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8 Reasons to Move to Chicago

Considering a move to the Windy City? Let us give you a few more excuses to do so.

By Lynsey Elve on August 29, 2017

Chicago IL
Chicago / Courtesy of the Chicago Botanic Garden

This article was produced in partnership with Mayflower Movers.

If you want life to be an adventure full of delicious dining experiences, shopping and arts, culture and history galore, then Chicago is the place for you. Positioned perfectly on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chi-Town is the third largest city in the U.S. with nearly three million residents who enjoy a perfect balance of big city living and natural wonders every single day. Interested in moving to Chicago? Here are eight reasons why you should stop what you’re doing and move here right now.

1. A Steady Job Market

Over the last few years, Chicago’s job market has improved significantly. Unemployment has fallen sharply to below six percent from 8.4 percent, and hiring is on the rise across professional services, IT, healthcare and insurance.

2. Lake Michigan

Lake Michigan is hands down one of the best things about living in Chicago. The Lakeshore boasts 26 miles of beautiful public beaches from North Avenue Beach to Montrose Beach with 18.5 miles of trails and green space for hiking, biking, volleyball playgrounds, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and soccer fields.

3. World Class Dining & Nightlife

Have you ever heard of Restaurant Row? It’s in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and lined with some of the best restaurants, bars and eateries in the city, state and nation. Anchored by Stephanie Izard’s renowned Girl and the Goat hot spot, this area includes culinary and cocktail standouts like Au Cheval, Green Street Meats, Maude’s Liquor Bar, Belly Q and SoHo House Chicago.

Chicago IL
Chicago / Courtesy of Timothy Neesam under a CC 4.0 license.

4. Unique Neighborhoods

Chicago boasts 77 vibrant, unique and generally “hopping†neighborhoods. Each of Chicago’s best neighborhoods is filled with countless opportunities to experience the very best the city and the nation has to offer. Business, arts, culture and don’t forget, amazing culinary fare. A few personal favorite neighborhoods include Old Town, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park and River North.

5. The Sports

If you’re a sports fan, you should probably live in Chicago. (Ever heard of Michael Jordan?!) Our legendary and enviable sports team roster includes MLB standouts the Chicago Cubs (Fly the W!) and the Chicago White Sox; NFL legends the Chicago Bears; and hockey superstars the Chicago Blackhawks. Then you start getting into the college teams in the area, and the list goes on and on.

6. A Shop-aholics Dream

Chicago is a shopper’s paradise. The shopping gem of Chicago is the famed Magnificent Mile, which is packed with high-end retail, dining and entertainment options. Another great shopping option is State Street which includes the historic Macy’s on State Street. If you’re interested in going off the beaten path, venture to the quaint shopping district surrounding Halsted and Armitage in Lincoln Park.

7. The Summer Months (festivals, beach, concerts, etc.)

Chicagoans live for summer. It’s the best time of year, with countless festivals such as the Windy City Rib Fest and Old Town Art Fair, tons of concerts to choose from including the Windy City Lake Shake, Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, and literally a new beach to explore at every mile marker. Yes, summer is reason enough to move to the city of Chicago.

8. History, Arts & Culture A-Plenty

Chicago is chock full of history, arts and culture, you could spend days checking out museums and monuments! Some of the best include The Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago History Museum, Alder Planetarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.

This article was produced in partnership with Mayflower Movers.

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