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Chicago started as a city of firsts and beginnings and has bloomed into a center for business, culture, the arts, sports, recreation, and museums. Its firsts include the nation’s first skyscraper, mail-order retailing, the Ferris wheel, the popularization of car radios, and the remote control, among others. The city has been home to Former President Barack Obama, the 2016 World Series Winners, and Gwendolyn Brooks.
With a population of just under 2.7 million, Chicago continues to thrive. Its more than 291,00 businesses make the city a viable locale for younger professionals—and it shows in the median age, which is between 33 and 34. The area has multiple Fortune 500 companies, continuing its business-savvy trend from its roots as a trade city that reversed the flow of the Chicago River into the Mississippi River.
Chicago houses over 200 theaters and close to 200 art galleries, so culture isn’t lacking. Ballet, the symphony, and theatrical productions ranging from Broadway-style to avant-garde are common. The city also specializes in museums and parks. Whether you’re looking for science or history or art or a pleasant stroll, you won’t be disappointed. While you’re walking along the lake paths, you’ll have a selection of the city’s 7,000+ restaurants at your fingertips.
The entire Chicagoland area includes 77 different community areas with more than 100 neighborhoods and over 10 million people across multiple counties in Illinois and Indiana. Counties included in the immediate Chicagoland area are Cook, DuPage, Will, and Lake. Slightly further away from the city lie Kane, Kendall, McHenry, Grundy, and DeKalb. Counties in Indiana that are also considered part of the Chicagoland area include Jasper, Newton, Lake, Winnebago, and Boon.
As of the beginning of 2017, the average price for a home in Chicago sits at $268,500 and the average monthly rent price is $1,580. Property taxes are higher in Chicago than most other cities, which drives up the average price of housing. The percentage of renters in the Chicago area is about 11 percent higher than the percentage of home owner.
Condominiums are growing in popularity in the Chicago area. Condos provide a flexibility that appeals to renters and buyers alike. The majority of property owners is roughly split between a one- or two-person household, but the disparity between one- and two-person renters is much greater—about 12 percent. The age division between renters and owners is also fairly clear. Most homeowners are over the age of 44, while the population of renters skews toward those 43 and under.
By no means do Chicago’s residents rely solely on public transportation, but the number of cars owned per household is drastically less than in other cities. In Chicago proper, there are 1.1 vehicles available per household, and 27.3% of households have no personal vehicle. This percentage decreases farther away from the city as public transportation, i.e. buses and the subway, becomes less accessible.
Because Chicago is next to a lake and in the northern part of the country, the tendencies for snow and severe winter weather is greater than in other parts of the country. Be aware that some contractors may not be able to get to your home immediately depending on the severity of the weather and how many other homes also need the company’s services. In most cases, the closer a business is to your home, the more likely they are to get to you sooner.
Maintaining clean and clear gutters twice a year will help prevent ice dams, and if you take care of the cleaning in spring and fall, the gutters should function well year round. Salt and other materials used to de-ice the road can cause damage to garage floors, driveways, and walkways, but these problems can be taken care of after the severe weather is over.
Other aspects of your home, such as roofing and siding, also sustain wear and tear over time due to cold weather. Faulty or worn-down roofing and siding can impact your HVAC system’s efficiency no matter what time of year it is, so it’s always a good idea to ensure there are no gaps for heat or air to escape or room for unwanted animals to enter.
Hiring a competent and verified contractor saves you time and money, and Best Pick Reports verifies all contractors’ licensing status and guarantees their work. If DIY projects are more your style, be sure to research laws regarding local permits and licenses.
The state of Illinois requires companies to hold a license for various home repair and renovation work—usually roofing and public works, in particular. Sometimes, the city of Chicago has different requirements than the state, so it’s important to verify that you or the company has the correct license for the area(s) you are working in.
When in doubt, it’s best to check with your local permit office before you start working on your home. If you start work before securing the necessary permits, you may be subject to fines until you do obtain them. Permits usually start around $50.00, and some require plats of survey, structural drawings, cost estimates, measurements, and HOA approval when applicable.
It can take anywhere from two to ten business days to acquire a permit. Some counties and cities allow you to apply and pay for the permit online, while others may require an in-person visit to the permits office.
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