Are you planning on moving to Chicago with your young kids? If so, you need to check out the following six helpful tips.
In This Article
1. Find a Family-friendly Area in Chicago to Move to
One of the first things you need to do is find the right area to live in.
Thankfully, unlike other big U.S. cities like New York and L.A., the real estate in Chicago is surprisingly affordable. So, you should be able to get a home large enough to raise your family rather than finding yourself living in cramped conditions with your kids.
Also, some neighborhoods in Chicago are well-known for being family-friendly, so you may want to stick to looking for properties in those vicinities.
Rogers Park, Andersonville, West Ridge, and Beverly are all good areas to move to with kids. The German area of the city around Lincoln Square is also one of the best locations to move to if you have young children.
Make sure you research which areas are best for raising kids in Chicago before you move and spend time looking at the local amenities and facilities to determine the best place to live in the city with your family.
2. Consider Switching Your Car Insurance
While Chicago has excellent public transport, when you have young kids, it will probably be much easier to get around the city by car.
However, residents of Chicago typically pay more for their car insurance compared to the national average. Therefore, it’s a good idea to compare different quotes from Chicago car insurers to find a better deal.
There are pros and cons of Chicago insurers for car insurance, but by getting quotes from different companies, you can compare coverage and rates for your car insurance and find an affordable option.
3. Research Local Schools Before Moving
Another thing you should research before you move is the schools that are present in Chicago.
Even if your kids aren’t yet old enough to attend school, they’ll grow up fast. So, making sure you have a good school lined up is crucial.
Chicago has a wide range of schools, including private schools, public schools, and international schools. You’ll also find religious-based schools and independent schools that have some of the top teachers in the country.
You might also want to look for preschool options in the city.
4. Look at the Activities and Attractions That Are Available for Kids in Chicago
There are plenty of extracurricular activities that your children can get involved with after school.
Whether your children want to play sports like basketball and soccer, attend ballet classes, learn foreign languages, go to cooking-for-tots classes, or have hands-on fun with science lessons for children at Kids Science Labs, there are activities for all tastes and ages in Chicago.
There are also lots of museums and galleries in the city that kids will love visiting, including the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, and the Chicago Children’s Museum.
Spend some time looking at the different activities and attractions that are available for kids in Chicago before moving to ensure you move to the right area.
5. Find Out Where Local Parks and Playgrounds Are
Even if you move to a home with a big backyard, you’re sure to want to take the kids to local parks and playgrounds, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the ones in the areas that you’re considering moving to.
The good news is, Chicago has a plethora of parks and playgrounds where your children can run and play safely.
There are even some great playgrounds with water features that are perfect for splashing around in during the hot summer months.
6. Look at Groups for Moms
Lastly, you need to consider yourself as much as your kids when moving to Chicago.
The city has plenty of resources and groups for moms, including the Bump Club and Beyond and the Neighborhood Parents Network, which put on multiple social and educational events and have online forums where moms can easily communicate with one another.
