Is it Worth it to Own a Car After Moving to Chicago?

Moving to Chicago is a big jump for many looking to relocate to the big city. You might be used to hopping in your car and heading to work, the store or anywhere else on a daily basis. While you can certainly do this in Chicago, it's not a necessity with the public transportation options and the ability to walk to many things nearby. Keeping your car may allow you to travel outside of the city. You will need a place to park it or store it and this can be expensive. You will also need to get a city vehicle sticker for your car.

Do you Need a Car to Commute to Work?

Commuting to work in Chicago with your own personal vehicle can be challenging. You may have to deal with long rush house from 6:30am to 10:30am and from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This may be enough reason to ditch the car for public transportation for some.

You don't need a car to get to work, in most cases. The Chicago Transit Authority or CTA, will get you to every corner of the city. You also have the option to get a bike and ride it to work. Of course, you can always share a ride with UberX or Lyft and there's always the option of hailing a taxi.

Where will you Park?

If you decide you will be keeping your car, you may need to have a lawn chair or something else ready to call "dibs" on a parking spot. It's very difficult to deal with parallel parking in Chicago and if you leave a spot open, it will be taken by the time you come back. You have to pay attention to the parking signs and tow zones, too.

In the winter, you will have to fight the snow, which means you may have to claim your parking spot. Just because you shovel it doesn't mean it's automatically yours. You have to mark the spot with lawn chairs and other items you are not using. Even by marking the spot, there's not guarantee it will be open when you come back.

Research the Neighborhood Before Deciding

Chicago is full of unique neighborhoods and some are more car-friendly than others. For example, parking in Hyde Park is much easier than Lakeview. Each neighborhood is a bit different and you may want to make sure you understand what you're getting into before you choose to keep or sell your car.

There are many things to consider if you keep your car. You may have to pay high parking fees and it may be difficult to find a parking spot. Make sure you take the time to consider all of the possibilities and your personal needs before you move to Chicago with your car.

Moving is already stressful enough without additional decisions. It may be best to make the decision to keep or sell your car before you hire a Chicago moving company and prepare everything for transit. At least it will be one less decision you will have to deal with.

Moving to Chicago - Should I own a car

What is a Normal Tip for Movers?

After choosing the right moving company, you must also figure out how much too actually tip the movers. Tipping movers can be a touchy subject and you may need guidance for this situation. You are trusting movers with your personal belongings, they are taking care of the heavy lifting and in some cases, they will also be packing and unpacking for you. They should be rewarded for their hard work, but how much is the right amount to tip your movers? While movers get paid to provide the service and haul your things from one place to another, a little extra recognition is always appreciated. If you're happy with your movers, please consider tipping them. While they may not stand in front of your home waiting for a tip, a little extra cash is the best way to show your true appreciation for this very personal service they have provided for you.

How Much to Tip Your Movers

The amount you tip your movers depends on the service they provide for you but is of course completely at your discretion. If you have large items, such as a piano or a heave billiards table, you may need to tip a little extra for the extra work.

It's best to tip your movers based on the time they spend on the move. A good rule of thumb is to tip between $15 and $25 per person for moves requiring up to 4 hours of time. If it takes longer to move than 4 hours, you should tip between $35 and $45 per person.

In addition, you should consider tipping extra if the movers have to deal with a heavy piano or another specialty item. Even if the item isn't heavy, if they have to handle something valuable or fragile, add on another $5 to $10 per person.

Other factors to consider when tipping movers include:

• Weather conditions

• Packing

• Unpacking

• Additional services provided

If your movers are packing, loading, moving, unloading, unpacking and assembling your things, a larger tip may be necessary. Remember, to tip a bit more if the movers are providing additional services outside of just loading and dropping off.

A Few Things You Shouldn't do When Tipping Movers

Whenever you hire a professional moving company to handle your things, make sure you avoid doing any of the following when tipping the moving crew:

Don't offer a beer or other alcoholic beverage at the end of the move. Most companies have policies against this.

If you prefer to buy them lunch, don't just order a pizza without asking what they would like. Remember, some may have diet restrictions or simply not care for specific types of food. However, buying your movers lunch is acceptable and much appreciated.

Don't tip them until the entire job is done. You can't take it back if you're unhappy with the move.

Follow these guidelines and use your best judgement when it comes to tipping your movers. Consider the type of move and how much time it takes them. You should also consider having some cold bottles of water, sports drinks and some healthy snacks available, if the move will take all day long.

While tipping movers may be a touchy subject, a cash tips is a great way to show appreciation. If you're not sure how much to tip, use the guidelines above and always plan to tip in cash, even if you're paying the actual moving company with a check or credit card.

Top 10 Supplies You Need for Moving

Whenever you decide it's time to move, you need specific supplies to make the move easier. Whether you're a student moving into a new apartment or dorm room or you need to move your family across county to a big city, such as Chicago for work, the right tools will make moving much easier. Here are seven of the top supplies you should have ready when it's time to move.

Labels

Labeling your boxes is one of the best ways to make packing and unpacking easier. Whether you choose a fancy label maker or you simply use markers, you need some type of tool and system for labeling.

It's best if all of the boxes going to the kitchen are labeled in one color, while all of the boxes going to the other areas of the house all have their own color, as well. This makes it easy to spot which boxes need to go where when unloading the truck.

Clear Ziploc Bags

Ziploc bags are one of the best things you can have around when packing for a move, according to lifehacker.com (http://lifehacker.com/347680/five-essential-tools-for-moving). Before you start packing go to the store and get a few boxes in different sizes. They will come in handy when keep small items together, especially is you need to disassemble pieces of furniture.

