FREE Search for Chicago Apartments and Homes

With a population of 2.8 million, Chicago is the nation's third largest city; it's also the largest city in Illinois by a great margin. Chicago's unique culture is famous and a big draw for visitors; Chicago's architecture, historical sites and vibrant neighborhoods inspire and delight residents and visitors alike. While it's also known for being the home of The Oprah Winfrey Show, deep-dish pizza and spectacular lakes, Chicago's most identifiable claim to fame may be its modern architecture. It is the birthplace of the skyscraper, and its architects have initiated international architectural styles and movements, the most notable being the Chicago School and the Prairie School.

Quality of Life
The sheer variety of lifestyles, cultures and experiences makes Chicago a fantastic place to live. One of the city's most notable features is the beautiful lakefront along Lake Michigan. Virtually the entire lakefront is devoted to recreation and enjoyment, with plenty of beaches, parks, harbors and museums to provide an unlimited number of things to see and do. For those who enjoy a little culture, Chicago has enough to keep you busy for weeks. There are a multitude of museums; two of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago and the Shedd Aquarium. Chicago is also home to the state's famous sports teams: the Chicago Bears football team, Chicago Blackhawks hockey team, Chicago Bulls basketball team, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Whitesox baseball teams and the Chicago Fire soccer team.

Where the Jobs Are
Just about every kind of job you can think of is available in this bustling city. Chicago is famous as a Great Lakes port, iron and steel producer, meat packer, grain exchange and railroad center. About 20% of the city's employees work in manufacturing, and the largest industry is food products; printing, publishing, metal, electronics and chemicals are other major industries. Tourism, finance and business services are also major employers.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
The bad news is that Chicago's overall cost of living is about 66% above the national average. The good news is that there is an enormous variety of housing options, from small city apartments to houses for rent in the suburbs. When looking for city apartments for rent, consider the diverse communities that give Chicago its rich tradition as an international city. From China Town to Little Italy, Greektown to Old Town (full of Victorian architecture), the choice of apartment rentals is limitless. Limitless, yes, but not cheap; average apartments for rent in Chicago go for just over $1,000 a month, with utilities costing an average of $86.

Neighborhoods to Explore
Chicago is divided into three major sections by the Chicago River, known by locals as the North, West and South Sides. The North Side is mostly residential, with many of the city's nicest apartments and houses. If you're on a tight budget, try the West Side, which is more industrial and has lower-income residences. The South Side is the largest area and contains many types of apartment rentals and houses to search in. Outside the city, there are numerous suburbs, including Evanston, Oak Park and Schaumburg, with plenty of apartments to explore. Thanks to the El (the local nickname for the elevated railway), commuting into the city is economical and usually pretty fast.