Everyone who is familiar with the creativity of Jack London knows the jock about one of the largest U.S. cities – Chicago. It tells about a journalist who thinks that Chicago is not a small hell but the hell is a small Chicago. Are there any reasons to be afraid of moving to this city? If it’s so bad, why is it one of the most populated areas in the country? The Windy City has a lot of peculiarities you can’t but should pay attention to when considering the relocation.
Weather conditions
The first thing to consider is the climate of course. If you like sunny days, Chi-Town may disappoint you. Yet, it’s not because of windchill. The locals never use this nickname. You may be surprised to get to know that it describes not the weather but the politicians. As for the main climate peculiarities, it’s worth mentioning the following points:
- In winter, the average temperature is 17 degrees;
- Summer average temperature is 77 degrees;
- There are more than 120 precipitation days year;
- The average wind speed is about 10 miles per hour. In comparison, in LA, it’s 7 miles per hour.
Costs of living
If you think that Chicago is expensive, you have never been to Los Angeles or New York. The greater part of your expenditures is renting. The cute studio will cost up to $1,000. If you need a 2-bedroom, you should be ready to pay about $1,250.
It’s worth considering buying your own house. The thing is that the housing market there is cheap. There are a lot of affordable and suitable variants. The price for a single-family house is up to $250,000. The monthly mortgage payment is $1,350.
By the way, if you can’t decide what you like more – a cute house in the suburbs or a cozy apartment in one of the numerous skyscrapers, you should choose the last variant. It was the very Chicago where the first skyscraper appeared. It’s a specific zest of the region.
Taxes are not the advantage of the area. You have to pay meals tax, extra sales tax, state tax, state and local surtaxes.
Job Market
Seeking for a good job? Chicago is just for you. You can find a lot of job offers on the Net. It’s possible to work in such industries as healthcare, education, publishing, finance, food-processing.
A walker’s paradise
If walking or jogging is your hobby, you appreciate the area. It’s almost impossible to get lost in the city. There are a lot of green areas and parks to enjoy nature. The city is very sports-friendly. There are about 300 miles of bike lanes.
Entertainment
The cultural life of the area is amazing. It’s possible to visit a new show or event every evening. The same is true about bats and restaurants. If you like world-class dining, you can’t find a better place.
Chicago is a wayward city. However, one visit is enough to fall in love with its awesome architecture and atmosphere forever.
