Pizza, bold architecture, festivals, and Midwestern niceness shape Chicago’s culture, but is Chicago a good place to live? We did some digging to bring you the scoop on life in the Windy City. From the quality of life and cost of living, to main attractions and commute times, we answer all of your burning questions about living in Chicago.

But first, who are we? At AptAmigo, our team of Chicago experts prioritizes one goal: to make finding an apartment in Chicago easy, stress-free, and maybe even a little fun. To do this, we created resources with information that you can’t find anywhere else. We answer questions, such as “Why doesn’t everyone live here?,” “How do locals afford luxury apartments?,” and “Can I find a Chicago apartment while still living in an entirely different state?” We also provide free apartment locating assistance for anyone searching for a luxury apartment.

Now, back to the big question at hand: Is Chicago a good place to live? Let’s find out.

What Is Chicago Known For?

Quality of Life

So, what accounts for Chicago’s high quality of living? We asked our local team members and narrowed their answers down to a few, though not all, of the key qualities that make Chicago special.

• Urban setting: Because of Chicago’s cultural diversity, you can find all manner of activities, entertainment, and food within the city limits. No matter which way you turn, you’ll encounter some cool place or event happening. This setting also creates ideal conditions for making connections, whether for business, creative purposes, or friendship.
• Lakefront: The lakefront imbues Chicago with the perfect blend of urban living and natural relaxation. If you want an active beach experience, check out North Avenue Beach, Montrose Beach, or Hollywood Beach. At North Avenue Beach, you can rent a sand volleyball court and enjoy amazing views of the downtown skyline. The dog-friendly Montrose Beach sections off a fenced beach just for pups. While there, you can also enjoy a cold beer and live music at The Dock, a dog-friendly beach-side favorite. If relaxation is your goal, head to Hollywood Beach. Due to minimal boat traffic, you can rent paddle boards and soak up the sun in this quiet spot. Getting to the beach is easy, simply jump on the El train and head east until you hit the water. Hop between beaches via the Lakefront Trail, which stretches 19 miles from north to south. Just remember pack some sunscreen.
• Active communities: Every Chicago neighborhood plans their own calendar of activities and events throughout the year. From the Edgewater Arts Festival every fall to the Logan Square Farmers Market (open every Sunday), an astounding variety of community activities take place in Chicago. Stop by the Green Mill for some live jazz weekly, or drop into an improv show hosted by Second City. Whether you want to stroll through or participate, it’s easy to get involved in your neighborhood.
• Small businesses & Startups: Chicago locals love the hundreds of successful family-run businesses that operate here. You’ll find new pop-up ventures, co-ops featuring up-and-coming artists, and local alternatives to big-box stores. Many tech start-ups also pop up around Chicago (AptAmigo included!). And, even more move their offices here from San Francisco or New York all the time. The growing number of Chicago-based businesses makes job hunting easier than in most cities.

Things to Do

In our nation’s third largest city, you won’t run out of things to do. The question is not so much, “what do we do?” as “where do we start?” To get acquainted with all of the main attractions, start with the following activities:

• Eat ALL the food. This city satisfies every craving. So, if you and your partner can’t decide on a dinner spot, buckle up. Chicago’s endless options will make your decision so much harder. Consider, perhaps, dim sum in Chinatown, or incredible Mexican food in Pilsen (Chicago’s center for this cuisine) and across the city. Hit up a Lincoln Park establishment after a day at the zoo. Or, shop for some delicacies at some specialty Italian markets. The list of options goes on and on…
• Skydeck. Searching for an experience that evokes both beauty and terror? Ever thought about standing on a glass ledge 103 floors above the city’s sidewalks? Well, at the top of the Willis Tower, you can do exactly that. This Chicago staple provides a jaw-dropping view of the lake, panoramic city skylines, and an amazing selfie opportunity. It represents the quintessential “touristy” activity, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from seeing it at least once. 
• Chicago River Cruise. Everyone should experience an architecture boat tour at least once, but don’t stop there. Try sipping a delicious drink while wearing a stylish sun hat on a boat meandering up the Chicago River. Choose between several different river-cruising options, depending on your mood. The Chicago River Dinner Cruise takes place on a glass-encased boat that offers a three-course meal, live DJ, and cash bar. Or, for a different vibe, consider a brunch, lunch, or cocktail hour cruise.

