Thanks Jason! That's very helpful as well.
As for Boystown, we're familiar with the concept, and it doesn't bother us at all. In fact, while we were apartment hunting the other week, the parade was going on. 
We're very into the arts as well and it's one of the reasons Chicago tops our list. My girlfriend is entering year three of her PhD program at the University of Michigan for Art History. When she's done she'll either be teaching or working in museums and we know that Chicago is full of them. She's been there lots of times, I've only been the one time a few weeks ago and the entire trip was spent apartment hunting. So I've got plenty of exploring to do... 19 short days until the truck comes.
I started packing the toys up today. 
Glad to help Rob - being that Wrigleyville and Halsted are next to each other I thought it fair to warn you as like I mentioned it could be a culture shock to those who have had no previous exposure.
As far as museums go, you're right there's a lot to see here. The Art Institute on Michigan ave, the Shedd Aquarium, the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum all just south of downtown, and of course the Museum of Science and Industry at 57th and the LSD. BTW the LSD = Lake Shore Drive, you'll hear that often.
Good luck with the move, don't forget to pack those loose figures tight!
