Over 2.6 million people live in the Windy City. And you may want to be one of those people!
Living in Chicago can be a really rewarding experience. From the beautiful summers to the quaint neighborhoods, the Chicago lifestyle is one for the books.
But what do you need to know about planning a move to Chicago before you do it?
Read through the rest of this article to get a good idea of how to prepare, what to expect, and more!
What to Know About Planning a Move to Chicago
Before you start planning a move to Chicago, you need to know what you are getting yourself into!
If you are living in Chicago, there is some stuff you should know about the weather, safety, and renting. It is better to be prepared than to arrive and be shocked! This will start your experience living in Chicago off on the right foot.
Renting
If you are going to rent an apartment in Chicago, you should get started at least 2 months prior to your move-in date. This will allow you to find the right home because of the competition in the Chicago rental market.
Be sure to look at Zillow, Craigslist, Aprartments.com, and more to get the search started. You can also contact a broker to help you find your new home in Chicago!
Keep in mind that rent is not cheap. The Chicago lifestyle itself is also not cheap. The average home price is upwards of $210,000 and rent is usually around $1,000 per month.
Safety
Chicago is a lot like other big cities in the United States. You should be smart if you are out and about, especially at night.
However, there is nothing to be overly concerned about in the downtown area as long as you have your wits about you.
Weather
The weather in Chicago is not for everyone! The winters are very cold and the summers are hot.
If that’s okay with you, you simply have to be aware of the time of year you are moving. Any movers that you hire should be prepared to move at the time of year you want to. The last thing you want is for them to cancel if there is a snowstorm or if it is too cold!
The Chicago Lifestyle
The Chicago lifestyle is one that is a hustle and bustle. There is a ton of diversity in the area especially as you enter different neighborhoods around Chicago.
This creates a sort of cultural epicenter to enjoy different cuisine, museums, entertainment options, and so much more.
You can enjoy Lake Michigan boating in the summer along with a stroll along the water.
In terms of the job market and what you can do in Chicago, the economy has been making a comeback in recent months after the pandemic. It has one of the largest economies in the world as well! There are industries for everyone – from hospitality to health services, and manufacturing to transportation.
Neighborhoods
There are also many different pockets of Chicago that you could move to! It depends on what you are looking for and where you will want to move.
For instance, Lincoln Park is a great neighborhood to be in. This is one of the most popular, so it is a bit busier. There are also tons of beaches in front of this neighborhood, so you can enjoy plenty of time out on the water during summer.
Another popular neighborhood is the Loop. This is great for young professionals since it is so convenient to get around. It is also close to a lot of business opportunities to get a career started.
West Town, River North, and Gold Coast are also great neighborhoods to be in!
Getting Ready to Move
If you are ready to start your new life in Chicago, it’s time to start the process!
The first thing you need to do is create a timeline for yourself. It can be difficult to get everything organized and ready to go if you don’t stick to a schedule. You should break down the packing as well as when you need to hire movers.
You will also need to schedule any repairs in your current home that may need to be done as well.
We recommend packing each room one at a time to keep things organized. This will also help the movers move it to your new place and keep it all in the same spot.
As you are packing, you should also go through the stuff that you do not need anymore. There is no point in bringing clutter that doesn’t serve you anymore.
Time for the Moving Process
Now that you know what to expect from the move and Chicago itself, it is time to get packing!
You want to start planning a move early to ensure that you do not stress yourself out. Getting a head start will also help you organize and plan properly so that you stay on time and on task with the move.
If you are ready to get the show on the road, the first thing you should do is hire movers and set a date! At Movers Chicago, we know the ins and outs of packing and moving to the Windy City.
You should head over to our website to check out our full-service packing option! While you’re at it, you can browse through the other options we offer as well.