THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO CHICAGO 

Cost of living is a bit pricey but not as pricey as NY or California. The apartments are also nicer. I’ve lived in Chicago my whole life. I know the areas to avoid and the areas that are safe. Make sure to do your research before you move. Also, I’ve moved about 5 times and I’ve used Trulia for every move. It’s completely reliable and I love that it shows you the criminal activity. The safer neighborhoods are pricier so keep that in mind although in my opinion you can find a decent apartment if you really look. I live in at $1300 1bedroom apartment in west Rogers park. It’s spacious and updated. It’s possible, although by neighborhood has seen a lot of carjackings. Our most recent problem has been carjackings and armed robberies. Don’t be alarmed though it’s not as bad as they make it seem on the news. Some good places you should try are j.b albertos for great pizza, taconazo, wild goose for amazing burgers and wings, and if you want to risk it all Jimmy’s lol but go with a local if possible.

That’s it!!! I’m moving to Chicago!!!! Such great information. (How can you talk so fast and so eloquently?)

I just moved to Chicago in august so this was so helpful! Your winter outfit was cute! You should do a fav winter wardrobe video!

I lived in Chicago for 5 years. The biggest tip I can give anyone is "Don't get discouraged by what you hear from the media" Whenever I lived in Chicago, almost everybody from the suburbs would say "Why do you live in Chicago? its got so much crime there" True, Chicago does have a reputation for crime, but so does a lot of other cities. As far as the crime rate, it really depends on where you live. Crime is scattered around the city and not so much in one whole area. Plus, 65% of the shootings that happen in Chicago are gang-related, so they're not randomly shooting people on the street. You will hear sirens a lot and you may hear some distance gunshots, but for the most part, its like hearing sirens when you're were in your college town lol Never felt scared for my life even when I was walking back from a party at 2 am. Just be safe and use common sense.

it's so weird seeing the perspective of someone new to Chicago, I've lived here all my 17 years of life. and seeing everyone in the comments saying they wanna move is such an awakening.

You’re the third person who tells me that Public transportation is amazing. Let me tell you Bay Area public transportation is not reliable. The train is always LATE, delayed or certain rides are cancelled.

This makes me so excited to move back to Chicago! I grew up in the suburbs and went to school in the city. I actually never saw myself leaving but my first job out of college job transferred me to LA where I have been for the last 8 years. I’ve been dying to move back and get reacquainted with the city (and be close to family). I finally convinced my fiancé to make the move but we’re just hoping to get an ok from his job to work remotely permanently and hope to move early 2021, fingers crossed! Thank you for sharing!

Woah. I've never been this early??!! Proud new resident to the Chicago community

I was born and raised in Chicago and always said you can tell an out of towner in the winter because they’re wearing a light trench coat and hat and think they can cross the bridge across the Chicago River. The rest of us are in Arctic Parkas. We dress to survive not for style.

It's true we do love Portillos 😂 Idk about the deep dish pizza though. I feel that's more of tourist attraction

I just love love love your energy and personality I’m looking forward to moving back to Chicago from Maryland and will definitely look you up

Born and raised in Chicago. Been living here for over 50 years. Interesting to see outsider's perspectives (and misconceptions). But now I hate it here and can't wait to move out of this insane asylum. In 2023 the "SAFE-T" Act will take effect and if you thought crime (especially criminal sexual assault, home invasions and carjackings) was bad in 2022 wait till summer of 2023! 😡

I really like Chicago. It’s a beautiful city, people are nice for the most part, and there’s always something going on. You like sports? Theater? Live music? Bars and clubs? Going out to eat? Chicago has all of this in spades. The winter is nothing to play with, and crime is absolutely a problem in specific neighborhoods, but use common sense and you’ll be safe. Don’t flash valuables and no one will bother you. And don’t underestimate the traffic to get to O’Hare.

This video is exc 👏 e 👏 llent 👏 super clear, concise, and helpful. Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you 😊

Nice job young lady! I sent this to my niece and she reported back that she is no longer scared of moving there for school so thank you for your post.

Love it! Even after 2 years in Chicago, this was so helpful! Also that sweater looks sooo cozy!

Just moved to chicago 🙈 but love this!! 🥰✨

I’m moving about 30ish minutes from Chicago in the fall for school! This is super helpful!! Thanks!

I have a $16 hr job (which is roughly $2100 a month) I can take with me. I want to move Chicago but I need help knowing what safe areas rent apartments under $800. I just need to get out of Milwaukee.

If you live in Chicago proper, you definitely do not need a car. Make sure you situate yourself near a good grocery store and a major "L" or Metra or bus stop, and you're good to go.

Love these tips. For those who choose to drive in the city (Have had my car here for 5 years, due to my work being inaccessible to public transit): Learn how to become a decisive/confident driver and trust your instincts, learn how to parallel park in small spaces, know that something at some point will happen to your car that isn't your fault and that's just part of living in a city.

I moved last year to Chicago I lasted 8 months, the winter got to me really bad.. I regret moving tho. I miss the city so much.. I will move back eventually 😢

Makes me want to move to Chicago, love your outfit!

