As the nation’s third largest city, Chicago is home to a variety of people, culture and entertainment. Chicago has it all - art, shopping, dining and sports. From the city’s intricate architecture to the historic housing districts, Chicago is filled with delights for the eyes, ears and much more. For the young professionals, families or retirees, relocating to Chicago offers something for everyone. With the diversity and unique characteristics of each of Chicago’s fine neighborhoods, living in Chicago can be a perfect fit for most any lifestyle and budget.

Chicago’s economy is the most balanced in the nation, due to high level of diversification, complete with a major financial center and the second largest central business district in the US. Here you will find four major financial and futures exchanges including the Chicago Stock Exchange. Once known as a rust-belt city, Chicago has the largest high-technology and information-technology industry employment in the United States. Industries such as manufacturing, printing and publishing, play a major role in Chicago’s economy. Many major corporations are headquartered here including eleven Fortune 500 companies.

Chicago is home to some of the best higher education facilities including two of the top research universities in the US, University of Chicago in Hyde Park and Northwestern University (with campuses located in downtown). The city's largest university, University of Illinois at Chicago is home to the nation's largest medical school. Here you’ll find universities that specialize in programs from art to engineering including The Illinois Institute of Technology and several Catholic universities such as Loyola University and DePaul University. The City Colleges of Chicago is the large community college system that includes Columbia College Chicago, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

With over 400,000 students, the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is made up of over 600 schools and several magnet schools including Whitney Young Magnet High School, Lane Tech College Prep, Northside College Preparatory High School and Walter Payton College Prep.

The residents of Chicago and its neighborhoods take advantage of a strong public transportation system including public buses and a subway system known as the "Chicago L" or "El." Chicago also has two major airports, Midway and O'Hare.

Moving to Chicago opens a variety of choices in terms of housing types and price ranges. Depending on the area, the types of homes in Chicago can range from modest rowhomes to exquisite Victorians. There are a variety of styles including tow-and three-flats, rowhomes, bungalows, brownstones and greystones, condominiums, Victorians and Georgians. Homes can vary in price from under $100,000 to over $1 million depending on the neighborhood and style of home. Many of the neighborhoods are seeing a resurgence of residents and businesses, and restoring many of the historical homes throughout the city.

The people of Chicago encompass an array of ethnicities, once a town populated by Polish and Irish immigrants, the city now is home to hundreds of nationalities and the influence is apparent throughout the city. With residents from Sweden to Ethiopia, here you’ll find an eclectic mix of ethnic shops, restaurants and grocers. You can find signs throughout the neighborhood in both Spanish and English, architecture with Asian and Eastern European influences and a mosque next to a Catholic Church. Chicago has a young population; over half of the residents are under 40, making it a great place for nightlife, dining and shopping. Many of the neighborhoods also cater to young families, complete with city parks, playgrounds, schools, classes and activities.

Chicago is rich in history and culture; here you’ll find venues and museums dedicated to the rich musical history including the Chicago Blues, soul, house, jazz, hip-hop and Gospel. The city is also the birthplace of improv comedy and the home of the well-known The Second City and I.O. Renowned Chicago theater companies. Chicago is also famous for its ethnically-influenced cuisine including the Chicago deep-dish pizza and the Chicago hot dog, Italian Beef sandwiches and the Maxwell Street Polish (always served topped with grilled onions and mustard).

From its vast dine to renowned shopping; there are plenty of activities to keep Chicagoans entertained. With an 150-foot-tall Ferris wheel and located on the lakefront, within Chicago’s Navy Pier you’ll find restaurants, shops, museums, exhibition halls, auditoriums. Here you will find the Museum Campus, a 10-acre lakefront park surrounding three of the city's main museums: the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedds Aquarium. Located on the southern section of Grant Park, the Museum Campus also includes the Art Institute of Chicago. And in Hyde Park is the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.

As one of Chicago’s first public libraries, The Chicago Cultural Center is home to the Visitor’s Information Center, galleries, and exhibit halls, complete with a 38-foot Tiffany glass dome. Chicago’s many museums are dedicated to exploring the nation and the world’s history including: the Chicago History Museum, DuSable Museum of African-American History, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, the Oriental Institute, the Freedom Museum and Museum of Contemporary Art. Throughout the city, you can find theater, music and comedy venues including the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Joffrey Ballet, the Victory Gardens Theatre, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Goodman Theatre.

With 16 professional sports teams, every fan from baseball to soccer is sure to be pleased. The 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox play at the U.S. Cellular Field a.k.a. "The Cell,” the Chicago Cubs, at Wrigley Field, the Bulls at the United Center and the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Other major league teams include the Major League Soccer team, the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park, hockey’s Chicago Blackhawks and the WNBA’s Chicago Sky.

Like most major cities, Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, State Street, and the Loop are home to many stores and boutiques, as well as many, smaller, independent shops. The Gold Coast’s Oak Street is home to many of the world’s upscale boutiques including Hermes, Prada, Tod's and Yves Saint Laurent, Bloomingdales, the former Marshall Field’s flagship store (now Macy’s) and Nordstrom, as well as many world-class spas and salons. From Japanese to Italian, you’ll find some of the most exquisite dining throughout the city. Within many of the more ethnically-diverse neighborhoods, you’ll find authentic cuisine and cafes.

Neighborhood boundaries and names are subject to debate, ours is courtesy of the Social Science Research Committee at the University of Chicago.

Photo Source for all Chicago Pages: neighborhoods.chicago.il.us

Albany Park	Edgewater	Edison Park
Forest Glen	Jefferson Park	Lincoln Square
North Park	Norwood Park	OHare
Rogers Park	Uptown	West Ridge

Avondale	Lakeview	Lincoln Park
Logan Square	North Center

Belmont Cragin	Dunning	Hermosa
Irving Park	Montclare	Portage Park

Loop

Near North Side

Near South Side

Austin	East Garfield Park	Humboldt Park
Lower West Side	Near West Side	North Lawndale
South Lawndale	West Garfield Park	West Town

Archer Heights	Brighton Park	Chicago Lawn
Clearing	Englewood	Gage Park
Garfield Ridge	McKinley Park	New City
West Elsdon	West Englewood	West Lawn

Armour Square	Bridgeport	Douglas
Fuller Park	Grand Boulevard	Greater Grand Crossing
Hyde Park	Kenwood	Oakland
South Shore	Washington Park	Woodlawn

Ashburn	Auburn Gresham	Beverly
Morgan Park	Mount Greenwood	Washington Heights

Avalon Park	Burnside	Calumet Heights
Chatham	East Side	Hegewisch
Pullman	Riverdale	Roseland
South Chicago	South Deering	West Pullman