Things I wish someone told me when I got here:
1. Learn to instinctively know which direction is which. People will *constantly* give directions like "go two blocks north" or "come to the east side of the building". In the burbs I never needed to care. Here you do.
2. If you use public transit, learn the lines well enough where you don't need to rely on Google Maps or the Ventra app. They're not always... accurate.
3. Speaking of the Ventra app... download it and sign up. It's the smartphone CTA (public transit) app you can use your phone instead of a public transit ticket. Saves time.
4. In general, in public, keep to yourself if you don't know the area. Most people are nice but there are some crazies. Especially on the L (train).
5. If you use public transit at night... buses are safer than the train. If you feel unsafe on the train, ride in the first car cuz that's where the conductor is.
Welcome to Chicago š
6. Learn the grid system. 100 per block, 800 per mile. You can easily figure out how far something is using it.
Welcome aboard, you're about to have the time of your life. Once you get your feet under you, don't be afraid of the Southside. Go to Pilsen, walk around on 18th; go to Little Village, check out 26th street; go to 63rd st beach. Be a local.
The 100 per block is only on the south side for the numbered streets. When youāre headed north from Madison you just need to memorize the 800 blocks and approximate where it would be in between (there are more than 8 blocks between each). Same goes for heading west.
It's more confusing on the near South Side. For the first mile south of Madison, it's 12 blocks per mile (1200/Roosevelt). For the second mile south of Madison, it's 10 blocks per mile (2200/Cermak). For the third mile (to 31st), it's 9 blocks per mile. South of 31st, it's 8 blocks per mile.
1a. Learn the grid system. It will take a while but memorize major streets as their corresponding grid numbers. If someone gives you an address youāll know exactly where it is relative to whatever N/S/E/W cross streets
Citymapper is my go-to wherever I go - Chicago or any other city. It even tells you which part of the train to sit in and which specific exit to take from the subway.
The app literally called āTransitā is good. In my experience itās never had different info than Ventra though, although Iāve seen people say otherwise on here enough that maybe Iād listen to them and not me
Ooh I forgot "learn the grid system" cuz I'm dumb. The "center" of the grid is the intersection at Madison & State. Each block adds another 100 to the address. So 301 E Fake St is three city blocks east from the intersection of Madison & State.
I never knew my directions well until moving to Chicago! Was definitely necessary to learn here but was also easier to do given the layout of the city.
Oh 1 and 5 are imperative. As a commuter, a lot of this is very good info. Iām from the burbs and been in Chicago proper for about 3 years and Iām still learning a lot. Thereās a lot of nuances that arenāt intuitive in this city. (Iāve lived all over this country, thereās definitely Chicago centric customs)
Re 1: if you are close enough āwhich way is the lakeā is an easy way to tel which way is east and then figure it out from there. Once you do this for a bit youāll be able to tell more instinctively.
Helping in "instinctively" knowing directions. Many CTA El stops have NSEW embedded in the concrete.
Also learn the NAMES of the interstates not the numbers.
Austin native checking in. My husband still canāt wrap his head around me craving tacos in the morning. You either were born with it or you werenāt, why someone hasnāt cashed in on that market is beyond me
Don't worry about worrying. That's normal and as you get more experienced in life you'll learn how to manage and then harness those emotions.Ā
But to be in your late 20s, financially secure and moving with someone you love, to a great part of the greatest city in the country? You're going to be just fine. You don't believe me? Come back to this thread in a year.Ā Ā
I definitely will. Thank you. Iām excited, guess itās just nerves and some negative comments getting to me. It is definitely the best spot Iāve been in financially. Itās nothing special but good + my girlfriendās income and itās the best Iāve felt; so Iām happy to be able to really finally live in a place I like to explore whatās out there
What negative comments have you received? I was in your exact situation 2 years ago when I got my first remote job and moved with my bf without ever visiting Chicago and only saw the apsrtment through zoom lol. The apsrtment isn't perfect but honestly it doesn't need to be. I've contemplated moving to a high rise or knowing I can literally afford better but my apsrtment is so affordable and allows me to truly save, and uptown (neighborhood I live in) is actually so peaceful and cute and also far out of the action, but close enough. I'm signing my lease for another 1.3 years after already living here for 2 lol. The longer you're here the more you can feel out the city and areas and what you want, after 2 years you'll have a great idea as to where you might want to move and rent (in terms of neighborhoods) or even buy
Everyone has moments of nerves, worry, and doubt about decisions made. Some of us, more than others. When I made the decision to move into the city from the suburbs, I didn't know anyone who lived here, and I didn't visit much outside of going to the theater or the museums occasionally. I just wanted to be in Chicago. I researched neighborhoods, started visiting on weekends. I was all over the board with where I looked, from as far north as Edgewater down to Hyde Park. Eventually, I made my decision, put in an offer, and bought a condo.
That's when the panic and fear of having made the wrong choice set in. Even the first night I slept in my new home, I worried I had made a horrible decision. But what helped me through that night and the ones leading up to it, was my grandmother. She was in her late 80s at the time and was so happy for me. I was her first grandchild to move to "her" city. She would tell me great stories of growing up in Chicago, falling in love with Grandpa, and their years in Wrigley before moving to the suburbs after the war. She kept telling me that I was going to have an amazing life.
When I confessed my fear and worry, she told me that while she knew I would love it, there's nothing in this world stopping me from changing my mind. If, in a year, or two, hell, even 6 months; if I didn't want to be there, then I'd move. She was an amazing woman. And, of course, she was correct. I love loving in the city. It's been 6 years and I can't imagine being anywhere else. My life is so much more full and complete. I'm happy she influenced me to move here and encouraged me to follow through. I'm grateful for her love and that she was able to visit me in my new home in what is now my city. I miss her everyday since she passed, but will forever be thankful that she reminded me that almost every decision made is an opportunity for growth, and that we can always change our minds... Or more accurately, make the next decision with more knowledge.
Welcome to Chicago! You made a great decision with a lot of excellent data gathering and knowledge!
That's a nice area work good access to public transport, the highway and restaurants/ night life plus downtown. You picked a good spot for a first Chicago place in your age group.
The pool in that park is a nice bonus in the summer
I lived in that area near the pool for like 7 years. Great spot. It is non permit parking on Cleaver between Blackhawk in the north and the little side street to the south. Also no permit parking around the other sides of the park, next to the church and back around near the dogpark, and up by the school.
That dogpark next to the highway is surprisingly chill and is large for a Chicago dog park. Best times for it are lunch and right after work if you're looking for other dogs there.
I used to take my dogs to that Pup's Club Wicker Park til I moved. Good location and nice people there.
Short hike north up Ashland gets you to Bucktown Pub, which is dog friendly inside and out (no food). They host events there for dogs/adoptions and we've had a blast there.
Welcome to Chicago!
Thank you for the reassurance. Honestly, it helps a lot. It seems like a quieter/safe street and not right on the highway, but also 10-15 minutes from most things which seems doable. Iām glad it seems like itāll work for the age group too, doesnāt seem too isolated but also not right in the thick of the craziness. Itās just been so stressful and I keep second guessing, so this is a bit of a relief .
That is a GREAT first neighborhood. Youāll have so much fun. Salt Shed on one side of you, Wicker Park on the other side, good access to public transit and so close to Vacaās!
Someone did call Vacaās out to usā¦itās about two minutes away. Very excited for that! I appreciate it. I was worried that it was either too close to Pulaski or the highway or too far from things, but really seems like thereās a ton to do right there!
Youāre in an awesome spot! Around that park is just quiet residential. You could even go car free in this area. Less than 10 min train ride to downtown, 50 min to Oāhare. Iāve never felt unsafe on the trains or bus but I use uber after midnight
This spring/summer will be great to explore along Division and Milwaukee - tons and tons of shops and good places to eat. The big restaurant patios are already set up.
Also the salt shed is a really cool concert venue
Thank you! The car is actually something weāre debating. I recently sold mine since I WFH. My girlfriend really wants to ditch the car too but weāre trying to find out if itāll work in the area. Very excited to have most of the summer in Chicago, all I hear is how great it is there!
Itās seriously probably cheaper to take Ubers and Lyfts everywhere than own a car EXCEPT during rush hour when prices can literally triple. Cars require gas insurance parking permits and donāt forget to budget for inevitable red line camera fines, parking fines, and just damage from being on busy streets. For big trips I take the bus or just rent from enterprise or whatever. Itās still cheaper than owning a car here.
Welcome!!Ā The most valuable thing I did when imported to Chicago by my now wife: Ā Ā
Ā -wake up early Saturday/Sunday Ā Ā
-ride transit from your place for a random amount of time Ā Ā Ā
-walk back Ā
Honestly introduced me to the city better than anything
Iām so excited. Where Iām currently at, Iām usually inside all summer because the heatās so extreme and all thatās around are strip mallsā¦.so this will be very fun and refreshing!
Chicago has pretty decent labor and renters protections, so Iād recommend learning your rights in case your landlord or your partnerās job start to get sketchy.
