Living in Chicago
Welcome to Chicago - the land of deep dish pizzas, blues, hot dogs, amazing architecture, and the Bears. This midwest metropolis is where blues greats like Buddy Guy spent their young lives just trying to get by, and ended up making it big.
Chicago’s comedy scene at Second City is where John Belushi and Bill Murray honed their craft in front of the local crowds. And of course, former First Lady Michelle Obama claims Chicago as her hometown, where she continues to work with the local community.
Today’s Chicago stays true to its deep cultural roots, even as shiny new condos and trendy reinventions change the face of the city. The vibrant waterfront still reflects its history as a major port city. The blues and jazz scene is still going strong. The 19th-century industrial buildings still stand alongside cutting-edge highrises and modern sculptures. And you can still find a bit of that old school personality in the city’s newly gentrified downtown areas.
landmarks
Chicago is a wonderland of architecture, art, history and music. There are hundreds - possibly even thousands - of landmarks throughout the city. However, some of the most notable landmarks include Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, Willie Dixon’s Blues Heaven, and Buckingham Fountain.
activities
Festivals
Aside from the huge hit that is Lollapalooza, expand your festival bucket list with unique-to-Chicago celebrations like Taste of Chicago, Northalsted Market Days, the Chicago Blues Festival, and the Chicago Jazz Festival.
The Loop
At one point or another, everyone ends up in “The Loop.” As Chicago’s central business district, this is where you’ll find the dominating skyscrapers and high rises, as well as cultural attractions like the Civic Opera House, the Chicago Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Art Institute of Chicago. There is also an exceptional collection of outdoor sculptures by artists like Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro.
The Lake
Lakeside trails, public beaches, ornate fountains and a variety of cultural events and festivals make this stretch of waterfront one of the best places to be in Chicago. In Grant Park, you can see free summer concerts at the Petrillo Music Shell. In Millennium Park, catch a reflection of the city in Anish Kapoor’s Cloud Gate - the sculpture which you might know as “The Bean.”
transportation
Chicago streets can get pretty jam-packed with traffic. Free parking is hard to come by, and paid parking is decently expensive. If you’re living or commuting into Chicago’s urban core, then you’ll be happy to know that the Windy City has an expansive public transportation system. There are eight train lines, both elevated and underground, as well as 11 metro rail lines that service areas as far as southern Wisconsin and northern Indiana. Bus coverage between the rail lines is pretty good too, however timing can occasionally fall a little off schedule. Use the CTA Bus Tracker to help plan your commute.
sports
You can’t truly understand Chicago sports until you eat a hot dog while watching the Cubs at Wrigley Field or drink a beer with the locals in Wrigleyville bars. Sports fans are extremely loyal here, whether they are rooting for their beloved Cubs (MLB), Bears (NFL), Bulls (NBA), Blackhawks (NHL) or White Sox (MLB).
weather
Chicago weather changes drastically with the seasons. Spring and summer bring beautiful warm weather that is perfect for dining at sidewalk cafes, biking along the Lakefront Trail, and relaxing on the beaches along Lake Michigan. The hottest temperatures are in July, with an average around 84 degrees. As temperatures fall and winter sets in, you’ll want to have a warm hat, scarf, jacket and plenty of layers to survive the windy, freezing weather. The bright side to bitterly cold days is you can find refuge inside the city’s cozy restaurants, cool bars, and culturally-rich theaters and museums.
company headquarters
As one of the world’s top global financial centers, and a major hub of industry, telecommunications and infrastructure, Chicago has plenty of promising employment opportunities. Companies headquartered in the Chicago area include Boeing, Archer Daniels Midland Co., Caterpillar Inc., Allstate Corp., Mondelez International Inc., McDonald’s, Sears, Abbott Laboratories, Kraft Heinz, Jones Lang LaSalle, and Hyatt Hotels.
Rent Trends for Apartments in Chicago
| Bedroom count | Chicago | vs Last Month |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,475 |  down 7.52% |
| 1 Bedroom | $2,000 | down 9.09% |
| 2 Bedroom | $2,450 | down 4.03% |
| 3 Bedroom | $2,800 | down 6.51% |
| 4 Bedroom | $3,673 | down 5.82% |
Neighborhoods in Chicago
Albany Park
Avondale
Beverly
Bridgeport
Edgewater
Humboldt Park
Hyde Park
Lakeview
Lincoln Square
Logan Square
North Center
Near West Side
Old Town
Pilsen
South Loop
Ukrainian Village
Renting an Apartment in Chicago
The Basics
Renting an apartment in Chicago is pretty straight-forward. You’ll need a photo ID, a security deposit, your first-month's rent, and $25-$50 for a background check. Most leases are for 12 months, though you can sometimes score a little kickback for signing longer leases.
The Variety
From brick-walled studios to vintage flats to high-rise towers looking down on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago has a wide variety of rentals to choose from. For the budget-minded, cheap apartments in Chicago can be found in older buildings, often with gas and heat included in the rental price (a big plus during the winter months!). And for renters in need of a little luxury, look for modern apartments with unique amenities like rooftop hangouts and resort-style swimming pools.
Parking
In most apartment communities, car owners should expect to pay an extra $200 per month for a spot in a parking garage or outdoor lot. Rental homes, townhouses and duplexes on the outskirts of town may have free street parking, however you’ll still be paying to park when you commute downtown.
Safety
No matter what city you live in, safety is always most folks’ primary concern. Take a look at crime stats in your chosen city, neighborhood and even on what your commute would be. Just be sure to take the usual precautions of big city life: don’t wander down deserted alleys, don’t flash money around, and keep only the bare necessities for the day in your wallet or purse. If you have to travel late at night, call a taxi to help navigate the safest routes and get dropped off right at the door.
Cities Near Chicago
Top Neighborhoods in Chicago
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