You can find Chicago, Illinois on the southwest shores of Lake Michigan, in the midwestern United States. The “Windy City” is the third most populous city in the U.S., with an estimated 2.7 million residents and 10 million in the greater Chicago metropolitan area.
In the past 180 years since its incorporation as a city, Chicago has been rebuilt from the ground up after the Great Chicago fire in 1871, and has grown into an alpha global city with the third largest Gross Metropolitan product in the U.S. in 2015.
This city boasts some of the tallest buildings in the country with beautiful world class architecture, a bustling diverse economy, and some of the best food in the world!
Read on to see why Chicago is a great place to live and work.
Working in Chicago
Industry
According to the World Business Chicago, no single industry employs more than 14% of the workforce in Chicago, making it one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies. While November 2016 unemployment rates for the metropolitan area of Chicago was above the national average at 5.3%, professional and business services had the largest employment gain from November 2015 to November 2016, adding 23,200 jobs. This was followed by Leisure and hospitality (+ 12,000 jobs), and Construction (+4,000 jobs).
The city is a powerhouse of industry with the third largest science and engineering workforce in the nation, and the second largest central business district in the U.S. It’s also home to 31 companies in the Fortune 500.
Employers to note
Chicago also boasts more than 400 major corporate headquarters, including: Boeing, Abbot Laboratories, Exelon, Ual Corp. (united Airlines), R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Aon Corp., Integrys, Smurfit-Stone, Telephone & Data Systems.
The city counts itself as the top employer, with over 49,000 employees working for the U.S. Government, 39,000 in Chicago Public Schools and 30,000 for the City of Chicago.
Browse jobs in Chicago and see who’s hiring!
Did you know…?
Did you know that the Chicago River is the only river in the world that flows backward? From 1892 to 1922 the city constructed canals to make the river flow backwards in an effort to save the region from waterborne diseases caused by sewage contamination of its drinking water supply (Lake Michigan). It now flows away from the lake and toward the Mississippi River.
Chicago also likes to dye the downtown section of the river green every year in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day and has since 1961.
Living in Chicago
Life in Chicago
Chicagoan’s are known for their midwestern charm, combined with big city hustle. Along with its nearly 3 million residents, in 2015, an estimated 52 million tourists descended on the city. It’s no surprise that the tourism industry had added 15K jobs since 2010.
Chicago is made up of 77 different neighborhoods. From the central business district known as “The Loop”, to Wicker Park, one of the hippest and trendiest areas in the city.
There are recreational activities aplenty in Chicago that will please even the pickiest of travelers and residents. Bulls, Cubs, Sox and Bears… oh my! Sports fans can easily find a team to cheer on! If sports don’t tickle your fancy, take an architecture tour along the Chicago River, visit one of the many museums and art galleries (The Art Institute of Chicago was rated #1 Best Museum in the world by Tripadvisor in 2014), or walk among the 580 parks and gardens.
Of Chicago’s many wonders, you can count their namesake pizza among them. Chicago-style pizza is unlike any other, with a deeper dish, crunchier crust and inverted layers. Who does it best is, of course, among the hottest debates among Chicagoans with Pizzeria Uno, Gino’s or Giordano’s topping the list according to Thrillist.
Transportation in Chicago
Chicago has an easy-to-navigate downtown grid and the nation’s second largest public transportation system.
Chicago’s ‘L’ Train, short for Elevated Train, started in 1892 and connects the city via above-ground, street-level and subway trains. The ‘L’ has 144 rail stations and is one of the most efficient and affordable methods of transportation available. There are two lines that operate 24 hours a day: the Blue and Red Lines. These connect the airport and downtown (Blue Line), and service between the North and South Sides via downtown (Red Line). Additionally, there are over 100 routes that connect the city, with several that run 24 hours a day.
A single ‘L’ train ride will cost you $2.25, or $10 for unlimited rides for 24 hours. You could take the bus for $2.
House prices in Chicago
According to a report from Redfin, single-family home prices in Chicago rose 12% year-on-year in March of 2016, with the median price of a home in the city at $252,000. This is in line with Zillow’s median home value of $214,000, an increase of 5.5% over the past 12 months. It’s important to note the price medians vary greatly by neighborhood, from $109,400 in the Back of the Yards, to $293,200 in Bridgeport.
Zillow forecasts the Chicago house values within the city will rise by 1.7% over the next 6 months.
When renting in Chicago, it’s recommended that you first research the neighborhoods you’d like to live in before choosing your new apartment. Though not mandatory, many Chicagoans recommend using an agent, and researching your potential landlord (the city publishes a list of problem landlords). Median rent in Chicago is $1,694.
Education in Chicago
The third largest school district in the U.S., the Chicago Public School has more than 600 schools, providing education to approximately 400,000 students in elementary and high schools.
Higher education options are also abundant in Chicago, with top universities including: the University of Chicago; Illinois Institute of Technology; Northwestern University; Loyola University Chicago; DePaul University; and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Chicago is a wonderful vibrant city full or arts, culture and life, but whatever you do, don’t ask for ketchup on your hotdog!
Check out our jobs in Chicago and see what opportunities are out there for you!
