Chicago is a fantastic place to raise a family. This Midwestern city offers all the same opportunities as New York or Los Angeles, but the cost of living is much lower. Whether you were born and raised in Chi-Town or you’re moving from out of state, this guide will help you pick the right neighborhood …
8 Fun Facts About Moving to Chicago
If you’re looking for a new city to live in, and you like the metropolitan lifestyle of a big city, there is no better choice in the Midwest than Chicago. Here are 8 fun facts about moving to Chicago.
1. Famous for food
Chicago is renowned for its culinary scene and is perhaps the most famous place in the world for a deep-dish pizza, and the restaurants in the downtown area have lines that stretch around the block for this delight. Chicago is also famous for gourmet beef frank hot dogs and polish sausage that can’t be equaled anywhere else.
2. Great cultural spots
Chicago boasts some of the most renowned cultural institutions. The Art Institute of Chicago houses the most extensive collection of Monet paintings in the world, and there are also some recognizable works of Picasso and Van Gogh on display there. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has long been considered the most magnificent symphony in the world for having won more Grammy awards than any other orchestra. The theater scene is the birthplace of many renowned actors and comedians that got their start at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater and The Second City comedy theater.
3. Iconic sports teams
The sports scene in Chicago boasts millions of fans, and rightly so. The Bulls, Bears, White Sox, and the Cubs have all been world champions. The Bulls team was famously led by the most celebrated basketball legend of all time, Michael Jordan.
4. Colorful tapestry of neighborhoods
As explained in this moving to Chicago guide, this city boasts dozens of wonderful neighborhoods to suit just about anyone. There are exclusive high-rise condos for the wealthy, and there are more affordable dwellings in some exciting parts of town that are popular with artists and young people on their way up in their career. If you want to explore authentic cuisines from around the world, you can visit the many ethnic neighborhoods populated by people from Asia, Slavic countries, and Latin America who establish authentic restaurants that reproduce the tastes of their homelands.
5. The Magnificent Mile
If you enjoy top-notch shopping, Chicago boasts one of the most glamorous and famous streets in the world. The Magnificent Mile stretches from the Chicago River in Downtown to Oak Street. This mile of impressive stores also is the home to some of the most beautiful hotels in the world.
6. The Willis Tower
For many years, Chicago was the home of the world’s tallest skyscraper, which was then called the Sears Tower. Now called the Willis Tower, this iconic landmark is still a popular attraction visited by millions of people every year. On a clear day, you can see three neighboring states from the top of the tower: Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan.
7. Backwards-flowing river
The Chicago River, which is a prominent feature in downtown Chicago, is the only river in the world that does not flow into a larger body of water. Engineers reversed the flow of the river so that water from the lake would flow out rather than into the lake.
8. Birthplace of the Twinkie
A favorite mass-produced pastry of Americans, the Hostess Twinkie was invented in 1930 in Chicago. The original Twinkie was filled with banana cream, but it was modified to vanilla cream during World War II because bananas were in short supply.
Tips for Hiring Local Chicago Movers You Can Trust
You’re planning on moving, and you’ve decided to hire professional movers to transport your possessions to your new home safely. There are so many moving companies you can choose to do business with today. How do you decide which one to choose? Use these tips to help you find a moving company in Chicago you can trust.
Get Recommendations from People You Know
Ask the people you know for recommendations. The Art of Happy Moving recommends crowdsourcing your Facebook friends. People will tell you the good and the bad there. You can also ask for your neighbors’ opinions on social networking sites like Nextdoor. Asking your realtor for recommendations is also a good idea; she likely knows the best in the industry.
Verify Credentials
Check out the business’s profile on the Better Business Bureau and the American Moving and Storage Association websites. The customer reviews on these sites will be informative. You can view customer complaints on the Better Business Bureau or by using the movers search tool on the Department of Transportation website.
The Better Business Bureau asserts you should ask for proof of the company’s licenses and insurance. You’ll want to hire a company with Workers’ Compensation insurance. This will raise the cost of doing business, but Workers’ Compensation insurance protects you against claims if someone is injured while on your premises.