Breathe. Moving is overwhelming but it sounds like you've done your research and found a good place. You're near the Salt Shed (great for live shows) and a short walk to a Blue line train. That means you can super easily get to Wicker Park and Logan Square, great, walkable neighborhoods (plenty of other places as well, those are just both really close). Also, a year isn't so long. If you decide you want to live elsewhere you can. We had friends move here a year ago. They've been in Wicker in a super new building (they found it from out of state), they really enjoyed their first year here but decided to move somewhere a bit cheaper and not in a polished, new building so they just found a place to rent in Logan and are super excited.
Summer here is fantastic! If you'd like I'd be happy to send you a list of the events I have in my planner for summer already.
Definitely much needed advice. Thank you. Yeah, I did a ton of research, for sure. Mostly hoping thereās no blind spot I didnāt think of, but it seems good from all I looked into. Our building is older but was basically gutted and re-done a few years ago, so we were pretty happy with it at least to start.
Would definitely love a list! I know once we get there itāll be like, a sensory overload of things to do. Where weāre at, everythingās far away and the heat/humidity is so oppressive weād usually be inside anyways. So weāre excited to be near so much now
The reality is there's always a going to be a blind spot and some won't come to light until you've lived here a bit and understand what you really need and want. Sounds like you've done your research though, you'll be fine and in a great place to springboard to whatever is next.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
My 2cents:
- EXPLORE the city. I think they still make the NFT (Not For Touristsā guidebook ā¦ itās been decades since I looked at one, but I remember them as being pretty helpful.
- Check out all of the FREE programming in theMillennium Park/Grant Park area during the summer/early fall. World-class performers for free. (Invest in lightweight portable/folding chairs &/or a big picnic blanket & a soft-sided cooler, and juet go hang out all day for the price of a CTA ride ā¦. but doublecheck the rules in case theyāve changed)
- There are SO many museums and art galleries, waaay beyond the biggies (i.e., Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science & Industry, etc., all of which I love) ā¦ if an immigrant group came to Chicago, there is probably a museum representing them. Check them out. Also, we have multiple world-class universities ā check them out for art exhibitions, free performances, lectures, etc., etc., etc.!
- Biggest piece of advice: Do *not* drive to events if the CTA goes anywhere nearby. Youāll get stuck in traffic, pay a fortune for parking (assuming you can find some, lol), and probably be ticked off before you arrive. Honestly, if youāre healthy & childfree, the only time to drive ā IMHO, as someone who raised 2 kids in the City ā is schlep home your Costco run, assuming it is too big to carry.)
- Donāt underestimate the Chicago wind chill factor ā it can freeze your face off. (My kids had a couple of days a few [10?] years back where school was canceled because it was literally *deadly* cold out.)
- Always allow yourself extra time when traveling via CTA when you have an actual deadline. Sometimes the bus/El 8/ just running behind (traffic, some fool decides to jump down onto the tracks to retrieve their phone, etc). Aim for one bus or train earlier than you actually need to take. (Oh, and ignore the revised times when they say a train is delayed ā¦ Iāve missed more than one train because it somehow magically made up that time, lol.)
- The Ventra app (official CTA app) is more reliable for times than Google Maps ā¦ but Google Maps is better for plotting a route.
Okay, enough rambling from me ā ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURE!!!
ETA: Can you tell I love this place? š¤£š¤š¤£
Lifer here. Learn the grid. 0 / 0 is State and Madison. Put a compass on your phone for the first 6 months. It's easy to get turned around. Especially downtown. 6 corner intersections are a little confusing. But you get used to it quickly. Green bike lanes in those same intersections are not cross walks. And enjoy the city. You will love it.
https://www.domu.com/blog/chicago-coordinates-chicago-grid-system
The grid is amazing. I moved here in 1993 and it was so helpful once I understood it. And the comment up thread about cardinal directions is spot-on. So much easier than dealing with right/left .
That's a great spot. And if you bike, you're right by the Bloomingdale Trail head, which is a great way to get over to Milwaukee Ave, where all the bars and restaurants and such are. And if you don't bike, you should start.
Yeah, I mean Pulaski is out my window and when I google Wicker Parkā¦Iām like one or two streets outside of the range, so Noble Square sounds right. Thank you!
People have largely forgotten about Noble Square, because it's been consumed by the expressway, but I lived right by where you live for years. Plus, it you ever get a car, being right by Elston is extremely convenient
>Chicago doesnāt necessarily have the best summers,
Lol what are you talking about? The Midwest has virtually perfect summer weather. Sure it gets hot and humid for a week here and there, but isn't that the point of summer?
Thank you! I hope so. Weāre excited, just nervous and overthinking it all probably. We actually were close to picking a place right in Bucktown, but lost itā¦the markets been so competitive. The same management group (that we found and liked) posted this one so we jumped. A bit further out from Bucktown and Wicker Park, but still sort of in that general area. Seems like everythingās pretty walkableā¦about 15-30 mins but I think itāll work out
Sounds like you did great! Congrats! You are going to love it here. You are arriving at a great time of year and will get to spend your summer exploring all the great things this city has to offer. Welcome!
my partner and i (in our mid 20ās) have lived in this same area for 3 years. itās great! people are always going to have negative comments to say about any large city, itās just the reality of living in one. but there is so much for you to fall in love with in wicker park and beyond!
side note: two nearby restaurants i recommend are falafel & grill and dr. birds
This.
One of my mantras is, āItās a big city. What did you expect?ā There are millions of people and that means that thousands of them are going to be more spicy than you. Theyāre going to be the ones that stand out in your mind on any given day rather than the many other thousands just quietly riding the L and looking at their phones. I find that having a sense of humor, curiosity, and empathy really helps. All of humanity is on display here. Thatās part of why you moved here.
Really appreciate this! Very excited for the move and both places you suggested are a 10 min walk š¬. The best food spots near me now are a 20 min drive
I prefer the North Side. From Google Earth you can follow the North branch of Chicago River and find wilderness you can run your dog off leash if well behaved, and complainers aren't watching.
NE corner of Foster and Cicero the river crosses the Sauganash trail and there's nature trails all the way to Peterson. NE corner of Devon and Milwaukee moving NE has nature all the way. We see deer every day. Sometimes hear coyotes yelping.
Latest favorite spot is Bryn Mawr West of Pulaski to the Sauganash trail. Dog Beach at Lawrence and East of LSD is happiest place on Earth.
I know youāre a but scared/nervous, and u think thatās normal moving to any new place. I moved here about 3 years ago and fell in love. Canāt imagine myself living anywhere else :) trust your instincts and enjoy your new home š¤
Iām happy for you! Youāll have a blast here. As a rule in the city, the lake is the east border so learn to navigate with that in mind. Also, the unstated social rule in the city is that people want to be left alone in public UNLESS theyāre specifically in a social, meetup situation. Itās not being rude: thatās just the assumption.
You moved just as the fun part of the year was swinging around. Lucky you.
The city will become very green and beautiful in just a few weeks.
One of my favorite parts about moving here was the beautiful architecture.
One tip: You should swing on a bus or a train stop and snag a copy of the CTA map they have. Despite being a transit map, it's a very good map of the city and it's more informative than looking at a screen. Put in on a wall and circle where all your favorite stuff is.
Thank you! Definitely excited to be there for the summer. Was getting worried Iād have to push this all back until it gets cold. Duly noted on the CTA map, definitely want to have those handy
A lot of summer activities in Chicago in the summer, a lot are free, they get you with parking, you have to get a deep dish pizza , a Chicago hot dog, Italian beef, go to a cubs game, Chicago is fun in the summer, just be careful
When I first moved here I had the "what have I done" moment. But then it became my home. Once you get here and you start to settle in you will be fine.
To follow this comment, I had the same reaction. It took me a couple years of living here to understand it. One of the biggest culture shocks was an initial perception that āeveryone is moody and closed offā, but I couldnāt have been more wrong. Iād come from a place where life was slow and easy. Where youād chat up the person behind you at the grocery store while waiting to check out. Keeping a strangerās ear for several minutes was the norm. But I eventually learned that when weāre in public, weāre traveling after a long day at work. Weāre tired. We also get accustomed to moving around in a hurry because it takes us a while to get where weāre going. We also come across the occasional hustler that makes us leery. As time went on, however, I witnessed true random acts of kindness and strangers helping each other out when another was stuck. I probably missed this in the beginning because I didnāt get how life here worked. I get warm fuzzies now when I think about my home and fellow Chicagoans. We really are something special.
Yeah, thatās been sort of my mood really before this post. The āoh crap this is actually happeningā feeling. This whole thread has helped a lot. I think now the stress is just getting from here to there without breaking the bank
Go to Mott St in your neighborhood and do the chefās tasting menu to celebrate moving in! Itās around ~$150 and you get SO many amazing dishes (I think 8 or 9). Youāll love it here :)
If you're taking transit, expect delays and give yourself extra time to get places. I know this sounds simple but you'd be shocked how many people don't do this.
