Cost of living - Chicago
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 236
Cost of living - Chicago
Hi again!
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Hi again!
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Sorry I can't be of much more help, but really your employer is the one to ask concerning benefits etc, make sure you let them know that you want the same holiday time (with pay) as you get there, because most Americans get very little vacation time. There are lots of threads on here about employee packages and moving expenses, you could search some of those too.
Good luck
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 236
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
I will have a look at the realtor sites and the DMV.
I have used the 'L' so I agree that public transport from the suburbs will most likely be the way forward for commuting.
I realise that I should negotiate the benefits myself.
I suppose what I really mean by my question is that I need to work out what salary I need to ask for, and to work that out I will need to know what I require after deductions by my employer\taxes so that I can pay all the bills and living expenses, and hopefully have a little bit over.
The employer and tax deductions I can talk to my HR about, but the bills and living expenses I am trying to research myself.
Not sure if I have made that clearer or even more confusing!
I have used the 'L' so I agree that public transport from the suburbs will most likely be the way forward for commuting.
I realise that I should negotiate the benefits myself.
I suppose what I really mean by my question is that I need to work out what salary I need to ask for, and to work that out I will need to know what I require after deductions by my employer\taxes so that I can pay all the bills and living expenses, and hopefully have a little bit over.
The employer and tax deductions I can talk to my HR about, but the bills and living expenses I am trying to research myself.
Not sure if I have made that clearer or even more confusing!
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: North Charleston,SC. born in Stockport,UK.
Posts: 10,109
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
I will have a look at the realtor sites and the DMV.
I have used the 'L' so I agree that public transport from the suburbs will most likely be the way forward for commuting.
I realise that I should negotiate the benefits myself.
I suppose what I really mean by my question is that I need to work out what salary I need to ask for, and to work that out I will need to know what I require after deductions by my employer\taxes so that I can pay all the bills and living expenses, and hopefully have a little bit over.
The employer and tax deductions I can talk to my HR about, but the bills and living expenses I am trying to research myself.
Not sure if I have made that clearer or even more confusing!
I have used the 'L' so I agree that public transport from the suburbs will most likely be the way forward for commuting.
I realise that I should negotiate the benefits myself.
I suppose what I really mean by my question is that I need to work out what salary I need to ask for, and to work that out I will need to know what I require after deductions by my employer\taxes so that I can pay all the bills and living expenses, and hopefully have a little bit over.
The employer and tax deductions I can talk to my HR about, but the bills and living expenses I am trying to research myself.
Not sure if I have made that clearer or even more confusing!
You might also want to do some research on health care, lots of threads about that on here too, but that is a major problem here, if you don't have a good group plan.
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 789
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
I did look into this (roughly) because there are jobs in my field in Chicago and I've got some contacts there. Pretty much all I could find (on the Internet, so it must be true, right?) suggests that Chicago is similarly expensive to London, with similar ways of balancing out the cost (move further out, higher commuting but lower housing costs etc). All in all it doesn't look like a cheap place to live and you'll probably have to pay a lot more for heating in Winter than you have to in the UK.
Conversation with a recruiter I know there suggests that compensation is similar to London, too.
Not very helpful, sorry.
Conversation with a recruiter I know there suggests that compensation is similar to London, too.
Not very helpful, sorry.
#6
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
I live in the western suburbs, Downers Grove to be precise. The fast train into downtown is less than 30 mins. It's a really nice place to live in my opinion and is also incredibly cheap. I would be surprised if downtown Chicago costs anything like as much as London but I haven't really looked into it.
Housing, energy, food is so much cheaper than London. The question is whether you want to commute or not. I think I paid about $8 for a return to downtown last time -I bet you can get it a lot cheaper if you travel everyday.
Housing, energy, food is so much cheaper than London. The question is whether you want to commute or not. I think I paid about $8 for a return to downtown last time -I bet you can get it a lot cheaper if you travel everyday.
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 236
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Commuting is just fine!
