Whether you want to jump start your career or experience big city living, should you be moving to Chicago now? Learn more.
Chicago is the third largest city in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles. As of 2018, there are about 2,705,988 people living in the city. It also made up of 77 community areas and 100 neighborhoods.
Additionally, Chicago is an international hub for finance, culture, commerce, technology, education, and much more. In fact, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Chicago had the third largest gross metropolitan product in the U.S. in 2017.
It is no wonder people want to move to one of the largest financial hubs in the U.S.. Whether it be young professionals or business men with families, Chicago is the place to be. In 2018, the majority of people moving to Chicago came from New York CIty, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh. However, in terms of state, the majority of people moving into the city in 2018 came from other parts of Illinois.
Should you move to Chicago?
With many people from other highly populated cities moving to Chicago, should you relocate to the city too? First thing, it is important to get to know about a city before you decide to move there. Living in Chicago has its pros and cons. Here are some things you should know about the city so you can decide if it’s the place for you.
Transportation in Chicago
A wonderful thing about living in a big city is not needing a car for transportation. Not to mention, you will be saving money in terms of parking, gas, and car maintenance. Some transportation options in Chicago include the CTA, biking, and walking.
The Chicago Transit Authority is the city’s train and bus system. You can easily use this to commute to work or explore the city.
Shopping in Chicago
Chicago has its fair share of shopping destinations both tourists and Chicagoans enjoy. A few notable areas include the Magnificent Mile. This neighborhood features a variety of upscale retailers and malls to explore.
Other neighborhoods such as Hyde Park and Lakeview have plenty of local boutiques and shops to offer. These reflect local small businesses and the residents who call the neighborhood home.
The dining scene in Chicago
Chicago is best known for being a foodie’s paradise. The city features a wide range of dining options. This includes casual spots, fine dining, food halls, and much more. A few notable dining spaces include Restaurant Row on Randolph Street in the West Loop neighborhood.
It is filled with some of the city’s best eateries with diverse cuisine offerings. Another is Revival Food Hall. This is a food hall featuring all-local dining and 15 fast-casual stalls. They also debut new concepts from acclaimed Chicago chefs.
Chicago’s weather
Knowing what the weather is like in Chicago is important, especially if you live in a state with a different climate. While Chicago is usually warm starting from May through the summer. During the fall, it usually gets a bit colder but is still tolerable. Additionally, during the December holidays, you can expect some exciting early winter snowfall that makes the holiday more magical.
It isn’t until January when the cold Winter weather starts to hit. From January to April, you can expect multiple snowstorms so be prepared to get a real winter parka if you don’t have one already.
According to AccuWeather, January and February 2020 high temperatures in Chicago ranged from 30 to 50 degrees. Through March and April 2020, the temperature highs ranged from 50 to 70 degrees. However, the temperature lows ranged from 30 to 50 degrees.
Cost of living in Chicago
One of the biggest questions you may have is: is Chicago affordable for living? Chicago isn’t the most affordable city to live in. The cost of living in Chicago is 106.9. This is higher than the U.S. average of 100. The largest factor for this difference is Chicago’s housing.
The average rent for a 1 bedroom in Chicago is $1,076. This is lower than Los Angeles’s average of $1,364 and NYC’s average of $2,098. Additionally, the median price for a single-family home in Chicago is $243,300. This is also lower than NYC’s median of $403,900 and LA’s median of $576,100.
Where to live in Chicago?
Whether you are a young professional or someone who enjoys living in the hustle and bustle of the city, Chicago has a lot to offer you. Chicago has plenty of trendy neighborhoods with plenty of entertainment, dining, shopping, and nightlife for you to explore. Here are just a few trendy neighborhoods you may want to live in:
Wicker Park, Chicago
Wicker Park is a neighborhood in the West Town community area. It is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Chicago. The neighborhood is best known for the hipster culture, youthful energy, nightlife, art community, and innovative dining. With its wide range of creative influences on the area, it can be a fun place to live. Wicker Park’s residents include young professionals, families, and working artists.
Rent:
- 1242 North Hoyne Avenue, #GARDEN ($1,700) – 2 beds, 1 bath, 900 sqft
- 2147 West Evergreen Avenue, #101 ($3,150) – 3 beds, 3 baths
Buy:
- 2013 West Crystal Street, #3R ($275,000) – 1 bed, 1 bath
- 2300 West Wabansia Avenue, #127 ($423,900) – 2 beds, 2 baths
River North, Chicago
River North is a vibrant urban neighborhood in the Near North Side community. It is divided up into five districts: gallery district, theme-restaurant area, design district, cathedral district, and Kingsbury Park. Moreover, this Chicago neighborhood’s downtown location is a great place for young professionals to live and work.
Even better, the area is filled with a lively nightlife scene that includes dance clubs and rooftop bars. River North also offers fine dining, art galleries, office spaces, and riverwalk amenities to explore.
Rent:
- 630 North Franklin Street, #516 ($1,800) – 1 bed, 1 bath
- 30 East Huron Street, #3207 ($2,800) – 2 beds, 2 baths
Buy:
- 700 North Larrabee Street, #1907 ($559,900) – 2 beds, 2 baths
- 353 West Chicago Avenue, #2W ($599,000) – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,800 sqft
Moving to Chicago with kids
Moving to a new city with kids can be difficult. This is because choosing the environment you want to raise your children is so important. Luckily, there are plenty of family-friendly neighborhoods near high rated schools in Chicago to choose from. Here are just a few neighborhoods you and your family might enjoy living in:
Lincoln Park, Chicago
Lincoln Park is a community area on the North Side and is next to Lincoln Park, the largest park in Chicago. It is also one of the wealthiest and most expensive places to live in. However, the wide range of entertainment and green spaces make it great for families.
The neighborhood is home to Lincoln Park Zoo, lakefront recreation, and performing arts spaces. There are also plenty of highly rated schools in the area. This includes Lincoln Elementary School and Alcott College Prep.
Rent:
- 1927 West Diversey Parkway, #3A ($2,725) – 2 beds, 2 baths
- 2050 North Clark Street ($6,200) – 3 beds, 2 baths, 1,730 sqft
Buy:
- 2730 North Pine Grove Avenue, #1N ($365,000) – 2 beds, 1 bath, 1,450 sqft
- 2133 North Lincoln Avenue ($879,500) – 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,144 sqft
Streeterville, Chicago
Streeterville is a neighborhood in the Near North Side community area. It is bounded by Lake Michigan and is home to the Magnificent Mile. While Magnificent MIle is best known for its high-rise buildings, luxury shopping, and landmark attractions. Additionally, living in this neighborhood means apartments and condos.
However, they do offer security living along with building services and amenities. Not to mention, the area is filled with family friendly entertainment options. This includes the Chicago Children’s Museum, art installations, the Lakeshore trail, and an abundance of parks.
Rent:
- 514 North Peshtigo Court, #2001 ($4,805) – 2 beds, 2 baths, 1,529 sqft
- 202 East Walton Place, #2W ($6,200) – 3 beds, 3 baths, 2,100 sqft
Buy:
- 512 North Mcclurg Court, #15031504 ($799,000) – 3 beds, 3 baths, 2,002 sqft
- 233 East Walton Place, #6 ($1,699,000) – 4 beds, 4 baths, 4,330 sqft
Chicago is a city filled with a variety of neighborhoods with their own unique personalities. It’s a city that has a lot to offer its residents. Which Chicago neighborhood has caught your eye?
If you’re looking to relocate to Chicago, Localize is a wonderful resource to use. Localize’s platform has all of Chicago’s real estate listings, so you can find your perfect home in a neighborhood that fits your lifestyle needs.
