You should also hit up your LBS and ask them how they recommend locking a bike in your area.

As Jeff mentioned in an earlier post, the place you're located at makes a big difference in what you can get away with in terms of locking your bike. It sounds like Jeff and I live in a similar place - a basic cable lock is enough to deter thieves because, at least in my city, bikes aren't looked upon in a favorable light in the least extent. Chicago is obviously vastly different.

However, you should make sure that you're asking people who have your interests in mind, not their store's bottom line. I'm lucky that out of two bike shops in my city, one of them genuinely cares about their customers and tries to help them find the stuff they need, not what is the most expensive.