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Chicago is a beautiful city that offers many opportunities. Before you decide to pack your bags and move to the windy city there are a few things you should consider so you can avoid unnecessary cost, delays and unexpected surprises.
Weather Conditions
The weather in Chicago may be completely different from what you are accustomed to. This is especially true if you are transplanting to the windy city from a southern location like Texas. The Chicago winters can be brutal to even the seasoned snow and ice veterans.
Choosing the Right Part of the City
Each section of the city holds different aspects that make it more suitable for different lifestyles. If you love boutiques and the Cubs then you want to live on the Northside of town. If you want to live in the fanciest apartments and attend the art galleries then you want to live downtown. If you prefer ethnic restaurants and cultural experiences then the west side of town is best for you.
The best thing that you can do is look for a Chicago broker who has diverse listings all over the city. A broker that knows the city well will be able to help you choose the portion of town that will hold the most interesting things according to your preferences.
Traveling Around the City
You may not realize that owning your own car in Chicago can be a handicap. Parking is limited, and free parking is almost as rare as hen’s teeth. The majority of Chicago residents choose to use public transportation, hire cars, ride bikes, or walk around the city. It is a lot cheaper than trying to maintain the costs of a car and the costs of parking your car.
CTA is the cheapest and usually the easiest mode of transportation around the city. You must study local maps and learn the colors the train routes are marked with so you can quickly glance at a map and decide which train is going to go closest to where you want to go.
Remember to leave in plenty of time. If you are accustomed to driving your own car then you are not prepared for the slower travel of public transportation.
Know the Job Market
Before you decide to pack up and move to Chicago make sure that there will be opportunities for you to find employment when you arrive. Unless you are independently wealthy you are going to need to find gainful employment.
You want to make sure that there are plenty of job opportunities in the field that you work in. You also want to make sure that you are prepared for the cost of living in the city. The wages offered by an employer may sound really great until you get to the city and discover that food prices or living expenses are higher.
Final Thoughts
Moving to Chicago, or to any new place can be exciting and a little scary at the same time. You should always consider visiting a city, and talking to people before you make the decision to move.
If you are a medical professional, visit medical facilities and talk to the employees. This will give you a clearer image of how people just like you make it in the city.
credit/source: blog.aptamigo.com
