The Windy City is packed with vibrant neighborhoods that draw more and more residents each year. Recently, a lot of people have been moving to Wicker Park, Chicago—and there’s no wonder why. This Near Northwest Side area has something for everyone.
Before you check out Wicker Park’s nightlife scene, make reservations at its hottest restaurants, or explore the neighborhood’s many family-friendly features, you’ll need to plan your move. As Chicago’s favorite moving company, we’re more than happy to help you organize a smooth, stress-free, and budget-free relocation.
Why People are Moving to Wicker Park, Chicago
East-West-wise, Wicker Park spans from Ashland Avenue to Western Avenue and is bordered by Division Street on the south. Its northern limit is a bit debated: some say it goes to North Avenue, while others use the 606 Trail as the boundary.
Either way, strolling through the neighborhood is an absolute treat. There are gorgeous Chicago greystone homes on just about every street and a seemingly endless list of casual restaurants, fine dining, and nightlife options. Add in all the fun things for families to do, and it’s understandable why so many residents are moving to Wicker Park, Chicago.
In addition to being walkable, the neighborhood is also easy to get to and from. There are two Blue Line CTA stops in Wicker Park, plus a number of bus lines and the Kennedy Expressway. In other words, it’s an ideal spot for commuters and people who just want a nice place to live.
Challenges of Moving to Wicker Park (and How to Avoid Them)
Like many of our city’s wonderful neighborhoods, moving to Wicker Park, Chicago presents some unique challenges. But don’t worry—the best movers in Chicago will help you avoid these obstacles altogether. Here are a few pro tips we’ve put together throughout all of our years helping customers relocate to their Wicker Park homes.
Lack of Parking
This area has a lot of apartment and condo buildings, which means that parking is always at a premium. What’s more, many small residential streets have permit-only parking…and that can be a major pain if you don’t have a dedicated spot for your moving truck.
Move-tastic! to the rescue! We’ll secure parking permits through the City of Chicago. The city will post them in front of your building to ensure that our truck has a prime parking space on your move day. Since a shorter walk between your home and the truck means that the moving crew can work more efficiently, avoiding a parking issue can also mean a quicker and less expensive move for you.
Narrow Hallways and Tight Staircases
Many of the neighborhood’s buildings have tight staircases and hallways. What’s more, some condo and apartment buildings have four or five floors and no elevators. In other words, moving to Wicker Park, Chicago often means long walks through tight spots carrying heavy furniture and boxes.
The key to overcoming this challenge is great packing. A lot of Chicagoans hire professional packers to wrap and box up their home’s inventory efficiently, making it easier to navigate the hallways and staircases. You might also want to consider renting plastic moving bins for your relocation. In addition to being eco-friendly, these bins are all one uniform size and come with wheeled dollies, making them a lot easier to tote around.
Strict Elevator Time Slots
If you’re moving to and/or from a building with a freight elevator, you’ll need to reserve the elevator for your move. As soon as you’ve booked your move, talk to your building management company to book the elevator. If someone else in the building has already signed up for elevator access on your preferred date, you might have to adjust your move’s timing.
A lot of buildings have strict time slots for their elevator reservations (i.e., two or three hours). Make sure the inventory that you provide to your moving company is accurate so they send the ideal number of movers to get the job done within that time slot.
Traffic, Traffic, Traffic
Unfortunately, our fair city has a reputation for terrible traffic. The highways are often congested, as are big avenues like Damen, Milwaukee, and North. This gridlock can make moving to Wicker Park, Chicago take longer than expected.
Your moving crew will take the most efficient driving route available to them on your move day. However, keep in mind that your personal car likely goes faster than the moving truck can. It’ll likely take your movers a little more time to get from your old home to your new one. Just be patient and stay in contact with your move crew leader about any transportation delays.
Budgeting Tips for Your Wicker Park Move
You’ve already learned how to avoid some challenges of moving to Wicker Park, Chicago. Now it’s time to save some money on your move!
We’ve touched on the most important tip: create a detailed and precise inventory of your home. The inventory you provide will help the moving company estimate the crew size, truck size, and labor hours. In other words, an accurate inventory means an accurate estimate.
As a best practice, obtain estimates from three different moving companies. Compare their travel and labor rates and material fees, and don’t be afraid to ask your movers questions before you book. Their customer service will be indicative of their move-day service, and you want to be comfortable with the company you choose.
You can also save money by moving during non-peak times. Generally, moving rates are lower November through February. If you need to move during the peak season of March through October, you might be able to lower your costs by booking on a weekday (instead of a weekend) in the middle of the month (as opposed to the beginning or end of the month).
We’ve got one more wallet-friendly tip for you. Remember when we mentioned the gridlock you might run into when moving to Wicker Park, Chicago? Well, the traffic can be even worse if there’s a local festival happening on your move day. Before you book your move, take a look at a local festival guide.
The neighborhood’s annual street fest is an absolute blast, but the congestion from vehicle and foot traffic—not to mention street closures—might make your move run longer. Since movers charge by the hour, this can dramatically drive up your costs. Plan ahead and try not to move the same day as a major local event. You’ll save time, headaches, and money!
We’re the Local Pros in Moving to Wicker Park, Chicago
We love helping people move all over the Chicago Area. After all, the Windy City is our hometown! If you’re moving to Wicker Park, Chicago, give us a shout. Our team will help you have a smooth and quick move so you can start enjoying your new neighborhood right away.
Tell us about your move today, and we’ll get started on your custom estimate!