I'm in the UK, and want to relocate to America. I've done research (basic) into the areas I would like to live in and Chicago seems to be a really nice place. I have never been there before, so is there anyone who can tell me what areas are nice, and which should I avoid? Also, what are the living costs there? Such as cost of renting an apartment (anything from a studio upwards), how much the average wage could be etc. Also, are the people friendly to British people? I appreciate any help on this!
2006-09-08 02:35:22 · 10 answers · asked by alex2410 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Chicago
I relocated to Chicago in the early 90s, after considering New York and San Francisco, and I've really enjoyed living here. As far as big cities go, it's a really great place. There's lots of good restaurants, nightlife, concerts, cultural institutions and plenty of free and cheap things to do, including free access to a great "inland sea" (the 5th largest lake in the world). I won't say that you won't miss the ocean, but this is a darn fine substitute for being completely landlocked.
Chicago's mass transit is pretty good. You can get nearly anywhere with a combination of buses and trains (though the schedules can be somewhat erratic, but that's true most places, I think).
I'd recommend you limit your housing search to neighborhoods on the North Side until after you get a feel for the city. The North Side is better served by mass transit and has many more entertainment options. The downside, of course, is it's more expensive.
Studio and 1BR apartments on the North Side tend to run about $600 and up per month, though it's possible to find things cheaper.
The best place to find housing is in the Chicago Reader, one of our free weeklies. Click the "Apartments" link on the left side of the page and search by neighborhood or area.
Neighborhoods I'd recommend (pretty much in order) are: Bucktown, Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Andersonville, Lakeview, Edgewater, Wrigleyville, Ravenswood, Lincoln Park, Roscoe Village, North Center, Ukrainian Village, North Park/Budlong Woods.
All these neighborhoods are safe and pretty well-served by shopping, nightlife and transit.
Average wage depends on what you plan to do, of course, but Chicago Metroplis 2020, a local think tank, published an economic report in 2002 that the average annual salary in the region during 2000 was $43,000.
And don't worry about the friendly-factor. I've always found this to be a pretty friendly place. I've never had trouble striking up conversations on buses, in shops or at cafes. You also have the advantage of an accent will be irresistible to nearly everyone you meet.
Good luck!
2006-09-08 06:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everywhere you go in the US, people love Brits. Don't be surprised if they make you recite Shakespeare (even if you have a Cockney or North Country accent!). Americans love people from other places because mostl don't get to travel outside the country and having friends who come from other places makes us feel exotic and worldly.
I have lived in many places in the US and Chicago is one that I would not want to live in again.
Places I would like to live in again include:
Philadelphia--great food, nice people, good prices and jobs, easy access to lots of other places, beautiful countryside, longer springtime and fall due to being near the coast.
Orlando--lots of resort stuff and pretty palm trees, but prices are high and jobs don't pay well. Plenty of entertainment and many beaches and other fun close by. Weather is warm year-round, too.
Columbus, Ohio--Low prices and lots of jobs. People are nice and good place to raise kids. College town built around Ohio State University. I lived in a small town close to there called Worthington, a picturesque little burg with cute houses and a mall or two.
Boulder, Colorado--Beautiful little jewel of a town with the Boulder River and gorgeous countryside. Wonderful people and reasonable prices and jobs available.
San Fran Bay Area, California--Wonderful sunshine and nice people, but kind of expensive. Prices are high and jobs can be variable, but the sunsets are worth it.
It's a big country. There are lots of places not as cold and cruel as Chicago to start out in.
2006-09-08 06:28:18 · answer #2 · answered by nora22000 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i lived in chicago for 3 years, and i loved it - 4 months of the year. winter lasts from october till may. that being said, those 4 months are awesome! live near the lake, so you can take advantage of the bike/run/blade paths, and the beach. lincoln park is very popular with young folks - also check out bucktown.
you can find a reasonable flat for $1200-1600 per month. check out apartments.com or rent.com for some ideas.
i do miss it, until winter hits, and then i'm glad i'm in florida. chicago cold is not just cold - it is "suck your will to live cold". you feel like you're getting slapped in the face when you walk outside.
good luck with your move!
2006-09-08 03:03:07 · answer #3 · answered by HoyaDoc 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Chicago is nice to visit, but i would not recommend living there especially if you plan a family...Try Orlando if you are loOKing for a nice city to live in. I've lived here 16 years and it's ok and a lot of people from uk relocate here and spend holiday here. good luck!
2006-09-08 02:44:30 · answer #4 · answered by patricia_hyland72 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Chicago, from my standpoint, is a good place to start off if you want to live here because it's not too pricey and not too cheap either depending on how much you have. And while its not as crime ridden from what I heard (gang bangers? yuppies? wtf?) there is a thick line between rich and poor. From what I saw, it's also slightly cleaner than New York for its size. Altogether, I'd recommend it. :)
2006-09-08 03:07:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like an interested question
2016-07-27 12:23:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in chicago it is a nice place to be but it is very segregated
2006-09-08 02:57:49 · answer #7 · answered by I_Taste_Like_Candi 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
There are no nice places in Chicago.
2006-09-08 06:14:11 · answer #8 · answered by stan l 7 · 2⤊ 6⤋
LOL Chicago is an AWEFUL place to live!!
Everyone is either a gang banger or a wannabe yuppy!
dont move here! it sucks! i moved to indiana a few years ago cuz i couldn't stand living NEAR chicago!
plus it's expensive as hell for a TINY azz apartment
2006-09-08 02:39:51 · answer #9 · answered by Coltsgal 5 · 2⤊ 7⤋
I think it depends
2016-08-23 06:23:15 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