Chicago Living

By Krishan Narsinghani

Some call it America’s best fine dining town and others call it the Windy City. Chicago, IL is notorious for its bites and lake breeze, but 360 Magazine believes it’s one of the top cities to move to next.

It’s true that the winters are freezing, but the greater Chicago area has all four seasons and each one exudes a unique beauty. Midwest doesn’t only mean more sunshine and snow, but also affordable living prices and midwestern hospitality (which is important if you don’t already know people in the area). Opinions may vary, but Chi-town is cleaner than most metropolitan cities in the US and Summertime does not disappoint. Relax on the beaches of Lake Michigan or enjoy a nice hand-crafted cocktail at one of the many rooftops. Also explore the rich history and landmarks like The Bean, Navy Pier and Millennium Park – where Lollapalooza is annually held.

First, you need to find where you want to live in the city or outside the city. With over 70 neighborhoods to choose from, movers have tons of options depending on the culture and attractions they want to be associated with. If you’re looking for a superb nightclub scene, River North is your area. West loop is ideal for corporate workers and hot restaurants. West town has new ethnic eateries with wicker park nearby. The list goes on, but every part of Chi has its own vibe and treasures. Getting around the city is easy as public transport isn’t an issue.

In today’s market with COVID-19, it’s harder than ever to find proper living spaces in a major city whilst also budgeting within a reasonable price range. According to Chicago data collected by travel blogger, Lauren Monitz, “The median price for a home listing is $1,750 which is slightly over the national average.” For apartment renting, Zumper’s data showed that the average rent in Logan Square is as low $950 for a studio (and $1,095 across the city overall). Find a roommate and move to The Loop for an average of $2,810 per month. In cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, the average rent price is significantly higher.

A hidden lifesaver recommended for individuals looking to jumpstart their move is a platform called Zumper. Zumper is used by millions of renters to find houses, rooms, condos, or apartments for rent. It’s as simple as applying online. Submit digital rental applications and credit reports with their screening service, powered by TransUnion™. We’ve all tried to use countless rent/housing websites, but Zumper’s site maximizes quality. The inventory is updated in real-time, so users always see new rentals first. Try filtering by location, price range, bedroom count, pet-friendly, or amenity and set an alert to get notifications when a new listing is posted.

It’s always hard to take that first step and find the perfect place. Using websites and apps to navigate searches help legitimize you traveling in-person to visit a new home. It will also save energy if you aren’t wasting time on sites that don’t filter new apartments and homes, plus alerts to keep you in the know. Overall, Chicago has made a mark on our staff. It’s safe to say it’s one of the top cities in the US to live in.

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