Eye These Trending Chicago Neighborhoods During Your Next Move

Chicago is full of great neighborhoods. If you're relocating to the windy city or you're just looking to move to a new neighborhood, you should know which ones are hot right now. Here's a look at some of the trending Chicago neighborhoods to consider next time you move.

Ukrainian Village

Full of dive bars, modern restaurants and old Ukrainian delis, this neighborhood is one of the hottest right now. It's a West Side neighborhood and people are moving here en masse.

In January of 2016, Ukrainian Village was ranked as the hottest neighborhood in the entire country by Redfin. It used to be just the center of the Ukrainian community, but it has become so much more.

Bridgeport

Filled with a diverse mix of residents, Bridgeport is an older neighborhood with plenty of charm. It's known for the bakeries and bars, such as Maria's Packaged Goods and Community Bar. Historically, it’s an Irish-American area, but has become one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the city.

A study done by DePaul University in 2008 showed Bridgeport as one of the top diverse areas in the entire city. It has also been the birthplace of five different Chicago mayors.

Near West Side

A Fulton Market District neighborhood, Near West Side is one of the best for foodies. Moving here will put you within walking distance or a short cab ride from some of the hottest restaurants, such as Au Cheval and Girl & the Goat. The neighborhood is also home to The Aviary cocktail lounge, which is one of the best you'll find in the area.

Uptown

Known for the live music venues and art deco, Uptown Chicago is one of the hottest places to live. It's full of great restaurants, found just blocks from the Aragon Ballroom and provides all types of history.

Riviera Theater is found nearby, which has been a music venue since the 1980s. It was once a movie theater and dates all the way back to 1917. This is also the neighborhood where you'll find Al Capone’s old hangout Green Mill.

Pilsen

An artistic community with plenty to offer, Pilsen is known for the Mexican street food. It's a Lower West Side neighborhood with a Hispanic influence throughout. The Chicago Art District is also found here with plenty of galleries to export and public art is found all throughout Pilsen.

River North

This neighborhood used to be a slum until the art galleries took over. It has been transformed into one of the finest areas in town with plenty of galleries and commercial buildings throughout. You'll find the Trump Tower here, along with many other skyscrapers. It’s also home to many celebrities and athletes.

Other top Chicago neighborhoods to consider include:

• Wicker Park

• Bucktown

• Gold Coast

• Hyde Park

• Lakeview

• Roscoe Village

• Streeterville

Chicago is a city full of diverse neighborhoods and something for just about anybody. Moving to the city provides a wide variety of options including these trending Chicago neighborhoods.

What is the Proper Way to Pack Silverware and Plates?

The kitchen is one of the most used areas of any home. It's where you'll find all your silverware and plates, which need to be packed when it's time to move. Here are a few tips to help with packing these items before the residential movers show up.

Start Early

You can switch over to paper plates and plastic silverware for the final weeks or days before you move. This will not only allow you to pack your silverware and plates early, but will also eliminate some, if not all, of the dishes you'd have to do. You'll need that extra time for the move, anyway.

Get the Right Supplies

When you're packing, one of the most important things you can do is get the right supplies together. For packing silverware and plates, you'll need plenty of bubble wrap, cardboard dividers and medium-sized boxes. You'll also need plenty of packing tape and the right color marker for labeling the boxes.

Packing Plates

Packing up your plates isn't as easy as just throwing them in a box with some padding. If you pack them the wrong way, they are more likely to break, even if the box isn't moved around much.

The best way to pack plates is to put bubble wrap or packing paper at the bottom of the box. You will also want to wrap each plate in packing paper or bubble wrap. Then, wrap three plates into a bundle and use packing tape to hold them together.

Make sure you pack the plates on their edges. If you pack plates one on top of each other, they are more likely to break. It's also a good idea to put a horizontal cardboard divider at the top of the box to create a level base. After you're done, make sure to label the box as fragile.

Packing Silverware

Packing silverware isn't exactly straightforward either. You should wrap the pieces in newsprint or plastic wrap to keep your pieces from tarnishing. If you have a silverware chest, you want to fill the voids in the chest with packing paper to keep the pieces from moving. You can also wrap the chest in a large towel to ensure it’s fully protected.

Packing Other Kitchen Items

Along with silverware and plates, you may need to pack pots and pans, glassware and appliances. Each of these should be packed in a specific way.

• Pots and Pans - Pack pots and pans by size with the largest filled with smaller pots. Use packing paper to separate each one and place the set upside down on packing paper inside the box.

• Glassware - The best way to pack glassware is to wrap it in packing paper or bubble wrap. Then, put each piece in a divided box specifically created for glassware.

• Appliances - Appliances should be wrapped in packing paper or bubbles wrap and put into boxes separately. It's not a good idea to pack multiple appliances in one large box.

There are several things in your kitchen you will need to pack. Make sure you do it right or you could end up with broken or damaged items. If you want to make sure your items are fully protected, hire a professional moving company to handle the packing.

How to Store Your Car in Chicago During the Winter

Moving to Chicago may be necessary for a new job opportunity. If you're planning to relocate to Chicago or you recently moved to the city, you may be concerned about how you will handle storing your car for the winter. This is especially true if you own a convertible or a sports car you don't plan to drive again until spring. Storing your car during the Chicago winter might seem tricky, but there are plenty of options available to you. Here are a few of the best ways to handle this situation after moving to Chicago.

A Heated Storage Garage

Many storage companies throughout the Chicago area offer heated storage for vehicles. Sometimes, this is referred to as "climate-controlled" storage and it's the best choice for those looking to store a convertible or a sports car.

