1. Chicago Makes You A Better, Faster, Stronger Person
If you want to play hard, work hard. If you want a good job, get that degree. Don’t jaywalk or a taxi might run you over. Help the people around you who need it most. But pay no attention to that man asking for a lift to the nearest exorcist. Cities are big but the world is bigger. Changing your name doesn’t change who you are (this means you, Sears Tower). You
can be like Mike. Some of the best performers are found on the street. And never, and I mean never, put ketchup on a hot dog if you know what’s good for you. These are just a few life lessons you learn early growing up in a world-class city like
Chicago.
2. If You’re Afraid Of Chicago, You Probably Watch Too Much TV
Chicago isn’t anywhere near as scary as you might think if you’re basing your opinions on media hyperbole. It’s the third largest city in the country, so there obviously going to be issues with crime. But when you know what neighborhoods to avoid and use your street smarts, you realize that Chicago is just like anywhere else.
3. Chicago Knows A Good Education Breeds Great Communities
Chicago’s public school system is facing the same issues as almost every other city thanks to budget cuts and political gridlock. But if you do your research, you’ll find that there are plenty of great public schools around. Bell, Blaine, Burley, and Canty Elementary schools are all top-rated Chicago public schools that offer pre-school through eighth grade. Young Magnet, Lane Technical, Jones College Prep, Northside College Prep, and Devry Advantage Academy are all top-rated Chicago public high schools to prepare students to move onto the awesome and very local universities like University of Chicago or Northwestern.
4. Support Your Family In A Great Career Close To Home
Chicago is shining bright among major cities with a remarkably low unemployment rate of 6.5 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With some of the best careers in government, healthcare, and law among others, Chicago’s job market offers growth potential and unlimited opportunities for your finances.
5. Chicago’s Housing Market Is On Steady Ground
A home in a Chicago neighborhood with a good school district won’t come with a cheap price tag. But, in such a shaky market, the Chicago housing market offers great stability and growth with a 7.6 percent appreciation rate in the past 12 months. And it’s still more affordable than other cities. A home in North Park could cost you around $329,000 while a closet-sized place in Manhattan will run you a minimum of $500,000.
6. Chicago Suburbs Are A Great Alternative
If you want all the perks of Chicago living but the lifestyle is just too cramped for you, don’t be afraid to look in the suburbs. Areas like
Kenilworth,
Wilmette,
Burr Ridge,
Western Springs, and
La Grange are all highly desirable neighborhoods among families for their bigger homes and yards, low crime rates, and good schools.
7. When The Kids Grow Up, You Won’t Need To Buy Them A Car
Whether you’re in the city or in the outskirts, getting around using public transportation is a breeze in Chicago. Between the busses, subway, and L trains, there’s nowhere you can’t get to—on time is another story. And while I wouldn’t recommend trying to walk from one end of the city to the other, Chicago neighborhoods are extremely walkable. The city has an overall Walk Score of 75 and Bike Score of 70.
8. Chicago Is Much More Than Just A Great Skyline
Millennium Park might be awesome but it’s far from the only place for the kids to stretch their legs. With 580 parks taking up 8,1000 acres of green Chicago real estate with playgrounds, trails, sandboxes, splash pads, pools, water features, and much more, this city is anything but a concrete jungle.
9. The Farmers Markets Keep Families Eating Fresh
Keep the ‘fridge stocked with healthful, local foods and produce has never been as fun as it is when you visit Chicago Farmers Markets with the family. Kids can interact with local farmers and learn about where their food comes from while you load up on everything good for them. Catch some live music while you’re it and browse through the many local vendors, making this a local shopping experience rather than a chore.
10. You’ll Never Get Cabin Fever
The outdoor playgrounds aren’t the only places for kids to stretch their legs. The winters can get pretty cold, so it’s always good to have a place to play where you won’t freeze solid. Places like Little Beans in Lincoln Park and the Sod Room in the South Loop offer indoor playing spaces for kids that a little rain or snow won’t get in the way of. And for the older daredevils, The Asylum is an indoor skate park where kids can bring BMX bikes, skateboards, inline skates, and scooters
11. Chicago Has Resources For Every Type Of Parent
They say it takes a village to raise children and, lucky for you, Chicago has a whole army. There are unlimited resources for parents in Chicago including social and educational clubs like Bump Club and Beyond, MamaTribe, and Neighborhood Parents Networks. There are also some great babysitting resources like Urban Sitter, SitterCity, and Sitter Studio.
12. Chicago’s World Class Museums Make Learning Fun
Having fun is just as important as learning which is why Chicago is perfect because here you can do both. Bring the kids to get a hands-on education at the Chicago Children’s Museum, learn about natural history at the Field Museum, channel their inner Bill Nye at the Museum of Science and Industry, or tap into their burgeoning Picasso at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Not everything can be taught in a classroom. Oh, and don’t forget the Shedd Aquarium on a rainy day.
13. Discover The Joy And Disdain Of Living With All Four Seasons
When you live in Chicago long enough, you develop a syndrome known as Chicagoitis. It sets in sometime between January and February every year and symptoms include complaining about how cold it is and fantasizing about moving to a tropical island for the rest of your life.
And then spring defrosts the city and the flowers bloom in Garfield Park Conservatory and the weather warms up enough to play at the splash pads, water fountains, and city beaches and your symptoms begin to fade. Then the humidity gets so thick, you pray for ice skating in Millennium Park in winter again. It’s a sickness. But there are plenty of ways to keep the family entertained throughout the city during all four glorious seasons.
14. Chicago Families Stay Moving
Keeping kids active isn’t always easy in the digital age of iPads and video games. But kids look forward to staying active in Chicago as well as parents thanks to awesome family races where runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages can keep their hearts pumping together while hitting the Chicago streets to explore. There are also plenty of walking, hiking, and biking trails as well as the 18-mile lakefront path with breathtaking views.
15. Chicago Kids Never Know A World Without Culture And Diversity
Living in Chicago is like getting a second education in culture and diversity. The city is overflowing with people of different races, religions, backgrounds, economic classes, lifestyles, and interests, each with a parade or festival of its own to showcase the beauty and importance. Living in a city like Chicago helps break down barriers and stereotypes and teaches kids how not just to live peacefully together but how to thrive.
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