Chicago is one of the ten most livable cities in the United States, coming in at number six.
The Windy City has a lot to offer, whatever your interests might be. Let’s look at 5 things you need to know if you’re thinking about moving to Chicago.
1. You’ll Be Defined by the Neighborhood You Live In
When you’re living in Chicago, the neighborhood you live in will define how people see you.
- North: Youthful and desirable with activities like Cubs games at Wrigley Field and live jazz clubs
- West: Eclectic with options like ethnic food and the sights of Wicker Park
- Downtown: The top tourist area with things like Buckingham Fountain and the Historic Theatre District
- South: Culturally diverse with lots of social activities
Which of those options sounds best to you?
2. Real Estate Prices Are Lower Than You Might Expect
Compared to prices on the East and West Coasts, Chicago real estate is a relative bargain. It’s one of the most cost-effective big cities in the United States.
This applies to both renting and buying homes in Chicago so you’re in for a treat either way. You can see some examples of these bargains on the URB website.
3. You Don’t Necessarily Need a Car When Moving to Chicago
Chicago offers plenty of transportation options so you don’t need a car to get around. You can “take the L” train to many parts of town or use the pedestrian Pedway paths and tunnels to walk around the downtown area.
Biking is also popular, with plenty of bike paths through the city. And there’s a good number of cabs as well as ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber to get you to your destination.
Parking is at a premium so using these options is often better than driving yourself anyway.
4. Chicago Is a Beach Destination
With Chicago not being on one of the coasts, you might not think of it as a beach destination. That’s would be an oversight.
The city has 26 miles of sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. There are many beaches, each offering a different vibe.
And the lake is freshwater, of course, so it’s a different experience than coastal beaches.
5. Chicago Is a Big Sports Town
If you love sports, Chicago’s the town for you. It’s got teams in all the major sports leagues:
- Cubs and White Sox (baseball)
- Bears (football)
- Blackhawks (hockey)
- Bulls (basketball)
If you’re a baseball fan, you’ll get to enjoy the city’s rivalry in the Crosstown Classic when the Cubs and Sox play. It can get pretty intense though, so make sure you’re prepared for the excitement.
What’s Not to Love About Chicago?
These 5 things to know about moving to Chicago only scratch the surface. Ask anyone who lives in Chicago or has even just visited the city and they’ll all have different things that they love.
Be sure to check out the rest of our site for more interesting articles.
