Moving to a new city is always an exciting time, especially one as vibrant and diverse as Chicago. With world-class museums, a breathtaking lakefront, and numerous employment opportunities, there’s much to love about this city. Yet, making the move to a large metropolitan area comes with several logistical concerns. From finding the right neighborhood to ensuring you get your utilities in place and navigating the challenges of hauling furniture in a high-rise, there’s much to consider as you plan for this move.
I’m Nicole, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago. I understand the excitement that comes with moving to Chicago, but I also understand the process and what makes it work. Here’s a relocation guide for Chicago that can give insight into a few things you’ll want to keep in mind as you make this move.
Secure The Right Housing
Finding a place to live in Chicago can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Since the city has 77 distinct districts, not to mention many suburbs considered part of the greater metro area, the process can feel overwhelming. I recommend thinking through these strategies:
- Consider the distance to your work or school. Cutting down your commute time is always wise. Trust me, the less time you have to spend navigating Chicago’s rush hour, the better.
- Look at public transit stops. Many Chicago residents don’t drive often, but rely on public transportation to get around town. Consider finding an apartment near a station.
- Find the right vibe. You’ll find everything from high-rise apartments in neighborhoods like Lake Shore East or Kenwood to historic properties in communities like Edgebrook and Gage Park. Consider the vibe of the neighborhood and the housing type that fits you best.
Once you’ve determined where you wish to live, start looking for apartments to rent. High-demand areas can have long waitlists, so you may need to find something close by as you make the transition and wait for your ideal community to have an opening.
One thing that I’ve found challenging about life in Chicago is how different each community is. If you have the freedom to do so, I recommend renting short-term for a period of time to determine what area of the city best suits you. This will help you find a community where you feel truly at home.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Chicago
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,926 | $575 | $6,511 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $2,453 | $640 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,973 | $650 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,806 | $883 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,027 | $879 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $8,509 | $1,950 | $10,000+ |
| 6 Bedroom Apartments | $16,775 | $850 | $10,000+ |
Current Rental Pricing for Homes for Rent in Chicago
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,728 | $625 | $5,500 |
| 1 Bedroom Homes | $2,248 | $650 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Homes | $2,804 | $995 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Homes | $3,370 | $975 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Homes | $4,413 | $930 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Homes | $5,856 | $895 | $10,000+ |
| 6 Bedroom Homes | $7,822 | $2,200 | $10,000+ |
| 7 Bedroom Homes | $9,297 | $3,690 | $10,000+ |
Set up Utilities
Once you’ve found your apartment or home, call the utility companies to ensure you have service from day one of your rental agreement. It’s best to do this 2-3 weeks before you’re ready to move into your home to ensure you have the service in place from the first day. In Chicago, many rentals come with some of the utilities included. Talk to your landlord or rental company about what’s included in your lease agreement.
Once you know which utilities you’re responsible for, call the service providers to set up your account. The main utilities providers are:
- Water: City of Chicago Water Management – The Department of Finance oversees this service and the billing. You will call 312-744-4420 to put the billing for your water in your name.
- Trash: City of Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department – Within the city limits, this service is automatic for any home with 4 or fewer units. You don’t have to do anything to set it up. If you have a large item or want to set up recycling, call 311. For larger residential buildings, there will be a private waste service.
- Electricity: ComEd handles electricity in the city. You can call 1-800-EDISON-1 or set up service online.
- Natural Gas: You’ll get your natural gas from People’s Gas. Like electric, this is set up online or over the phone at 866-556-6001.
Internet service is another item you’ll want to set up for your new home, unless you have a hotspot. There are several options in Chicago, including:
- Xfinity
- Astound Broadband
- AT&T Fiber
- Verizon Home Internet
You’ll need to consider your usage demands and budget when choosing a plan. Also, check coverage for your specific neighborhood. Not all services serve the entire city.
The 311 About Chicago
Chicago offers its residents a special hotline they can use to request non-emergency services. By calling 311 or visiting the CHI311 website, you can learn about or apply for city services. The city will assign the request to the appropriate department and schedule the work. You can use the website to track your request and see when the services will happen. Some of the types of service you can schedule include:
- Disability services
- Employee protection help
- Non-standard garbage and recycling pickups
- Animal welfare services
- Environmental services
- Services for seniors
- Public safety
- Transportation and streets, including pothole repair
- Pest control
- Graffiti removal requests
- And more!
