Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
#51
,
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Chicago, Illinois, known for its distinctive architecture and vibrant culture, is the third-largest city in the United States. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 2.7 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD; primarily transactions in USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and safe; Chicago has some of the best tap water in the country. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Chase Bank, and online options like Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Vrbo, local rentals through Craigslist. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb is popular, with options ranging from $50 to $250 per night. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI Chicago Hostel offers dormitory beds starting at $40 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Loop and Magnificent Mile are popular for tourists. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | West Loop and River North offer vibrant community, great cafes, and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork in various locations, also Spaces and Industrious. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Intelligentsia Coffee in Logan Square provides great ambiance and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups on platforms like Meetup.com focusing on tech and entrepreneurship. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Chicago Expat Meetup group connects international residents. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Divvy bikes and electric scooters are available throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | North Avenue Beach is the closest and very popular. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | United Airlines. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and Delta. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 90/94 connects to major regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Station serves as the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Ventra card for unlimited ride options ($28 for 7 days). |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Metra trains connect to suburbs; Amtrak provides national service. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Northwestern Memorial Hospital is highly rated. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaSix in River North offers diverse classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Planet Fitness and LA Fitness have multiple locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry Love offers affordable laundry services around the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | DoorDash and Postmates. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at Giordano's. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Althea offers upscale vegan cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Portillo's for their chocolate cake shake. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Chicago French Market with various affordable food vendors. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon available for most shopping needs. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Walmart Grocery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Wicker Park is known for its nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Revolution Brewing in Logan Square offers tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Trio in Lincoln Park provides a great selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks are common at parks and events. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Ethiopian—Demera Restaurant in Uptown offers authentic dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Willis Tower Skydeck and Millennium Park. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Art Institute of Chicago is renowned. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Chicago Water Tower is a historic landmark. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Patrick's Cathedral is notable. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chicago Blues Festival takes place in June. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Pilsen neighborhood for a vibrant Mexican culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Green City Market is best known for local food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The House of Blues offers diverse performances. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Wabash Arts Corridor has extensive murals. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Chopping Block offers classes for all levels. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Gallery Guichard showcases contemporary art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Rookery building is a masterpiece of architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Chicago flag represents city pride and history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lincoln Park offers beautiful gardens and trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Indiana Dunes National Park is about an hour away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The 18-mile lakefront trail is ideal for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Navy Pier offers stunning views over Lake Michigan. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Burnham Prairie is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | North Avenue Beach has designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS, UPS, and FedEx offer reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFixit and local Apple stores provide tech repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | NorthSide Table Tennis Club has regular events. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | UIC and DePaul University offer ESL and language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Chicago Public Library has many quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Chicago Cultural Center hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | BattleCat Gaming is a popular spot for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Rivers Casino is located just outside of the city. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $156,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $264,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $176,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Corporate tax rate is 21%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | Qualified dividends are taxed at a maximum of 15%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | U.S. citizens taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 37% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT; sales tax is 10.25%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1% for properties over $1 million. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No special tax incentives for digital nomads. |