A friend from my hometown asked me for my thoughts on Chicago, because she was thinking of moving here. I broke it down for her, and she complimented the thoroughness of the response. I thought I could share what I shared with her, just in case anyone else was interested in moving to Chicago, it really is the greatest city!
Here in the Midwest are some of the kindest, most sweet, genuine people ever. I thought I would like NY better because I’m an East coast girl, but there everyone seems so important and busy and it’s rare to stop and just smile at someone. When I first moved here I didn’t have a job, so I would just walk around the city as there is so much to do. There are so many festivals during the summer, so many undiscovered shops, restaurants, awesome sight seeing places… I feel there is something for everyone. That day (my first day walking around) it began to rain and this little lady looked at me and waved me over to her. She invited me under her umbrella, well almost forced me because it was pouring and she didn’t want me to get wet. Then, all the thoughts of my friends who I left and my doubt of moving faded away… kind of crazy. I took that moment to realize this is what I moved here for, a change in scenery, nice, like minded people, and it was awesome!
I still miss my baby, Toby (my mini cooper), but imagine not needing a car? There is mass mass transportation. I take a 15min bus to work each day and if I wanted to wake up early (not likely), I could walk. There are trains, like the metro in DC, but much cleaner that can take you to the many neighborhoods this city has to offer. Cabs when you are out late drinking, it just seems perfect to me. Parking is very expensive and the city tax is expensive, but because the cost of living is high, jobs pay you more, which is a plus. I apologize in advance if this comes across as all over the place or too much, but I absolutely love this place, like LOVEEEE!!!!
Pro’s
Cleanliness– There are so many parades, events, festivals and everything, but you would never know it because they take such pride in this city. In the median during the Spring and Summer they always have the nicest flowers growing. There isn’t trash on the streets because we do have allies unlike NY, but it’s always so clean and beautiful.
Friendliness– I mentioned above, people are kind, eager to talk and help.
Food- I have turned into a real foodie and there are awesome places all over the city with amazing cuisine. Not sure if you watch Top Chef, but many top chefs are here in Chicago… Rick Bayless, Art Smith, and Stephanie Izard, just to name a few. There are all different types of food within a 1 mile radius, Ethiopian, Cuban, Steakhouses, BBQ, Chinese, Quick Service, it’s all very great if you love food.
Neighborhoods- There are so many neighborhoods and it’s great because people sort of become where they live. We currently live in the South Loop, which they say is “up and coming”. We are near Grant Park, so it’s on the southern most part of the loop. It’s still city, but you have the park for dog lovers, you have cute restaurants, local bars, Bears stadium is near us, mass transportation galore. It’s mostly high rises, but we like it because it’s more out of the way. There is Wrigleyville which to me is like frat central. Wrigley field is there, many bars, but it’s hard to go there without seeing throw up, lol. Wicker Park is very cool, many people with awesome fashion sense and free spirits live there. There are a lot of yoga fanatics and vegans there, but awesome coffee shops, speak easy type bars and shopping. As far as living there, they are mostly walk up apartments. Lincoln Park is more of an upscale family living type place, beautiful homes- mostly luxurious town homes (attached to each other). Lakeview is nice, you get a very neighborhood feel, high rises, many bars and that is where a lot of people our age (mid to late 20’s) live, starting a serious life because it is a bit more expensive. West loop is more industrial, we actually got married there and would live there in a second because there are a lot of amazing lofts and warehouses, a look that I love. It’s out of the way like the south loop! I could go on and on about the neighborhoods, there are so many, but the closer to downtown you are I think the better.
Summer- I don’t know if summer anywhere else can compete. Yes it’s freezing in the winter, so maybe that’s why everyone takes full advantage of the summer and there is so much to do. We have awesome concerts. Pitchfork, Lollapalooza which is (if you don’t know) an absolutely huge 3 day concert with upwards of 50 performances, it’s always sold out, but I went last year and saw the Foo Fighters and it was awesome. Each neighborhood has their own festivals, lots of music, fun and good food. There are amazing beaches here that we try to get to each weekend. North Ave beach is a huge party, Oak Street beach is more subdued, but still very nice. Live music, bands, volleyball tournaments, bike riding, boating, jet skiing, the works! Navy pier has fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday, so that’s a touristy type thing to take advantage of, but we get to watch each week out of our window, which is pretty sweet. Then there’s things like Jazz nights at the Shedd aquarium, water cruise dinners, architecture tours, bootcamp outdoors, clubs you can join, anything you could want it’s ridiculous!
Movies- If seeing movie sets, actors and things like that interests you there is a lot of that. Movies are constantly being filmed here. Most times they do section their work area off, but you often get a glance of some stars, see the sets and things like that. Many of my friends have been extra’s and there is always work there. If you are into the night scene and clubs many stars visit the clubs here. The Underground, Paris Club, places like that (right downtown) are filled with celebs, so that is kind of cool.
Media- My major was Public Communications and Multimedia Studies and this is the place to be. I first got a start as an editorial researcher for magazines and since then I have been in radio. All avenues of media are huge here. Right now I work for WGN radio and work closely with many agencies and who knows, that might be the next step. There are many networking events here, linkedin carries a huge presence with events and all of the major agencies are here. This is a media driven city!
Cons
Homeless- Of course I do not have a problem with people being homeless, it’s unfortunate, but we do have a lot of homeless people. I actually keep a few dollars on me to help them out in whatever I can, but that can be off putting to many people. I do not think they are aggressive or anything, but at night walking around if you have to go underground or something, as a woman you worry a little.
Violence- In many major cities you have to worry about violence. While a lot of what happens isn’t downtown, there are a lot of gang related shootings and events that take place. Down south, like south-side you always hear about children getting shot in cross fires. Around the city, most times late a night or really early in the morning you hear about people getting mugged. I guess I would suggest using your intelligence and looking out for your best interest. If it gets passed a certain time take a cab, stay in lite areas, you know thing we learned in school. If you need carry mace, but people are just desperate for money and most times that is all they want, not to hurt you. I want to stay here forever and raise a family, but that is something that worries me.
Taxes- While Chicago is not a state or even a capital (seems like it should be), because it has its own tax. It’s kind of crazy 9.5%! Who has their own city tax? It really makes you do a lot of shopping online or want to not spend as much, everything is just more expensive.
Government- I guess this is the first time living in a major city, but whenever government officials come to visit there is so much traffic. I can see my building, but it takes over an hour on the bus to get there because they are constantly blocking off streets and redirecting for the safety of these people, but I guess that’s why you can walk.
Winter- Lately it hasn’t been too bad, but if you do dress appropriately you will be fine. The wind off the lake is something that I have never experienced before, it is bone chillingly cold, but livable!
So as you can see I’m a big fan, the positives outweigh the negatives and if you have any other questions feel free to ask. I haven’t been here that long, maybe 3-4 years and we are still discovering new places, so I of course do not the half of all the great things this city has to offer, but here’s a little bit!
I hope this can help! And just for laughs check this one out! Yep, pretty dead on…
If that doesn’t sway you to move to this beautiful city, check out this blog. It had me cracking up because it’s so true! Chicagoan Until Chicago Ends
There are so many options online to find out why move to Chicago, but here’s another option for ya…
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