Chicago is a lively city with much to offer. Situated on Lake Michigan, there are beaches along most of the lakefront offering everything from beach volleyball to workout equipment, bike and roller blading lanes, giant chess boards and Shakespeare plays. There are museums covering every interest, from Science and Industry, to Chicago history, modern art and the world renowned Art Institute, as well as the Adler Planatarium and the Shedd Aquarium. Chicago is a city packed with great bars and restaurants, giving all age groups a wide choice in culinary styles and settings. In summer, you're guanaranteed good weather (anything from high 70's farenheit, to high 90's) although sometimes it gets rather more humid than we'd like. Most Chicagoans spend a lot of time outdoors during this time. The winters can be hard if you're not used to colder weather, and January and February often see mostly single digit (farenheit) weather. The city isn't particularly huge compared to other major cities in the world, although Chicagoland, which includes the surronding suburbs, seems to stretch for miles as you're appraoching in a plane. The Chicago suburbs stretch for about 40 miles, north, west and south, (the lake is to the east), and many people commute into downtown on a daily basis. Public transport, either in the form of trains, buses, or free trolleys in the summer, is generally reliable and cheap.

The pros of living in Chicago are definitely what is on offer both free and at a price. You should never be at a loss for things to do in Chicago, whether you are single, married, have kids or not. In general, Chicagoans are a very friendly bunch, and are used to having foreigners in their midst. The biggest con to many people is the winter weather, which can be brutal, especially if you have young children as it's not safe to be out for too long in really cold temps. Another con for some people is the lack of racial integration. Although diverse, Chicago is quite a segregated city, both in terms of color and ethnicity. It is often very obvious when driving around the various parts of the city. Housing, (purchasing) in many parts of downtown, can be expensive, although the taxes are higher in the suburbs so you'd have to do your sums! Security is an issue in some areas, but you would be advised to exercise common sense at all times. Just because you're downtown doesn't mean you'll be mugged, and just because you're in a parking lot out in the suburbs doesn't mean you're safe.

Immigration processes are fairly slow-moving and frustrating. The former INS however, has moved to brand new offices at 101 West Congress Parkway, where things promise to be more "customer friendly". Immigration is now called USCIS (US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services). If you're in a difficult situation, you might want to think about hiring an immigration lawyer. There are many in the city and they certainly seem to expedite the proceedings. The USCIS' web site has guidelines about work and immigration visas, together with a means of tracking down your application if it's already in the system oountry.

Accommodation in the city can be expensive, especially if you're buying. Fortunately, it's usually easy to rent anything from a one bedroom flat, to a large house. The terms generally used are "flat" for an apartment and a "single family home" for a regular house. There is often a big debate about whether to live in the suburbs or in the city, and it can get pretty heated. I usually tell people to do some research if possible. When we first moved here, we were able to rent a flat for 6 months before deciding that we wanted to stay in the city. Some suburbs can be pretty remote, so try to visit them before you commit, if at all possible. There is usually a good train service from most suburbs should you need to come into the city. The best times to rent in the city are at the end of April and September, because most people have rental contracts running from May 1st and October 1st. However, there are always places available year round and you can either hire one of the many agents to help you find somewhere, or just drive around and call the numbers that you see advertising space. Many rentors are required to pay up to three months' rent as a deposit, and then pay rent on the first of each month. In Chicago, everything is open to negotiation to don't be afraid to try. If you're thinking of buying a place, you should find an agent as many sellers will only do business with an agent representing the purchaser. There is no down side to the purchaser, because both the buying and the selling agent are paid a commision from the ultimate price obtained by the vendor. Most real estate firms have buyers' agents and they are all governed by the same legal and ethical codes of conduct. An agent will help you negotiate everything from the proce to the closing date, and everything in between.

Household help very much depends on your incomce level. In the city, not too many people have on staff gardeners; more often they use a landscaping firm to do the major work. Many people have cleaners and nannies, which can either be obtained from agencies or through word of mouth. There are many agencies listed in the phone books. Prices for help will vary depending on whether you are in the city or the suburbs. There are also a number of day care options in the city which are also listed. You should definitely take a look at these establishments before making a decision. If you want to have your young child attend pre-school, you should try to make these enquiries as soon as possible. Pre-schools are sometimes difficult to get into in the city, and the application deadline is often either December or March before the September of enrolment. Most places will be happy to let you visit. If you arrive later than the deadline, don't despair. Places often free up in the summer as families move elsewhere or decide to take a spot at a different pre-school.

