Pros and Cons of Living in Chicago

After New York and Los Angeles, Chicago might be the next big city that you think of in America. Like any big city, there are pros and cons to living in the Windy City. From traffic to weather, there are some challenges.

However, there are so many great perks to living in a city like Chicago. If you are considering a move to Chicago, you need to think about your own list of pros and cons and if the positives outweigh the negatives. If they do, you can move forward with relocating. Consider the following pros and cons of living in Chicago:

Pro: Attractions and Activities

As a big city, Chicago offers many exciting activities to enjoy. From amazing museums, such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Field Museum of Natural History, to some outstanding theaters to take in a show, like Chicago Theater and Steppenwolf Theater, there are plenty of attractions to keep you busy in Chicago.

If you are a music fan, you can also revel in Lollapalooza and the Chicago Blues Festival. Chicago is really a destination for culture, the arts, and attractions.

Con: Climate and Geography

Chicago is known for having long, cold winters, which can be difficult if you are used to a milder climate or even a less intense winter. Due to its location on Lake Michigan, Chicago has winters that can be bitterly cold and windy. There is also always the chance of snow.

The landscape of Chicago can also be a con, depending on your preferences. Chicago is very flat, which can be off-putting if you enjoy some novelty in the geography where you live. People who love the mountains may find Chicago to be too flat for them. Weather and geography are two things to consider if you are deciding on a move to Chicago.

Pro: Cost-of-Living

While you might think that since Chicago is a large city, the cost-of-living would be on par with other large cities, Chicago is actually relatively reasonable when it comes to cost-of-living. So if you love living in a large metro area, but don’t like the price tag that comes along with it, Chicago may be the city for you.

Housing, in particular, is affordable in the Windy City. This is an extra bonus if you want to plan a move to the city, and luckily, there is an abundance of Chicago apartments for rent.  

Cost-of-living is a major factor in deciding which city to move to, and Chicago definitely has this factor in the pro column.

Con: Traffic

As with almost any large city, the traffic in Chicago can be a hassle. Specifically, your commute to and from work can be long in the Chicago traffic. Consider what your daily commute would be like and if that commute time is reasonable for you.

As with any city, there are pros and cons to living in Chicago. The weather in Chicago can be challenging in the winter, and the traffic can be bad. However, to balance those cons, there are amazing attractions in the city, and Chicago has a comparatively lower cost-of-living when it comes to large cities. All of these are factors to consider when planning a possible move to Chicago.