Sitting directly on the famed Lake Michigan, Chicago is one of the most populated cities in the United States. It is popularly known for its amazing architecture and receives numerous tourists annually who flock to have a taste of its architectural masterpieces, its theaters and beaches.

Are you considering a long distance moving to Chicago, here are some reasons to help guide in your decision.

Things to Know Before Moving to Chicago

1. Job Market
Chicago is a great place for those looking to get suitable job opportunities. The city offers its residents numerous career options that cut across different sectors such as manufacturing, finance, and publishing.

2. Cost of Living
The cost of living in here is considerably on the high side. It was rated the 11th most expensive city in the United States. Although not as expensive as living in New York, it is still a substantially expensive city.

3. Best Neighborhood
Chicago is made up of 9 districts that break up into 77 communities. These communities are diverse and give the city a rich cultural and historical atmosphere. This large number of communities also make it possible to find a community that best caters to your needs and preference.

10 Reasons to Move to Chicago

1. Affordable Housing
Considering its status and comparing it to other cities within its league, Chicago has relatively low rental fees. For example, in San Francisco, the average rent is roughly double the rent in the city. Also, your choice of a neighborhood in Chicago also determines how much you pay for rent.

2. Amazing Restaurants
From fancy meals to roadside snacks, Chicago is reputable for its mouth-watering meals. You are not likely to completely explore all of the restaurants in the city if you have reason to pay the city a visit. You can also expect to have lots of farm-to-table meals while in the city.

3. Friendliness
On your first visit to Chicago, you may find it a little bit weird when you notice strangers responding to you like they know you. This is one of the City’s greatest strengths. Its residents are very welcoming to strangers, and it is a valid reason you should move to Chicago.

4. Festivity
Chicago residents love to take advantage of their beautiful spring season to engage in festivals. Oftentimes, you can find that there is a party or another form of celebration all through the season until the winter season. Therefore, if you are one who loves to have constant reason to be festive, then this city gives you just what you need.

5. City in a Garden in Truth
Just as its motto says “city in a garden”, you will find that Chicago is indeed one. Surrounded by numerous parks and boulevards, the city truly depicts the image of a city in a garden. The environment is perfect for those who love outdoor activities like picnicking, jogging, or going on long walks.

6. Great Theater
If you are a lover of theater and will love the opportunity to access one of the best theater experiences, then Chicago is a great place for you. Some of its popular theaters are the Second City, the Annoyance, the Steppenwolf Theater, the Goodman Theater, and the Lincoln Lodge.

7. Great Music
Music lovers are not left out of the charm Chicago offers. The city is known to have housed many popular jazz and blues artists. It also frequently holds musical festivals like Pitchfork, Riot Fest, and Lollapalooza musical festivals.

8. Fantastic for Lovers of Water
Have you wondered why do people move to Chicago for its aquatic offerings? You need to spend some time on some of the city’s numerous beaches to answer this question. Spread across the many beaches are fun lover swimming, kayaking, taking boat cruises, and paddle boarding.

9. Breweries
Chicago makes its boast as one of the world’s best cities for beer. With many beer festivals to give you a variety of beers to choose from, the city lives up to its reputation. Lovers of wines and cocktails are also equally catered to.

10. Architecture
Having a mix of historic Prairie School buildings and neo-Gothic skyscrapers, Chicago is home to countless architectural pieces.

Reasons Not to Move to Chicago
Every city that has its amazing side also has its not-so-amazing side. The following are tenable reasons not to move to Chicago.

1. Severe Winter
While the other seasons in Chicago are bearable, you should know before moving to Chicago, that the winters there are anything but bearable. In this weather, the temperatures reduce drastically and the popular Lake Michigan usually freezes.

2. Limited Access to Nature
Closely related to the extreme winter is the restriction on access to natural recreation. Most of the city’s residents are restricted to the beaches, and Lake Michigan, Hence, if you are a lover of variety, this may be a reason not to live in Chicago.

3. Intense Traffic
One thing you can expect when living in Chicago is to experience traffic congestion on a regular basis It is typically best for you to plan your movement, so you do not get caught up in it. Its rush hour gets so intense that you may end up spending about the times the needed timeframe to move from one point to another.

4. Increased Crime Rate
Everyone loves to be in a safe and secure environment. Unfortunately, this is not one of the things that Chicago offers its residents. Although its level of security is regularly debated, numbers from statistics in the past show that it is indeed an insecure state.

5. Landscape
For those used to mountains, hills, and forests, Chicago may be a little disappointing. With a rather flat landscape, you may need to drive some distance before encountering a mountainous vicinity. Hence, if are particular about landscapes, you should know Chicago is not flattering in this regard.

Conclusion
You may have heard so much about Chicago in the past and wondered if it has enough reason to move there. This article helps to weigh the pros and cons of living in Chicago to help in your decision.