Before relocating to Chicago it is worth doing some research. Chicago is gaining in popularity, with expats often preferring Chicago to Boston or New York. Chicago is the third largest city and very business-oriented. The city is well known for investing and improving its infrastructure and educational system. This is paying off with some of the worlds largest companies relocating their headquarters to the city. The cost of living in Chicago is higher than the national average but lower than cities such as New York.

Visa requirements when relocating to Chicago

Since 9/11 US policy changes have resulted in much more selective immigration regulations, getting a visa to work is now nowhere near as easy as it was. If you want to work in the US you can apply for several types of visa:

•A H1-B non-immigrant visa is for skilled, educated people working for a sponsoring employer in specific occupations such as maths, engineering, law or
medicine

•A H-2B is for temporary non-agricultural workers and is available for foreign workers doing seasonal work where there is a shortage of local workers.

•The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program for people looking to study, teach or carry out research in the US.

•The green card – this will entitle you to become a permanent resident. You can obtain a green card through a job or job offer, provided there aren’t
enough US workers who can do the job.

•There is also the annual green card lottery; each year 55,000 people win permanent residence

Visa and work permit requirements may change at short notice; it is advisable to contact your respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.

Currency when relocating to Chicago

The US Dollar (USD) divided into 100 cents.

Time difference when relocating to Chicago

Chicago is 6 hour ahead of London

Useful facts when relocating to Chicago

Country: United States of America
Official Language: English, Spanish (south-western states)
Unit of measure: Imperial
Electricity supply: 20 volts, 60Hz. Standard plugs have two flat pins.

Emergency numbers: 911 – this covers police, ambulance and fire services

Travel connections when relocating to Chicago

Airports: Chicago O’Hare International Airport
Train stations: Millennium StationChicago AmtrakChicago Union Station
Main Road: Chicago Skyway, Dan Ryan Expressway, Kennedy Expressway, Jane Addams Memorial Tollway

Major cities close to Chicago
Milwaukee
Madison
Fort Wayne
Indianapolis
Toledo
Detroit

Property prices when relocating to Chicago

As a general guide you will find property prices are influenced by location and demand. Your choice of location will be influenced by your place of work. Local agents will be the best place to start. The process of buying any type of property or land is strictly regulated. The services of certain
professionals are usually required for the process. The local estate agent should be able to give an estimation of all fees and the property charges the buyer will be responsible for when they become the owner.

Typical property prices in Chicago

Price per square meter in city centre US$1979.59
Price per square meter outside city centre US$1308.42

Typical property rental prices in Chicago
Apartment (one bedroom) in city centre US$951.75 per month
Apartment (two bedrooms) in city centre US$1654.29 per month

Property agents when relocating to Chicago

Root Realty Inc
1710 W Belmont Ave
Chicago,
IL 60657
United States
T: +1-773-348-8080

Owl Management, LLC 
3047 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
United States
T: +1-773-819-0446

Krenger Real Estate
644 W Surf St,
Chicago, IL 60657
United States
T: +1-773-755-9800

Local government offices when relocating to Chicago

Office of the Mayor
121 N LaSalle Street
Chicago City Hall
4th Floor
Chicago
IL 60602

Leisure & entertainment when relocating to Chicago

Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N Clark St
Chicago
IL 60614
T: +1 312-742-2000

Wrigley Field
1060 W Addison St
Chicago
IL 60613

Chicago Art Institute
111 S Michigan Avenue
Chicago
IL 60603
T: +1 312-443-3600

Restaurants when relocating to Chicago

Chicago Chop House 
60 W Ontario St
Chicago
IL 60654
T: +1 312-787-7100

Anteprima
5316 N Clark St
Chicago
IL 60640
T: +1 773-506-9990

42 Grams
4662 N Broadway St
Chicago
IL 60640

Home entertainment & communication when relocating to Chicago

Broadband: https://broadbandnow.com/Illinois/Chicago
Television: https://www.inmyarea.com/tv/cable/60657/providers
Telephone: rcn.com chicago phone
Mobile phone: www.bbb.org/chicago/accredited…/mobile-telephone

Education when relocating to Chicago

UK Expats will often send their children to the British International School of Chicago, which teach the sylabus in English.

Relocation Companies

Location Strategy Solutions (LSS Relocation) was established in 1986. The Company has grown through innovation and excellent customer service provision and now includes many major international companies among its clients.

LSS is very much engaged with and involved in the world of national relocation and international relocation with memberships and council involvement within the ARPEuRA to name but a few. Through LSS’s long history within the relocation arena, deep rooted partnerships have been established across the globe allowing LSS to deliver to their corporate clients the right service for their particular needs, whether requiring seamless coordination across multiple jurisdictions or delivery in a single location.

We understand the need to combine a professional service with the personal touch, so important when dealing with the inherent stress of relocation and the particular requirements of each individual and family. Through maintaining our independence we can treat your employees as human beings and not a number in a database.

Relocating to Chicago | Relocation Companies | Employee Relocation Chicago

LSS Relocation UK +44 20 3700 9785. Americas +1 312 238 9572. Asia+81 345 789 745

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