Moving to Chicago

Welcome to Your New Home in Illinois

Chicago is in the center of it all. The third-largest city in the United States, Chicagoland is beloved for its architecture, famous for its legendary sports teams and home to the best beef hot dogs in the country. When you move to Chicago, you can enjoy the excitement of city living with all the charm of the Midwest. You can even find your zen across the city’s 600 beautiful parks and nearly 9,000 acres of green space.

Fifteen Fortune 500 companies call the Windy City home, making Chicago a great place to move for career-minded professionals. The thriving music scene and iconic comedy clubs like The Second City are favorites among singles. And with 24 lakefront beaches and multiple zoos and children’s museums, the city is family friendly too.

We Can Help You Get Settled in Chicago

Moving to Chicago can be a daunting task, even if it’s just around the corner. We’re here to help. Penske has many convenient truck rental locations in metropolitan Chicago. To get you started, the Penske Metropolitan Chicago Team offers these simple moving and driving tips for the do-it-yourself mover:

Tips for Moving to Chicago

• Check the forecast to be prepared for Chicago’s weather extremes and sudden storms in both summer and winter.
• Double-park to unload your truck, but be sure to leave room for traffic to get by in other lanes.
• Pack and carry essential items, including drinks, snacks and a cellphone, in case of unexpected delays.

Tips for Driving in Chicago

• Carry cash for toll roads in and around the city.
• Watch for low-hanging branches on tree-lined streets.
• Avoid Lake Shore Drive — trucks are prohibited.

10 Things To Know When You Move to Chicago

• 1. Chicago Isn’t as Windy as You Think
  • Sure, Chicago is known as the Windy City, but it doesn’t even make the list of the top 10 windiest cities in America. According to local lore, the nickname isn’t about the weather. Instead, it was created by pundits in the late 1800s who called the city’s politicians and advocates “windbags” as they battled New York City to host the 1893 World’s Fair. All that “wind” worked: Chicago hosted the iconic event, and a legendary city was born.
• 2. You Can Go to the Beach in Chicago — For Free!
  • Located along beautiful and sprawling Lake Michigan, Chicago is home to 28 miles of lakefront and 24 beaches. Even better, admission to Chicago’s beaches is free, and you can swim daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Not a swimmer? Then you can take a leisurely bike ride along the city’s 18.5 miles of lakefront bicycle paths.
• 3. Chicago Is Home to the Best Jobs
  • When you move to Chicago, you can make a great living. Chicago regularly ranks in the top five in median salary nationwide. Fortune 500 companies like United Airlines, Walgreens and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) are all headquartered in Chicago. Plus, the Chicagoland area is well known as a hub for top finance, technology, media and insurance jobs.
• 4. It’s Easy To Get Around Chicago
  • You don’t need a car when you live in Chicago. The city boasts the nation’s second-largest public transportation system. The Loop — Chicago’s bustling downtown area — gets its name from the elevated trains that circle the city. And you’ll find lots of attractions within walking distance. The Pedway, an impressive network of pedestrian tunnels and bridges, runs for 5 miles and connects 40 blocks in the central business district.
• 5. Chicago Is Filled With Family-Friendly Activities
  • Your entire family will find plenty of fun and culturally stimulating activities in and around Chicagoland. You can see exotic animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, one of the nation’s few remaining free zoos. Kids can splash around in the pool at Millennium Park, get an adrenaline rush at Grant Skate Park, or explore the American Girl Place and LEGOLAND Discovery Center. Or you can enjoy Chicago’s many child- and family-friendly museums.
• 6. Your Taste Buds Will Love Chicago
  • Legendary food is part of the Chicago experience. Local favorites include the iconic deep dish pizza at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, the signature beef sandwiches at Al’s Chicago Italian Beef, and the ubiquitous Chicago-style beef hot dogs on a poppy seed bun. Have a more discerning palate? You’ll find 26 Michelin-starred restaurants in Chicago. And at 144 of the city’s restaurants, you can even bring your dog with you.
• 7. Chicago’s Architecture Is One of a Kind
  • Home to the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and John Hancock Center, Chicago has one of the nation’s most breathtaking skylines. And its unique architecture extends throughout Chicagoland. You’ll find 16 examples of Frank Lloyd Wright designs in the city and 25 in nearby Oak Park. Plus, Chicago hosts more than 60 museums filled with culture, history and art.
• 8. Chicago Is a Sports Lover’s Dream
  • No matter which sport you enjoy, you’ll find a team to cheer for in Chicago. The city boasts eight major league teams, including the NBA’s Chicago Bulls, the WNBA’s Chicago Sky and the NFL’s Chicago Bears. You can join in the fierce Cubs vs. White Sox crosstown baseball rivalry or cheer on the hard-hitting Blackhawks of the NHL.
• 9. Chicago Has a Perfect Neighborhood for Everyone
  • In Chicago, you can choose from 77 diverse neighborhoods. Grant Park, located inside the Loop, puts you in close proximity to parks, museums and major employers. Logan Square offers bungalows and greystones nestled among arthouse theaters, coffee shops and microbreweries. Wicker Park offers a vibrant club scene and trendy retail shops, while Bucktown features an eclectic mix of historic mansions and modern condos.
• 10. You’ll Need a Parking Pass To Move to Chicago
  • Chicago requires moving permits for moving trucks. You also must buy and display a Chicago city vehicle sticker on your car or truck within 30 days of making Chicago your home.

We Offer Complete Service When Moving to Chicago

Whether you’re moving to a single-family home on the Southside, a loft in North River, or a suburb in any one of metropolitan Chicago’s 14 counties, the Penske Metropolitan Chicago Team is ready to help.

• Get everything for your move from Penske and our moving partners. See Moving Supplies & Services.
• We operate over 100,000 vehicles at more than 2,500 locations.

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