Consider hiring a mover certified by the American Moving and Storage ProMover Program. This program subjects all movers to a background check and holds them to high standards.
Get Written Documentation
Cheap Chicago Movers recommends getting at least three written in-home estimates from moving companies. You should be wary of companies who want to give you an estimate online or over the phone without having assessed your home in person. While a representative of the company is at your home, ask if there will be additional charges for things like stairs and dissembling and assembling furniture. Any reputable company should give you a written breakdown of all the costs. The company should also provide you with the date your possessions will be loaded into the truck, as well as the estimated time they’ll arrive at your new destination.
Understand whether the company is charging by the hour or by weight. Many moving companies will charge for the time it takes to complete a move when you’re moving locally.
You should be wary of any company that gives you an abnormally low estimate. Additionally, Consumer Reports asserts a reputable moving company shouldn’t require a deposit that’s more than 20% of the total estimated cost.
Review the Contract
Take the time you need to thoroughly read through and review the contract before you sign on the dotted line. Ask the moving company about anything you haven’t already discussed and agreed upon. Don’t sign the contract until you feel fully informed and comfortable doing so. Don’t let a company rush you to sign before you’re ready.
Choosing a moving company can be challenging these days with all the available options. Using these tips, you can find a reputable moving company you can trust with the task of getting your belongings to your new home.
10 Tips for Finding a Christian Preschool For Your Kids
Do you want to send your child to a Christian preschool? No matter where you live, there are always faith-based programs. How do you select the best school for your child? Here are ten tips to consider.
1. Do They Have Like Faith?
Finding a school that aligns with your religious views is essential. While the subject matter might not be substantial at a pre-school level, even the version of the Bible they use is important. If you use the King James Version and the school uses the NIV, it can be a conflict. Make sure their teaching aligns with your beliefs.
2. Are the Teachers Certified?
Teaching preschool was once a babysitting job. However, today’s schools have certified teachers on staff. Find out the teachers’ qualifications before you enroll your child.
3. What Curriculum Do They Use?
There are many different curriculums in the Christian education sector. Some schools, like this Christian preschool, teach Abeka while others use curriculum from School of Tomorrow, Alpha Omega, and Bob Jones University.
4. Do They Have A K-12 Program Too?
Many children become accustomed to the school and teachers. Find out if the school has a K-12 program that allows them to continue their education.
5. Find Out the Student to Teacher Ratio
The average student to teacher ratio in a pre-school should be no more than ten children per teacher. Is this Christian pre-school observing these protocols? Preschool-aged children can be quite challenging to control, so these limits are important.
6. Do They Provide Lunches?
Many establishments provide lunch and snacks in their tuition rates. You won’t need to worry about packing, and possibly forgetting your child’s lunch if there is a cook on staff.
7. Is the Tuition Average for The Area?
Can you afford what they charge for pre-school? If they charge more than other schools in the area, then do they offer extras like providing lunch and extended pickup times?
8. Are the Teachers CPR/First Aid Trained?
The people who are watching over your children must be CPR and first aid trained. Everyone should be trained in these essential life-saving techniques.
9. Does the School Have Good Play Equipment?
Does the pre-school have proper equipment both inside and out? Ask the school what their sanitizing routine is for indoor equipment as germs are rampant in these establishments.
10. Do Their Hours Work for Your Schedule?
You must know the drop-off and pickup times match your schedule. You want a school that has hours that accommodate you should you need to stay late or go to work early.
Finding a Christian pre-school is not tricky. Make sure that the teachers are well trained and can handle any situation. Plus, you want to make sure the people teaching your children are Christians and use a faith-based curriculum that aligns with your views.
Five Books that Can Help Your Elementary Student Cope with a Long-Distance Move
Stability is essential for children, and it’s especially crucial for children in elementary school between the ages of six and eleven. Research has shown that long-distance moves can impede children’s school performance and social skills and even negatively impact their behavior. Luckily, these negative consequences are usually short-lived and completely reversible. The five books below can help …