Tips On Moving from New York to Chicago

When making the exciting decision to move from New York to Chicago, it’s important to plan for your long distance move accordingly. Unlike moving across town, you don’t have the easy option to make multiple trips.

With a population of 2,722,389 in 2014, Chicago “The Windy City” Illinois is the largest city in the American Midwest. Known for its deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and the Sears Tower (renamed the Willis Tower in 2009 – but locals just aren’t buying it), New Yorkers looking for a change of scenery are finding their way to a city mirroring Manhattan’s hustle, with a bigger emphasis on jazz.

And Chicago delivers the goods.

Here are some fun facts you might not know about Chi-town along with some not-so-fun necessities that will be crucial to a successful and safe life mid-west. 

• Founded in 1830 as a town, Chicago was officially dubbed a city in 1837.

• Chicago’s a big place. It’s made up of over 75 community areas that are broken up in to over 200 neighborhoods. Here’s a full list of neighborhoods to get acquainted with.

Local Tip: To help you weed your way through all those neighborhoods, check out this guide to 10 popular Chicago neighborhoods.

• Chicago is home to the second oldest baseball stadium in the country. Home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field  was constructed in 1914.

• Chicago is a diverse cultural hub for restaurants (over 7,300!!).

Local Fact: Here is a handy list of Chicago’s Best Food According to Locals.

• With over 400 theatres and art galleries and 36 annual parades, Chicago is an excitingly enticing city with lots of activity for all styles.

• Chi-town has 552 parks and 26 miles of lakefront. 

• The median price for a single-family home is between $245,000, and an average apartment will set you back $1,780 per month.

• The world’s first ferris wheel was opened on June 21, 1893 at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, created by George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.

• It’s a good idea to do your utility research in order to have all of your necessities smoothed out before arriving. By having your water, electricity, cable, gas, etc. all set and ready to go, it will make the transition of the move that much more streamlined.

With 792 miles laid out between NYC and Chicago, the relocation process can seem daunting, but with the right tools and professional movers, even a long move can be as smooth as a crooner’s voice.

 Check out these four tips for a successful long distance move from New York to Chicago:

1. Give yourself extra planning time

With a long distance move, it’s crucial to give extra attention to the planning process. Make sure that you start preparing at least 8 weeks prior to your moving date. Unlike with a regular local move, you probably won’t have much opportunity to make multiple trips, so ensuring that everything is executed smoothly from the beginning is essential to keep yourself headache free.

Pro Tip: It is important to check on the moving truck accessibility in the aforementioned locations. Additional charges are incurred if the household goods need to be transferred to a smaller truck for a gated community or downtown. 

2. The sturdier the box, the better

Make sure that you invest in some good, durable moving boxes. Your most prized and personal possessions are going to be making their way down the east coast, so it’s imperative that they are protected as best they can be.

Pro Tip: Check out your local liquor stores, banks, etc. They tend to give boxes away for free!

3. Pack smart

Think about your current items – think about what you absolutely NEED, and what can likely get tossed or donated. When moving long distance, the lighter your load the better. Bring your essentials, but consider getting rid of that old ironing board and investing in some new kitchen appliances once you’re settled in.

4. Take inventory and detail those boxes

When moving states away, it pays to be extra organized. Take pictures of all of your belongings so that you know exactly what you are or aren’t bringing with you. And don’t forget to label those boxes as detailed as possible–nothing is worse than getting to an empty house with a truck load of un-labeled or sort of labeled boxes. The better you detail your boxes, the easier it will be when you start unpacking and filling your new space.