Find the Right Moving Service
You’re going to want moving help when you make the move to Chicago, and I recommend someone who knows the city. From the traffic to the tight spaces in apartments, professional movers will ensure your belongings get into your home or apartment unscathed.
There are simply too many movers in Chicago to list them all here. However, you’re going to want to ensure the company you choose is well-rated and properly licensed. First, check with the Illinois Movers’ and Warehousemen’s Association (IMAWA) and the US Department of Transportation to ensure they have the right compliance. Then, find movers that serve your residential area, and check their reviews online. You’ll want a full-service company that offers insider knowledge for moving within Chicago.
Logistics of a Chicago Move
Once you’ve secured your movers, it’s time to make your plan. Some things unique to the Windy City that you may not have had to think about before include:
- Traffic – Navigating Chicago’s intense traffic makes moving a bit more challenging. If you can consolidate your move into as few vehicles as possible, you will have an easier time. Also, try to schedule your drives between traditional rush hour periods to avoid delays.
- Parking – Just where can you park a moving truck in the city of Chicago? You will need to purchase a “No Parking” sign to block an area for your moving truck. You will purchase these from the Chicago Department of Transportation. In addition, you cannot park anything longer than 22 feet in residential areas, so make sure your moving truck fits. If you hire a mover, they will likely handle this aspect of your move.
- Elevators – Many Chicago apartments are in high-rise buildings that have dedicated elevators for movers. You may need to book an elevator time slot. Schedule this with the help of your movers to ensure you have access to your space.
- Certificate of Insurance – A high-rise building may also require movers to show Certificates of Insurance to move into their building. Check the rules of your building to ensure your moving crew is compliant. Again, fi you hire pros, this is less of an issue.
- Winter Weather – Lake-effect weather means snow, ice, and wind are common in Chicago during the winter. You may need to keep an eye on the weather forecast and have some flexibility with your move to account for this.
Get Registered for All the Things
Once you’ve moved, you need to register several things. First, file a change of address form with the Postal Service. This can actually take place before your move to ensure your mail gets forwarded properly.
Within 10 days, you need to visit the Secretary of State website to register an address change, so do this immediately after your move. If you changed states, you have 90 days to get an Illinois driver’s license. You can also request a voter registration card from the Secretary of State’s office to update your voter registration to your new address.
Once you’ve moved, register your vehicle with the state of Illinois within 30 days. If you stayed in the state, then you can skip this step. However, you’ll need a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker, again within 30 days, to park in the city.
Learn Your Public Transit Options
Now that you’ve moved, it’s time to get to know the intricacies of Chicago’s public transportation options. If you’re lucky, you can use it regularly and avoid having to navigate parking and driving in Chicago’s busy streets. However, since the city has one of the largest public transit systems in the country, it can feel a little overwhelming at first.
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, operates the city’s buses and the “L” elevated trains in Chicago. These run 24/7 with multiple lines accessing every part of the city. Use the CTA website to familiarize yourself with the routes. The lines can look quite intense at first, but you’ll soon learn which colors and numbers get you where you’re going.
In general, CTA is pretty safe, as long as you are in a safe part of town. I have no concerns about using these services to get around the city. A word of caution, though. If you must use one of the “L” at night, sit near the front. If possible, use a different form of transportation for late-night travel.
Metra Trains
If you need to travel outside of the city limits to one of the suburbs or an outer area not serviced by the CTA, you’ll use Metra. This commuter rail service connects well with CTA and can make the metro region even more accessible. Again, the Metra website is the best way to learn how to use this. I like to use their trip planner when I’m going somewhere new in the metro area to get an easy plan.
Ventra
Both Metra and CTA use Ventra cards as their primary payment option. You can find kiosks at the CTA rail stations to purchase these cards. You can also buy through the Ventra app. Ventra cards are refillable, making it easy to pay for your public transportation.
Divvy
If the weather’s decent, consider joining Divvy. This bike-share system lets residents use e-bikes and classic bikes, rented by the rider or by the day, to get around the city.
Taxis and Rideshare Services
Like most major cities, Chicago has a large network of taxi and rideshare options. If you can’t find a bus station to get you close enough to your destination, or you want to travel on your own timetable, consider these.
Get to Know Chicago
Moving to Chicago may feel overwhelming, but once you're here, you'll be glad you tackled the process. Once you’ve moved, spend some time exploring our city. You’ll find it’s full of interesting places to see, eat, play, and explore. Soon, you’ll be navigating it with the ease of a local!
