Chicago Living - Relocation Guide 2008 - (Page 13)

O p p O s i t e pa g e l e f t : p h O t O c O u r t e s y O f t h e c h i c a g O a r c h i t e c t u r e f O u n d at i O n , p h O t O b y a n n e e va n s ; r i g h t : p h O t O c O u r t e s y O f t h e c i t y O f c h i c a g O / p e t e r J . s c h u l z ; t h i s pa g e t O p r i g h t : p h O t O c O u r t e s y O f t h e c i t y O f c h i c a g O / g r a p h i c s a n d r e p r O d u c t i O n ; b O t t O m r i g h t : p h O t O c O u r t e s y O f t h e s h e d d a q u a r i u m tion to get them from their homes in the city or the suburbs to their offices. They take the ”L, the commuter lines, the ” bus and even the occasional speed boat to get from place to place. Residents who don’t want to own a car can take taxis or subscribe to car-sharing services that give them access to a vehicle in their neighborhoods—and a bicycle-sharing service may be up and running by the time you read this. That’s because Chicago is as bike-friendly as a place this cold can be, right down to the Millennium Park Cycle Center where commuting cyclists can park their two-wheelers and take a shower before greeting their co-workers. No matter how you make your way through the city, you’ll find that Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with something different to offer. There are pockets of free-spending yuppies and people who speak Polish; Irish bars catering to people from Dublin and Irish bars catering to people from Cork; and some of the finest Mexican restaurants outside of Mexico City. The city’s political system supports the neighborhood feel. Chicago is divided into 50 wards, each of which is represented in city council by an elected alderman. Call your ward office for information about city services great and minor. The staff will know when your garbage gets picked up, how to get a parking permit and where you vote. Chicago’s rich diversity extends to its economic base. No single industry dominates here, allowing for a strong 2008 Chic a go L i ving cross-fertilization of ideas and making a trailing spouse comfortable in relocation. Every day, people get exposed to both the creative and the concrete in a wide range of occupations. This is home to Oprah Winfrey and Kanye West, Boeing and Abbott Laboratories, auto plants and accounting firms. The depth and breadth of skills available makes the city amenable to entrepreneurs because they can find the support and talent they need to get started. And, the diversity makes for a relatively stable real estate market, with few of the wild swings up or down that affected homeowners in many other cities. The National Association of Realtors reports that the average existing single-family home for the region including Chicago, Naperville and Joliet sold for $273,500 at the end of 2006, an increase of 14 percent over prices two years earlier. By mid-2007 the expected price was $283,000, an increase , of 1.7 percent. With less froth in the region to work through, Chicagoans are likely to find reasonable prices now and in the future. Let’s face it: Chicago must be a special place if 9 million people put up with the winter. This most American city will inspire you with its soaring skyscrapers, its wild lakefront, and its abounding creativity. Millions of executives, artists, and just plain folks have made their way here. You’ll need both sunscreen and long under wear for this adventure. You’re not flying over this time; you’re getting out and joining the fabulous farrago that is Chicago. ■ c h i c a g o l i v i n g m a g. c o m 13 http://www.chicagolivingmag.com

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Contents A Letter from the Governor Contributing Writers Welcome Home Finding a Home Schools, Health Care & Business Excellence Arts & Entertainment Advertiser Index Chicago Resources Back Page

Chicago Living - Relocation Guide 2008

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