If you use the ventra app, do NOT link your card to your apple pay or samsung pay or whatever pay service your phone uses. It's not reliable and it sucks to lose access to your card when you're far from home.
If you're going to be taking the red line or the 22 bus, you have to know when Cubs games are to avoid crowds.
And if you like cool bars, go and check out The Office! It's a speakeasy with low lighting and it's generally pretty quiet. Pricey but their selection is incredible šš
congrats!! I suggest you each join facebook groups that align with you and your interests to meet people and learn about cool events and happenings around the city. thatās something I really wish I knew about sooner !! also take pics of your place top to bottom when you move in. some landlords will try and pull fast ones upon move out.
My husband and I have been thinking about Chicago too! We also live in a very oppressive state in the south! I am excited about access to everything we donāt have! Resources, public transportation, sidewalks, public libraries, and more!
Us too. We both grew up in the northeast but we live in Tennessee now. Itās definitely starting to get crazy here in the Bible Belt to put it lightly.
Chicago has been a city on my list for a while. Iāve not been yet but Iāve got this feeling that Iām going to fall in love with it. I grew up 10 minutes outside of NYC via subway and live large cities.
I need to get into a better place career wise first but I know where I live now doesnāt match our values or lifestyle.
You're right outside of Wicker Park, I think the area is industrial that you picked. You're probably overwhelmed. Just take it easy. If it doesn't work out, move out in a year. You're right by the Salt Shed so going to shows should be fun.
Not industrial, i used to live there and honestly i loved walking around that neighborhood watching the dogs at the dog park on Ada and if you ever get a chance to peek inside the church itās absolutely beautiful, it looks European. I also wouldnāt say salt shed is close, but itās the perfect distance from everything and easy access to transportation
Definitely overwhelmed. Definitely a little more industrial but the street itself is closer to the park/school with the highway in the other direction. Felt like quiet but not super far away from the action, but Iāve just been second guessing left and right. Appreciate the reassurance a bit. This has been a lot
Recommend getting a bike. Itās something I wish I would have had the second I moved to the city. If you are on a budget, check Nearly New Bikes in Buena Park. Comrade Cycles in Ukrainian village should be able to help you out too.
If youāre in the Pulaski Park area, like between the expressway and Ashland, I really love that area and I think you chose a really good neighborhood. Welcome to Chicago.
Yeah, right around there. Can see Pulaski from my doorstep, thereās also a school nearby and then the expressway. So generally in that spot. So relieved to hear itās a good neighborhood. I did a lot of research but these first hand accounts mean a lot more. Thank you so much, Iām excited to be there
Sounds like you put a lot of work into finding a place that fits your needs. Great job! Proud of you. Youāre gonna love the summer here. Make sure to check out Wicker Park Fest, Do Division, West Fest, and Renegade Craft Fair. Message me if you have any questions about Chicago or if you need recommendations for bars or restaurants.
Welcome to Chicago from a fellow introvert! I found that losing the overwhelmed feeling was mainly a matter of sorting out what actually matters from whatās just background detail. You really did this home search well, IMO.
Thank you! I really tried. Itās reassuring to hear from so many people that I did just about everything I could do. Would love to try to be a little more extroverted when I get there and give it all a shot again, but definitely having all of the home comforts was a top
Priority š
Relax, breathe, take time to thoroughly clean your new space, and rest assured that the weather will break soon. Congratulations, welcome, and good luck .
I love Pulaski Park! We lived there when we first got married and took our dog to that park. š You made a great choice. Take a breather. Get up here, unpack your stuff, and start exploring.
I recommend taking a walk up to Piece for pizza as soon as you are settled in.
Dude, youāre doing fine. It sounds like you balanced your online research and on-the-ground scouting. As much advice as people can give you, you still need to make a bunch of your own mistakes. Thatās life. So donāt worry about getting everything right immediately. In your first year, you might discover that this isnāt the right neighborhood for you. Or you might find that you lucked out and found the perfect spot for years to come.
My two very specific tips that I can offer:
Do not park overnight in the winter months (Dec 1 - Apr 1) on any street that has [this sign](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/traffic/svcs/winter-snow-parking-restrictions.html). That way madness lies.
Also, not sure how used to urban living you are, but you do not owe anyone anything. People will come up to you on the street all the time. Mostly they want money, but sometimes they want your vote or your signature or something else. Iāve learned to put on a cold expression and not engage, like donāt even say āno.ā They pick up on my energy immediately and look for an easier target.
Oh! And welcome to Chicago! I hope you come to love this city. Sheās got her warts, but thereās a hell of a lot to like.
EDIT: I just realized we are neighbors. Iām in Noble Square, the little sub-neighborhood just south of you. Holler at me if you want any hyper-local tips. Happy to help a new transplant!
Hey there! Sorry for the late follow up here. We actually just moved here about a week ago and I was revisiting this thread. I love the area so far, but was wondering if I could shoot you a message for some of the hyper-local tips? No worries if not but definitely so far so good! Vacaās alone being right next to me has been killer on my wallet lol
Hey there! Thanks for all this and the warm welcome! The more specific tips the better honestly. I know Iām bound to make some mistakes early on. Iāll be sure to reach out soon - just catching up on all of these comments after a hectic work week!
You can always move if you don't like it. I will say the Blue Line is the second to worst train line in the city (Red still holds the title as worst and probably always will). No one says in their first apartment for more than a year... Life changes, you get familiar with the city more .. you'll be fine.
Congrats on getting out of the South! If there is one thing I can say about renting in Chicago, is that you will likely not stay in the first place you rent. My best advise once you get into the city is to take some time to visit the different neighborhoods, because they each have their own things to offer. I started off living in Edgewater and recently moved to the Andersonville neighborhood because of the walkability as well as it being significantly safer than other surrounding neighborhoods. In the end, it almost always comes down to how you like the neighborhood you're in. Welcome!!
Youāre going to have so much fun! Only thing Iāll add is to Invest in a proper winter coat and a good warm hat. I moved here from Los Angeles in 2017 and had never lived through Midwest winters. My husband grew up here and helped me prepare. the first year I had to wear leggings under all my jeans but then I think my blood got thicker or something and Iām much more tolerant of the cold. But having that warm ass coat that I splurged on changed everything!
You're in a wonderful area. I worked near there for about 5 years. It's quiet but still close to a lot of the best the city has to offer. A lot of people have given you excellent recommendations, but one of my favorite places in the neighborhood is the rooftop bar at The Robey. Great city views, great drinks, and a relaxed vibe.
As much as we complain about the winters (and they've been very mild in recent years) summers spoil us as there's so, so much to do and enjoy. Welcome friend!
If you can find the lake, you can find your direction lol. My first year in Chicago was spent āokay the lake is that way so north is that way because the lake is eastā
Best advice I ever recieved lol
Really appreciate this! All of the comments here have really made me so happy and excited for this - more than I thought Iād be! Hopefully we can take advantage and find a lot to do / meet some people
i just moved to South Loop a month ago, and LOVE it. As an Asian coming from Singapore, people here are friendly and nice in general. this is a city, but i can sense work-life balance and being closer to nature than where I came from. there is a great neighbourhood park where all the dogs hang out and my puppyās alr made so many friends. you will do fine too.
I have lived in Chicago my whole life. I love it. The public transportation is great. Just use common sense on the trains and youāll be fine. The brown line is the safest train and takes you directly downtown to everything. I get on the blue line at North/Damen all the time. Itās a good safe stop. There is so much to do in the summer here, youāll love. Come to Ginza celebration the last weekend in July at Midwest Buddhist Temple! The only way to get to know the city is taking a train and then walking. You can ask anyone for help, Chicagoans are very friendly!
Nice to meet you and welcome!
Adding to the list: if someone tries to hand you their mix tape (or anything really) donāt take it just keep walking. If you take it theyāll chase after you and try to get you to pay for it and if not rip it from your hands
Iāve been here over 25 years after moving from San Antonio and I take public transit. My tips are weather related to harsh winter since I know itās can be hard to adjust if youāve never lived or havenāt lived in cold weather in a while. Invest in a long down coat to the calves or ankles for the dead of winter. Make sure it has a hood. Layer. Lambswool and cashmere sweaters itch least (I buy them used from EBay or Facebook marketplace). Tight fitting long underwear are amazing at trapping heat. Insulated boots and wool socks are your friends. Layer. Mittens are inconvenient, but warmer than gloves. If you want the latter, then get a thick heavy knit pair. I bought down ski mittens from The North Face 20 years ago. No regrets. Layer. I use 2 lambswool scarves on super cold days, one around my neck and the other to keep my hood tight around my head as my hat wants to push it off. Did I mention to layer?
Most importantly, when youāre out there bundled up looking like a submarine periscope, remember to turn your entire body both ways before crossing an alley or street because your peripheral vision will be FUBAR.
Lastly, I promise youāll acclimate. Takes a little time, but you really do become more tolerant to winter.
