Table of Contents
The cost of living throughout the U.S. is quite high right now. From the gasoline price to the increased rent rates, daily expenses are really wearing on people no matter where they live or what they do for a living. Young people are especially prone to having a hard time paying for things on their own due to being new in the world of employment.
This makes it important for people in their 20s and 30s to evaluate what city they want to live in that will help ease the burden on their wallet, present them with the best career opportunities, and align with their core values. Big cities like Chicago might be the first to come to mind.
Apartments are pretty expensive in the Windy City right now. The best renters insurance in Chicago is also going to cost a pretty penny if you don’t shop for the best rates online, and people thinking of moving to Chicago can also get more information about a house or apartment they’re interested in through Illinois property records searches. We’ll list some of these aspects of moving to Illinois’s most famous city, along with other social aspects of the region.
Racial and LGBTQ+ Diversity in Chicago
Research shows that young people are more accepting of racial, sexual, and gender diversity than older generations. This might mean younger folks will want to move to an area with more diversity and plenty of fellow Millenials and Gen Z’ers who want to change the way the world treats Black people, Brown people, queer people, and other populations.
Racial Diversity in Chicago
Almost two-thirds of Chicago’s population is currently non-White. This is something young people should be encouraged by if they want to live in a diverse community. On the other hand, many scholars have noted the ways Chicago is a segregated city. Just because there are many different types of people, it doesn’t mean they mingle with each other very often.
Neighborhoods around the Windy City are often synonymous with being closed off from others of different races or ethnicities. This is something that is discouraging in 2022, and it might make living in Chicago feel discouraging if you’re somebody who cares about integrating everyone to create more racial acceptance.
LGBTQ+ Diversity in Chicago
If you are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or if you’re an ally of queer people, you can be encouraged by Chicago’s thriving gay culture. The Pride Parade in Chicago is known for being one of the world’s most popular, and the city itself has one of the largest queer populations in the U.S. This should make young queer people excited to move to Chicago.
Some of the best events for the gay community in Chicago include going to Showtunes Sunday at the Sidetrack bar and theater events catered to the transgender community through TransFest at the Pride Arts Center. There’s something for everyone to enjoy all year long in Chicago.
Cost of Living in Chicago
Chicago’s gas prices are in the top four most expensive in the U.S. This makes driving around the city very difficult for young people struggling with their money. Young residents of Chicago should consider riding a bicycle to close destinations. This will also help to avoid the stress of being in traffic every morning.
College students in the area can rent an apartment close to their school campus and make walking or biking to class part of their morning routine. These types of commuting techniques allow people to take in the scenery of the city and get more exercise while getting to where they’re headed.
The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago is also nearly $300 more expensive than the national average. Young people should see if they can share a two-bedroom apartment with a friend so both people can share the cost of living. This is something many people living in big cities like Chicago have had to deal with throughout their lives as of late.
Groceries are about 4% more expensive in Chicago than in the rest of the U.S. This means it’s important to figure out how much you need each week for essentials and try to stock up during sales and holiday events. Sometimes stores will offer coupons only available with a membership card so see if this applies to your local grocer.
Career Opportunities in Chicago
Life after college can be difficult if you don’t know exactly what career you want to pursue. Fortunately, a city like Chicago offers many employment opportunities other cities around the country don’t. Like a lot of large cities, Chicago has been at the forefront of technology and computer engineering jobs for quite some time now.
Qualtrics is one of the fastest-growing places for employment in the area. They are a leading company in the fields of experience data and human resources technology. Flexera is a leading company for cloud computing and software development. If you’re interested in one of these companies because you’re great at working with computers, think about moving here.
If you’re in the medical field, Chicago is a great place to explore your opportunities. Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the University of Chicago Medical Center are vital to the healthcare system in Illinois and provide the region with thousands of jobs for medical professionals, along with great care for patients.
Sports in Chicago
Young people are often very interested in watching professional and college sports teams and Chicago has a great list of options to enjoy a game during the week or over the weekend. The Chicago Bulls NBA basketball team plays in one of the most popular stadiums in the country, the United Center, which has been a home for many concerts as well since it opened in 1994.
The Chicago Bears are a legendary NFL football team whose rivalry with the Green Bay Packers has provided many great memories for fans of both teams. Going to a Bears game during the winter is an important cultural and entertainment experience for sports fans in the area.
You can see Chicago is an expensive city to live in, but one ripe with career chances, diverse populations, great inclusiveness, and unique entertainment and cultural experiences. Young people should consider moving to Chicago if they can afford it.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the insurance comparison site, Clearsurance.com. He wants to help people see the pros and cons of moving to a city like Chicago.
Feature Image Credit: Photo by Christina Winter on Unsplash