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Why One Family Left Chicago for a Small City Then Returned
After layoffs pushed a couple from Chicago to Lafayette, they found lower rents and slower rhythms but missed diversity. A job offer brought them back in 2023.
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A Chicago woman and her husband moved to Lafayette, Indiana, after both were laid off from their jobs, hoping for a quieter, more affordable life. They found it, lower rent, shorter commutes, and a community where neighbors said hello and doors stayed unlocked. But six years later, they moved back to Chicago.
The woman, who grew up on the city's South Side, said the move gave them room to breathe. Lafayette's population is under 100,000; Chicago's exceeds 2.5 million. The couple rented an apartment with newer amenities for nearly half the price of their old Chicago unit. The constant hum of sirens disappeared, replaced by crickets and stars.