Moving to Chicago

Move to Chicago and you’ll automatically see that there’s always something happening in this vibrant city. It is packed with world class art museums, huge parks, sandy beaches and impressive architecture to enjoy.

Chicago is a bustling midwest metropolis: the third largest city in the USA behind New York and Los Angeles. With a population of nearly three million at last census, its iconic skyline stretches across the shore of Lake Michigan.

Chicago has a collection of cultural institutions and galleries that are among the best in the world, including Field Museum of Natural History, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Adler Planetarium and the Shedd Aquarium. It’s also known as the birthplace of the skyscraper and has a wealth of important architecture, including important works by Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright.

One of the most diverse cities in the USA, Chicago and it is made up of many ethnic neighbourhoods that embody the essence of cultures from around the world, from Chinatown to Little Italy to Greentown to the Polish Village. Moving to Chicago means that you will have an endless smorgasbord of art, theatre, historic attractions, music, nightlife, cuisine and other entertainment to feast on.

Job market

The job market in Chicago is strong compared to the rest of the US and in the past year unemployment has been falling and hiring has been accelerating. The economy in the city in 2015 has been looking it’s best since the recession.

Some sectors in Chicago are recovering faster than others, such as:

Healthcare

The healthcare industry is one of the sectors that is expected to see the most growth in the coming decade, especially in professions such as personal care aides and in home care. As baby boomers age there is also a demand for physical therapists.

Restaurant and hospitality

There is a lot of demand in Chicago for chefs and sous chefs in the high end dining industry, as there are a number of top notch restaurants that have opened up recently in the city. Also, there are plenty of opportunities for mixologists, as there are many swanky cocktail bars where high priced drinks are in demand.

Software development

Technology is an area of rapid job growth in Chicago and there is a lot of demand for app developers and web developers. Chicago is the top US city for growth stage technology companies, according to data from the Illinois Technology Association.

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Living costs

The cost of living in Chicago will depend on which area of the city you live in, the city offers a range of neighbourhoods that will suit any price point.

Food

There is a wide selection of food in Chicago, so it’s easy to find something that suits your budget and tastes. A lunchtime menu in the business district will usually cost around $13 and a fancier three course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant will usually cost around $70. A beer at a bar will cost around $5-$6 – and don’t forget that tipping your server and bartender is expected in the USA.

As in most places in the USA, it’s almost always cheaper to shop at the grocery store than to dine in a restaurant. In a typical grocery store a liter of milk will cost around 90 cents, a loaf of bread will cost about $2.75 and 12 eggs will cost around $3.25.

Rent

The cost of an average one bedroom apartment in the city centre will be around $1,500 and outside of the city centre would be $1,000. For example, a 1,000 square foot one bedroom apartment in the Gold Coast area might cost around $2100 while an apartment of the same size in Lincoln Park might cost $1,250.

Utilities such as heating, electricity and gas for two people will usually be around $200 per month and internet will cost around $55 monthly.

Cost of moving to Chicago

When moving to Chicago there are a few things to consider, chiefly how you will transport all of your worldly belongings to your new city. Take a look at this chart for an idea of the estimated costs for moving to Chicago, based on the cost of a one bedroom flat:

School and education

There are many excellent private, public and charter schools in Chicago and the surrounding area. The public schools are free, publicly funded and adhere to a standard curriculum. There are also private schools that charge a fee for attendance and usually have a more specialised curriculum.

Public schools are zoned so they are obliged to accept all children within the school zone in which you live. Private schools will typically have entrance requirements and waiting lists, so you will need to request entry for your child as early as possible.

Make sure that you research schools and homes at the same time, as one might affect the other. Selecting a school will depend on the neighbourhood where you choose to live, as the boundaries of the neighbourhood will determine which school your child attends.

Universities in Chicago

Chicago has been one of the most distinguished centres of higher education in America for many years. Northwest University, the University of Chicago and other academic institutions in the city have been acclaimed throughout the world.

Creative minded students can study at the Illinois Institute of Art or the American Academy of Art and those who dream of a career in business will be right at home at the Chicago Booth School of Business.

There are also plenty of trade schools in Chicago such as Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, DeVry University (technology) and the ITT Technical Institute.

Ranking against the world

Chicago is a thriving city and an international financial hub. It serves as the region’s gateway to the globe and attracts investment from all over the world. The strong business community here is fueled by the best top shelf universities, such as the Northwestern University and the University of Chicago.

Another third place for Chicago is its status as home to the third most prolific movie industry in the USA, after Los Angeles and New York. There have been many films made here including Adventures in Babysitting, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Blues Brothers, High Fidelity and Batman Begins.

Chicago’s climate through the seasons

A day in the life

A typical day of a Chicago resident will depend on what you like to do – there is a lot of diversity in the city and you are sure to find the niche that suits you best.

This is a great city for culture lovers, as there is a fantastic theatre scene, plenty of live music events, lots of high quality galleries and beautiful architecture.

If you love the great outdoors you won’t be far away from Lake Michigan where you can enjoy hiking, windsurfing, paddle boarding and boating.

Moving to Chicago ensures that you will live in a city that is a lot of fun, very affordable and there are many choices for things to do every day and night in the city. No matter what you’re into, be it sports, food, or working, you’ll find yourself at home in Chicago.

Chicago’s events calendar