Andrea Said:

What are the benefits of living in Chicago?

We Answered:

Here are my thoughts on the most extreme positive and negative aspects of living in the city. Positive; first of all, you do not need a car. Forget gas, parking, insurance, drinking and driving, theft! It's a thing of the past, I have not owned a car in nearly a decade! Secondly, there is endless restaurants, bars, nightclubs theaters, and some of the best shopping all within walking distance. The CTA is relatively inexpensive (compared to owning a car) so even if you do not live within the loop area, you can still easily get around the city.

Negative; the sales tax if the highest in the nation, 10.25% on nearly everything. Long @ss winters and spring is nearly non-existent.. but it is worth it for the summers. Overall, everything is pretty expensive in the city. I pay $1,400 for a 780 sq ft apartment (utilities not included, not even water!) within the loop.

As far as getting a job in the city, I would have something in the works before moving here, obviously. Nepotism is going to take priority over your education, unfortunately..which is another negative..Politics - hence the phrase "Windy City" Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck!

Kurt Said:

Brain Drain of Young Jews/ Relocation of Young Jews?

We Answered:

This is not just a problem for Jews, but for smaller sized cities in general.

After graduation, many people move to bigger cities because they can usually make more money, have better job opportunites, and have a more interesting or diverse lifestyle.

The only way to stop this is to keep in touch with young people during college and contantly remind them of the great opportunities/ lifestyle of living in Louisville verses say Chicago.

Clinton Said:

Does anyone know of any LEGITIMATE jobs that you can do from home?

We Answered:

You're right, I've tried most 'work from home' jobs, and they are all scams. Haven't made a penny from any of them. I guess your best bet would be babysitting.

Kyle Said:

Can I get into Harvard, Columbia, or U. of Chicago with these credentials?

We Answered:

Not enough for Harvard, or Stanford.
4 AP classes is impressive, but not good enough.

Floyd Said:

Life insurance market: good or bad right now?

We Answered:

The 1st rule to remember when considering anything in the life assurance business (or life generally come to that) is that it's not whether or not something is good 'right now', but how it will turn out in the long term.

In almost all markets and therefore careers, there will be good times there will be bad times. If you're really interested in a career, you have to weather the bad times and make the most of the good ones.

Even if the market is depressed (and I'm not saying it is) going in at the bottom of the cycle could mean you're well placed when things pick up. People will always want financial products.... it's how much they want them that changes.

Of course if you really mean that you're just looking for something to pay the bills for a couple of years until something better comes along. Find out what your expected earnings are, satisfy yourself that this is on the level, and take it from there.

Whatever you decide, don't stress out about it, at your age you can afford a wrong decision or two, the trick is realising it and doing something about them !

Good luck