Chicago, United States 🇺🇸
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Chicago, known for its impressive skyline, cultural attractions, and vibrant neighborhoods. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 2.7 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 150 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 1 USD (local currency) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and often considered some of the best tap water in the U.S. |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon; prepaid options available |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Chase Bank, Wells Fargo; popular options include Revolut and N26 |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate listings |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in most establishments |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Vrbo, local rental agencies |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | HI Chicago Hostel, The Freehand Hotel |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork, Spaces; popular choices in the Loop and River North |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Intelligentsia Coffee, The Wormhole Coffee |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com, Chicago Tech Events hosted regularly |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Chicago Expat Meetup Group on Facebook |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber, Lyft |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Divvy Bikes, Lime scooters |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | North Avenue Beach, approximately 10 mins by bike |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | United Airlines, American Airlines |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Airlines |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstate 90 and 94 provide major access to city and suburbs |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Union Station |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Ventra card valid for trains and buses; monthly pass costs around $105 |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Metra trains to suburbs, Greyhound bus services available |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Northwestern Memorial Hospital |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaSix, CorePower Yoga |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | LA Fitness, Planet Fitness, Equinox |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Washy Wash Laundry Services, The Coin Laundry |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats, DoorDash |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Deep-dish pizza (Giordano's, Lou Malnati's) |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Althea, Vegan Plate |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Molly's Cupcakes, Sweet Mandy B's |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Chicago's Farmers Markets, local grocery stores |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon, Target online |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart, Shipt |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Wicker Park, River North, Logan Square |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Revolution Brewing, Half Acre Beer Company |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Tasting Room, Enolo Wine Cafe |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks around the Loop and Millennium Park |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Ethiopian (Demera), Chinese (Lao Sze Chuan) |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Willis Tower, Millennium Park, Navy Pier |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Chicago Water Tower, Graceland Cemetery |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Patrick's Cathedral, Wrigley Memorial Chapel |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chicago Air and Water Show, Lollapalooza |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Pilsen (Mexican heritage), Chinatown, Lincoln Park |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Goodman Theatre |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Chicago's French Market, Maxwell Street Market |
| 🎼 Music Scene | House music scene, live music at Lincoln Hall |
| 🎨 Street Art | Wabash Arts Corridor, murals throughout Pilsen |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Chopping Block |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Gallery District, Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Rookery,Monadnock Building |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Chicago-style hotdog, Chicago deep dish pizza |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Burnham Park, Lincoln Park |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Indiana Dunes National Park (1 hr drive) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Lakefront Trail, Chicago Riverwalk |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Chicago Riverwalk, Adler Planetarium |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Lincoln Park designated areas |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | UPS, FedEx, USPS |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy, uBreakiFix |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | The Ping Pong Club, Spin Chicago |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language Loop, Alliance Française de Chicago |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Harold Washington Library, Chicago Public Library branches |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Chicago Commons, Neighborhood Boys & Girls Clubs |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Level Up Gaming Lounge |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Rivers Casino, Grand Victoria Casino |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $160,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $104,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $228,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $256,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,100 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $168,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | Approx. 9.5% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Federal and state taxes on income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Approx. 37% |
| 🧾 VAT | No VAT, sales tax around 10% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, rules exist |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on assessed value, approximately 1.5% |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | About 1% of the property purchase price |