Before Moving in Chicago

Chicago

Every town has its own personalities and establishments.It has restaurants, bars, shops, cafes, parks, best school for your kids and more.However, there are 7 places that you should always know before moving in Chicago neighborhoods.While you may never need some of these establishments, it’s always best to know these places before before moving in Chicago in case of emergencies.Whether it’s a town over or across the street , in Chicago, IL do some research and figure out where they are.

Doctors

We hope that we never need medical attention, but you should always know where the local hospital is just in case.On top of that, also know where your local doctor’s office, pharmacy, dentist, etc., are.Being healthy is a top priority to living a happy life.You also never know when an emergency will occur, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Food

Find your local grocery stores.Maybe there’s even a farmer’s market near you!Knowing what’s around you is a great way to save money when buying food.Some stores have certain deals while other have different ones.You should also check out the restaurants around your home.Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking and that’s when you want to know where all the good places to eat are.

Emergency Services

This kind of goes along with knowing where the hospital is.On top of that, you should know where the fire department is locates, as well as the police office.You may never need them, but knowing where they are located can give you piece of mind at the very least.

Gas Station

Transportation is important no matter where you live.As most people do drive, it’s smart to know where the local gas stations are.That way, since gas is so expensive nowadays, you can compare and contrast prices and get the best deal.

Public Transit

Chicago is a busy city and one thing all cities have is public transportation.Whether you prefer the bus or the train or have to use one or the other, makes sure you know what to take before you leave the house.It’s a pain trying to decipher Google maps on your phone while you’re onthe bus trying to see each stop or underground where you get no service.

DMV

Each state has different driving laws.If you are planning on staying in Illinois after moving from another state, you’re going to have to replace your license.The DMV is where you will need to go to get information about new laws and to apply. List of Chicago DMV Offices

Schools

If you have kids, knowing where the schools are in Chicago is one of the most important things.You don’t want to be scrambling the morning of the first day trying to figure out where you need to go to get to the school or where the closest bus stop is.Make life less stressful by being prepared. List of Chicago, IL Public Schools

Getting Acquainted With Your Neighbors When Moving in Chicago

Getting Acquainted With Your Neighbors When Moving

Moving into a new neighborhood in Chicago can be a very dreadful situation, if you do not know anything about that neighborhood. You are surrounded by strangers, in a place that is unfamiliar to you.At The Professionals Moving Specialists, we understand that moving can be a very difficult process, but assimilating into a new area can be just as daunting.Therefore, it is very important that upon arriving in a new location, that you try to get better acquainted with your surroundings.One of the best ways is to make friends, to ease into the transition of moving.

Getting Acquainted With Your Neighbors When Moving in Chicago is significant advantages.Neighbors can help you understand where things are in your neighborhood, where all the entertainment centers are, where to shop, which are the fastest routes of travel, what schools are the best, which areas to avoid and other important information.Beyond these advantages sometimes it can just be nice to have people that you can talk and relate to, and share in exciting new experiences.Meeting new people for the first time though can be a very nervous task, so the following are some helpful ideas to help you get better associated with your neighbors, and assimilate better into your neighborhood.

Attend Neighborhood Events

Attending neighborhood events and getting involved in your community is an excellent way to make new friends and get better familiar with your area.Things like neighborhood watch , city council and other neighborhood socials are a great way to voice your opinion about different aspects of your community and give yourself a more enriching experience.You will meet people, learn about events and become more sociable.

Invite Neighbors to a House Warming Party

Inviting neighbors to a housewarming party can be a great way to introduce yourself.You can impress them with your culinary skills, enjoy a movie, drink wine, and any other enjoyable activity you can think of.House warming parties do not necessarily have to be exactly what was mentioned before, nor do they have to be extravagant events.Simply inviting someone over for lunch is a sufficient way of showing your interest to be more sociable.

Greet New Members

In much the same way that you would like to be treated upon entering a new neighborhood, you should provide the same kindness to newcomers.Invite new neighbors to your house, give them tips and advice about living in the neighborhood in Chicago and make yourself available to them if they ever need any help.This can be a great way of making fast friends, and becoming more at ease with your neighborhood.

In general, making yourself more available to the community, and engaging in more sociable practices with your neighbors, can alleviate any anxiety of being a stranger in a strange land.At The Professionals Moving Specialists, we hope that you can use these tips to become better acquainted with your neighbors and make your moving experience a rewarding one.

For moving services and tips read our Chicago Movers Blog The Professionals Moving Specialists, one of the most trusted names in moving.

