CHICAGO IS THE LARGEST CITY in the state of Illinois and the third-most populous city in the United States. The Chicago metropolitan area has a population of over 9.4 million people, and is a major center of transportation, industry, politics, culture, finance, medicine and higher education. There are many things to consider when moving to a metropolitan.
Accommodations
Rental properties are prolific in the city, and rates vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Studio apartments are available, and can range from $550 to $1200 per month. Living with roommates can be a much cheaper alternative. For roommate and apartment listings, Craig's List and the Chicago Reader are great resources.
Finding part time work
Many participants find it necessary to obtain evening or weekend jobs. Many have preferred waiting tables or working retail to make extra money. The Chicago Reader and Craig's List are good places to look for employment. PerformInk.org and Chicagoplays.com are local industry listings that post jobs at area theatres.
Commuting
You may consider bringing a car with you to Chicago. Though the ability to leave and go as you please is enticing, remember to calculate the cost of parking the vehicle, both near your apartment and around the area. Car maintenance can be quite expensive depending on your location.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) offers train and bus service throughout the metropolitan area. To learn more about getting around in Chicago check out the CTA website.
Weather
The weather in the windy city is beautiful, but can be severe! During the summer, the average temperature is 79 degrees and in the wintertime, the average temperature is 36 degrees. Heat Indexes and Wind Chills can push the margins from 100 to -10 degrees during those times. Chicago has four full seasons. Residents experience a little of everything with some interesting weather patterns because of Lake Michigan.