Ah, Chicago. The Windy City. Home of perfect summers, gorgeous winters, and the unmatched beaches of Lake Michigan. Not to mention professional teams in just about every sport you can imagine! There’s never been a better time to move to Chicago. It isn’t just the best big city in the US. It also showcases dozens of unique neighborhoods and hundreds of great suburbs.
So, why should you move to Chicago in 2022? Oh, let us count the ways.
Reasons to move to Chicago in 2022
There are plenty of reasons why you should move to Chicago in 2022.
Year-round, you can take advantage of the exquisite dining scene, music and theater venues, and breweries. In the summer, you can walk, run, or bike up and down the lakefront and take full advantage of the city’s free public beaches and parks—and maybe even attend a few street festivals. In the winter, Chicago becomes a breathtaking city of lights that offers outdoor ice-skating rinks and public holiday markets. If you’re moving with your children to the Windy City, you’re in luck: Chicago is a kid- and family-friendly place!
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to the world class museums and iconic architecture, the people are flat out friendly. Just walk a few blocks and try not to smile back at the happy residents bursting with pride for their city!
How much does it cost to move to Chicago?
Moving to a big city might sound expensive. The cost of living tends to be higher in large urban areas as opposed to rural ones. However, even though Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, there are plenty of ways to keep your moving costs low.
What moving costs should you anticipate when you move to Chicago?
When you research moving costs, you should get a few estimates from different local movers to make sure you get the best service at the best price. Here are a few factors that will affect the price of your move:
- The size of your home and inventory list. Moving companies charge an hourly rate. The more stuff you have, the more movers you’ll need, and the longer it’ll take them to complete your move.
- Your moving company’s hourly rate. Each moving company is a little different. In general, you can expect around $140-$160 per hour for a standard 3-man crew. However, the size of your move will determine the size of your crew. Additionally, some companies charge more based on the time of the year or moth that you move, so be sure to compare each mover’s hourly rate.
- Your moving company’s material fees. Most movers in the Second City will charge you based on how many materials your movers use. If you’re moving on a tight budget, this causes you to decide which of your belongings are important enough to carefully wrap and pad—and which ones you’re ok with risking damage to. That’s where Move-tastic! is different. We believe that all of your belongings are important and should be well taken care of. So we charge a flat material fee regardless of how many blankets, pads, or rolls of tape and shrink wrap we use during your move.
Additionally, you might choose to insure your belongings during your move. This could help should something get damaged during your move, but it will increase your cost.
What costs should you expect after you’ve moved to Chicago?
According to reports published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, costs like gasoline, electricity, and utility gas are pretty average in Chicago compared to the rest of the country. And because this great city boasts one of the best rapid transit systems in the country—the Chicago Transit Authority—you can get around easily between your favorite suburbs and neighborhoods.
Best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago
When you ask about the best neighborhoods to move to in Chicago, you might be faced with an additional question: the best neighborhoods for what? The answer will vary depending on whether you’re looking for the ideal place to raise a family, hang out at the lakefront, or live in the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago.
We’ve been moving since 2007. So we’ve been all over the city and have explored each Chicago neighborhood. Although it’s hard to pick our favorites, here are a few you might want to check out.
Best neighborhoods in Chicago for families
Raising a family in the city? Take a look at these family-friendly neighborhoods:
- North Center
- Streeterville
- Andersonville
- Hyde Park
- Edison Park
Best neighborhoods in Chicago for renters
Renting is the perfect living situation for many people. Check out neighborhoods if you want to rent an apartment or house:
- River North
- Logan Square
- Lincoln Park
- West Loop
- Wicker Park
Best neighborhoods in Chicago to buy a home
Maybe you’re done renting and are ready to settle down and purchase a house or condo. Here are some of the best Chicago neighborhoods to invest in real estate:
- Rogers Park
- Edgewater
- Pilsen
- Avondale
- Old Town
Best suburbs to move to near Chicago
Not a city dweller? No problem. The Chicago Area features plenty of suburbs both near to and far from the actual city. The metropolitan area is so large, in fact, that it extends past the Illinois state borders! Many people consider Racine and Kenosha counties in Wisconsin and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana part of suburban Chicago.
The first step in picking a Chicago suburb is to determine which direction you want to be from the city. Then you can figure out how far away from downtown Chicago you’d like to move. Here are some popular suburbs to the north, south, and west of the city.
Best suburbs north of Chicago
Head north on the lakefront or even a bit west of Lake Michigan to check out these suburbs:
- Evanston
- Winnetka
- Glenview
- Buffalo Grove
- Lincolnshire
Best suburbs south of Chicago
If you prefer to be closer to the south side of the city, have a look at these ‘burbs:
- Oak Lawn
- Alsip
- Calumet City
- Homewood
- Tinley Park
Best suburbs west of Chicago
Chicago’s western suburbs are vast and plentiful. Here are a few towns you might be interested in if you want to live west of the city:
- Naperville
- Elmhurst
- Oak Park
- Downers Grove
- Lombard
Let the best moving company in Chicago move you into your new neighborhood or suburb
Move-tastic! loves this city and its suburbs. So when you move to Chicago or around the metropolitan area, let us do the heavy lifting! Our outstanding Customer Service Team will help you coordinate all of your move details and set you up for a smooth and stress-free move. And our onsite Move Crews will take great care of you and all of your belongings so you have more time to explore your new city as Chicago residents.
Visit our website to learn more about our moving services!