(For even more things to do, read our guide to Touring Chicago Like a Local and check out our Exploring Chicago series.)

• Millenium Park. While this park tends to become crowded on a clear summer day, this touristy stop will still ‘wow’ you every time. Not only does the Cloud Gate sculpture (A.K.A., The Bean) provide the ultimate mirror selfie, but also the Jay Pritzker Pavilion presents free music all summer long. Just a short walk away sits Maggie Daley Park, with rock-climbing walls in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter.
• Garfield Park Conservatory. The windy city might be known for its brutal winters, but nothing thaws the heart like tropical plants in December. Located off the Green Line, this hidden treasure immerses you in “landscape art under glass” inside its 8 indoor displays. In total, it houses 30 exhibits at a time, and in the summer, the 10 acres of outdoor gardens will take your breath away. While they off free admissions (reservations required), the Garfield Park Conservatory accepts donations to maintain the plants and the property.
• Art Institute of Chicago. The Art Institute is, without a doubt, the best place to go on a rainy day, or any day, really. With free admission to Chicago residents on designated days, you can spend as long as you want wandering the exhibits. With hundreds of exhibits, The Art Institute boasts the largest collection of Impressionist paintings outside of Paris and includes Renoir, Van Gogh, Seurat, and Monet. If you find yourself in a funkier mood, wander over to the Modern Wing and see works by Dalí, Matisse, Picasso, and Pollock. No matter your mood, The Art Institute displays the visual stimulation you desire.
• Chicago Riverwalk. Once Chicago’s main shipping channel, the 1.25-mile Chicago Riverwalk now serves as one of the city’s main attractions, transformed into an excellent place for a date night or a solo excursion. Split into four distinct districts, this stretch of riverfront features restaurants, tons of Instagrammable spots, kayaking, and public art.
• Dine at one of the famous Chicago rooftops. Would you like to feel the wind in your hair and an aperol spritz in your hand on a hot Chicago day? Good news: you can live that dream at one of Chicago’s exquisite rooftop bars. Located off Michigan Ave, Cindy’s is a local favorite with an amazing view of the downtown skyline and a luxurious aesthetic to match. Next up, the multi-level rooftop dining located at LondonHouse Chicago dishes up brunch, dinner, and afternoon tea from over 20-stories high, overlooking the river out to Lake Michigan. And, The J. Parker, with its exceptional view of the Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan, sits on top of the famous Hotel Lincoln and boasts an energetic rooftop bar.

How to Get Around

First of all, leave your car behind if at all possible. Quite frankly, Chicago is not a car-friendly city. Expensive, difficult-to-find parking creates headaches for residents, especially those living downtown. With an abundance of rideshare options, rental bikes, scooters, and the CTA trains and buses, you won’t even miss owning a car. However, if you choose to bring your car and need a reliable place to park, you can rent a parking spot at most apartment buildings on a monthly or yearly basis. But, it will likely cost hundreds of dollars a month, so it’s not always an affordable option.

Instead, use public transportation. The CTA will provide you with the most efficient way to get around Chicago. Although it might seem hard to give up your car at first, Chicago’s public transit is cheaper and less stressful than owning a car. With routes going to almost every suburb and hundreds of stations, you’ll rarely need another mode of transportation.

To make your access even easier, check out these Chicago Apartments Near The Blue Line and tell your apartment locator if you want to live steps from a station for easy commuting.

Is Chicago Expensive?

It depends. If you’re moving from New York or San Francisco, no, it’s not that expensive. But, if you’re moving from anywhere else, it might be.

Keep in mind, however, that the higher salaries here compared to smaller cities can balance out a hefty cost of living. Chicago ranked No. 15 for most expensive cities in the U.S. but 23rd for highest salaries. So, as long as you look at the big picture, you can make Chicago work for you.

The average rent price as of summer 2024 is $2,350, and the average cost of utilities is $230 per month. Of course, these prices change over time, but if you want specifics, check out our “Is it expensive to live in Chicago?” article.

Next Step: Find a Chicago Apartment

If you need help finding an apartment in Chicago, AptAmigo is ready. We take the stress out of apartment hunting by giving you VIP service from a team of helpful locals with expert-level apartment knowledge. The best part? It’s completely free. Just contact us, tell us your preferences, and your dedicated apartment experts will handle the rest. Contact us to get started!

Search Available Chicago Apartments.

* The original version of this article was first published on March 30, 2020.