Girl omg I’m going to email you me and my friends want to move there next year in august but we will be 18 and we are nervous about the credit issue

Thanks for the tips! I’m looking at getting my MBA and would be part time in Chicago. What do you think the “future” is for Chicago in light of the effects of the pandemic? I know of a lot of people that have moved away from the city.

You only need to know one tip- don't move to this dump

Definitely thinking about moving to Chicago this was very helpful!

The weather statement was so true! The winters can be brutal but I love the summers here❤️

I just moved to Chicago in first of October. New sub.

Thank you for these tips! I live in LA (lived here my whole life) and am considering moving to Chicago when my lease is up next June.

I love Chicago! 😍 I’ve lived in the suburbs for the longest and am ready to move there. Working out by the lakefront is just the best.

Divvy bikes are a cheat code if you're just visiting chicago. Just a few streets downtown are sketchy to ride tho haha

I've lived here for 13 years, why am I watching this? lol good video

Thanks for the info. Our daughter is moving to the area and is looking for an apartment. She's an RN. Trying to decide about the loop or outside.

Loved these tips! I hope to move to Chicago after college!

Good video! I share your passion for Chicago. If you haven't seen them, I highly recommend WTTW's Geofrey Baer's videos and his "Ask Geoffrey" segment. The Churches are unreal. The Neighborhoods make the city. I started doing Walk through videos on my channel of places in Chicago I love. Cheers!

Hey, congrats! Noticed you moved from 10.8K subscribers to 11K. Slow and steady wins the race! Woo Hoo!

Loved the video! I am a Realtor- living in the loop. There ARE pros and cons for living in the loop-once we are out of COVID and shows/music/theater/Grant Park Music Festival comes back, then it will come alive again! And, it is becoming quite a bargain for its proximity to downtown! Beautifully done video- I look forward to sharing this with my transferees!

If Chicago winters are so strong ❄💨💦 and freezing 🌡°F 🥶 = high heating bill why people builded city 🏭🏢🏬 in such a bad place ?

This was great! Thank u. Grew up in burbs, moved away, now living in Lincoln park. Any vids on Chicago etiquette?? Wanna he street smart. I’m also a new dog owner, any videos on dog and owner etiquette?

I would love to love in Chicago in an apt just like yours. I’m in Ft Ld and hate the heat but my husband hates the cold.. Looking forward to you showing some snow so I live vicariously

Love this! Moving to Chicago very soon! This was very helpful!!!!!

I’m from NYC born and raised. Chicago always intrigued me, their culture, art, and history.

Congrats on getting your license! That’s amazing 💖

Thank you so much for this! I live in Austin- home away from home(Chicago) and i love seeing your videos! It’s like reminiscing times over there! 💖 Portillos is good but very touristy! However the Italian beef with cheese there 🤤... but I usually get my Italian beef and hot dogs from local restaurants though. Like Lulus on Ogden! Much more affordable & still delicious!.. also, everyone from Chicago has tried the deep dish no doubt, but true chicagoans will get the flat pizza with square cuts! IYKYK 😉😬🍕

Does Chicago have a Haight Ashbury type area? (like in San Francisco)

I really have been thinking about moving to Chi, this video is really great, I'm trying to figure out how to get my dog there. But I LOVED Chicago when I visited. pequod's pizza was amazing to me, buy I love bread ❤️

I feel like all you mention sounds great if you are visiting not moving. Things not mentioned: 1. Parking: it is expensive. If you own a car expect to pay $200+ a month even when living outside downtown. There is also little to no parking. Apartments are built with no thought of were movers should park. 2. Taxes: everything is taxed so expect to pay more for everything. Rent maybe cheap than cities like NYC or LA but those little things add up and eat your mula 3. Roads are very bad. With all the taxes you would think road will be in good shape but nope. Expect to be fixing brakes, tires you name it. 4. Low pay, high cost of living. Chicago is a world class city so cost of living is high however pay when compared to other cities is low and don’t match up. 5. Drivers are crazy on the road. Be careful when driving 6. Faux Liberal/Progressive - For LGBT rights yes for Racial Minorities not so much. Deeply segregated and money and investment move to one section of the city. Life expectancy is different for north side to south side. It’s like two cities. 7. No weekend gateway. And I mean at all. It is flat land and if you plan to visit nature, go to the woods, camping or traveling to nearby city then forget. Your life will resolve only around the city of Chicago and that’s it. The closest cities do not have much to offer. 8. Weather: Winter and 3 months of summer that’s it. You spend more time in doors most of the year. 9. Healthy eating: if you are looking for healthy dining and non greasy food culture then look elsewhere

i hate the cold but i love huge cities and chicago seems like one of the coolest ones in america

Just moved to Chicago for graduate school and I’m loving it! I also entered the giveaway, my Instagram handle is @amarachee_

I am thinking about moving from Los Angeles to Chicago this was very helpful. Thank you

Thank you so much for this video! Great tips and information! New supporter here! About to binge watch now 🤗

Hi love! I love your content. I am a Chicago native and I disagree about the deep dish pizza most Chicagoans love a flat pizza. It maybe a bit different in the areas you are mentioning but the rest of Chicago doesn’t really eat deep dish like that. I grew up in Humboldt park/Logan square area. You should explore these area’s especially Humboldt park which is very cultured

Looking to move to Chicago in the future and your videos excite me even more !! Insta: aana.cristinaa

Great video. Watching your videos on Chicago inspires me to work harder so I can move there.