Free Things To Do In Chicago

CHICAGOSUMMER

The sun is out, the air is warm, and there’s nothing to do.  That’s a lie.  The best part about summer is the abundance of activities available for you, especially the ones that are free.  Chicago, like all the great cities, has her list of summer fun so check them out when you have time.  Who needs TV and air conditioning when you can be having a great time with your family and friends and creating new memories?  Not to mention, all of it is free!  What are you waiting for?

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Part of the Chicago Park District, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is the place to go for all flora lovers.  Inside, the conservatory is split into four houses: the Palm house, Fern House, Orchid House, and Show House.  Each has a different display, some of exotic tropical plants and others of local flora found around the area.  Check out the dates and maybe you’ll even be able to catch one of the many flower shows that are held in the Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Jane Addams Hull House Museum

If history is your thing, the Hull House is a definite place to visit.  Step into the past and experience Jane Addams’ dream of helping the less fortunate.  Go through the house and check out the exhibits.  In Jane Addams’ room, you can find her personal history through pictures and diary entries.  In the gallery, you can see photographs of the house and the surrounding area when it was up and running.  For more information, check out the website:

Dearborn Observatory

For all the stargazers, Dearborn Observatory is opened to the public from 10PM-11PM on Fridays.  However, if you want to guarantee a chance to peer into the telescope and admire the stars, you can reserve a group tour for an hour earlier.  Located on the Evanston campus of Northwestern University, it’s a great place for a twilight stroll before a chance to see the stars.

Dance All Summer

For those more interested in physical activities check out Dance Chicago and the Chicago Summer Dance.  Get free dance lessons at the Park.  Afterwards, join the huge dance party as everyone rocks out to the theme of the night.  Whether it’s swing night or disco night, grab your partner or grab some friends and dance the night away for free.

International Museum of Surgical Science

For something out of the box, check out the International Museum of Surgical Science.  Explore and learn about the history of surgery and be amazed and the latest innovations and discoveries.  DNA science, plastic surgery,  human anatomy; if these are the things that perk your interest, definitely check out IMSS.

Finding Internet During a Move in Chicago, IL

INTERNET&MOVING

Nowadays, we are addicted to the internet.  We have the internet on our laptops, our phones, our eReaders, our mp3 players, etc.  Check your wi-fi connection and about 20 different routers pop up.  Using the internet is so ingrained in us when we lose it, we become lost and disconnected?  What do you do when you can’t look up gifs of flying cats or update our Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter every 3 minutes?

In fact, the lack of internet can very well be one of the worst things about moving in Chicago, IL.  Forget about the mess of packing.  What’s the point if you can’t tweet about it?  Well, during that week or so you don’t have internet, check out some Wi-Fi hotspots to hold you over.

Fast Food Restaurants

Most specifically, go to McDonald’s.  Yeah, the food isn’t exactly healthy, but they have free Wi-Fi and that’s what counts.  Krispy Kreme has free Wi-Fi as well.  Other places like Wendy’s and Burger king operate on a store to store basis.  Some provide free internet while others don’t.

Bookstores

We all know Barnes & Nobles has free Wi-Fi and that’s basically the only big name book store left.  They also have a Starbucks and the workers won’t give you the death glare if you sit for hours between the shelves browsing the internet.

Parks

Wi-Fi is literally inescapable.  The issue isn’t finding it, but finding a public one.  Many parks now have Wi-Fi.  Also, if you are an Optimum customer, you can access their Wi-Fi at any time.  And of course AT&T Wi-Fi is everywhere as well.

Libraries

With libraries, it’s a toss-up if they have Wi-Fi or not.  The older, less modern ones most likely will not.  However, libraries are still guaranteed to have internet.  You’ll just need a library card which you should have anyway.

Coffee Shops

Most coffee shops have Wi-Fi and we all know for certain Starbucks does.  As long as it’s not busy hour, a coffee shop is an ideal place to relax and catch up with everything you’ve missed on the internet. Some places to check out in Chicago are Ch'ava and Metropolis Coffee Co.

Hotels

This is only really applicable if you are staying at a hotel between your move.  Most hotels have complimentary internet.  It can be either Wi-Fi or through an Ethernet cord, but either way, at least you’re connected back to the world!

Internet Cafes

How can we forget the best place of all?  Internet cafes!  With the increasing usage of Wi-Fi and home modems, internet cafes are becoming rarer and rarer.  That’s not to say they are completely gone though.  You can still find the occasional café here and there, serving food to intense gamers playing Starcraft.  Their internet is usually pretty fast and there are sometimes even partitions to separate you from the person next to you, giving you privacy.  The only con is that you have to pay according to how much time you spent on the internet. Try out Biznet or Chicago Computer Club.