In response to SloneZP, you must have never been to New Orleans.

As a Chicago Suburb resident my whole life, I have a love hate relationship with the area, hate the politics, taxes, and everything else but it is home and where I am comfortable. I understand heading home every weekend but check out some areas while you are up here, head up to NW Illinois or SW Wisconsin and do some smallmouth and trout fishing, the rolling hills and valleys are gorgeous.