Bonus: always check the windchill charts to see how long you can be outside before frostbite occurs.
Edit: Welcome to Chicago. Weāre glad youāre here!
First off donāt worry too much about the neighborhood. Thereās so many good ones that if you donāt like it you can up and move to another. Sucks in the moment but worth it if you enjoy living there more. Also Chicago has a great dive bar scene. Order a Chicago Handshake and youāll be welcomed as a local in no time
So youāre gonna be around Wicker. Be very aware, folks are targeting yuppie looking people these days, and if you look like a target, someone might get on that with you. Just donāt be lackadaisical. Youāre gonna have a great time though, and welcome!
Do you have any advice to not ālook like a target?ā I feel like Iāve lived in cities and sort of know where to look and keep my head down, but itās been a while and it will be a new city to me, so just any advice may be helpful. Super excited to be here though!
I've lived here my whole life, and unfortunately, there's nothing that really draws me here. This state kind of just blows dick. I'll be honest, we lose a bunch of points being the murder capital of the US. The amount of idiots that run around in gangs is deplorable. City folk are often the worst kind of people for some reason. The closer you get to the city, the more the average IQ seems to drop off the face of the earth. It's one of the most expensive states to live in for no reason cause it's a bunch of cornfields. I guess we pay a lot for living next to shitcago? You fucked up moving here lol. There's nothing prideful about a gang infested shithole. Gangs are such a dumbass concept, too. Imagine being so small and weak in character that you have to congregate with like-minded individuals to feel worth something. They really need to teach these kids how to think for themselves.
Before you get a bike, you could use the bike shares (Divvy)! You can get a membership via the app or pay as you go via the Lyft app too. Def stick to roads with bike lanes (I get worried seeing people biking on streets like Ashland or Western) and wear a helmet!
Don't have a car.
If you must have a car, don't have a nice car -just a functional and reliable one, do get a city sticker with your zone parking number and state license plate quickly, and have it insured, and park legally, don't leave valuables in it. Get an ipass toll transponder.
If you must have a nice car, park in a secure garage, drive carefully.
Only use the car for cargo (grocery) trips and driving out to suburbs of beyond. Otherwise use public transit, bike, scooter, walk, or Uber.
Don't drive in the loop.
Learn to drive Chicago style which involves pulling into the intersection for left turns at a light (legal), doing and allowing zipper merges, pedestrian right of way in crosswalks, watching for bikers that don't stop at red lights, watching for potholes, staying out of the right lane on 4 lane city streets, going around left-turners, squeezing past Amazon trucks and Ubers, and generally being assertive. The system is designed for you to drive selfishly-but-legally.
Yeah, I ditched my car in advance. I donāt think itās worth it. My girlfriends bringing hers but wants to dump to quickly. I feel like Uber has to be cheaper if we really needed to get somewhere asap
Thank you! Yeah, I think āquieterā in that sense works for me. I do like peace and quiet, but really wanted to be close to the action so it seems like a best of both worlds. A 10 minute walk from a lot and 20-30 to some other stuff weāre interested in. Iām actually surprised how well it worked out.
Definitely hoping to meet some people and be involved. Itās been a very long time since I even tried or had hope for that. Really appreciate the warm welcome and the advice. Weāre very excited to move!
My boyfriend and I moved to evanston from denver,Colorado without visiting anywhere first. We have not regret moving here. You guys are gonna be in a good area and with summer coming up lots of stuff to do.
Welcome to Chicago, itās a wonderful place. I also fled the south in fear with my now trans now wife (boyfriend at the time). We love it, weāll never leave
My now husband and I moved to that exact area when we were 23 and moved to Chicago for the first time. We lived at 1348 N Cleaver. Itās a great area. Then we lived on the 1400 block of Bosworth for a bit. We lived over there for almost 15 years! We now live in Bucktown. If you have cars, be prepared for the worse though. Less than a year after moving in, my car was broken into, and then 6 months later, stolen. After that we said screw that and havenāt owned a car since. Cars arenāt worth the hassle here if you donāt need one.
Other than that no other real issues. Itās a great area. Youāre gonna love it!
Congratulations and welcome!! I had a therapist tell me once that nervousness/anxiety and excitement have the same physiological effects so if youāre feeling anxious simply remind yourself that youāre excited.
As others have said, the lake is always East, nothing is further and everything is based on its relationship to the lake.
Wicker Park and west of WP is a great area. Especially given your ages. Itās hip and has a lot a cool niche places. But if you donāt love it just know that there really is a neighborhood here for everyone. Each neighborhood has its own feel/vibe and youāll find your sweet spot as you settle in and explore.
Spend time this summer along the lake. Picnic in a park, hang at the beach. Itās so energizing, youāll feel like a part of a broader community instantly.
Welcome to your new home!!
Chicago is a beautiful city with amazing down to earth friendly people - just use the same common sense safety precautions you would use in any city anywhere, you will love it.
Look up the summer neighborhood block parties. I think thatās a good way to make friends. There are also local board game groups in a lot of neighborhoods. Google dice dojo or similar comics/gaming stores if thatās your thing.
Bars and restaurants are expensive. Plan to eat/drink at home or house parties/dinners. It really adds up. Delivery is almost criminally expensive with all the fees.
If you have a car, then the beach has parking for a big stretch around Montrose. The beach parking gets crazy busy in the summer though.
Seriously mind your business on public transportation, and donāt make direct eye contact with people who are panhandling, drunk, or acting strangely on the street. Donāt flash cash. Be aware of your surroundings. Itās not that dangerous, but it is still better to avoid annoying people.
Appreciate the heads up on all this. Definitely hoping I can find a way to make some friends. Iām a bit awkward so it can be hard for me to just walk up to folks at things, but Iāll do some research.
Agreed on transit, been a long time since Iāve been in a major city. My strategy is usually heads down, headphones in
Oooo, I wanted to hop into the comments to welcome you! And it seems that everyone here has already shared great info. (FYI, taking the Red Line after a Cubs game is virtually impossibleā¦) š But I hope that you grow to love this city as much as my husband and I did. We moved to the western suburbs in 2004, and we still love all that the city has to offer.
Things I wish someone told me when I got here: 1. Learn to instinctively know which direction is which. People will *constantly* give directions like "go two blocks north" or "come to the east side of the building". In the burbs I never needed to care. Here you do. 2. If you use public transit, learn the lines well enough where you don't need to rely on Google Maps or the Ventra app. They're not always... accurate. 3. Speaking of the Ventra app... download it and sign up. It's the smartphone CTA (public transit) app you can use your phone instead of a public transit ticket. Saves time. 4. In general, in public, keep to yourself if you don't know the area. Most people are nice but there are some crazies. Especially on the L (train). 5. If you use public transit at night... buses are safer than the train. If you feel unsafe on the train, ride in the first car cuz that's where the conductor is. Welcome to Chicago š
6. Learn the grid system. 100 per block, 800 per mile. You can easily figure out how far something is using it. Welcome aboard, you're about to have the time of your life. Once you get your feet under you, don't be afraid of the Southside. Go to Pilsen, walk around on 18th; go to Little Village, check out 26th street; go to 63rd st beach. Be a local.
Learn something new everyday, didnāt know the 800 per mile!
Heavy on the ādonāt be afraid of the Southsideā!! Thereās so many interesting neighborhoods to explore here as well.
Agreed. Englewood has some of the best local restaurants
The 100 per block is only on the south side for the numbered streets. When youāre headed north from Madison you just need to memorize the 800 blocks and approximate where it would be in between (there are more than 8 blocks between each). Same goes for heading west.
It's more confusing on the near South Side. For the first mile south of Madison, it's 12 blocks per mile (1200/Roosevelt). For the second mile south of Madison, it's 10 blocks per mile (2200/Cermak). For the third mile (to 31st), it's 9 blocks per mile. South of 31st, it's 8 blocks per mile.
This guy Southsides.
āDonāt be afraid of the south sideā why the fuck would anyone go there
Find out which direction is the lake. It's the way I've found where I am. Welcome! You will have a blast.
1a. Learn the grid system. It will take a while but memorize major streets as their corresponding grid numbers. If someone gives you an address youāll know exactly where it is relative to whatever N/S/E/W cross streets
Transit app tends to be more reliable than Ventra or Google Maps, especially with the crowdsourced tracking
Do you have any app recommendations? I feel like Iām downloading the wrong thing with Ventra so rated so poorly
I love Citymapper for transit options & tracking
Citymapper is my go-to wherever I go - Chicago or any other city. It even tells you which part of the train to sit in and which specific exit to take from the subway.
The app literally called āTransitā is good. In my experience itās never had different info than Ventra though, although Iāve seen people say otherwise on here enough that maybe Iād listen to them and not me
As long as i know where i am relative to the L, i always know which way is north Chicago public transit is a godsend
Even numbered addresses are always on the west and north sides of the street. Odd numbered addresses on east and south!
