Been meaning to ask this. I'm a college student here and Rent is about $1,380/month for a decent place. The unemployment rate is 5.3%, which is about average. With a population of 2.7M, Chicago is a major city. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
4 upvotes
3 Replies
Roman Lee
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Austin about 8 years ago. The main reasons were school and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is average.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
27 upvotes
urban_maverick83
The food scene here is decent. Tons of great Asian places. I love the pace of life here.
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