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cont.--- raising kids in the city
Great feedback, girls! Thanks to all of you. I appreciate all the info you've provided and all of your thoughts and opinions regarding my post from a couple of days ago.
The truth is that I have epilepsy and I no longer have a license. It was taken away from me in Nov. and since then DH has had to drive me EVERYWHERE I need to go. I live in FL in a suburb south of West Palm Beach and there is a city bus but when it gets down to it, if you want to take the bus and you're not "lucky" enough to live close to a bus station (I can't even think of where any are), you have to be driven to one. I am stranded. I have lost all my independence. I gave up all my freedom the night I got into a car accident and knew it was only a matter of time before my license would be taken away. I can't go to the grocery store to buy milk. I can't take my son to the doctor for his wellness visits, I can't even pick him up from school. If DH works late then I have to get my mom to take me to get him. That is humiliating. Granted, I never drove with DS when I did have a license but still, what I'm saying is that I always have to rely on other people from day to day. If I want to get my hair done, my poor DH has to drop me off and sit and wait for me or he can drive around and waste time. The same thing goes for my doctor's appts. and stuff. I just feel really bad and I know that if we were somewhere like CHICAGO for instance, I could get some of my independence back. Actually, I could probably get a ton of it back. DH recognizes that too but he's scared to leave our jobs because he thinks they're secure. I'm not even sure that's 100% true.
Anyway, I went to visit my brother who lives in Lincoln Park and I cannot decribe how great it felt to walk to Walgreens to buy DH a Father's Day card. I enjoyed the walk (and the Starbuck's I got on the way) and the fact that I ran the errand on my own just thrilled me. I need to get the heck out of here. I'd be sad to leave both of our families but to get my life back, I'd say goodbye to all of them. I am just miserable here... 
Re: cont.--- raising kids in the city
Wow, you've been through a lot! ?Your reasons for considering the city definitely make sense and I can see how that could be hugely beneficial for you psychologically. ?While nothing like what you've been through I was very sick last summer and basically stuck in the apartment having to rely on DH to do everything and HATED it. ?I've always been very independent in that regard and it's tough to have to give that up. ?
Like the PP said, Lincoln Park is phenomenal for it's walkability and availability of public transit and of course, proximity to the park and lake. ?There are tons of great neighborhoods for you to consider that have all the things you mentioned. ?In fact, it's one of my favorite things about living in the city - each neighborhood is like a mini-city - AND you have all the other neighborhoods so reachable! ?
If you do decide to move up here I'd recommend renting at first so you have time to explore all the different neighborhoods and see where you feel you fit best without the weight of home ownership immediately. ?
Good luck!?
As the PPs said, there are numerous Chicago neighborhoods that have good walkability and CTA access. Some of them, like Old Irving Park, have single-family homes with yards and everything!
You could also consider Oak Park and Evanston, suburbs that border the city on the West and North sides, respectively. Both of them are on the El line to downtown and have tons of amenities within walking distance.
J born 4/11/2011
Ok, after hearing that story, you need to be in a big city!
Well Lincoln Park/Old Town/Gold Coast are great places to live! You have so many buses to choose from & the el is there also.
True, but as said above, Oak Park and Evanston have the El and the Metra which means more options not less.
We live in Lincoln Square and it is very family orientend and kid friendly. there are a lot of homes in the area as opposed to apartment buildings as well and it's a lot quiter and less busy than some other 'hoods. We have a lot of neighborhood festivals-Germanfest, Applefest (lots of kids there), Mayfest, and many other activities! Check it out at lincolnsquare.org. I would also recommend Ravenswood Manor (neighborhoods where you would never guess you are in the city, but you are close to public transit and can walk to many things!).
Good luck to you!