If you are tired of your current living situation and want to move somewhere that offers opportunities, friendly people, and amazing experiences, then moving to Chicago should be on your bucket list.
Home Values
The median home values in this city were around $218,500 in 2018. Today that value has increased to something close to $319,000. Your property is a great investment in this area.
If you are thinking about renting a house instead of buying then it will cost you about $1,750 a month for the average rental. That may sound steep, but not if you think about the fact that renting the same house in Los Angeles would cost you close to $3,650 a month. The same house in New York will cost you about $2,875. Chicago is the third-largest city, but they are not the most expensive city to live in.
Transportation
Transportation around the city is amazing. People mostly take public forms of transportation because parking and car storage are not usually free, and kind of hard to find.
That does not mean that people are stressed out and crammed together like sardines, or like the people on the New York Subway are. In Chicago the travel opportunities are great.
- The L is a system of buses and elevated trains that transport people around the city. These buses are operated by CTA and it costs only $2.25 a ride to take a bus. A train ride is only slightly more at $2.50. They even offer a Ventra card that lets you tap and ride so you do not have to worry about carrying cash, or having exact change when you travel. You deposit money onto the card through a personal account, and when you tap the card on the turnstile the charge for the ride is deducted from the account balance.
- In the downtown area, there is a unique system of underground tunnels and elevated bridges that connect 40+ blocks together. Many people use these bridges and tunnels to get around from business to business. It is called the Pedway, and it is a safe and less expensive alternative to other public transportation.
- Riding a bike around the city has become a real popular mode of transportation. There are even bike-sharing companies that let you rent a bike so you do not have to invest in one until you are convinced you to want one.
- Cabs are available all over the city. They are a great way to travel when the weather is poor, and they allow you to get where you are going without the stress of fighting traffic.
- There are also ride-sharing programs like Uber and Lyft in the city. Uber and Lyft rides provide private rides to places around the city, and they cost a little less than a taxi cab ride.
Great Food
There are more than 8,000 eateries scattered around the city. You will always have an option to try a new place to eat or pick up an old-time favourite.
Shopping the Mile
The Magnificent Mile is a street filled with the best places to shop. The Magnificent Mile is North Michigan Avenue. It is filled with boutiques, fine dining establishments, high-rise malls, and a shopping experience like you have never seen before.
There are also great shopping adventures waiting in places like:
- Wrigleyville where fantastic sporting gear is waiting to be discovered.
- Oak Street with affluent shops that rival the ones on Rodeo Drive
- Wicker Park where thrift stores and independent label vendors abound.
- State Street where you will find Macy’s, discount stores, and Tiffany’s.
Fun-Filled Activities
While you are in Chicago there are numerous activities to keep you busy and entertained.
- Ride the 606 trail which is 2.7 miles that are elevated above the neighbourhoods of the North-side. It has interesting green spaces to soothe you and interactive art to engage your mind.
- Go kayaking on the river. There are several kayak tours available so you can see the city from the view of the water. Tours often include speciality aspects like touring the gangster hangouts of the city or seeing the ghostly attractions. If you love kayaking take one of the sunrise or sunset trips for an experience you will never forget.
- Learn to play Whirlyball. This is a combination of Lacrosse and basketball that is fun, fast-paced, and unique to Chicago.
- Visit the Lincoln Park Zoo which is the oldest zoo in North America.
- See the museums and historical attractions around the city.
- Go to 360 Chicago and stand on the moving platform that tilts you over Michigan avenue at 1,000 feet.
- Broadway is popular in Chicago. Many of the musicals visit the city.
Final Thoughts
There is so much about Chicago that makes it a great place to live. Job opportunities, the property values, but in the end the one thing that stands out is the people.
The people of this great city are a hardy bunch that withstands elements of nature, controversy, and everything life throws at them.