Moving from UK to chicago
#16
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Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
I moved from London to Chicago last year and so far I love it. I was constantly warned about the "brutal" winters, but I didn't find it too bad - the locals say it was a pretty mild one. I like to think that being over-warned helped me prepare mentally for it. I quite like the distinct seasons anyway.
That's not to say all winters are full on Baltic, but we were definitely spoiled last year. Supposedly there's a La Niña this year that might make it colder but you never know until you get into the season.
That's typical suburban America. Strip malls, fast food, a movie theater and a chain restaurant or two if you're lucky, and things like dance schools and martial arts training for the kids, and not much else.
Dull and safe, and for most people a good place for families to live. Generally better schools than the more urban areas.
Dull and safe, and for most people a good place for families to live. Generally better schools than the more urban areas.
For the OP, Schaumburg is pretty nice, what I've seen of it. I don't spend a whole lot of time there but I do pass through from time to time. It's pretty typical of the more affluent Chicago suburbs, really. A lot of people don't go for the appearance of American suburbia but I kind of like it. Tree lined streets in the fall are very pleasing, for example.
I don't know much about the school district but as Pulaski pointed out, for the most part suburban school districts are generally better than in cities. Except for Waukegan, it's a shithole.
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 50
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Hey we also moved from London to Chicago 2.5 years ago and I can echo ch2016 that Chicago has a lot going for it and we found it to be very family friendly with lots of activities for kids.
I went to Schaumburg once and it’s ok in terms of it is quiet and safe but there really isn’t much to do. While Chicago does have some problem areas in terms of violence, it gets an unfair rap the way it is portrayed in the media. As a law abiding family you really don’t have much business in the far south and far west areas where most of the gang on gang violence take place.
Schools depend on the neighbourhoods, but from what I gather schools in the suburbs tend to be better on average (don’t know about Schaumburg specifically) but in the City you have very good schools and very poor schools with little in between. We decided to go private but I know there are definitely good schools in the city as well, you just need to pick the right neighbourhood.
The food scene is amazing as ch2016 mentioned and even in winter there are lots of activisties going on.
You’ve already got good advice about getting married so you can get a L2 Visa and be able to work.
Anyway happy to catch up when you move over if you want someone to show you and your family around, we have a 3.5 year old daughter. I am currently in the UK and will be back in Chicago in December.
I went to Schaumburg once and it’s ok in terms of it is quiet and safe but there really isn’t much to do. While Chicago does have some problem areas in terms of violence, it gets an unfair rap the way it is portrayed in the media. As a law abiding family you really don’t have much business in the far south and far west areas where most of the gang on gang violence take place.
Schools depend on the neighbourhoods, but from what I gather schools in the suburbs tend to be better on average (don’t know about Schaumburg specifically) but in the City you have very good schools and very poor schools with little in between. We decided to go private but I know there are definitely good schools in the city as well, you just need to pick the right neighbourhood.
The food scene is amazing as ch2016 mentioned and even in winter there are lots of activisties going on.
You’ve already got good advice about getting married so you can get a L2 Visa and be able to work.
Anyway happy to catch up when you move over if you want someone to show you and your family around, we have a 3.5 year old daughter. I am currently in the UK and will be back in Chicago in December.
#18
Just Joined
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 5
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Thank you for the info and Thank you for the offer of showing us round. It's all very early stages at the moment but think we are possibly planning coming over in January for 6 weeks to trial it out and see what we think.
#19
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 901
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
My girlfriend grew up and lived in Park Ridge, which is right by O'Hare. From what I've heard, the schools around that area are really good, and also the houses are nice and Park Ridge has a lovely little downtown area, which I've been too often and love eating out in.
I have noticed, at least in the suburbs of Chicago, the food is so much cheaper than what we pay for it down in St Louis. For example, we are lucky if we find Deli meat for less that 6 bucks a lb in St Louis, yet in my girlfriends parent's area, it's 3 bucks a lb!
I have noticed, at least in the suburbs of Chicago, the food is so much cheaper than what we pay for it down in St Louis. For example, we are lucky if we find Deli meat for less that 6 bucks a lb in St Louis, yet in my girlfriends parent's area, it's 3 bucks a lb!