Most telephone companies now have very competitive international calling plans. I would advise calling a variety of companies (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile to name a few) and comparing rates. You can sometimes quote a competitor's price to see if another company will match it. In my house, we use AT&T for both land line and cell phones and call them up on a regular basis to make sure we are still on the best calling plan for our needs. The cost per month can be as little as $9.99 and as much as $99, depending on whether you include various members of the family, your internet access etc. You can also buy phones on a pay as you go basis. The quality of your land and cell phone lines definitely depends on where you live. I live near a few hospitals and in a fairly dense part of the city and my cell phone reception is not always great indoors. Our internet access is through another company - SBC Yahoo and you can also get access via your cable TV provider, as well as through your cell phone provider. Without cable TV, viewing is limited. In Chicago you can get extra channels through the cable company Comcast, or through a satellite dish company. Costs per month vary depending on how many extra channels you have in your package, but usually run between $39 and $99 per month. There are some TV shows in Spanish and Polish. Newspaper delivery is done by the actual newspaper rather than through a local newsagency, as it is in the UK for example. If you want the New York Times delivered, you call up 1800 NYTIMES and arrange it. Similarly, if you want any of the local Chicago papers, go to their web site and either call or arrange delivery on line. For any foreign language newspaper, visit their web sites to see if they deliver to Chicago. You can buy many locl and national newspapers from vending stands on street corners. Some larger book stores also carry foreign newspapers and magazines. The postal service is somewhat reliable. I have never lived anywhere where the mail is delivered first thing in the morning, and mine usually comes between 3 and 5pm. First class is supposed to take 2-5 days but sometimes gets there the next day. A plus is that you can give the mail carrier your stamped, outgoing mail or if you stick it in your mail box, it will be taken off for delivery. There are also many UPS, DHL and Fed EX offices around if you need to have parcels delivered either overseas or within the US.

Chicago is a mainly English-speaking city although in some neighborhoods you will hear more Spanish or Polish. Native Chicagoans don't usually speak a second language so it's important to learn American English if you're working amongst them. There are many colleges and tutors available to help learn English, and again, that will depend on your location. Many local community colleges and universities offer ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. Take a look at www.50states.com for amazing amounts of information about all 50 states. In the Illinois section it contains a list of community colleges and universities, where you can then either call or go to the specific web site for ESL courses. Another great web site is www.ESL.com - which also helps you find Language courses in specific areas.

Chicago water is safe to drink. The water is tested for lead and every so often there is a scare about the levels in a far off suburb. This information is available on the web site of the local civic leader, eg. mayor. Since American water has fluoride in it, the concern has been that children who are given only bottled water to drink do not receive adequate levels of fluoride for their teeth. Chicago gets its gas from Peoples Gas, and the electricity comes from Commonwealth Edison. I am not aware of having a choice in this matter. Obviously cost depends on usage and the gas bills went up recently in accordance with the increased gas prices everywhere. In months when you don't run heating or air conditioning, prices can be low ($32 for me in August), and during the winter can run into the hundreds. Utility bills come every month and can be paid online at the company's web site, or through your bank's payment system if available.

You are supposed to have the correct legal documentation to work before gaining employment in Chicago, however, I know that many, many jobs are held by people who don't have a work visa. There are agencies for being hired as a cleaner, nanny etc. but not so many for more professional types of work. A quick flick through the local Yellow Pages telephone directory will point you toward such agencies, as well as an on-line search. Many jobs, including white coller positions, are initially found by word of mouth. Individuals looking for work in bars and restaurants should remember that the legal age for alcohol consumption here is 21, so you won't be able to find bar work if you're younger. A useful web site called Craig's list (www.craigslist.com) often has positions advertised by locals seeking help. Click on the Chicago link.