I currently live in Guildford (deepest darkest Surrey) and my commute to work is about 25-35mins.
Its 35mins to get to central London, but costs considerably more (even with a season ticket)!
Although my living expenses are cheaper than London, being in prime commuter belt they are not that much cheaper.
So in that sense Chicago is looking great.
I will search for jobs and salaries and see what I can find. Trouble with that is although my job isn't a complete niche, it is not very common, so often not too many ads for it.
Healthcare should be alright as I have heard good things about the plan my employer has from the US staff. Just got to make sure I get in on the scheme!
I currently live in Guildford (deepest darkest Surrey) and my commute to work is about 25-35mins.
Its 35mins to get to central London, but costs considerably more (even with a season ticket)!
Although my living expenses are cheaper than London, being in prime commuter belt they are not that much cheaper.
So in that sense Chicago is looking great.
I will search for jobs and salaries and see what I can find. Trouble with that is although my job isn't a complete niche, it is not very common, so often not too many ads for it.
Healthcare should be alright as I have heard good things about the plan my employer has from the US staff. Just got to make sure I get in on the scheme!
#8
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Commuting is just fine!
I currently live in Guildford (deepest darkest Surrey) and my commute to work is about 25-35mins.
Its 35mins to get to central London, but costs considerably more (even with a season ticket)!
Although my living expenses are cheaper than London, being in prime commuter belt they are not that much cheaper.
So in that sense Chicago is looking great.
I will search for jobs and salaries and see what I can find. Trouble with that is although my job isn't a complete niche, it is not very common, so often not too many ads for it.
Healthcare should be alright as I have heard good things about the plan my employer has from the US staff. Just got to make sure I get in on the scheme!
I currently live in Guildford (deepest darkest Surrey) and my commute to work is about 25-35mins.
Its 35mins to get to central London, but costs considerably more (even with a season ticket)!
Although my living expenses are cheaper than London, being in prime commuter belt they are not that much cheaper.
So in that sense Chicago is looking great.
I will search for jobs and salaries and see what I can find. Trouble with that is although my job isn't a complete niche, it is not very common, so often not too many ads for it.
Healthcare should be alright as I have heard good things about the plan my employer has from the US staff. Just got to make sure I get in on the scheme!
#10
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Hello.
If you have any specific questions about Chicago feel free to ask.
I can't work out your cost of living as it is dependent on where you might live.
To say it's like London is a good example!
From a Tourists stand point, things can be pricey! But after a few months of living here you'll see the other side of the City and see the more economical side of things.
Again, feel free to ask me any questions you like, either on here of via PM!
I live in the NW of the city FYI.
If you have any specific questions about Chicago feel free to ask.
I can't work out your cost of living as it is dependent on where you might live.
To say it's like London is a good example!
From a Tourists stand point, things can be pricey! But after a few months of living here you'll see the other side of the City and see the more economical side of things.
Again, feel free to ask me any questions you like, either on here of via PM!
I live in the NW of the city FYI.
#11
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
And as Ian, so lovingly points out, yes it is the murder capital of the US but we are also one of the more populas cities so it's a rather unfair title!
But we are on track to beat last years record with a whopping 100 gang related murders so far this year!
Ignore that side of life though because 99% of those murders if not 100%, occurred on the south or west side of the city. You won't be living there I guarantee it.
#12
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Check out the city-data.com forum for Chicago and ask the locals what their bills etc are like. I used the Houston forum before moving over here and had a good idea what my monthly bills would be before we got here. Make a list of all your average monthly bills in the UK and then compare them. The only one that caught us off guard was home owners insurance but that is because we hadn't factored in Hurricane Insurance at $1900 per annum .
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The People's Republic of Evanstion, IL
Posts: 332
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Well to buy a one bedroom condo right downtown is going to cost at least $500K (and that's a very small one). To rent one in a similar area then you probably talking about $2K a month. With both you probably want to add about $300 a month for monthly parking
As someone who's looking to buy somewhere in the North areas of Chicago itsself then a 3 bedroom bungalow is about $400K
If you go right out into the far western burbs then I believe family homes are about $300K - $500K
The "El" doesn't really go very far (nothing like the London underground) then if you live out in the 'burbs you'll probably be looking at Metra.
