Chicago bound! Go Bears? Oh dear.

[MyNameGoesHere]

Hello everyone. I just got a job in Chicago and things are moving fast. It was a 1 week to get ready and move type of deal so I am a bit flummoxed about housing and transportation and restaurants and on and on. Yeah that's a really bad sentence but I am slightly stressed. So I have some questions if anyone would be so kind to give me a little insight,

Housing? My salary will be in the lower 100k. range. I am a 53 year old male and like diverse cultures. Places with a lot of mom and pop stores would be awesome. Crime isn't my thing so I would like to avoid those areas. I am not adverse to renting a room for a short period. But the goal would be for a nice apartment/house to rent sort of close to civilization and public transportation is a must.

I am not much into night life, history, art and music are all I really need. Avid sailor so I hope the Lake is a nice place for sailing.

What are the people like? When I had my interview the woman kept calling me sweety. Very strange, I hope that is a mid-western thing or not. I know that's a loaded question and I am just looking for generalities.

I am pretty set for the first week or two. The company picked up a hotel for me for the first two weeks.

Anyway, google has helped a little but I would love to hear from some Chicagoan's , I hope that's the correct name or I have already started out on the wrong foot.

Thanks.