The currency here is US dollars. Travellers checks are not as common as I have found in Europe, and guests of mine have often had to search for somewhere to cash them. Most stores would not take them as a form of payment, and surprisingly, many banks just a mile or two from the city center, could not process them. American Express checks were easier to cash than Visa. There are many banks in Chicago, and most have cash dispensers (ATMs) outside. You will be charged a minimum of $2 for using another bank's ATM. Most banks have web sites where you can find out their opening hours, locations, and information for opening an account. Banks here include Harris Bank, Bank of America, La Salle Bank, Chase and Charter One Bank. If you are already employed, you should ask your company if they have an arrangement with a particular bank, as it will probably be easier to open an account, obtain a loan or a mortgage, and their interest rates may be more favorable. Opening an account can be tricky as you'll need a social security number. This is a number used by the Inland Revenue to track your earnings and is usually only given to those eligible to work. In addition to the SS# (social security number) you will need to show proof of permanent address, which again, can be tricky if you're still searching for somewhere to live. Many banks will accept a utility bill with your name and address on it. Best idea is to call up a bank and talk to them about their requirements, as they may differ depending on your circumstances and depending on which bank you talk to. A friend of mine, who was here legally with her working husband, but herself wasn't allowed to work, did not manage to get a social security number until her permenant residency status (green card) was granted. All bills, bank accounts etc had to be in her husband's name. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov - to find your local Social Security office, and to learn more about SS# requirements. While in the US, you should try to establish a credit rating as soon as you can. When applying for any type of loan or mortgage, companies will look at your credit history, which is your payment history and reliability. Not too many years ago I discovered that although I had been the co-holder of various credit cards through my American husband, I had no credit rating whatsoever. I eventually took out my own card and have been using it and paying it off regularly ever since. You estalbish a credit rating by obtaining a credit card and dealing with it responsibly. When talking with a bank, discuss this with them and ask for their help.

If you have never dealt with a private health care system, this can be fairly confusing at first. In the US, individuals are supposed to have private health care insurance, to cover the cost of most or all of their medical expenses. Most employers provide this as part of an employee's benefit package, so the first thing to do is enquire at your place of work. There is usually a Benefits Expert (not always the same job title) who will explain their enrollment system to you, help you set up your coverage and explain any questions you may have. As an employee, you are usually also offered health coverage for any spouse or children you may have. Many insurance companies require that you use doctors and hospitals from within their "network". You should receive a list of these network providors from either your employer, or the insurance company. If you visit a doctor outside of this network, you could find yourself liable for all the costs. Unfortunately, is your employer deicdes to change the health insurance company they use, you might find you have to change some or all of your doctors to keep your benefits. Since Americans usually visit specific doctors for specific issues (eg. Pediatrician, neurologist, gynocologist etc) this can be a hassle. Do not choose any physicians until you have health insurance to ensure that they are within your network. It is not advisable to go without health insurance, even though millions of working Americans do so each year. You will be given medical attention at most Emergency Rooms but will probably not receive further care there. The health care system produces an astonishing amount of paperwork per doctor visit. You are advised to keep everything and to check over each bill and statement as you receive it. If there is something amiss, or you simply don't understand what you're looking at, either speak to your company expert, or call the insurance company and ask for help. I have found them to be helpful in explaining charges and other notation on bills. If you find yourself in a dispute about a charge, do not leave it unresolved. Medical providers who do not receive payment from your health insurance company (for whatever reason) will pass the charge back to you, and if it's left unpaid, will pass it on to a debt collection agency. This in turn, could affect your credit rating and make life difficult for you in the future.

As with most cities, there are many public and private schools. If you have children, this is perhaps the biggest factor in where you might choose to live. It is not necessarily the case that schools in the city aren't as good as in the suburbs. Most public schools have a catchment area and only take fairly local children, but this usually depends on how many applications they receive each year. As well as traditioinal schools, Chicago has charter schools, which operate independantly of the Board of Education, and magnet schols. Magnet schools are intended "to attract students from all over the city...which ensures equity and equal access to magnet schools for all children while maintaining racially balanced schools." Take a look at www.cps.k12.il.us, Chicago's Public School website. It gives all statistics relating to Chicago's public schools, together with explanations of the different types of schools, locations and boundary areas of each school etc. There is also a list of public schools for special needs children. The private school system in the city can be fairly stressful to navigate as there are typically not enough spaces for applicants. Children are not required to start school legally until Kindergarten,, which is the year of their 6th birthday (cut off is Sept 1). Anything before this is classed as pre-school or JK (junior kindergarten) and is usually fee-paying. The admissions process for both pre-schools and private schools in Chicago begins in the fall before you are trying to get in. Application deadlines are usually between December and March and are final However, if you move to Chicago after these deadlines, it is still worth talking to schools you're interested in because spots do come free even after people have accepted a place for their child. The National Association of Independent School's web site gives information about Chicago's member schools. You can also find out about suburban schools by doing a wider search (www.nais.org). When you are looking at Chicago schools, everyone you talk to will have a different but very strong opinion about one school or another. Do yourself a favor and visit the schools you are interested in rather than just taking someone else's word for it. Students have to test in to most middle and high schools whether private or public. Again, speak to the individual school especially if you're child has been educated in a different country and may not have typical previous test scores. In addition to "regular" schools, Chicago has a British school, a French lycee, Jewish schools, Polish schools to name a few. Most kids in the city either walk, are driven or take regular public transport to and from school. (It's more in the suburbs where you'll see the big yellow school buses.) There are bus passes available for students who have to travel more than 1.5 miles, which cuts the cost of bus fare. Your child's school should have information about that. Jargon - there is a lot of possible new jargon related to the US schools system. k-6, k-8, or k-12 refers to the grades the school serves. K is Kindergarten, 6, 8 and 12 are the highest grade in a particular school. A k-8 school is an elementary and middle school where the students would have to leave to attend high school.

