National Tonkoon's Vacation

[Tonker]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

If your kids don't speak English, my kids will mock and belittle them.

[Tonker]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

If your kids don't speak English, my kids will mock and belittle them.

... says the Irishman.

[Yeti]

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

I've heard of arrangements wherein people from two parts of the globe "swap" residencies.  Surely, you can prepare your home in time for some upscale yuppie couple from Lincoln Park to spend a summer in Europe, based out of your place, which would of course allow for much coffee shop visitation.  Not having lots of money and/or scads of Socialist vacation time like you, I have had no experience with such arrangements of course but perhaps the Internet can help. Might be more trouble than it's worth, who knows?  Also, my wife knew a family from her hometown who had rented an apartment near Clark and Diversey (yes, nearby the "crazy" McDonalds) for something like 9 months back in 2005 (I was with them at a bar when Nomar tore his groin running out of the box).  Those things do exist, and it's good you're starting now obviously.  Let us know how it goes.

[Eli]

I've heard of arrangements wherein people from two parts of the globe "swap" residencies. 

Someone caught "The Holiday" on cable this month.*

* Me. It was me.

[R-V]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

I have no idea what in the sam hell you're talking about because here in America we only have 12 months.

I'm sure you're already aware of this, but have you checked out airbnb or VRBO? Cheaper than a hotel room for a long-term stay, if Huey can't clear out his tater cupboard in time for you and your family to sleep in there.

[Quality Start Machine]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

If your kids don't speak English, my kids will mock and belittle them.

I can only imaginewhat they do over your typing.

[Quality Start Machine]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

A quick look-see on SabbaticalHomes brought this up...a little further north than what you were looking for, but the dates square up nicely - and you can hire Thrill to give you rides on his bike handlebars.

[Tonker]

Having kicked the idea around for a year or two now, the Family Tonk has decided that we really are going to try to spend the kids' summer holiday in America this year.  We want to be based out of, and mostly staying in, Chicago, but will probably do a couple of road trips: one to Colorado (Oleg, you're up), and one to Tennessee.  We're currently planning to try and stay for around five weeks in total, from the 15/07 to the 20/08, or something like that.

This whole plan depends, however, on what sort of accommodation I can sort out.  Bearing in mind that the flights alone are going to cost me upwards of four thousand Euro, I can't afford to be paying for a hotel suite for the entire vacation.  Hotel accommodation would also mean that we have to drag everything we own with us on roadtrips, too, which would be a colossal pain in the jacksie - so that means we really want some kind of medium-term housing in the Chicago area.

Ideally, we'd like to be somewhere with the boundaries of the El - I don't want to be dependent on the fucking Metra for getting anywhere.  If we could find something within shouting distance of the lake and/or Downtown or the North Side, so much the better.

To sum up, what I'm looking for is decent, cheap (or free), accommodation for two adults and two kids (so two bedrooms are fine) in one of the most desirable parts of the city for more or less the entire high season.  I feel confident that not one of you Morans will have the slightest idea as to how I might be able to swing this particular miracle, but I'm asking you nonetheless.  As an incentive for you to think extra hard about it, I guarantee that whoever figures this out will, upon my arrival, be eligible for unlimited shirtless man-hugs.

Also, you should all plan us into your family BBBQs for the summer.  We will also be available for those Cubs tickets you simply can't get rid of.

So, sort it out, will you?  There's a good chap.

A quick look-see on SabbaticalHomes brought this up...a little further north than what you were looking for, but the dates square up nicely - and you can hire Thrill to give you rides on his bike handlebars.

They're looking to avoid kids, I think, but that website is definitely worth keeping an eye on.  Thanks, mate.

[Brownie]

Here's another: http://www.vrbo.com/290256

[Quality Start Machine]

Here's another: http://www.vrbo.com/290256

Shit, for that much ched you can stay in our house and we'll bunk up at the Best Western.

[World's #1 Astros Fan]

Here's another: http://www.vrbo.com/290256

I have a hunch that's my old area, and I advise you to keep looking. 

[Brownie]

Here's another: http://www.vrbo.com/290256

Shit, for that much ched you can stay in our house and we'll bunk up at the Best Western.

$3600 a month wasn't a ton more than the Evanston condo.

[CBStew]

OK.  The guy on the left is Tony Soprano.  I don't recognize the other guy.