Having moved from Nigeria to the US since she was a kid, Awele’s only ever known what it’s like to drive in the state of Illinois. But even in Illinois, she’s had quite a range of experiences across its various cities—the worst being in Chi-town. Awele’s Master’s programme saw her relocate to Lisle, a small suburban city about 100 miles north of her family home in Champaign. In Lisle, buses are rare, and errands often mean hopping between nearby towns, making a car non-negotiable. For Awele, the charm of driving in Lisle is the calm drivers and scenic streets, though rush hour traffic still tests her patience.
Describe your first driving experience
My first driving experience was in my friend’s car. It was actually a white Jeep, and I drove from the school campus to my house. Usually, I took the city bus to and from school but the bus schedule was irregular: about 45 mins-1 hr wait between each bus for a 10-minute car ride. After knowing her for some time, she dropped me off at home. Once she felt comfortable, I would drive her car home to practise my driving.
What cities have you driven in since then?
I drive in Champaign which is where my family home is. Occasionally, I drive in my neighbouring cities like Naperville, Woodridge, Wheaton and Bolingbrook. I also drive in Chicago a few times a month.
What are the common ways to get around in these cities and what are they like?
In Chicago, the public transport is very efficient and regular, so it is very common to take the bus and train. I do not like driving downtown so I usually take an Uber to avoid looking for parking. In Champaign, the bus schedule is inconsistent and most people drive. Ubers are not as common, so wait times and prices are a bit higher, especially once you are away from campus.
In Lisle, most people drive; I rarely see the Pace buses. In the suburban areas like Champaign and Lisle, it is more common for people to drive. If I do not want to drive between cities, the Amtrak or Metro train is a great option. In college, when I would travel from Chicago to Champaign on the weekends, the Amtrak train would cost $34 for a round trip, which is affordable.
How essential would you say it is to drive there?
It is highly essential to drive in Lisle. I barely see any buses and with it being a very small town, most grocery stores or places of interest are in other nearby cities, and I feel that it is easier to drive to these places.
What do you look out for when you’re buying/renting a car?
I usually look for low mileage ( below 50K), a car that has not been involved in accidents. It cannot be older than 4 years old (my dad gave me this advice), an SUV because they are safer if you get in an accident and I prefer Toyotas or Hondas right now as they are reliable.
Would you say what you were looking for in a car changed when you moved to Lisle? What car do you drive currently?
No, because I think what I am looking for fits my needs right now. I drive a Toyota RAV4.
How difficult was it to get all the requirements you needed to drive in your city?
It was a bit difficult for me because I was in the process of getting my green card when I was getting my licence. This meant that I had to wait for certain documents in order to get my licence. Also, because I was already over 18, the only requirements were to get my permit by taking an online test at the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) and pass the driving test. Compared to my siblings, who are getting theirs now in high school, the requirements for adults are not excessive. Once I got my permit, I did about 20 hours of driving lessons with an instructor and then a few more with my mom and family friend.
Is it better to lease or to rent in Lisle?
I do not think I should lease a car in Lisle, I would recommend buying a car. In Champaign, if you are a student living on campus, you can probably survive without a car. Otherwise, I would recommend buying a car.
What is the best part of driving in your city?
The best part about driving in Lisle is that the city is pretty and the drivers are calm for the most part!
What is a traffic rule in Lisle that you still haven’t gotten used to?
Drivers will inch past the line in the left turning lane so that they must turn even if the light turns red!
Tell us something interesting or unique about your city.
Lisle is located in Illinois, however, there is also a commune in Dordogne Périgord, France called Lisle.
Have you ever gotten a traffic fine? What was it for?
Yes, I got a $20 parking ticket for parking in the wrong parking space at school.
What’s the traffic situation in Lisle like during rush hour and how do you deal with it?
I am usually driving during rush hour and I dread it every day. The traffic is very slow going from Lisle to Naperville. Morning rush hour is from 8-9 AM and in the evening it is from 4-6 PM. A journey that would take me 12 minutes at any other time can take 25-30 minutes during rush hour. I try to beat it in the mornings by going to school early, but in the evenings, I have no choice.
How do you handle aggressive drivers or road rage in your city?
I try to avoid them and move out of the way!
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you while driving there?
I was driving from Lisle to Naperville and I had stopped at a red light when a high school student hit the back of my car. I was so shocked when it happened. Luckily, no one was hurt and there was no damage to any of our cars.
What’s the biggest challenge of parking in this city, and how do you find good spots?
Finding parking downtown is the biggest challenge and I avoid this by taking an Uber. If I were to drive, I would have to park in a parking garage and pay at least $10.
What’s the best city you’ve driven in and why?
The best city I’ve driven in is Champaign because that is where I learned to drive,so I am very familiar with the city.
What’s the worst city you’ve driven in and why?
Chicago is the worst city I have driven in because most drivers are crazy, and aggressive and for whatever reason, people are always on their phones! Also, it is so difficult to find good parking, most parking is on the street which means I have to parallel park or it is in a garage which can cost $20.
If you had an unlimited budget, what car would you rent for a day in your city?
I would definitely rent a Mercedes-Benz CLA. It is one of my dream cars and it’s so sleek and luxurious!
