Well-connected, multicultural, and business-oriented, Chicago is a great place for expats. It is home to many international organizations and a thriving business district. Chicago is the third largest US city, after New York and Los Angeles, and is famed for its architecture and skyline. But don't worry, it's not just skyscrapers and city blocks; Chicago also has 500 parks and a gorgeous lakefront area. However, expats should take special care when choosing a place to live, as crime and substandard public schools make some Chicago neighborhoods less desirable than others.
Neighborhoods in Chicago
Chicago is a big city divided into 77 different neighborhoods. While this can sound daunting, the good news is that there is something for every lifestyle and budget. With so many distinct areas, a good strategy is to choose your neighborhood and then begin looking for accommodation. To help narrow down your search, consider your lifestyle and things that will impact your quality of life, such as proximity to public transit, parking availability, noise level, and outdoor space. The city's visitor page has more information on local communities. Chicago's five major zones are described below.
Downtown
Like many metropolitan areas, Chicago's downtown area appeals to young professionals and couples. The South Loop is convenient to the business district and Lake Michigan, as well as popular shopping and eating areas.
Currently, the most sought-after neighborhoods include Gold Coast, River North, Streeterville, Lakeview, Lakeshore East, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Bucktown, Wicker Park, the Loop, South Loop, and West Loop.
Side
Two popular North Side neighborhoods, Lincoln Square and Roscoe Village, remain close to downtown but offer more spacious housing. Roscoe Village offers lots of charm, with brick townhouses and streets lined with small restaurants and shops. Lincoln Square has more single-family homes, is near three parks, and has easy access to the Chicago riverfront.
Northside neighborhoods Lincoln Park and Lakeview draw young families due to the excellent public schools in the area, as well as low crime rates. These areas are highly walkable and offer all kinds of shopping, pubs, and a variety of restaurants.
South Side
Chicago's South Side is home to Hyde Park, which offers a mix of lakefront high-rises and luxurious homes. Its proximity to the prestigious University of Chicago still makes it popular among students and faculty members, although crime and safety vary by block.
West Side
The West Side includes neighborhoods like Logan Square, which is surrounded by many parks. Moderately-priced housing in this neighborhood makes it a popular area for students, artists, and working-class inhabitants.
Important:
Expats with children should take special care when searching for accommodation, as their home address determines which local public schools their children may attend. (CPS) has endeavored to improve the quality of public education recently and is seeing increasing enrollment levels. The best public high schools in Chicago are highly ranked citywide鈥攆or example, Payton College Preparatory High School is ranked #1 in the metro area.
Good to know:
Crime rates have improved significantly in Chicago, and rates of homicides, shootings, and robberies are decreasing year-over-year. Chicago's recent homicide total in was the lowest it has been in a decade. However, crime does remain concentrated in specific neighborhoods, and the city's violent crime rate is above the national average. Always check up-to-date and do your research into an area before committing.
Accommodation prices in Chicago
Chicago's rental market offers a range of accommodation types, from luxurious single-family homes to apartments of all sizes. As with most big cities, accommodation size shrinks and prices increase in desirable areas or closer to downtown. The majority of people living in urban Chicago live in apartments, lofts, or condos.
In 2025, average monthly rents are approximately:
- Studio: USD 1,400;
- One-bedroom: USD 1,800鈥揢SD 2,200 (citywide average USD 1,954);
- Two-bedroom: USD 2,300鈥揢SD 2,700 (luxury units or downtown can be USD 3,400+);
- Three-bedroom: USD 2,800鈥揢SD 3,500+.
Good to know:
Air conditioning is now standard in most modern apartments, and many new buildings include in-unit laundry facilities. Parking is still typically extra.
Generally, an apartment lease in Chicago includes charges, such as water, trash service, and building maintenance. Accommodations will have major appliances like a stove/oven and refrigerator. Heating and cooling systems vary from building to building, and the internet is often not included.
Living in Chicago
Whether it's shopping, sports, culture, or food, Chicago has something for everyone.聽 a stretch of Michigan Avenue, is a top destination for luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment. Chicago has five major league teams. If you are a sports lover, their football team is the Bears; the Cubs and the White Sox are major league baseball teams; the famous Chicago Bulls are the city's basketball team, and if you're a hockey fan, there's the Blackhawks.
Art and culture lovers will enjoy the city's world-famous architecture, outdoor displays, sculpture gardens, and world-class museums, including the , , Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum, all of which offer special exhibitions and free days for residents.
Chicago was named 鈥溾�� for the eighth consecutive year in 2025. This ranking considered attractions, dining, culture and atmosphere, among other factors.
Chicago's continental climate offers the city mild spring and fall weather with hot, humid summers and long, windy, harsh winters. Typical summer highs reach the 80s掳F (around 28掳C), while winter lows drop into the 20s掳F (鈭�6掳C). Snow is a regular occurrence and averages about 37 inches (94 cm) each winter. While this is generally a slow and steady accumulation, every few years, Chicagoans expect a storm to dump up to 25 cm (about 10 inches) at once. The coldest month is January, which has an average high temperature of -0.6掳C (about 31掳 Fahrenheit).
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