Chicago's great, right? Beautiful views, great restaurants, and more things to do than you'll ever know. If you're considering making a move here, though, there are some things you ought to know first.
We don't mean to alarm you, but it's not all sunshine and roses here. Keep scrolling for some of Chicago's dirtier details.
1. It's expensive.
Even a studio apartment in a decent neighborhood will cost you at least $700 per month, and that's not in the Loop. You can expect to spend thousands per month just on rent to live there. Additionally, general taxes are higher, food is more expensive, and property taxes make buying a house nearly impossible.
2. Tourists are everywhere. all the time.
There is almost always a cluster of people at the Bean in Millennium Park. It can be difficult to really enjoy your city when a bunch of outsiders are all over the place. But there's also something to be said for tourists wanting to visit our fair city.
3. Traffic is awful.
Unless you only plan to go out after 10 p.m. when you move here (which isn't recommended), there's almost always going to be traffic. Chicagoans can be awful drivers, so watch out for no turn signals and people cutting you off. LSD, the Kennedy, and the Edens are the worst.
4. Our baseball team only wins every 108 years.
We're super proud of our Cubbies for finally winning the World Series after so many years, but it could be another hundred before it happens again. Fans remain loyal no matter what, though.
5. And then there are the Bears.
They haven't won a Super Bowl since before the turn of the century, and they haven't even been in the game since 2007 —
when they lost. They're kind of our black sheep.
6. Say goodbye to ketchup.
If you're going to move here and eat hotdogs in Chicago, you're going to have to put down that red sauce. Mustard is the only option here.
7. It helps if you like deep-dish pizza.
Many Chicagoans actually love this type of pizza, and it's literally everywhere here. We're proud of our thick-crust pie and will take a slice anytime.
8. You'll never stick to your diet.
Even if you don't care for pizza and hot dogs, the city is riddled with wonderful food. From sweets to ethnic food to popular snacks, Chicago is a hotbed for all the best restaurants in America.
9. Public transportation isn't always easy.
Depending on your disposition, this could be really fun or really harrowing. If you get a seat, it's not too bad, but during rush hour, there's a good chance you'll be standing and trying not to fall into other people.
10. Streets close down randomly.
Okay, so it's not that random. Most of Chicago's street festivals and block parties are annual events that locals are prepared for, but it still means a week or so without easy access to your doorway sometimes.
11. The winters are terrible.
Arctic temperatures, freezing rain, and blizzard-like snowfall are all possible here. You never know what kind of winter it's going to be.
12. And summer isn't much better.
Though the lake cools us off a little bit, most pockets of the city are subject to extreme humidity and heat throughout the summer, especially in July and August.
Of course, things aren't all bad in the second city. Check out 13 reasons why you should move to Chicago.
What other reasons might a person not want to move here for? Share your thoughts with us!
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