What Do I Need To Know About Moving To Chicago?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • BIG CITY, BIG EMPLOYMENT. …
  • AFFORDABLE COST OF LIVING. …
  • UNIQUE AREAS WITHIN THE CHICAGO METRO. …
  • CHICAGOANS LOVE FESTIVALS. …
  • “DIBS” IS A REAL THING FOR PARKING. …
  • WHERE EPIC FOOD IS BORN. …
  • KETCHUP IS A NO-NO ON HOT DOGS. …
  • THE FAMOUS CHICAGO DEEP-DISH.

How do I prepare to move to Chicago?

  1. Enjoy the Architecture. Chicago's architecture is unparalleled. …
  2. Dive into Sports. Chicago is a sports-loving town. …
  3. Dress for the Weather. …
  4. Choose Your Wisely. …
  5. Be Strategic About Public Transit. …
  6. Embrace the Food Culture. …
  7. Respect the Traditions. …
  8. Know Your Landmarks.

What should I know about Chicago before moving there?

  • BIG CITY, BIG EMPLOYMENT. …
  • AFFORDABLE COST OF LIVING. …
  • UNIQUE AREAS WITHIN THE CHICAGO METRO. …
  • CHICAGOANS LOVE FESTIVALS. …
  • “DIBS” IS A REAL THING FOR PARKING. …
  • WHERE EPIC FOOD IS BORN. …
  • KETCHUP IS A NO-NO ON HOT DOGS. …
  • THE FAMOUS CHICAGO DEEP-DISH.

Is it worth it to move to Chicago?

According to Payscale, the cost of living in

Chicago is 23% higher than the national average

. Housing is 56% higher than the national average. Depending on your salary, the lifestyle Chicago offers may be worth the trade-off.

Why you shouldn't move to Chicago?

It is more expensive than you think.

From

high rent prices and

(really) high taxes, to pricey restaurants and exorbitant parking fees, prepare to shell out if you're making the move to the Windy City. According to PayScale.com, the cost of living in Chicago is 23 percent higher than the national average.

What are the pros and cons of living in Chicago?

  • Pro: The weather you experience prepares you for life anywhere else. …
  • Con: The same weather you're enduring can get pretty bad. …
  • Pro: You have decent public transportation. …
  • Con: It's expensive to live in Chicago. …
  • Pro: The food is awesome. …
  • Con: The traffic is always bad.

What is the best area to live in Chicago?

  • Lake View. …
  • Near South Side. …
  • West Town. …
  • North Center. …
  • Edison Park. …
  • Lincoln Square. …
  • Near West Side. …
  • Beverly.

Is Chicago expensive to live?


Chicago can be an expensive place to live

, even if you're frugal. In part, that's because of a 10.25 percent combined state and local sales tax, a 2.25 percent sales tax on groceries, a . 25 percent restaurant tax, and the second-highest property tax in the nation.

Is now a good time to move to Chicago?

Whether you're looking for a single, temporary apartment or moving your family into a forever home, now is

a good time to rent and buy in Chicago

. … According to Zillow, Chicago home values have gone up 7.9% from January 2020 to February 2020. The median home price is currently $330,350.

Why is Chicago so cheap?

Two reasons it's so cheap in Chicago compared to other major cities. First,

Chicago proper is *huge* in terms of land area

, particularly compared to Boston and NYC. Second, there is no geographical delimiter between areas of the city and suburbs; it's a conglomerate, *yet it's an old city with a huge CBD*.

Is 60k a good salary in Chicago?

Is 60000 a good salary in Chicago?

$60,000 is about the median income for a family of two

(Area Median Income (AMI) chart) in the Chicago area. This means that half of Chicago households of two live on less money, half on more. The median for a 1 person household is $53,000, and for a 4 person household it is $76,000.

What should I avoid in Chicago?

  • Don't ask for ketchup. …
  • Miss the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise. …
  • Visit in the winter and complain about the weather. …
  • … …
  • Pay for a view. …
  • Underestimate the Art Institute. …
  • Amble on the Lakefront Trail. …
  • Hate on Malört.

How much do you need to live comfortably in Chicago?

To live comfortably in Chicago–factoring in housing costs, transportation, utilities, and groceries–you'll need to make

around $94,917 as a renter

or $84,765 as a homeowner.

Where should I not live in Chicago?

  1. West Garfield Park. West Garfield Park is the most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. …
  2. Washington Park. Washington Park is the second most dangerous neighborhood in Chicago. …
  3. East Garfield Park. …
  4. Englewood. …
  5. North Lawndale. …
  6. Grand Crossing. …
  7. West Englewood. …
  8. Riverdale.

Why Chicago is bad?

The city's overall crime rate, especially the violent crime rate, is

higher than the US average

. Chicago was responsible for nearly half of 2016's increase in homicides in the US, though the nation's crime rates remained near historic lows as of 2016. The reasons for the higher numbers in Chicago remain unclear.

What's so bad about Chicago?

Chicago has a reputation as one of

America's most violent cities

. 2016 was the worst year for homicides in nearly two decades in the Windy City with 762 murders, 3,550 shooting incidents and 4,331 shooting victims. … Between 2010 and 2015, the Windy City had 16.4 murders per 100,000 residents while St.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.