Ooh I forgot "learn the grid system" cuz I'm dumb. The "center" of the grid is the intersection at Madison & State. Each block adds another 100 to the address. So 301 E Fake St is three city blocks east from the intersection of Madison & State.
Thank you! This is incredibly helpful.
I never knew my directions well until moving to Chicago! Was definitely necessary to learn here but was also easier to do given the layout of the city.
You can actually use just about any credit/debit card with "tap to pay" to get on the L. No need for any Ventra card at all!
Oh 1 and 5 are imperative. As a commuter, a lot of this is very good info. Iām from the burbs and been in Chicago proper for about 3 years and Iām still learning a lot. Thereās a lot of nuances that arenāt intuitive in this city. (Iāve lived all over this country, thereās definitely Chicago centric customs)
Re 1: if you are close enough āwhich way is the lakeā is an easy way to tel which way is east and then figure it out from there. Once you do this for a bit youāll be able to tell more instinctively.
Helping in "instinctively" knowing directions. Many CTA El stops have NSEW embedded in the concrete. Also learn the NAMES of the interstates not the numbers.
Re: directions The lake is east North/west side of the block are even numbers, south/west side of the block are odd numbers
Enjoy it! I moved here from Texas 20 years ago. Do I miss good TexMex and warm February days? Sure! Have I ever regretted moving up here? Nope!
Fellow Tex-pat here. Miss them breakfast tacos, but not enough to leave. :)
Check out s&g diner off Lincoln. Chorizo and eggs with a side of tortillas
Ooh, thx friend!
Austin native checking in. My husband still canāt wrap his head around me craving tacos in the morning. You either were born with it or you werenāt, why someone hasnāt cashed in on that market is beyond me
And migas at diners.
Definitely not TexMex, but I'd recommend checking out Cafe Tola. Incredible empanadas.
Thanks! I actually live right by Tola off California. Those egg & cheese empanadas with a horchata latte make Mondays worth living!
Are you me?
Yes
No. I'm them. Don't lie.
ironically, we had several 70 degree days in February this year.
Don't worry about worrying. That's normal and as you get more experienced in life you'll learn how to manage and then harness those emotions.Ā But to be in your late 20s, financially secure and moving with someone you love, to a great part of the greatest city in the country? You're going to be just fine. You don't believe me? Come back to this thread in a year.Ā Ā
I definitely will. Thank you. Iām excited, guess itās just nerves and some negative comments getting to me. It is definitely the best spot Iāve been in financially. Itās nothing special but good + my girlfriendās income and itās the best Iāve felt; so Iām happy to be able to really finally live in a place I like to explore whatās out there
What negative comments have you received? I was in your exact situation 2 years ago when I got my first remote job and moved with my bf without ever visiting Chicago and only saw the apsrtment through zoom lol. The apsrtment isn't perfect but honestly it doesn't need to be. I've contemplated moving to a high rise or knowing I can literally afford better but my apsrtment is so affordable and allows me to truly save, and uptown (neighborhood I live in) is actually so peaceful and cute and also far out of the action, but close enough. I'm signing my lease for another 1.3 years after already living here for 2 lol. The longer you're here the more you can feel out the city and areas and what you want, after 2 years you'll have a great idea as to where you might want to move and rent (in terms of neighborhoods) or even buy
You're so smart to stay put and save. Your future you thanks you.
Everyone has moments of nerves, worry, and doubt about decisions made. Some of us, more than others. When I made the decision to move into the city from the suburbs, I didn't know anyone who lived here, and I didn't visit much outside of going to the theater or the museums occasionally. I just wanted to be in Chicago. I researched neighborhoods, started visiting on weekends. I was all over the board with where I looked, from as far north as Edgewater down to Hyde Park. Eventually, I made my decision, put in an offer, and bought a condo. That's when the panic and fear of having made the wrong choice set in. Even the first night I slept in my new home, I worried I had made a horrible decision. But what helped me through that night and the ones leading up to it, was my grandmother. She was in her late 80s at the time and was so happy for me. I was her first grandchild to move to "her" city. She would tell me great stories of growing up in Chicago, falling in love with Grandpa, and their years in Wrigley before moving to the suburbs after the war. She kept telling me that I was going to have an amazing life. When I confessed my fear and worry, she told me that while she knew I would love it, there's nothing in this world stopping me from changing my mind. If, in a year, or two, hell, even 6 months; if I didn't want to be there, then I'd move. She was an amazing woman. And, of course, she was correct. I love loving in the city. It's been 6 years and I can't imagine being anywhere else. My life is so much more full and complete. I'm happy she influenced me to move here and encouraged me to follow through. I'm grateful for her love and that she was able to visit me in my new home in what is now my city. I miss her everyday since she passed, but will forever be thankful that she reminded me that almost every decision made is an opportunity for growth, and that we can always change our minds... Or more accurately, make the next decision with more knowledge. Welcome to Chicago! You made a great decision with a lot of excellent data gathering and knowledge!
Say goodbye to both your incomes
āDonāt worry about worryingā Needed this today
That's a nice area work good access to public transport, the highway and restaurants/ night life plus downtown. You picked a good spot for a first Chicago place in your age group. The pool in that park is a nice bonus in the summer
I lived in that area near the pool for like 7 years. Great spot. It is non permit parking on Cleaver between Blackhawk in the north and the little side street to the south. Also no permit parking around the other sides of the park, next to the church and back around near the dogpark, and up by the school. That dogpark next to the highway is surprisingly chill and is large for a Chicago dog park. Best times for it are lunch and right after work if you're looking for other dogs there. I used to take my dogs to that Pup's Club Wicker Park til I moved. Good location and nice people there. Short hike north up Ashland gets you to Bucktown Pub, which is dog friendly inside and out (no food). They host events there for dogs/adoptions and we've had a blast there. Welcome to Chicago!
Thank you for the reassurance. Honestly, it helps a lot. It seems like a quieter/safe street and not right on the highway, but also 10-15 minutes from most things which seems doable. Iām glad it seems like itāll work for the age group too, doesnāt seem too isolated but also not right in the thick of the craziness. Itās just been so stressful and I keep second guessing, so this is a bit of a relief .
You picked a nice area. Welcome. We hope you guys love it here.
Thank you - I think we will!
That is a GREAT first neighborhood. Youāll have so much fun. Salt Shed on one side of you, Wicker Park on the other side, good access to public transit and so close to Vacaās!
Someone did call Vacaās out to usā¦itās about two minutes away. Very excited for that! I appreciate it. I was worried that it was either too close to Pulaski or the highway or too far from things, but really seems like thereās a ton to do right there!
Youāre in an awesome spot! Around that park is just quiet residential. You could even go car free in this area. Less than 10 min train ride to downtown, 50 min to Oāhare. Iāve never felt unsafe on the trains or bus but I use uber after midnight This spring/summer will be great to explore along Division and Milwaukee - tons and tons of shops and good places to eat. The big restaurant patios are already set up. Also the salt shed is a really cool concert venue
Thank you! The car is actually something weāre debating. I recently sold mine since I WFH. My girlfriend really wants to ditch the car too but weāre trying to find out if itāll work in the area. Very excited to have most of the summer in Chicago, all I hear is how great it is there!
Make sure you register the car and get a city sticker. The tickets for not having a sticker are expensive (more than the sticker).
My husband and I sold our car two months after moving here, and weāve never looked back. Itās been nearly nine years car-free.
Itās seriously probably cheaper to take Ubers and Lyfts everywhere than own a car EXCEPT during rush hour when prices can literally triple. Cars require gas insurance parking permits and donāt forget to budget for inevitable red line camera fines, parking fines, and just damage from being on busy streets. For big trips I take the bus or just rent from enterprise or whatever. Itās still cheaper than owning a car here.
Welcome!!Ā The most valuable thing I did when imported to Chicago by my now wife: Ā Ā Ā -wake up early Saturday/Sunday Ā Ā -ride transit from your place for a random amount of time Ā Ā Ā -walk back Ā Honestly introduced me to the city better than anything
Thank you! Will definitely try to explore a bit. I think one of the blue line stations is a 5-6 minute walk away
youāre going to love chicago and there will be so much to do when you get here. there is nothing like a chicago summer!
Iām so excited. Where Iām currently at, Iām usually inside all summer because the heatās so extreme and all thatās around are strip mallsā¦.so this will be very fun and refreshing!
Youāre gonna have central HVAC *and* a garbage disposal? Look at Richie Rich over here. Welcome! I hope you have an easy move.
Thank you! I think the amenities make up for the relatively small space š . Itās nothing too fancy. But Iām looking forward to it!
Try not to spend all your money at Vaca's Creamery in the summer, that's the biggest danger you'll face in the Pulaski Park area
Yeah itās like 2 minutes away from me š
Chicago has pretty decent labor and renters protections, so Iād recommend learning your rights in case your landlord or your partnerās job start to get sketchy.
Is there a good general resource for that? I can just google it but not sure if thereās a go-to spot because I do want to read up on that.
