walk, listening to music, going on routes I haven’t before.

If you have a decent jacket, gloves, and a hat, there’s no reason you can’t get outside and shake off some of that winter gloom.

In normal times there are so many great things to do inside in Chicago that it doesn't matter as much

The issue is the pandemic, not weather. Many or most of the things you would have done are temporarily closed; you wouldn't think there was nothing to do if you went to happy hour with colleagues after work on Friday, went to an art exhibit, then whirlyball and then bar hopping on Saturday, then did brunch and axe throwing on Sunday.

Yeah the winters suck. They really do. But I’ve always found that traveling for work helped break it up. And now that we aren’t traveling, I make a concerted effort to go outside each day and go for a walk as well as walk to the gym. Just going outside can be refreshing (the cold will perk you up) and it helps with the seasonal depression

There’s a reason that the top two Chicago hobbies are eating and drinking my friend

Yeah, others have said it, but I think things like this are worth reiterating.

Winters in Chicago often are kinda gloomy. I’m used to them after all these years so they don’t bother me really in general, but this year is so so different than any normal winter. In normal times, there are still activities going on and things to do, regardless of it being winter. It does feel different this year and it’s hard, so I don’t blame these feelings. But I do think it’s fair to say you haven’t really given the city a fair shot, bc this can’t compare to what a normal, non pandemic experience is.

That said, nobody could blame you if you left for a warmer climate.

It’s deff the fact that we’re in a pandemic. Winters in the past have never stopped me from having fun in Chicago from Happy hours to brunches to going to clubs there was something to do in the winter. I’d stick it out and go on walks outdoors in the meantime, fingers crossed that things will be better next fall and you’ll get to enjoy all that Chicago has to offer :)

I try to leave Chicago every winter. But then summer comes and I forget. This is year 5 now

I agree with the other responses. Also unfortunately winter is likely just ramping up. It will be better by March but will get worse first :(

Get yourself a sun wake-up lamp!

It’s no different than any other place where it’s cold in the winter. If you’re comparing it to like Florida, then yeah, no comparison.

I just came back from Houston and Dallas my friend and things are much the same there. Keep your head up, this city’s 🔥 during the summer you’re gonna forget all about this depressing ass winter.

Great summers bad winters. That’s how it is here. It balances. You’ll like spring summer and fall.

Concur with what the others have said. My SO grew up in California, and he comments on how cloudy most days are. So weather wise I say yes this is what most winters are like, but normally there’s a lot of stuff you can do indoors and outdoors that we all can’t right now due to Covid.

Not as bad as Seattle, but it is gloomy/cold in Chicago from December through May (on/off). imo

My husband and I schedule a sunny weekend trip every year in December or January to get yourself a burst of Vitamin C. Aside from that, second what everyone else says.

Usually we're busy with concerts and eating out and seeing friends, but way less of that this year obviously. One upside is that Chicagoans are a lot less scared of cold weather than folks elsewhere since we own all the gear, so you still have cool outdoor activities at Christmas like Christkindlmarket and Zoolights.

Chicago is a bit overrated depending on what you like to do. In the winter, which is always grey and takes up the majority of the year, the only thing to do is to go out to eat/drink. If that’s not your thing and you like to be active, not really good options. I’ve found most people who say they like the winter are lying to themselves. I would move if I weren’t tied here by job and family.

You adapt and I have built some of my closest friendships over our cold, long winters. The pandemic is very much the culprit here. You learn to adapt and in many ways, the different pace is time to work on you, catch a breath, or even travel for yourself instead of work. Winters are long and unfortunately you are just now getting to the worst of it. However, under normal circumstances you find ways quickly to make it just “different” and not necessarily “worse.” Get outside every single day no matter how cold it is. Force yourself. It is good for the soul.

Lived here for 20+ years and leaving the city finally. No issue with the weather but the carjackings and other violence is getting out of hand and the mayor doesn’t care one bit about the north side other than to view the residents as an open checkbook.

Get out of Chicago. Just leave. Go somewhere warm and sunny. Go somewhere with lower taxes. Winters are brutal.