well i took everyones advice and took some nature trips around here in southern oregon. we went hiking in the redwoods on a trail that took us to the coast, we spent a weekend at the oregon coast in brookings, we did the hellgate jetboat tour and we went to the oregon caves and hiked around the caves. next we are going to crater lake.
all the stuff we did was fun and different. im not the outdoorsy type but it was neat to see all that stuff. thanks for the advice, we enjoyed it all.
i still miss chicago and the idea to go to seattle is still an idea.
i dont know though, my husband tells me that seattle has more to offer and that we could move to seattle and keep looking in chicago and in the meantime be living in a city that has much more to offer than where we are now. who knows... i just want to live in chicago, thats my whole point.
but thanks again for all your ideas we explored southern oregon a little and im sure there is much more. thanks again

Primobacio, that's good to hear that you have gotten out and about. Thanks for posting back, and good luck as you make some life decisions!

If you really want to live in Chicago that badly, I don't think you will likely be happy in Seattle. The two cities have almost nothing in common.

I totally agree with"suze".
However, if you like "overcast" skies and lots of rain --you will love Seattle...
I live there for 5 years then had to move Cleveland..
After one year I quit my job and moved back to Seattle..Never been sorry...

This isn't meant to criticize but to help you think through the issues.

"Boring" is inside your head, not attached to a place. In 1975, I decided I would never be bored again, and I haven't been, through residences in rural towns and big cities, waits in airports and for hotel rooms promised at 12 and delivered at 4. Flying to or from Europe pushes me, but otherwise, I find something interesting everywhere.

The secret is to invest yourself fully in the place where you are and not think at all about the place where you are not. Be here now!

Good luck!

I am less bored living in a city. I find the urban setting much more stimulating than living out in a rural area (yes I have done both).

Being bored is a state of mind. I think big cities are boring, others do not. Go live or visit where you are the happiest.