{"id":461,"date":"2019-10-02T01:27:34","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T08:27:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/?p=461"},"modified":"2020-11-09T00:56:07","modified_gmt":"2020-11-09T08:56:07","slug":"5-things-you-absolutely-need-to-know-about-chicago-before-committing-to-an-autumn-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/5-things-you-absolutely-need-to-know-about-chicago-before-committing-to-an-autumn-move\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things You Absolutely Need to Know about Chicago Before Committing to an Autumn Move"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago is famous for its long and brutal winters. However, if you\u2019re planning to move to the city in the coming weeks, don\u2019t worry! Chicago is nicer in the autumn than in the summer or winter, so you\u2019re in luck!<\/p>\n

With crisp and sunny weather,\u00a0mild temperatures and less rain than you might think,\u00a0you chose just the right\u00a0season for your move!\u00a0Let\u2019s\u00a0take a look\u00a0at\u00a0what other things about Chicago you should know\u00a0\u2013\u00a0including\u00a0getting around\u00a0town,\u00a0the cost of living and entertainment options.<\/p>\n

<\/span>1. Although Chicago is Expensive, You\u00a0Get a Lot for Your Money<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The average rent in Chicago\u00a0in August 2019\u00a0was $2,007, according to the Yardi Matrix. This is\u00a0significantly above the national average\u00a0of\u00a0 $1,472, but\u00a0lower than the monthly rent in other sought-after cities around the country.\u00a0For example, in Washington, DC, apartments\u00a0go for more than $2,227 while\u00a0those\u00a0in Los Angeles have gone beyond the $2,500 mark.<\/p>\n

There is good news on the self-storage front.\u00a0To make up for the lack of space at home,\u00a0you\u00a0can easily rent a storage unit in Chicago<\/a> that costs about $100 per month for a standard 10X10 storage unit<\/a> \u2013 significantly less than what people pay for self-storage in other big cities. In fact, self-storage street rates in Chicago are lower than the national average, at an average of $116 in September, according to Yardi Matrix.<\/p>\n

One other important factor that you should be aware of when it comes to the cost of living in Chicago are taxes. According to a report from the\u00a0Tax Foundation<\/span><\/a>, the city of Chicago\u00a0has the\u00a0highest sales tax rates in the country\u00a0with\u00a0Chicagoans\u00a0paying a combined state and local sales tax rate of 10.25%. The only other two cities in the nation with a similar level of sales taxes are Glendale and Long Beach in California.<\/p>\n

As\u00a0for\u00a0other living costs, you can expect a meal at a mid-range restaurant to set you back\u00a0an average of\u00a0$65,\u00a0\u00a0a public transportation monthly pass is $105,\u00a0and\u00a0average\u00a0monthly basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water) for an\u00a0apartment in Chicago are about $130, according to Numbeo.com.<\/p>\n

<\/span>2. When is the Best Time to Move Chicago?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

You probably\u00a0assume\u00a0that\u00a0the Windy City moniker is related to weather, but it\u2019s not. Apparently,\u00a0it refers\u00a0to\u00a0Chicago\u2019s politicians during the 19th\u00a0century,\u00a0who were said to be\u00a0full of hot air. The nickname was popularized by journalists and it really stuck \u2013 probably because, once the association with the politicians disappeared from the public conscience, the expression continued to hold some truth. Chicago is, indeed, quite breezy, due to\u00a0its\u00a0proximity\u00a0to\u00a0Lake Michigan, which is massive.\u00a0Lake Michigan\u00a0is also responsible for high humidity during summers.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re moving to Chicago, expect a large seasonal contrast\u00a0between the hot and humid summers and the cold and snowy winters. Springtime\u00a0is\u00a0cool and rainy, while autumn\u00a0has gloriously sunny and mild\u00a0days\u00a0with less rainfall than the other seasons.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0the perfect time to move in!<\/p>\n

<\/span>3. Getting Around Town is Easy and Fun<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Chicago is a very walkable\u00a0and bikeable\u00a0city,\u00a0and\u00a0it has an\u00a0extensive\u00a0public transportation network.\u00a0It might just be one of the few US cities where not owning a car is not\u00a0a big deal, as you\u00a0can get by perfectly well without one. There are eight L train lines and 129 bus routes in the city, plus the high-speed Metra rail that connects the suburbs to downtown Chicago.<\/p>\n

Chicago is\u00a0a biker\u2019s paradise, with\u00a0over 200 miles of bike lanes\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0bike-sharing program\u00a0Divvy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that provides about 600 bike stations and 6000 bikes available for rent 24\/7. You can commute to work by bike, or simply use them leisurely to enjoy fresh air and the nice views of Lake Michigan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lake<\/p>\n

<\/span>4. Chicago Neighborhoods\u00a0are Filled\u00a0with Character<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

The best part\u00a0about Chicago neighborhoods is that most of them\u00a0have easy access to parks and nature.\u00a0Whether you\u2019re moving to the city for school, for a job or simply for a new start, you\u2019ll be able to gather your\u00a0thoughts in a lush, green park near your home\u00a0(or in a snowy, frozen one, obviously, depending on the season.)\u00a0Either way, the parks are\u00a0amazingly invigorating!<\/p>\n

“There are almost 80 distinct neighborhoods in the city, each with its own personality and vibe. To make your\u00a0transition\u00a0easier, we\u00a0identified\u00a0a few of the best neighborhoods in town for newcomers.<\/p>\n