I LOVE Chicago -- moved here from California. And yes, it is cold, but it toughens us up and there are more payoffs than not. A gorgeous city, the most relevant city architecturally, IMO (and many others, as one famous historian said, "New York has buildings. Chicago has architecture). Precisely why I moved here, for the amazing beauty of this city. I think Daniel Burnham would be proud... sorry, you can see I am a Chicago fanatic!!
Summers are GREAT here. There's always so much to do. Come visit us again, Liz!!!