Ask any twenty-something why he or she chose Chicago over other large cities, and you’ll likely hear the same answer—Chicago delivers the urban lifestyle without being as overwhelming as some other big cities. True, the cost of living is higher than the national average—my rent more than doubled when I moved here from Michigan last summer—but if you’re looking for city living (which is always more expensive), you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck in Chicago than in other places like New York.

Beyond the cash-savings, many consider Chicago’s pace and general manner to be more appealing as well. My friends who have visited or moved from other areas have always commented on the friendly Midwestern attitude that is prevalent here. The pace is more laid back than New York, and I am always amazed by the willingness of my fellow “Chi-towners” to go out of their way to help others. When my cousin was struggling to move a large chair into her apartment, for example, a number of runners and passersby stopped without a second thought to help her with the move.
Moving in
Chicago has a number of unique neighborhoods to choose from, but according to the Red Eye, Chicago’s free daily newspaper that covers events and news in the city, many recent grads tend to congregate in the Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Bucktown neighborhoods to be close to bars and clubs—and there are a lot of them.

I live in Wrigleyville myself—the part of Lakeview near the infamous Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. It’s the perfect neighborhood if you’re looking to extend your college experience and live within minutes of a few dozen bars and other twenty-somethings—but if you treasure peace and quiet, you’d be better off living elsewhere.
Expenses
I’ve found that most of my friends have been able to find nice apartments in these neighborhoods for around $700 to $850 each with a roommate (and slightly higher when living alone). Car parking can easily add another $150 or more to your monthly expenses, and gas prices in Chicago are among the highest in the nation. If you have a car, I strongly recommend getting rid of it and opting for the $75 monthly Chicago transit pass. For the price, it’s hard to beat. I use the ‘L, ‘ Chicago’s city train system, just about every day.

As for transporting groceries without a car, I walk to the grocery store a few times a week and carry my groceries back in a sturdy cloth bag. I actually don’t mind that I have to go more often—it allows me to buy more fresh produce. It’s also common to take a small cart to the store in order to transport more groceries at a time (don’t worry, you won’t look like a nerd—a lot of people use these carts).
Free Entertainment
Rent may be high compared to many smaller cities, but there is no shortage of free or cheap entertainment in Chicago. The summers are jam-packed with festivals, concerts and fun on the beach. Every week you can pack a picnic and head out to one of the many free movies in the parks around the city, check out the free Lincoln Park Zoo (the polar bears are my favorite) or take a stroll along the pedestrian and bike trails on lake Michigan. During the summer, head out to Navy Pier to watch the fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday, and if you can get down to Millennium Park early enough on Saturday mornings (which I admit, I have yet to do) you can take part in free fitness classes on the Great Lawn.

For a full list of free or cheap things to do in the city, I recommend a little gem called The Cheap Bastard’s Guide to Chicago, which lists a number of ways to save money—including free acupuncture at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (yes, I tried it), free community yoga classes, wine-tasting, theater and tickets to museums around the city—complements of the library.
Not-So-Free Entertainment
Of course, if you’re willing to spend a little cash, the possibilities are endless. There are a number of concert venues and theaters to check out, and there are tons of classes to enroll in around town just for fun. I took a cooking class this winter, and I’m considering taking a community jewelry and metalsmithing or photography class in the future—the list of potential classes is unbelievable.

If you’re new to the city and looking to meet people, there are also a number of sports leagues you can join. Check out the Chicago Sports and Social Club website for the full list.

If you’re looking for shopping, Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile is filled with it—although it can get a little crowded with tourists in the summer. There are also a number of unique boutiques throughout the city.
Dining Out
I would be amazed if one person could visit all of the restaurants in Chicago in a lifetime. It’s hard to turn on the Food Network without seeing a Chicago restaurant featured, and I have been impressed time and time again with the meals I have had in this city. In my opinion, though, it’s those overlooked hole-in-the-wall and casual neighborhood restaurants that have often turned out to be some of my favorites—and many local restaurants offer discounts to neighborhood residents.

If you’re ever in Wrigleyville, check out El Burrito Mexicana for the best burrito you’ve ever tasted. I also love the Soup Box/Icebox. They offer 12 soup varieties to stay toasty during the winter—and you can sample as many as you’d like.

If you can’t decide what you’re in the mood for, check out Metromix Chicago for ratings and recommendations.
Earning the Cash for the Not-So-Free Entertainment
I studied advertising and digital media in college, so Chicago was a natural place for me to land. There are a number of creative agencies in the city, largely supported by the many consumer packaged goods companies in the area—and I was delighted to find out that we are considered the nation’s “candy capital,” which is probably why the entire downtown loop area has a hint of chocolate in the air every morning.

One particular advantage to being in Chicago is the access to a number of professional associations and conferences. No matter what field you are in, you are likely to find a number of professionals to network with.

There are also a number of Fortune 500 companies in Chicagoland, but many of them have migrated out of the downtown area and into the suburbs, which has resulted in many young reverse-commuters.
The Seasons
Nothing beats summer in Chicago, but I’ll be the first to tell you that we had a fairly brutal winter this year. The biting wind put me to the test me on more than one occasion, but I soon discovered that the downtown “Loop” area has an underground pedway system, which allowed me to stay warm almost all the way from my downtown ‘L’ stop to my office.
Twenty-Something Chicago
I love the energy and vibe of Chicago—and as a recent grad, it has been an incredible place to begin my career. I’ve found that there are so many people here who are just like me, young people who are starting over in this new place and going through the same transition that I am. It’s certainly comforting to be surrounded by a number of other twenty-somethings who can relate to what I’m going through as I adjust to my new life in the corporate world.