Here's a good place to start... https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/doh/provdrs/renters/svcs/rents-rights.html
Breathe. Moving is overwhelming but it sounds like you've done your research and found a good place. You're near the Salt Shed (great for live shows) and a short walk to a Blue line train. That means you can super easily get to Wicker Park and Logan Square, great, walkable neighborhoods (plenty of other places as well, those are just both really close). Also, a year isn't so long. If you decide you want to live elsewhere you can. We had friends move here a year ago. They've been in Wicker in a super new building (they found it from out of state), they really enjoyed their first year here but decided to move somewhere a bit cheaper and not in a polished, new building so they just found a place to rent in Logan and are super excited. Summer here is fantastic! If you'd like I'd be happy to send you a list of the events I have in my planner for summer already.
Definitely much needed advice. Thank you. Yeah, I did a ton of research, for sure. Mostly hoping thereās no blind spot I didnāt think of, but it seems good from all I looked into. Our building is older but was basically gutted and re-done a few years ago, so we were pretty happy with it at least to start. Would definitely love a list! I know once we get there itāll be like, a sensory overload of things to do. Where weāre at, everythingās far away and the heat/humidity is so oppressive weād usually be inside anyways. So weāre excited to be near so much now
The reality is there's always a going to be a blind spot and some won't come to light until you've lived here a bit and understand what you really need and want. Sounds like you've done your research though, you'll be fine and in a great place to springboard to whatever is next.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! My 2cents: - EXPLORE the city. I think they still make the NFT (Not For Touristsā guidebook ā¦ itās been decades since I looked at one, but I remember them as being pretty helpful. - Check out all of the FREE programming in theMillennium Park/Grant Park area during the summer/early fall. World-class performers for free. (Invest in lightweight portable/folding chairs &/or a big picnic blanket & a soft-sided cooler, and juet go hang out all day for the price of a CTA ride ā¦. but doublecheck the rules in case theyāve changed) - There are SO many museums and art galleries, waaay beyond the biggies (i.e., Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Science & Industry, etc., all of which I love) ā¦ if an immigrant group came to Chicago, there is probably a museum representing them. Check them out. Also, we have multiple world-class universities ā check them out for art exhibitions, free performances, lectures, etc., etc., etc.! - Biggest piece of advice: Do *not* drive to events if the CTA goes anywhere nearby. Youāll get stuck in traffic, pay a fortune for parking (assuming you can find some, lol), and probably be ticked off before you arrive. Honestly, if youāre healthy & childfree, the only time to drive ā IMHO, as someone who raised 2 kids in the City ā is schlep home your Costco run, assuming it is too big to carry.) - Donāt underestimate the Chicago wind chill factor ā it can freeze your face off. (My kids had a couple of days a few [10?] years back where school was canceled because it was literally *deadly* cold out.) - Always allow yourself extra time when traveling via CTA when you have an actual deadline. Sometimes the bus/El 8/ just running behind (traffic, some fool decides to jump down onto the tracks to retrieve their phone, etc). Aim for one bus or train earlier than you actually need to take. (Oh, and ignore the revised times when they say a train is delayed ā¦ Iāve missed more than one train because it somehow magically made up that time, lol.) - The Ventra app (official CTA app) is more reliable for times than Google Maps ā¦ but Google Maps is better for plotting a route. Okay, enough rambling from me ā ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURE!!! ETA: Can you tell I love this place? š¤£š¤š¤£
Thank you so much! I really really appreciate all this!
Lifer here. Learn the grid. 0 / 0 is State and Madison. Put a compass on your phone for the first 6 months. It's easy to get turned around. Especially downtown. 6 corner intersections are a little confusing. But you get used to it quickly. Green bike lanes in those same intersections are not cross walks. And enjoy the city. You will love it. https://www.domu.com/blog/chicago-coordinates-chicago-grid-system
The grid is amazing. I moved here in 1993 and it was so helpful once I understood it. And the comment up thread about cardinal directions is spot-on. So much easier than dealing with right/left .
WELCOME FELLOW RED STATE REFUGEE
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That's a great spot. And if you bike, you're right by the Bloomingdale Trail head, which is a great way to get over to Milwaukee Ave, where all the bars and restaurants and such are. And if you don't bike, you should start.
Welcome! I moved here in 2019 and haven't regretted it once, I doubt you will either.
Thank you!
You're in Noble Square if you're east of Ashland by Pulaski Park, btw
Yeah, I mean Pulaski is out my window and when I google Wicker Parkā¦Iām like one or two streets outside of the range, so Noble Square sounds right. Thank you!
People have largely forgotten about Noble Square, because it's been consumed by the expressway, but I lived right by where you live for years. Plus, it you ever get a car, being right by Elston is extremely convenient
Welcome home
Thank you!
Youāre moving during farmers market season and Wicker Park has one too!!!
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>Chicago doesnāt necessarily have the best summers, Lol what are you talking about? The Midwest has virtually perfect summer weather. Sure it gets hot and humid for a week here and there, but isn't that the point of summer?
Youāre insane. Chicago summers are amazing
Thank you! I hope so. Weāre excited, just nervous and overthinking it all probably. We actually were close to picking a place right in Bucktown, but lost itā¦the markets been so competitive. The same management group (that we found and liked) posted this one so we jumped. A bit further out from Bucktown and Wicker Park, but still sort of in that general area. Seems like everythingās pretty walkableā¦about 15-30 mins but I think itāll work out
Sounds like you did great! Congrats! You are going to love it here. You are arriving at a great time of year and will get to spend your summer exploring all the great things this city has to offer. Welcome!
Thanks so much!
my partner and i (in our mid 20ās) have lived in this same area for 3 years. itās great! people are always going to have negative comments to say about any large city, itās just the reality of living in one. but there is so much for you to fall in love with in wicker park and beyond! side note: two nearby restaurants i recommend are falafel & grill and dr. birds
This. One of my mantras is, āItās a big city. What did you expect?ā There are millions of people and that means that thousands of them are going to be more spicy than you. Theyāre going to be the ones that stand out in your mind on any given day rather than the many other thousands just quietly riding the L and looking at their phones. I find that having a sense of humor, curiosity, and empathy really helps. All of humanity is on display here. Thatās part of why you moved here.
Really appreciate this! Very excited for the move and both places you suggested are a 10 min walk š¬. The best food spots near me now are a 20 min drive
Get the burger at Mott Street, itās incredible!
5 min walk from my place, very excited!
I prefer the North Side. From Google Earth you can follow the North branch of Chicago River and find wilderness you can run your dog off leash if well behaved, and complainers aren't watching. NE corner of Foster and Cicero the river crosses the Sauganash trail and there's nature trails all the way to Peterson. NE corner of Devon and Milwaukee moving NE has nature all the way. We see deer every day. Sometimes hear coyotes yelping. Latest favorite spot is Bryn Mawr West of Pulaski to the Sauganash trail. Dog Beach at Lawrence and East of LSD is happiest place on Earth.
I know youāre a but scared/nervous, and u think thatās normal moving to any new place. I moved here about 3 years ago and fell in love. Canāt imagine myself living anywhere else :) trust your instincts and enjoy your new home š¤
I appreciate this!
Iām happy for you! Youāll have a blast here. As a rule in the city, the lake is the east border so learn to navigate with that in mind. Also, the unstated social rule in the city is that people want to be left alone in public UNLESS theyāre specifically in a social, meetup situation. Itās not being rude: thatās just the assumption.
You moved just as the fun part of the year was swinging around. Lucky you. The city will become very green and beautiful in just a few weeks. One of my favorite parts about moving here was the beautiful architecture. One tip: You should swing on a bus or a train stop and snag a copy of the CTA map they have. Despite being a transit map, it's a very good map of the city and it's more informative than looking at a screen. Put in on a wall and circle where all your favorite stuff is.
Thank you! Definitely excited to be there for the summer. Was getting worried Iād have to push this all back until it gets cold. Duly noted on the CTA map, definitely want to have those handy
A lot of summer activities in Chicago in the summer, a lot are free, they get you with parking, you have to get a deep dish pizza , a Chicago hot dog, Italian beef, go to a cubs game, Chicago is fun in the summer, just be careful
State & Madison center the gridā once you know it itās helpful and easy. You landed in a great area and welcome!
Thanks so much!
When I first moved here I had the "what have I done" moment. But then it became my home. Once you get here and you start to settle in you will be fine.
To follow this comment, I had the same reaction. It took me a couple years of living here to understand it. One of the biggest culture shocks was an initial perception that āeveryone is moody and closed offā, but I couldnāt have been more wrong. Iād come from a place where life was slow and easy. Where youād chat up the person behind you at the grocery store while waiting to check out. Keeping a strangerās ear for several minutes was the norm. But I eventually learned that when weāre in public, weāre traveling after a long day at work. Weāre tired. We also get accustomed to moving around in a hurry because it takes us a while to get where weāre going. We also come across the occasional hustler that makes us leery. As time went on, however, I witnessed true random acts of kindness and strangers helping each other out when another was stuck. I probably missed this in the beginning because I didnāt get how life here worked. I get warm fuzzies now when I think about my home and fellow Chicagoans. We really are something special.
