The Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago
- Pro: The weather you experience prepares you for life anywhere else.
- Con: The same weather you’re enduring can get pretty bad.
- Pro: You have decent public transportation.
- Con: It’s expensive to live in Chicago.
- Pro: The food is awesome.
- Pro: It’s a transportation hub.
What are the cons of living in Chicago?
List of the Cons of Living in Chicago
- You will face a significant cost of living when you move to Chicago.
- Crime is always something that comes to mind about Chicago.
- Traffic in Chicago can be very challenging at times.
- It can be an adjustment getting used to the city’s weather.
Why you shouldn’t live in Chicago?
From high rent prices and (really) high taxes, to pricey restaurants and exorbitant parking fees, prepare to shell out if you’re making the move to the Windy City. According to PayScale.com, the cost of living in Chicago is 23 percent higher than the national average.
Is Chicago a good place to live?
It can be easy to find your place in Chicago.
But spend time here and you’ll start to see why Chicagoans love their city: the clear and open lakefront, affordability, and abundant transportation options. Each neighborhood has something to love, from historic theaters to community gardens to baseball stadiums.
What is the advantage of Chicago?
Not only is it an amazing place to visit, it’s also a great place to live. Despite its reputation for harsh winters, Chicago has a lot of great things to offer, including museums, fun summer activities like “Taste of Chicago” and great sports teams.
Is Chicago Safe?
Chicago is generally safe for travel. Even though Chicago is known for its relatively high average crime rate, this crime is mostly concentrated in certain neighborhoods. Typically, the south and west sides of the city are the most dangerous.
What are Chicago winters like?
Chicago Winter-Weather Statistics
On average, it can be expected to be somewhere around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Highs between 30 – 38 degrees Fahrenheit are typical during the winter months from late November to early March, allowing snow to form, fall and accumulate.
Is Chicago a depressing city?
Forbes ranked Chicago at number four on its list of most miserable cities. The magazine cited a decrease in home prices, long commutes, high foreclosure rates, lousy winters and high migration rate, with 107,000 leaving the city in the past five years, according the Forbes article.
What is the best area to live in Chicago?
- Near North Side & Gold Coast. Perfect for young professionals looking to live in one of the wealthiest historical neighborhoods in all of the country.
- Lincoln Park & Old Town.
- The Loop.
- Streeterville.
- Lake View.
- West Town & Wicker Park.
- River North & Marina City.
- Bucktown.
How do people survive in Chicago in the winter?
Is Chicago Really That Cold?
- Invest in proper attire. If you’re coming from a warm-weather spot, it’s crucial to have winter gear for your time in Chicago.
- Find walkable boots.
- Layering is key.
- Enjoy indoor activities and attractions.
- Take advantage of virtual offerings.
- Get cozy.
- Have a good perspective.
What is the safest part of Chicago?
Located in the northwest region of Chicago, Edison Park is the safest neighborhood on this list – with a violent crime rate 77 percent lower than the average. The area is home to many of Chicago’s police officers and is very welcoming to families and young professionals.
What is the average cost of a house in Chicago?
Housing: Home Purchase Prices
In January 2020, Chicago’s median home purchase price was $281,000, only slightly higher than the nationwide median price of $245,000. This means that in many circumstances, buying a home in Chicago may actually save homeowners money versus renting.
How much does it cost to buy a house in Chicago?
Chicago area homes are among the best deals in the country with a median home sale price of $253,000 and a down payment of $27,000 at 11 percent. At that price, homebuyers would need to save $2,231 a month for one year, $730 for three years or $430 for five.
Is it hard to move to Chicago?
Chicago is a challenging city for daily commuters with some aggravatingly long rush hours (6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Still, there’s good news: the Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA, can get you to just about every corner of the city, including some adjacent suburbs.
Is it better to live in New York or Chicago?
According to a scale compiled by BetterPlaces, Chicago scored 49.9 for violent crime and 46.3 for property crime. New York, in comparison, scored 28.2 for violent crime and 24.9 for property crime. That’s compared to the national average of 22.7 for violent crime and 35.4 for property crime.
Is Chicago a good place to raise a family?
Based on public schools, crime and safety, housing, nightlife, diversity and how good for raising a family, the ranking from Niche gave scores to suburbs throughout the country. According to the list, Chicago-area suburbs Long Grove and Clarendon Hills scored in the top 10 places that are best for a family in the U.S.
What should I avoid in Chicago?
What Not to Do in Chicago on Your 1st Visit
- Eating only deep-dish pizza.
- Skipping Wrigley Field.
- Putting ketchup on your hot dog.
- Shopping only on Michigan Avenue.
- Focusing on Navy Pier.
- Saying that the NYC skyline is better.
- Thinking only the Willis Tower Skydeck has incredible views.
- Renting a automobile in Chicago.
Is Chicago safe for females?
Chicago is as safe for female solo travellers as any city. If you are by yourself, it’s good practice to keep an eye on your surroundings and avoid walking alone late at night.
Is it safe to walk in Chicago?
– Day time will nearly always be safer than nigh time. For Chicago in general, all the stuff that you want to see is pretty safe. Stay away from the south side, but there’s not much there for tourists anyway. The River North area and the Mag mile are pretty good day & night.
What is the hottest month in Chicago?
July
A computer scan of Midway Airport temperature data from 1929 through 2009 reveals that July, with an average temperature of 75.2 degrees, is Chicago’s hottest month. August ranks second with 73.7 degrees, followed by June with 70.5 degrees.
Does Chicago get tornadoes?
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes hit the Chicago area Saturday as a series of storms downed trees and brought heavy winds to the area. A tornado occurred in Crest Hill in the early morning hours and moved into the north side of Joliet before lifting out of the area, the NWS said in a tweet.