#20
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
My girlfriend grew up and lived in Park Ridge, which is right by O'Hare. From what I've heard, the schools around that area are really good, and also the houses are nice and Park Ridge has a lovely little downtown area, which I've been too often and love eating out in.
I have noticed, at least in the suburbs of Chicago, the food is so much cheaper than what we pay for it down in St Louis. For example, we are lucky if we find Deli meat for less that 6 bucks a lb in St Louis, yet in my girlfriends parent's area, it's 3 bucks a lb!
I have noticed, at least in the suburbs of Chicago, the food is so much cheaper than what we pay for it down in St Louis. For example, we are lucky if we find Deli meat for less that 6 bucks a lb in St Louis, yet in my girlfriends parent's area, it's 3 bucks a lb!
#22
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#23
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 50
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
You are welcome.
Also check out city data specially the Chicago forum and you can search for topics but on Schaumburg e.g.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago-suburbs/1124735-company-relocating-schaumburg-where-affordable-place.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago/
Also check out city data specially the Chicago forum and you can search for topics but on Schaumburg e.g.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago-suburbs/1124735-company-relocating-schaumburg-where-affordable-place.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/chicago/
#24
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Joined: Sep 2010
Location: Maryland (via Belfast, Manchester, Toronto and London)
Posts: 4,802
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
I don't know a whole lot about Chicago, though I did anticipate moving there at one time. From my research I believe that Schaumburg is a nice area, out in the leafy 'burbs, and a long way from the Chicago reported in the media where gang violence and shootings are a daily occurence.
It's the same in every major US city to one degree or another. For some reason Chicago gets all the headlines but, statistically speaking, other cities like New Orleans, St. Louis, and Baltimore are much more dangerous. I think it's partly because Chicago has a much bigger population so it gets a higher actual number of gun related crimes even if the numbers are actually lower per capita. It's also partly due to people with an agenda (opposed to gun control) still trying to perpetuate the myth that Chicago has strong gun laws - it hasn't as most of them have been rolled back over the years in the courts. Of course, these people miss the point - a city's gun laws are only as strong as the weakest link. Guns can easily be brought into Chicago from other parts of the country e.g. elsewhere in Illinois and from other states like Indiana. It's not like there is a border check to go through.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/niallmc.../#3c685fe450da
Last edited by MarylandNed; Oct 29th 2017 at 4:20 pm.
#25
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
The same pattern is repeated in smaller towns in NC, and as far as I can tell, across America. There are high per capita murder rates, but almost entirely in certain neighbourhoods.
I made the mistake once of driving home after dark through a poor part of the town near Pulaski Manor. I inadvertently drove into the middle of an armed standoff situation, where the police had blocked the road and drawn their weapons, including a shotgun. Unfortunately by the time I had realized what was going on my way was blocked by the police cars and the armed situation was behind us! I had to drive across the sidewalk and into a side street to get away from the situation.
#26
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Re: Moving from UK to chicago
I used to live in Schaumburg, like 10 years ago.
It's very suburban-Midwest America. Malls, movie theatres, cookie cutter houses etc.
Also, full of people keeping up with the Joanses.
Not a bad place, you just have to get used to it.
As for winter... I moved to Florida after one
It's very suburban-Midwest America. Malls, movie theatres, cookie cutter houses etc.
Also, full of people keeping up with the Joanses.
Not a bad place, you just have to get used to it.
As for winter... I moved to Florida after one
#27
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The People's Republic of Evanstion, IL
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Re: Moving from UK to chicago
I moved from London to Chicago last year and so far I love it. I was constantly warned about the "brutal" winters, but I didn't find it too bad - the locals say it was a pretty mild one. I like to think that being over-warned helped me prepare mentally for it. I quite like the distinct seasons anyway.
#28
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Moving from UK to chicago
Not sure how relevant or accurate it is but someone mentioned in work that they have heard 'warmer and wetter' for this winter. Now, that could mean snow, but could also mean rain, so we'll see how true that turns out to be.