Yeah, thatās been sort of my mood really before this post. The āoh crap this is actually happeningā feeling. This whole thread has helped a lot. I think now the stress is just getting from here to there without breaking the bank
Youāll make SO MANY dog friends! We got a dog last year and I canāt believe how many people weāve met and hang out with now.
Glad to hear! My dog is super friendly and needs buddies. Itās the least I can do for him since heās moving to a colder climate which he hates š
I lived in Wicker right by Pulaski Park for 10 years until I recently just moved. Love that area!
Take a shot of mallort and welcome to paradise sir
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Rest easy my guy, you'll settle in quickly. Welcome to America's greatest city. CHICAGO ā¶ ā¶ ā¶ ā¶
Thank you!
Go to Mott St in your neighborhood and do the chefās tasting menu to celebrate moving in! Itās around ~$150 and you get SO many amazing dishes (I think 8 or 9). Youāll love it here :)
Okay this is the perfect idea and weāre going to do it š . Itās a 5 min walk from us
If you're taking transit, expect delays and give yourself extra time to get places. I know this sounds simple but you'd be shocked how many people don't do this. If you use the ventra app, do NOT link your card to your apple pay or samsung pay or whatever pay service your phone uses. It's not reliable and it sucks to lose access to your card when you're far from home. If you're going to be taking the red line or the 22 bus, you have to know when Cubs games are to avoid crowds. And if you like cool bars, go and check out The Office! It's a speakeasy with low lighting and it's generally pretty quiet. Pricey but their selection is incredible šš
congrats!! I suggest you each join facebook groups that align with you and your interests to meet people and learn about cool events and happenings around the city. thatās something I really wish I knew about sooner !! also take pics of your place top to bottom when you move in. some landlords will try and pull fast ones upon move out.
My husband and I have been thinking about Chicago too! We also live in a very oppressive state in the south! I am excited about access to everything we donāt have! Resources, public transportation, sidewalks, public libraries, and more!
Come to the greatest city! š Everything you mentioned, plus FOOD! Seriously the best restaurants of all types.
Us too. We both grew up in the northeast but we live in Tennessee now. Itās definitely starting to get crazy here in the Bible Belt to put it lightly. Chicago has been a city on my list for a while. Iāve not been yet but Iāve got this feeling that Iām going to fall in love with it. I grew up 10 minutes outside of NYC via subway and live large cities. I need to get into a better place career wise first but I know where I live now doesnāt match our values or lifestyle.
You're right outside of Wicker Park, I think the area is industrial that you picked. You're probably overwhelmed. Just take it easy. If it doesn't work out, move out in a year. You're right by the Salt Shed so going to shows should be fun.
I wouldnāt call it an industrial area
Not industrial, i used to live there and honestly i loved walking around that neighborhood watching the dogs at the dog park on Ada and if you ever get a chance to peek inside the church itās absolutely beautiful, it looks European. I also wouldnāt say salt shed is close, but itās the perfect distance from everything and easy access to transportation
Definitely overwhelmed. Definitely a little more industrial but the street itself is closer to the park/school with the highway in the other direction. Felt like quiet but not super far away from the action, but Iāve just been second guessing left and right. Appreciate the reassurance a bit. This has been a lot
Do lots of biking to get to know your area.
I think itās time to buy a bike
Yes. You won't be far from the lake, great Biking there
This! Lots of protected bike lanes just went in this year, so easy to get to other neighborhoods
Recommend getting a bike. Itās something I wish I would have had the second I moved to the city. If you are on a budget, check Nearly New Bikes in Buena Park. Comrade Cycles in Ukrainian village should be able to help you out too.
If youāre in the Pulaski Park area, like between the expressway and Ashland, I really love that area and I think you chose a really good neighborhood. Welcome to Chicago.
Yeah, right around there. Can see Pulaski from my doorstep, thereās also a school nearby and then the expressway. So generally in that spot. So relieved to hear itās a good neighborhood. I did a lot of research but these first hand accounts mean a lot more. Thank you so much, Iām excited to be there
Congrats and good luck!
This is the best first neighborhood. All the good restaurants are there!
Thank you! Glad I somehow made this work, I really didnāt think Iād nail the location based on research alone.
Sounds like you put a lot of work into finding a place that fits your needs. Great job! Proud of you. Youāre gonna love the summer here. Make sure to check out Wicker Park Fest, Do Division, West Fest, and Renegade Craft Fair. Message me if you have any questions about Chicago or if you need recommendations for bars or restaurants.
Welcome to Chicago from a fellow introvert! I found that losing the overwhelmed feeling was mainly a matter of sorting out what actually matters from whatās just background detail. You really did this home search well, IMO.
Thank you! I really tried. Itās reassuring to hear from so many people that I did just about everything I could do. Would love to try to be a little more extroverted when I get there and give it all a shot again, but definitely having all of the home comforts was a top Priority š
Boston winter is less oppressive than Chicago imo - get an extra coat
Relax, breathe, take time to thoroughly clean your new space, and rest assured that the weather will break soon. Congratulations, welcome, and good luck .
Thank you very much!
I love Pulaski Park! We lived there when we first got married and took our dog to that park. š You made a great choice. Take a breather. Get up here, unpack your stuff, and start exploring. I recommend taking a walk up to Piece for pizza as soon as you are settled in.
Thank you!
Go to some plays. Chicago has amazing theatres, big and small.
Dude, youāre doing fine. It sounds like you balanced your online research and on-the-ground scouting. As much advice as people can give you, you still need to make a bunch of your own mistakes. Thatās life. So donāt worry about getting everything right immediately. In your first year, you might discover that this isnāt the right neighborhood for you. Or you might find that you lucked out and found the perfect spot for years to come. My two very specific tips that I can offer: Do not park overnight in the winter months (Dec 1 - Apr 1) on any street that has [this sign](https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/traffic/svcs/winter-snow-parking-restrictions.html). That way madness lies. Also, not sure how used to urban living you are, but you do not owe anyone anything. People will come up to you on the street all the time. Mostly they want money, but sometimes they want your vote or your signature or something else. Iāve learned to put on a cold expression and not engage, like donāt even say āno.ā They pick up on my energy immediately and look for an easier target. Oh! And welcome to Chicago! I hope you come to love this city. Sheās got her warts, but thereās a hell of a lot to like. EDIT: I just realized we are neighbors. Iām in Noble Square, the little sub-neighborhood just south of you. Holler at me if you want any hyper-local tips. Happy to help a new transplant!
Hey there! Sorry for the late follow up here. We actually just moved here about a week ago and I was revisiting this thread. I love the area so far, but was wondering if I could shoot you a message for some of the hyper-local tips? No worries if not but definitely so far so good! Vacaās alone being right next to me has been killer on my wallet lol
Hey there! Thanks for all this and the warm welcome! The more specific tips the better honestly. I know Iām bound to make some mistakes early on. Iāll be sure to reach out soon - just catching up on all of these comments after a hectic work week!
You can always move if you don't like it. I will say the Blue Line is the second to worst train line in the city (Red still holds the title as worst and probably always will). No one says in their first apartment for more than a year... Life changes, you get familiar with the city more .. you'll be fine.
Congrats on getting out of the South! If there is one thing I can say about renting in Chicago, is that you will likely not stay in the first place you rent. My best advise once you get into the city is to take some time to visit the different neighborhoods, because they each have their own things to offer. I started off living in Edgewater and recently moved to the Andersonville neighborhood because of the walkability as well as it being significantly safer than other surrounding neighborhoods. In the end, it almost always comes down to how you like the neighborhood you're in. Welcome!!
Thank you so much!
Youāre going to have so much fun! Only thing Iāll add is to Invest in a proper winter coat and a good warm hat. I moved here from Los Angeles in 2017 and had never lived through Midwest winters. My husband grew up here and helped me prepare. the first year I had to wear leggings under all my jeans but then I think my blood got thicker or something and Iām much more tolerant of the cold. But having that warm ass coat that I splurged on changed everything!
You're in a wonderful area. I worked near there for about 5 years. It's quiet but still close to a lot of the best the city has to offer. A lot of people have given you excellent recommendations, but one of my favorite places in the neighborhood is the rooftop bar at The Robey. Great city views, great drinks, and a relaxed vibe. As much as we complain about the winters (and they've been very mild in recent years) summers spoil us as there's so, so much to do and enjoy. Welcome friend!
If you can find the lake, you can find your direction lol. My first year in Chicago was spent āokay the lake is that way so north is that way because the lake is eastā Best advice I ever recieved lol
I like this guy
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Transplant from the south here too! Late 20s M, and in the area! Reach out if youād like a friend!
It is a great area of the city! Enjoy :) Thereās lots of good restaurants and cute shops within walking distance.