If you choose to drive in then daily earlybird parking is about $15 a day
I wouldn't let tales of us being the Murder capital worry you too much it's usually confined to the same areas time and time again. Certainly when I'm in the Gym in the morning and the breakfast news is having its round ups of who's done what the same old blocks appear time and time again. Chicago Police have a website where you can see the reported crimes so you can easily see where to stay away from
Heating costs in the middle of winter I guess you're talking about $200 a month. Then in the Summer you have the air conditioners pushing up the electricity prices :-)
Grocery Wise as a single person I spend about $60 a week, my girlfriend spends about $70
As someone who's looking to buy somewhere in the North areas of Chicago itsself then a 3 bedroom bungalow is about $400K
If you go right out into the far western burbs then I believe family homes are about $300K - $500K
The "El" doesn't really go very far (nothing like the London underground) then if you live out in the 'burbs you'll probably be looking at Metra.
If you choose to drive in then daily earlybird parking is about $15 a day
I wouldn't let tales of us being the Murder capital worry you too much it's usually confined to the same areas time and time again. Certainly when I'm in the Gym in the morning and the breakfast news is having its round ups of who's done what the same old blocks appear time and time again. Chicago Police have a website where you can see the reported crimes so you can easily see where to stay away from
Heating costs in the middle of winter I guess you're talking about $200 a month. Then in the Summer you have the air conditioners pushing up the electricity prices :-)
Grocery Wise as a single person I spend about $60 a week, my girlfriend spends about $70
Last edited by dave2702; Apr 28th 2010 at 4:29 pm.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Manchester ---> Chicago
Posts: 54
Re: Cost of living - Chicago
Hi again!
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I have had a small search and couldn't find exactly what i am looking for, but if this is a duplicate post, I apologise.
I am considering moving to Chicago, staying with my current employer in the UK. I have an idea about the visa implications, but now I want to work out the employment side of things Most importantly the take home pay and the benefits that will be provided or the cost of providing them myself. E.g. healthcare.
I have searched the web for cost of living comparisons, but most just cover moving from US city to US city.
Does anyone know the locations of any sites or tools that help you compare the UK to US cities?
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Rent
We live in the West Loop, about a mile and a half west of the lake on a main street (Madison). We both work in the loop and walk to work. We pay $1,700 for a 1 bedroom plus den, parking included (we don't have a car, so we lease out our parking spot for $200/month). We rent a woman's condo, so we have all the fancy amenities - hardwood floors, granite/stainless steel, big balcony, fireplace, etc. While it doesn't get too much cheaper around here, you can definitely get something for less We used to live 2 blocks away (still in the West Loop, still walkable to downtown) and paid ~$1,200 for a one bed, loft style apartment.
PS: If you are not coming out with a family, the West Loop is a really great place to live. We've been here 3 years and moved literally 2 blocks because we wanted a bigger place but loved the area.
Transportation
No car, so can't comment on that, although as mentioned above lease our our parking spot for $200/month. I think a monthly CTA card is $90 some odd per month, but because we walk to work, the grocery store, etc. we don't use it enough to justify the cost of a monthly pass. Each ride is $2.25
Utilities
We are on a "budget" plan with both gas and electric, meaning we pay the same amount each month based on what they think we will use in a year (based on past usage). At the end of the year we may owe a bit extra, may be owed money, but it's a good average. We pay $50/month for electric and $30 for gas. Note that we live on the 7th floor of a newer building, so heat is relatively cheap here.
We pay $85/month for cable/internet, but over the past 5 years $130/month has been more typical.
Groceries:
Probably $500/month or so for two of us, but we could pay significantly less if we wanted/needed to.
Let me know if you have any other questions about living in the city proper!