Some of the fluids in a vehicle can freeze during Chicago winters. However, if you choose a heated garage for storage, you won't have to worry as much.

Covered Parking

If there is any possibility you will drive the vehicle during the winter, covered parking may be a better option for you. While your vehicle won't be protected from the cold, it will be protected from the snow and ice. You will need to winterize the vehicle by checking the fluids and flushing any fluids that could freeze.

Specialty Sports Car Storage

Some companies throughout Chicago offer storage for sports cars, such as Ferrari’s. They may offer in and out services to allow you to drive your vehicle whenever you want. Another big plus of a specialty storage company is the battery tender service and other mechanical services they may offer.

This type of car storage in Chicago won't be inexpensive and can run as much as $250 per month or more. However, you will usually have options to make sure your vehicle remains in good, running condition all throughout the winter. You won't have to worry about a dead battery come spring if you choose the right specialty storage company.

Outside Parking

Of course, you can always park your vehicle in a long-term outside parking facility. This will be the least expensive of the car storage options and will probably require a good car cover, along with full winterizing of the vehicle. However, if your budget is tight, outside parking may be the right solution.

A Private/Friend's Garage

Many Chicago residents will rent out garage space of their own for winter car storage. If you can find a good place near where you live, this may be a good option. Of course, it's even better if the private garage happens to be owned by someone you know.

While there are plenty of options for car storage during the winter in Chicago, some of the best options fill up fast. It's important to make sure your vehicle is winterized if it won't be stored in a heated garage. Make sure you go through all of the steps to winterize your vehicle or you may discover major issues come spring.

Winter Moving Services

How to Label Your Moving Boxes Like a Pro

Even the most organized person can quickly become disorganized during moving. Residential moving is one of the most chaotic and stressful times in most people's lives. However, proper labeling of your moving boxes will help to ensure it's a less stressful process. With a smart labeling system, you will make unpacking much easier and there will actually be a system to loading and unloading the truck.  It's best to start the labeling process as you start packing. Here are a few tips to help you label your moving boxes like a pro.

Get the Right Labeling Tools

You need more than just a sharpie to label your boxes. The best type of labeling system requires markers in a variety of colors. Make sure they are good quality markers, as you don't want one to go out halfway through the process.

Quality markers won't be the cheapest on the shelves. Make sure they come from a brand you can trust and you get at least five different colors. It's also best to use permanent, waterproof markers for labeling moving boxes.

Along with the markers, you should get colored tape matching the colors of your markers. While most of the packing tape you will use will be clear, a roll of each color will help with your labeling process. If you are using our Chicago Green Moving Boxes, use masking tape and mark where the boxes need to go. We can supply most of these items here and here.

Use a Color Coding System

Now that you have your markers and your colored tape, it's time to put together your system. Choose a color for each of the major rooms, such as green for the kitchen, red for the family/living room, blue for the bedroom, orange for the bathroom(s) and yellow for the dining room. You can assign the colors to any room you want, as long as it makes sense for you.

Now, as you pack up each room, use the marker with the corresponding color to write on each box. Write the room name in large, capital letters one each box. Then, list out the items in the box in smaller print.

You will also want to use the colored tape on each box. Just one strip on the top or on the side of the box will be enough. It just provides another easy way to recognize the color for the room.

Let Your Movers Know About Your System

When the movers arrive to pick up your items, have a sheet of paper printed out with each color and what it means. If they don't know your system, they won't be able to put the boxes in the right place when they arrive at your new home. Giving this sheet to the movers before they pack up the truck will allow them to better load the truck, as well.

Using a color coded labeling system will take the guesswork out of unpacking. You'll be able to easily spot an out-of-place box and your movers will know where the boxes go before they arrive.

It's also important to make sure you tape over or black out any old markings if you're reusing boxes. When you write the description of what's in the box, you should be as specific as possible, as well. This will help with your own confusion as you start unpacking.

Additional Moving Services Offered by The Professionals Moving Specialists

When it's time to hire a moving company, it’s best to understand the full range of services offered. Many moving companies do far more than just pick your stuff up and deliver it to your new location. For example, when hired as a local moving company, The Professionals Moving Specialists can provide these additional moving services to Chicago movers.

Box Renting/Selling

Maybe you don't want to worry about having your professional moving company pack and unpack for you, but you need supplies. Most moving companies will sell you boxes or even rent them to you, and we’re no different. At Chicago Greenbox, we offer moving box rentals, including green moving supplies and boxes that are made of 100% recyclable materials.

Quality Rental Moving Boxes

Packing

Yes, you can hire your moving company to come and pack up all of your things. This service can help save you time and will take away the worry of packing things incorrectly. Also, with us handling your packing, you will know the right boxes and supplies to use to ensure every item arrives undamaged to your new location.

Unpacking

Of course, your moving company can also unpack things for you. Some of the best moving companies will do this for you. However, if you allow the moving company to unpack for you know that they will likely empty boxes onto countertops and the like to give you a head start.  This will allow you to place things where you prefer and avoid the headache of trying to figure out where everything went.

Handling Specialty Items

Whether you need to move a pool table, piano or piece of fine art, we can handle it for you. It's not necessary for you to figure out how you will get your specialty item from your current home to your new home. Most of these types of items require a specialized process to ensure proper care and handling, and that’s a service that we pride ourselves on.

Remember these before you plan your next move, as they are only a few added options that we may provide for you. Be sure to check the full range of services offered to find a move that fits your scenario. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call or email The Professionals Moving Specialists today!