What locals love about Chicago
Chicago is known for many things: deep-dish pizza, famous architecture and loyal sports fans. But the city has more to offer than its biggest claims to fame. It’s a place where neighborhoods each have their own personality, summers revolve around the lake, and residents have no shortage of restaurants, festivals, museums, and local traditions to enjoy year-round.
Whether you are browsing homes for sale in chicagoconsidering a move, or just curious about what life is like in the Windy City, there’s no better resource than the people who call it home. We asked Chicagoans to share what they love most about living in the city, along with some things newcomers should know before moving.
1. The different neighborhoods
What makes Chicago great are the many neighborhoods in and around the city. Each Chicago neighborhood offers its own distinctive landmarks and story, making the possibilities and activities in the city endless.
“One of the best things about Chicago is that each neighborhood feels like its own welcoming community, each with its own unique personality and charm,” says the team at Virtuancy shares. “Whether you are drawn to the historic streets of Logan Square or the vibrant energy within Lake viewthere is guaranteed to be a corner of the city that will quickly feel like home. If you’re planning on moving here, it’s best to start exploring these different areas. That’s where you really get a feel for the overall cityscape while finding the specific community and neighborhood that fits your lifestyle perfectly.”
Some other notable neighborhoods to check out include Straatervillewhich is great for young professionals and provides easy access to the lake and Navy Pier, as well as Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, full of history and tried-and-true dining options.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about Chicago is that it’s just a downtown city,” Marc Avila, founder of VHS media studiodetails. “In reality, Chicago is a collection of vibrant neighborhoods, each with its own personality, culture, restaurants and a strong sense of community. From scenic lakeside trails and world-class architecture to incredible food (don’t miss the pizza), newcomers should explore different neighborhoods because where you live can completely shape your Chicago experience and help you discover what the city feels like at home.
>>Read: Moving from the Chicago suburbs to the city? Here’s what you need to know
2. The weather
Chicago experiences all four seasons. Winters are generally cold with freezing temperatures, snow and strong winds, while summers are hot, wet and humid. The fall and spring seasons bring a mix of cold and warm temperatures with plenty of sunny skies.
3. The iconic architecture
Chicago is filled with well-known architecture throughout the city.
Bozena Vojtko also raves about “the beautiful iron staircase in the Rookery Building that runs from floor 12 to floor 2. As a wedding and real estate photographer, I am constantly discovering new places in Chicago and the suburbs that are worth seeing and that add to the unique character of the city.”
While walking or taking public transportation is an easy way to explore Chicago’s architecture, a lesser-known option is to take an architectural boat tour, which travels on the Chicago River.
The Chicago River passes through the city via Lake Michigan and flows south to the Calumet River system. There are many activities you can do on the Chicago River, including kayaking, dinner cruises, and fishing. “We love the river, its vibrant life and the beautiful buildings along its banks. Our favorite thing to do is take an architectural tour of the river, learn about the history of the buildings and meet tourists from all over the world,” says Sam and Rev from What hunt to do. A fun tradition in Chicago that happens every year is when the city turns the river green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
4. The green spaces and parks
There are many fantastic parks around Chicago. Some to check out are Millennial Park, Grant Park and Lincoln Park. There are also many less crowded parks such as the Excelon Observatory at The 606, Milton L Olive III Park and Northerly Island. Joe U photo shares that his favorite place to spend time in the city is the trail and series of parks that run along the river, starting north of Lawrence. “It’s quiet and usually not very busy, making it the perfect environment to go for a run without being embarrassed by how slowly I’m walking.”
5. Lake Michigan
Chicago and Lake Michigan go hand in hand. As one of North America’s five Great Lakes, Lake Michigan defines much of the city’s character, with its beaches, waterfront trails, boat tours, and skyline views.
There are also many hidden gems along Lake Michigan, as evidenced Shalimar B Photography. “I love everything Chicago has to offer, but if I were asked to pick a few things, I would have to say the lakefront and all the fantastic parks in the city. Not only do I love spending time with my own family and friends in these sometimes hidden gems, but I also love photographing Chicago’s families in places like this: the sandy beaches or a lush garden park with an urban backdrop.”