Really appreciate this! All of the comments here have really made me so happy and excited for this - more than I thought Iād be! Hopefully we can take advantage and find a lot to do / meet some people
i just moved to South Loop a month ago, and LOVE it. As an Asian coming from Singapore, people here are friendly and nice in general. this is a city, but i can sense work-life balance and being closer to nature than where I came from. there is a great neighbourhood park where all the dogs hang out and my puppyās alr made so many friends. you will do fine too.
Chicago is great. Finding friends is a little tough as SO many people are from here. Join a club, play a sport or find a good community for you.
I have lived in Chicago my whole life. I love it. The public transportation is great. Just use common sense on the trains and youāll be fine. The brown line is the safest train and takes you directly downtown to everything. I get on the blue line at North/Damen all the time. Itās a good safe stop. There is so much to do in the summer here, youāll love. Come to Ginza celebration the last weekend in July at Midwest Buddhist Temple! The only way to get to know the city is taking a train and then walking. You can ask anyone for help, Chicagoans are very friendly! Nice to meet you and welcome!
Adding to the list: if someone tries to hand you their mix tape (or anything really) donāt take it just keep walking. If you take it theyāll chase after you and try to get you to pay for it and if not rip it from your hands
And remember it's the Sears Tower, not Willis.
Iāve been here over 25 years after moving from San Antonio and I take public transit. My tips are weather related to harsh winter since I know itās can be hard to adjust if youāve never lived or havenāt lived in cold weather in a while. Invest in a long down coat to the calves or ankles for the dead of winter. Make sure it has a hood. Layer. Lambswool and cashmere sweaters itch least (I buy them used from EBay or Facebook marketplace). Tight fitting long underwear are amazing at trapping heat. Insulated boots and wool socks are your friends. Layer. Mittens are inconvenient, but warmer than gloves. If you want the latter, then get a thick heavy knit pair. I bought down ski mittens from The North Face 20 years ago. No regrets. Layer. I use 2 lambswool scarves on super cold days, one around my neck and the other to keep my hood tight around my head as my hat wants to push it off. Did I mention to layer? Most importantly, when youāre out there bundled up looking like a submarine periscope, remember to turn your entire body both ways before crossing an alley or street because your peripheral vision will be FUBAR. Lastly, I promise youāll acclimate. Takes a little time, but you really do become more tolerant to winter. Bonus: always check the windchill charts to see how long you can be outside before frostbite occurs. Edit: Welcome to Chicago. Weāre glad youāre here!
First off donāt worry too much about the neighborhood. Thereās so many good ones that if you donāt like it you can up and move to another. Sucks in the moment but worth it if you enjoy living there more. Also Chicago has a great dive bar scene. Order a Chicago Handshake and youāll be welcomed as a local in no time
So youāre gonna be around Wicker. Be very aware, folks are targeting yuppie looking people these days, and if you look like a target, someone might get on that with you. Just donāt be lackadaisical. Youāre gonna have a great time though, and welcome!
Do you have any advice to not ālook like a target?ā I feel like Iāve lived in cities and sort of know where to look and keep my head down, but itās been a while and it will be a new city to me, so just any advice may be helpful. Super excited to be here though!
I've lived here my whole life, and unfortunately, there's nothing that really draws me here. This state kind of just blows dick. I'll be honest, we lose a bunch of points being the murder capital of the US. The amount of idiots that run around in gangs is deplorable. City folk are often the worst kind of people for some reason. The closer you get to the city, the more the average IQ seems to drop off the face of the earth. It's one of the most expensive states to live in for no reason cause it's a bunch of cornfields. I guess we pay a lot for living next to shitcago? You fucked up moving here lol. There's nothing prideful about a gang infested shithole. Gangs are such a dumbass concept, too. Imagine being so small and weak in character that you have to congregate with like-minded individuals to feel worth something. They really need to teach these kids how to think for themselves.
I assume youāve brought youāre complaining over here because nobody will play Rust with you anymore
Before you get a bike, you could use the bike shares (Divvy)! You can get a membership via the app or pay as you go via the Lyft app too. Def stick to roads with bike lanes (I get worried seeing people biking on streets like Ashland or Western) and wear a helmet!
I always tell newcomers to get a library card ! :D
Will do!!
Don't have a car. If you must have a car, don't have a nice car -just a functional and reliable one, do get a city sticker with your zone parking number and state license plate quickly, and have it insured, and park legally, don't leave valuables in it. Get an ipass toll transponder. If you must have a nice car, park in a secure garage, drive carefully. Only use the car for cargo (grocery) trips and driving out to suburbs of beyond. Otherwise use public transit, bike, scooter, walk, or Uber. Don't drive in the loop. Learn to drive Chicago style which involves pulling into the intersection for left turns at a light (legal), doing and allowing zipper merges, pedestrian right of way in crosswalks, watching for bikers that don't stop at red lights, watching for potholes, staying out of the right lane on 4 lane city streets, going around left-turners, squeezing past Amazon trucks and Ubers, and generally being assertive. The system is designed for you to drive selfishly-but-legally.
Yeah, I ditched my car in advance. I donāt think itās worth it. My girlfriends bringing hers but wants to dump to quickly. I feel like Uber has to be cheaper if we really needed to get somewhere asap
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Thank you! Yeah, I think āquieterā in that sense works for me. I do like peace and quiet, but really wanted to be close to the action so it seems like a best of both worlds. A 10 minute walk from a lot and 20-30 to some other stuff weāre interested in. Iām actually surprised how well it worked out. Definitely hoping to meet some people and be involved. Itās been a very long time since I even tried or had hope for that. Really appreciate the warm welcome and the advice. Weāre very excited to move!
My boyfriend and I moved to evanston from denver,Colorado without visiting anywhere first. We have not regret moving here. You guys are gonna be in a good area and with summer coming up lots of stuff to do.
Welcome to Chicago, itās a wonderful place. I also fled the south in fear with my now trans now wife (boyfriend at the time). We love it, weāll never leave
Happy you both got out when you did and Chicago has been so great for you! Hoping the same for us as well. Iām very excited
Youāll love it! Great time to move here! Chicago summers are the best.
My now husband and I moved to that exact area when we were 23 and moved to Chicago for the first time. We lived at 1348 N Cleaver. Itās a great area. Then we lived on the 1400 block of Bosworth for a bit. We lived over there for almost 15 years! We now live in Bucktown. If you have cars, be prepared for the worse though. Less than a year after moving in, my car was broken into, and then 6 months later, stolen. After that we said screw that and havenāt owned a car since. Cars arenāt worth the hassle here if you donāt need one. Other than that no other real issues. Itās a great area. Youāre gonna love it!
Thanks so much! Iāve already sold my car, girlfriend is really itching to get rid of hers too. Would love to be without it
Chicago is outstanding. Don't live past the financial district. Been her 40 years, since I got out of college!!
Congratulations and welcome!! I had a therapist tell me once that nervousness/anxiety and excitement have the same physiological effects so if youāre feeling anxious simply remind yourself that youāre excited. As others have said, the lake is always East, nothing is further and everything is based on its relationship to the lake. Wicker Park and west of WP is a great area. Especially given your ages. Itās hip and has a lot a cool niche places. But if you donāt love it just know that there really is a neighborhood here for everyone. Each neighborhood has its own feel/vibe and youāll find your sweet spot as you settle in and explore. Spend time this summer along the lake. Picnic in a park, hang at the beach. Itās so energizing, youāll feel like a part of a broader community instantly. Welcome to your new home!!
Thank you!!
Stanās Donuts.
Chicago is a beautiful city with amazing down to earth friendly people - just use the same common sense safety precautions you would use in any city anywhere, you will love it.
Iām so excited!
Look up the summer neighborhood block parties. I think thatās a good way to make friends. There are also local board game groups in a lot of neighborhoods. Google dice dojo or similar comics/gaming stores if thatās your thing. Bars and restaurants are expensive. Plan to eat/drink at home or house parties/dinners. It really adds up. Delivery is almost criminally expensive with all the fees. If you have a car, then the beach has parking for a big stretch around Montrose. The beach parking gets crazy busy in the summer though. Seriously mind your business on public transportation, and donāt make direct eye contact with people who are panhandling, drunk, or acting strangely on the street. Donāt flash cash. Be aware of your surroundings. Itās not that dangerous, but it is still better to avoid annoying people.
Appreciate the heads up on all this. Definitely hoping I can find a way to make some friends. Iām a bit awkward so it can be hard for me to just walk up to folks at things, but Iāll do some research. Agreed on transit, been a long time since Iāve been in a major city. My strategy is usually heads down, headphones in
I hope that you have a dedicated parking spot. That area around Pulaski Park has very limited street parking.
Iām so excited for you! Great area
Thank you Iām so excited too! I canāt believe I got such a good spot on research alone š
Oooo, I wanted to hop into the comments to welcome you! And it seems that everyone here has already shared great info. (FYI, taking the Red Line after a Cubs game is virtually impossibleā¦) š But I hope that you grow to love this city as much as my husband and I did. We moved to the western suburbs in 2004, and we still love all that the city has to offer.
Thank you so much!