Have lived in or near Chicago throughout my life. Not my favorite place but, am totally used to it and our weather. As they say "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." I must be the strongest little person on earth. 51 years in the same house.
No rattlesnakes here! Coyotes, deer, woodchucks, opossum, racoons, no skunks since the distemper virus that seems to have wiped them out. Area is basically surrounded by forest preserves - so any and all kinds of critters come out and visit the neighborhood., like it or not!
Grow where you are planted, I've always been told. haven't really grown- still petite but, go with the ebb and flow. BTW live over a former quarry area so no flooding. Which is a big plus when the spring rains some.