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11. Living in Chicago

Chicago at a Glance

Residing in Chicago and Education

The Chicago skyline along the coast of Lake Michigan is one of the city's main attractions.

Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois, bordering Lake Michigan. It is also located on a continental divide which connects the Mississippi river and the Great Lakes Watersheds. There are three rivers flowing through the downtown area: the famous Chicago River, the Calumet River and the Des Plaines River.

Chicago’s nickname, “the Windy City”, should not be taken lightly, as the winters can be harsh: subzero temperatures, lots of snow, and – windy weather! However, do not despair; due to its humid continental climate zone, Chicago has four distinct seasons with a very rewarding summer of heat and humidity!

If you have any concerns about whether or not this type of climate is right for you, visit the National Weather Service to check average highs and lows throughout past years.

Renting in Chicago

Most expats tend to rent when living in Chicago as it gives them more flexibility in case their expat assignment terminates early. Obviously the price you pay for your apartment will vary depending on the neighborhood you choose to live in. For a brief description of the different neighborhoods in Chicago, read the InterNations guide to Moving to Chicago.

It is best to look for an apartment online or in the housing section one of the local Chicago papers, such as The Chicago Tribune, the Sun Times, or the Daily Herald. All these newspapers also have housing sections online as well.

Once you have found an apartment that you are interested in renting, make sure you bring the following with you when you visit it:

• Valid passport
• Valid visa
• Proof of credit or savings
• Contact information of prior landlord

The average length of a lease in Chicago is 12 months and a deposit the equivalent of one or two months’ rent is usually required upon signing the lease. To give you an idea of leasing costs in Chicago, a one-bedroom apartment near downtown Chicago will cost you at least $1,200 / month.

Renting in Chicago: Utilities

As in most countries, tenants are required to pay their own utilities. Once you have settled on a move-in date with your landlord or the building management, you will need to contact the various utility services in order to get electricity, water, and gas hooked up to your apartment. Additionally, if desired, you should make appointments to have amenities such as Internet and telephone, as well as cable TV, installed in your home.

The major electricity supplier in Chicago is ComEd, while People Gas provides heating in most places. Although there are many different providers, the most common telephone and Internet one is called AT&T, while most Chicagoans choose Comcast for television purposes.

Education in the Chicago Area

Being the largest city in the entire state of Illinois, it is no wonder that Chicago also houses some of the Midwest’s finest universities. Northwestern University and the University of Chicago offer both jobs for international professors as well as the possibility to pursue further education.

For those of you moving to the Chicago area with children, rest assured that there are plenty of schools available for them. The Chicago school system is quite good, and if you are not keen on spending too much money for a private school education, you can always send your kids to a regular public school. The best option for selecting a school is to visit it with your children and see if it fits. For more information on the American school system, please visit the InterNations Guide to Living in the USA.

For those of you who prefer your children to have an international education or perhaps one where the institutional language is that of your home country, Chicago offers a wealth of international schools as well. Here are some of the most popular:

• The Lycée Français de Chicago is well-liked among French expats living in Chicago. It offers both primary and secondary courses as well as the French baccalaureate and is considered a ticket into a good American university.
• The British School of Chicago is very popular amongst British expats who don’t see themselves living in the United States for long and want to continue offering their children a British education.
• The German School Chicago as the name suggests, offers all lessons in German. It is an independent non-profit private school for children age 3 (preschool) to age 18 (high school).