Getting around Chicago is pretty easy. Driving can sometimes be stressful as some streets are narrow, there are many Stop signs, which slows traffic down considerably, and often no street parking to be found. However, many people living here don't even own a car as the buses, subways and El trains do a great job. Take a peek at www.transitChicago.com - a great web site which also has a route planner, helping you figure out how to get from one place to another. If you are intending to own and drive a car in Chicago, you are required to take the written part of the driving test if moving from another US state. If you're here from another country, you are supposed to take the full driving test within 90 days. However, since many newcomers (such as non-working spouses) aren't able to get a social security number, this often means they can't take the driving test. See the state of Illinois web site for more detailed information and links- www.illinois.gov.

Visitors come to Chicago to shop from all over the world. There are huge outlet malls about 30-40 miles outside the city, but great shopping and bargains to be found on the sales racks of regular stores in the city too. Bear in mind you pay about 8% sales tax, so the price on the tag isn't what you will be asked to pay. Everyone pays sales tax here and as far as I've been able to discover, there's no refund just because you're from overseas. Michigan Avenue is the famed street in Chicago where many high end stores are to be found, as well as newcomers like H&M, Virgin and Macy's, which has bought out Marshall Fields. Further dowtown, in the "loop" and around State Street, are more stores such as Macy's flagship store, Sears, and almost every chain store you can think of. There are also beauty shops and spas on every corner both downtown and nearby Lincoln Park. Many offer manicures without an appointment and prices range from about $12 up

Chicagoans are mad about sports. The (American) football team is the Chicago Bears and they play at Soldier Field on the lakeside in downtown Chicago. There are two baseball teams, The Chicago Cubs who play at Wrigley Field on the north side, and The Chicago White Sox who play at US Cellular Field on the south side. There is fierce rivalry among the fans. The soccer team is called The Chicago Fire; the basketball team is The Chicago Bulls, and the ice hockey team is The Chicago BlackHawks. Apart from the ice hockey players beating each other up on the ice, sports events here are incredibly friendly and safe. In 17 years of going to Cubs games, I have never seen a fight break out. Since 9/11 you will be subject to a bag check upon entering the stadium, and you will be carded (ie. asked for ID) when you want to buy alcohol, usually even if you look 101 years old.

Chicago is not an easy place to have a dog, especially a big dog, as you are not allowed to let it off the leash anywhere but a designated dog park. Obviously, people break this rule, but I have seen dog owners ticketd by police for this and the fine is $200. In addition, during the winter it often becomes so cold that you are advised not to let your dog out for too long and/or to put little booties on its paws to prevent frostbite. You are also required to pick uo your dog poop, and there are handy little baggie dispensers attached to lamp posts should you forget to take a plastic bag on your walk. All pet dogs are required to have a rabies shot, and many owners are now also having a microchip implanted just beneath the skin which would help identify their pooch in case it gets lost or is stolen. Most cats are "house cats"; that is to say, they aren't let outside and often have their front claws removed to avoid damage to the furniture.

For everything you need to know about Chicago, these web sites are great: www.cityofChicago.org - official Chicago site www.illinois.gov - official Illinois site For visa services - http://travel.state.gov For motor and driving questions, there's a great unofficial site - www.dmv.org

See too:

Our Expat Women Living in The United States page

City Experience - Miami, U.S.A.- November 06, 2007

City Experience - San Francisco, U.S.A.- September 20, 2007

City Experience - San Francisco, U.S.A.- September 07, 2007