Hi, your video is super fast 1 hour informations in 16 min. Keep on👍👍

What about all the crimes in the city is it easy to avoid the bad areas

Hi Caira, love your videos about Chicago! Do you help clients find houses to buy or just renting apartments? Thx :)

Hi I’m going on March 5 do you think it’ll be cold / snowing? I would really appreciate it if u answer me please . Thanks

Hold on, deepdish is okay but it's really only eaten when we are entertaining tourists. Every true Chicagoan eats thin crust on a normal day. Thin crusy from the Southside is the amazing. Portillos is alright. It's a convenient because it's a chain but deff not the best. My fav beef is Johnnies Beef.

Will follow you in insta and dm you. Senior, single Loved your style in apt and you are so upbearT, it makes me feel like I can do it at my age!

I visited Chicago once and it was too cold for me lol. I hated it. But with all of this advice I’m definitely going to visit again in the summer and try all of this stuff! I love to eat too so this sounds like my type of thing

Dear Caira, i'm french, live in Paris in France and i'm looking for people who live in Chicago. Hope your channel make me discover the way of life of citizen of your fantastic town. I add you on twitter. Wish you the best, regards, Estelle

This City is LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Thank you this was so helpful!!!

Low key when she said “Portillo’s” she made my day... I love that place!

Oooo I really want to visit Chicago now!

I’m moving to Chicago this August!!!

How much you pay for electricity/month? Especially in winter

Speak so fast.. wtf

Definitely planning on moving to Chicago eventually!!!

You make me so excited to move to Chicago 😭🤍🤎

I’m moving to Chicago from Europe in the summer, I’ve watched a lot of videos about moving to the city and this one is by far the best! So many good tips here that I never would have known. Off to follow you on IG. Thank you!

You should try Devil Dawgs ..... might change your mind about Portillo lol

"Boop It" Love It! 😀

You make me so excited to move to Chicago

oh yea, this is a really helpfull video.

Omg! Portillo’s is amazing!!!

Super informative! Very well done!

I am moving to Chicago this October and have been binging the vids! So much useful information on RU-vid! Thanks for the advice!

I loved the architecture tour! I just got my college daughter that dolly for her to haul her 5 gallon water bottle! Thank you!

Hmm... this video seems dated in 2022. The carjackings, the shootings, the corruption, and on and on...

Our weather in Bakersfield is crazy, wear a jacket in the morning and you’ll take it off in two hours or so😫

i wanna move to chicago for finance jobs. will it be worth it? any useful information is welcome. thank you!!

The idea of loading up all of those clothes, getting that hot cold sweat of getting ready too quickly, having to unlayer and not have anywhere to put your stuff on the L… makes me a little apprehensive to commit. Is it common to have coat checks etc? I can’t imagine getting to my indoor destination and having to carry my hat, coat, mittens or always carry a huge bag.

Watching this because I’m moving to Chicago in September….can anyone tell me what roger’s park is like??

I'm from another country and will be moving to Chicago, is it possible to rent those considered "luxury" apartments without credit history or renter's insurance? I will get those for sure once i start working but i need a place prior to starting work and really prefer to get a studio apt from those buildings

I’m moving there and I’m terrified. The crime is really scaring me.

During the summer and fall, there are several 5k races that will use Lake Shore Drive beachfront trails. Don't be the a-hole and ride it when you see hundreds of people in the same color shirt. You never know when you will need the money that the charity is raising. I had a guy scream at me because he believed that we were in his way. We were raising money for the children's hospital. I told him that he better pray that his kids don't need that hospital in the future. Another guy knocked him off of his bike for being rude to me.

What do you think is the best area as far as dining ? You didn’t mention . Thanks

agreed that Chicago has one of the best transport system in the US but timeliness has been an issue since COVID due to staff shortage

Please zoom out

Thank you! It’s so odd - I’m in the same boat as you in that I’m moving in Feb and have never even visited. I was thinking about it last time I commented here but forgot your story and saw this again, haha. I will likely reach out for your help finding a spot!

Great video!

New subscribers here. I was born and raised in Chicago. However when the kiddos were little we moved to rural Pennsylvania. I just wanted to let you know that this video was just awesome 👏 Great job. 👍💜

Wow can't believe you have done so much already. I lived there my whole life and never did most of those things. Now I am in Bay area and would love any tips you have. We have been here a year and while I didn't love Chicago I think I liked it more than this. We are not in SF and just not able to find good food/good sites. Of course with covid have really not been able to explore either.

Good job, keep people moving in and not leaving Illinois for my state!!!

Boop it 😂😂

Try the beef n cheddar croissant with giardianera from Portillos. Ykyk

This video is so informative! Thank you so much for sharing all these great tips!!!