10 Things You Might Love While Living in Chicago

"Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world" -Frank Lloyd Wright

Chicago is such an amazing city. It has everything you may need or want in a city from a bustling, trendy restaurant scene to a scenic, peaceful waterfront and everything in between. Once you are in Chicago, there really is no reason to leave!

If you are lucky enough to live in such a great city, I can guarantee that you will never be bored or at a loss for things to do and see.  The city is endless and could keep you busy for years upon years. Here are a few of my favorite things that you may also love while living in Chicago.

1. Check Out the Lake

Chicago sits on the edge of Lake Michigan. While you may think of Chicago as being an inner state, away from the ocean, the Lake actually provides miles of beaches and scenic lakefront parks that you can enjoy. Whenever you need to get out of the busy city scene, just head to North Avenue Beach or take a walk on the 18 mile lakefront trail. The peaceful water and bobbing boats are sure to help you relax.

2. Attend a Festival

Chicago is known for it's incredible music festival and is also considered to be one of the music capitals of the world. Like the blues? Enjoy rock and roll? Or maybe house music is your things? Than Chicago is definitely for you! It is home to all these genera of music and also huge music festivals like Lollapalooza. Attending a music festival should definitely be on your list of things to do while living in Chicago. And if you want to stand out in the crowd, you can grab some festival-ready streetwear from Scummy Bears to complete your look.

3. The Restaurants

Chicago has one of the most diverse food scenes in the United States. If you are a true foodie or if you just love to give new tastes a try, this is the city for you. From authentic Korean foods to Vegan restaurants, BBQ joints to Ethiopian take out shops, you can find it all in this city.

4. The Cost

While some people may think that Chicago prices are on the higher side, it actually costs 30% less to live in Chicago than New York City or Los Angeles. The apartments are cheaper and the general cost of living (food, travel costs etc) is lower than other major cities in the USA. You will definitely appreciate having more of your paycheck available each month to spend at one of those amazing restaurants!

5. Incredible Architecture

If you love beautiful buildings and unique skylines, then Chicago is definitely for you. Chicago is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world and you will never tire of seeing such amazing feats of architectural genius. You can even take a boat tour around the city to learn more about some of the most impressive buildings in the city.

6. Checking Out New Neighborhoods

Chicago is a city made up of very diverse neighborhoods. Each section of the city has it's own vibe and identity that is fun to explore. You can walk down a block and feel like you are in a whole new city when you cross a single street. Getting a feel for each neighborhood is definitely something you should do while living in Chicago. If you find a neighborhood you love, hop on the app Zumper to see if anything is available for rent in that section of town- they offer real time listings so you can grab your dream apartment immediately after it is listed!

7. The Smell of Chocolate

Yup, you read that correctly- Chicago smells like chocolate. This is thanks to the Blommer Chocolate Company which is located in Fulton Market. The smell from the chocolate factory wafts through the air at least three days a week when the cocoa beans are roasted. Native Chicagoans know and love this smell and it is fantastic to live in a city that smells so sweet…but you will definitely have some chocolate cravings! You've been warned.

8. Access to the World

Chicago is a major travel hub and you can easily get a non-stop flight to almost anywhere in the world. With two major airports nearby, you can travel to and from Chicago with ease. So, if you need to get away for a few days- no problem! Chicago makes traveling very accessible.

9. The Museums

Chicago has some of the best museums in the world and that is a pure fact. From the Field Museum to the Art Institute, there are museums that everyone will enjoy. Each one is unique and worth checking out. Even if you aren't a real museum goer, you should make a point to check out one or two while living in the city.

10. No Cars Needed

When living in Chicago, you will have almost no need for a personal vehicle. You can take the L which is a system of elevated trains that wind through the city. You can travel by foot on the Pedway which is a series of walkable underground tunnels and bridges. Or, you can opt to bike as the cities roads have bike lanes which make traveling simple. A car is almost completely unnecessary when you live in Chicago and one less "thing" you need to worry about!

Living in Chicago sounds like a dream- who wouldn't want all of these great amenities at their fingertips?! If you are thinking that a move to Chicago may be for you then you should definitely check out Zumper, a new and super easy way to find a house, room, condo or apartment. Zumper is so much better than other home searching apps and sites out there because it gives you real time listings. That means, when a new rental pops up, you will know immediately. You can even set up alerts to tell you when something in your desired location, price range and amenity category is listed. This will let you jump on the listing before it slips away!

When living in a city, apartment hunting can be tricky and listings move quickly but Zumper makes it easy to stay on top of the market and get exactly what you are looking for in your new home. To make it even easier, Zumper lets you submit a digital rental applications and credit reports so you can qualify for the place of your dreams with just one click. If you are looking to live in Chicago and want an apartment or other temporary living, check out Zumper and you will not be disappointed.

If Chicago seems like the right fit for you, hop on Zumper today and search the housing options that are actually available right now. If you see something you like, apply right away and then start packing your bags to head to the Windy City! Take advantage of all the city has to offer and I know that you will fall in love with Chicago just like I did.

This is a collaborative post. All views and text are my own. Image courtesy: ChooseChicago.com

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