6. The outdoor activities
During the summer in Chicago, there are many outdoor activities that you can take advantage of. Some activities that locals enjoy include kayaking on the Chicago River, biking along the water on the Lakefront Trail, taking a dip in Lake Michigan, relaxing on Margaret T. Burroughs Beach, or taking a nature walk.
“Unlike other major cities where reaching true wilderness requires hours of gridlocked traffic, Chicago stands out as the ultimate urban mix by combining powerful corporate energy with a seamless commute to my community,” Julea J. Joseph, with Reinventing spaceexplains. “Within an hour, you’ll be transported from downtown Chicago directly to Palos Park, a forest retreat where vast, heavily wooded properties sit on the edge of 15,000 acres of endless wilderness for running, biking, birdwatching, hiking and kayaking.”
7. The rich culture
Chicago is known for its culture, full of music scenes, arts, languages and sports scenes. Not to mention the theater and entertainment scene, with more than 200 shows every week from various production companies.
“I love Chicago for the same reasons I moved here 30 years ago,” he says Cheerful Puppies Chicagoa local dog and cat sitting service. “The vibrancy of collective cultures and neighbors from all over the world, the big beautiful lake next to the city, cycling on the bike path in the summer, beautiful local parks and green spaces, multiple international restaurants within easy reach, great public transport and all the different neighborhoods, with their unique personalities.”
8. The restaurant and food culture
While other cities like that Los Angeles, CAAnd New York, NY are known for their food scene, Chicago’s food scene is a little more underrated. The city likes to put a twist on classic dishes and is home to a handful of delicious ‘cheap eats’. Some notable restaurants to check out include Smoque BBQ for some delicious St. Louis-style baby back ribs and Pequod’s Pizza for some deep dish pizza.
9. The beautiful theater scene
Chicago offers some of the best musical theater, with shows like Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked, The Lion King, Anastasia and Hamilton. These shows are live in iconic theaters such as the Cadillac Palace Theater, CIBC Theater, Broadway Playhouse and James M. Nederlander Theater.
The history
Chicago first became a city in 1837 when its population was 4,000. Today, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States with approximately 2.6 million residents. The city has a long history, from the Great Fire of Chicago, which burned about 5.3 square kilometers of the city, to the resurrection of the first skyscraper. “The city has such a rich history that you can’t help but get lost in its streets as if it were your own personal adventure map. From Michigan Ave., home to some of America’s most iconic landmarks, to Damen Blvd., where people gather alongside musicians waiting for their next song inspiration, Chicago is a family-friendly city that has something to offer everyone,” says Emily Cummings of Ten little blue birds.
10. The history
Chicago officially became a city in 1837, when it had a population of about 4,000. Today it is the third largest city in the US, with approximately 2.7 million people calling it home. The city has a rich history, from the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871, which destroyed more than 2 square miles of the city, to its role in the development of modern skyscrapers that helped shape the famous skyline.
What do locals love about Chicago? Chicago pride
Many residents say it’s the sense of community that transforms Chicago from a place to live to a place that feels like home.
“After living in Chicago for more than a decade and in five different neighborhoods, I’ve discovered that the city’s greatest strength isn’t just its world-class food, beautiful lakefront, or iconic skyline,” said Taylor Justin, founder of The Hautezoekerdetails. “These are all great selling points, though! What keeps people here is the culture and community that exists far beyond the tourist hotspots. Whether you’re passionate about food, fashion, theater, sports, or art, there’s a place for you, but the key is the willingness to explore beyond your own neighborhood and connect with other parts of the city. That’s when Chicago transforms from a place where you live to a place that truly feels like home.”
When the city has a delicious food scene, beautiful neighborhoods, countless attractions, a vibrant nightlife, and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, it’s hard not to harbor a little Chicago pride in your heart. “Chicago pride is also something out of this world. It’s a culture here, and we Chicagoans love our city. Others may see Chicago through the headlines, but we who live here know that this is a unique place with a lot of beauty to offer. We wear our city with pride, and it’s quite a vibe,” he says. Rocio Pagoada Photography.
