So, you want to move to Chicago. Understandable. This city is vibrant, welcoming and bustling with opportunities. Wherever you might be in your life, Chicago can be the place for you; and if you do want to move here, this list was made for you. Check out if you have what it takes to live in the Windy City!

 

You Have to Not Mind Winter.

You don’t have to necessarily like it, but if you absolutely hate it, you won’t last here. Winter in Chicago lasts about seven/eight months altogether. The way I usually describe the seasons here in Chicago is: eight months of winter, three months of summer, one month of fall in September/October. No spring – it usually lasts about a week or so.

I asked my fellow Chicagoans on Instagram what they think is the most important thing to know about Chicago if you want to move here: sure enough, the large majority of them replied with something along the lines of “deathly winter”.

If you want to live in Chicago, you have to prepare for that. Sure, winter means awesome activity like ice skating, the Christkindlmarkt, hanging out with huskies and playing in the snow, but it also means that for many, many months you’re pretty much stuck at home after work because it’s literally too cold to go outside. It’s fun, for a couple months, but it gets old really easily. However, these winters are what make us tough. Not everyone can handle this weather, but the ones that do… oh, you gotta watch out for those people.

 

Talking about snow…

You Have to Like the Snow.

Since winters are crazy long in Chicago, you tend to get snow from late October to the end of April/early May. At times, it’s just flurries, but other times, you’re stuck in blizzards, stuck at home, stuck with mountains of snow outside your door.

I feel like you need an image in your head to really understand what we’re talking about. Are you familiar with Game of Thrones? (Wow, I mean, who isn’t?) “Winter is coming”? The Wall? Well, George R.R. Martin went to Northwestern and was inspired by the Chicago blizzard of 1967 to create that part of Westeros. So basically, Chicago is the North of Westeros. Those are our temperatures. So next time you joke around and “brace yourself because winter is coming”, say a little prayer for us.

I remember digging snow in negative temperatures so that my friend could drive out of my garage. Brutal. The city is usually prepared for anything, so don’t expect to stay home from work or school for weather reasons. It happens sometimes, but not very frequently. All I can say is, invest in a good winter jacket. And snow boots, please. Trust me on that one.

 

You Have to Like Living in a Big City.

Some people are small town people and there’s nothing wrong with that. Having grown up in Milan, Italy and Chicago, I can’t even imagine what it means to grow up somewhere where you pretty much know everyone. That obviously does not happen in Chicago – or any bigger city, for that matter. You probably know that already, but on top of knowing it, you have to accept it and be okay with it. It’s a whole different lifestyle to adapt to, but it’s worth it. There is always something going on in Chicago. New things to do, new places to explore, new people to meet. If that sounds like your thing, you’re set. If not… eh, you should still give Chicago a try. Life’s pretty great in the big Windy City.

 

You Have to Know How to Drive through Madness.

Or – like me – you have to be okay with not driving at all. After New York City, Chicago is the home of the worst driving in America. Jaywalkers, hours of traffic, the snow, the ice, the many sporting and music events happening every day and every night, millions of tourists, tons of one ways and highways… that’s the recipe for hell, basically. Driving in Chicago is hard. If you’re someone who loves to drive in the long, wide, American roads, Chicago might not be the place for you. If you don’t mind not driving or dealing with road rage, be our guest.

 

You Have to be Comfortable Taking Public Transportation.

In Chicago, you can survive without owning a car: an extensive public transit service and cheap Ubers and Lyfts have you covered, therefore, you don’t really need to drive if you don’t want to. However, you do have to be comfortable taking public transportation. The “L” system (call it what you want: subway, train, tube) can seem a bit daunting at first: eight lines, over 140 stations, some of which are elevated while others are underground. However, it’s really a lot easier to figure out then it sounds. The buses are also pretty straightforward, and not as sketchy as they sometimes look like!

 

You Have to be Ready to Spend Lots of Money on Everything.

Moving to Chicago and getting a job here sounds glamourous. Living in a big city and earning that big city paycheck: sounds dreamy. However, bigger paychecks always mean bigger expenditures. Life in Chicago isn’t cheap, and while there are great free things to do in the city, if you want to go out to eat, or for a drink, you’ll soon find out that enjoying yourself in the city comes at a price. This can be a shock at first, but as soon as you learn to manage your money, you’ll live a happier life in Chicago.

 

You Have to Enjoy Being Exposed to Different Cultures.

I love living in a multicultural city, where I can meet people from all around the world, practicing all religions, with different backgrounds and cultures. Chicago is all of that, and more. If you’re not open-minded, and open to sharing your city with people who differ from you in nationality, race, sexual orientation, social class, religion, etc., you are not ready for Chicago – and quite frankly, we don’t really want you. If, however, you are ready to meet a bunch of awesome ladies and gents who share their love for the city and their Midwestern hospitality, we’ll be glad to welcome you.

 

That’s all I have for you guys. Stay tuned for more things to do in Chicago & the rest of the world!