Bubble Wrap, Boxes and Other Packing Materials

Of course, you need the right boxes, bubble wrap and packing materials for your items. A professional moving company will use specific boxes designed to transport items, such as flat screen TVs, dishes, aquariums, fine art and other fragile items. If you plan to handle packing on your own, you need to use the same type of boxes. You cannot trust just any old box and expect your items to arrive undamaged. Make sure you get the proper boxes before you start packing. We recommend you try Chicago Green Boxes as they are eco-friendly, sturdy, and reliable.

Chicago Green Boxes

Furniture Sliders

When you're doing the moving on your own, furniture sliders come in handy. They help you move large pieces of furniture without scratching the floor and without needing to lift the item the entire way.

Hand Truck

A hand truck will make moving heavy items much easier. You can also move multiple boxes at one time making the number of trips you need much less. If you're taking on the move by yourself, a hand truck is a vital tool for your move.

Dollies

Moving furniture isn't easy, but with dollies it becomes easier. In most cases, dollies will give you the ability to roll a piece of heavy furniture to the moving truck.

Proper Transportation

Whenever you move, you need the right type of transportation. Without the right type of moving truck, you may not be able to move all of your items safely or in one trip.

Lifting Straps

It may be worth renting some lifting straps, also known as moving straps, if you plan to move heavy objects. These straps will help with weight distribution and make lifting easier.

Furniture Pads, Plastic Wrap and other Moving Supplies

You may also need to get the right furniture pads, plastic wrap and other items to help protect your belonging, while in transit.

A Professional Moving Company

The final tool you need for a successful move is a professional moving company. If you hire the right company to handle your move, you won't need to worry about any of the other tools. Not only will they transport your items, but they will also pack and unpack for you. Even if you do the packing yourself, you will be able to get all the right packing boxes and materials from the moving company you hire.

The Pro Move

These essential tools are necessary if you want to ensure your move is successful. It doesn't matter if you're just moving across town or if you need to move across the country, the right tools will make the process easier.

Moving to Chicago: What Clothes do I need?

Chicago is known as the windy city, but there's more than wind throughout the year. You really do experience four full seasons in Chicago and it may be quite different than your current home city. If you're planning on moving to Chicago, you may need to choose the right clothing for each season. It's probably necessary to do a little shopping and pick up some new items, if you want to survive the city's four seasons.

Clothing for Winter in Chicago

Chicago is a very cold and snowy city in the winter time. You cannot survive a Chicago winter without a quality winter coat. This isn't an area to go cheap on since zippers often break on cheaply made coats. You will also need gloves, a good hat, scarves, snow boots and other winter gear. Make sure you leave all of these items out and available if you are moving to Chicago in the Winter - you'll need them!

Moving in Chicago's Winter

You may not think it's that big of a deal, if you're coming from an area that experiences winter. However, if you don't live in a big city, you may not have the luxury of using your car to get to work every day or to the store. Many residents of Chicago don't drive their vehicles as much because they use public transportation and walk quite a bit. If this is going to be you, make sure you have proper winter clothing to dress for being out in the cold.

Clothing for Spring in Chicago

The spring season isn't going to be super warm, but it will be a welcome break after winter. You will want to make sure you have a lighter jacket and plenty of long sleeve shirts for the spring. Some of the days will be warmer than others, so you need to be prepared for a little bit of both.

While the winter may bring lake effect snow and below zero wind chills, spring will bring warmer temperatures. However, prepare for days in the 30s and 40s, along with days in the 60s.

Clothing for Summer in Chicago

Shorts will start to come out on days when the city sees temperatures in the 60s. You will want to have plenty of summer cloths, especially if you plan to enjoy the local beach. It can actually get rather hot in Chicago when July and August roll around. Be prepared with tank tops, shorts, t-shirts, swimsuits, plenty of sunscreen and other summer clothing items. There's no greater place to live than Chicago during the Summer!

Chicago Moving Professionals

Clothing for Fall in Chicago

Many local residents will tell you that fall is one of the best times of year in Chicago. There's just enough chill in the air, most days, to enjoy wearing jeans and a sweater at night, but it's still warm enough for shorts during some days. This is the time of year for a light jacket and long sleeve shirts, just like spring.

Chicago provides diversity within the weather system. It can be incredibly cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. If you're used to a more consistent climate, such as Florida, South California or another climate with steady, year-round temperatures, you may need to make serious adjustments to your wardrobe.

When you move to Chicago, you need a little bit of everything in your wardrobe. It's important to be prepared to wear flip flops and sandals in the summers, but also be prepared for heavy boots in the winter. Make sure you have clothing for all of the seasons if you're planning to move to Chicago.

4 Moving Myths to be Aware of

Some of the people you know will tell you that moving is a bad idea. They think it's too expensive, it's too much work and it's easier just to stay put. However, the best things in life require work and moving may lead to some great things for you. If you have dreams of living in a big city, such as Chicago, you might be preparing for a move. If this is the case, don't let naysayers sway you with their many myths. They will try to tell you that hiring a moving company is a bad idea and you can just do it all yourself, but have you ever really moved an entire home yourself. It's quite a bit of heavy lifting, logistics and not a fun experience.

Don't let other people sway you when you decide you want to move. Whether you're just moving across town or you're moving across the country, you should be aware of some of the common myths about moving.

The Best Day to Move is Friday

One of the biggest rumors out there is moving on Fridays is the best choice, according to realtor.com (http://www.realtor.com/advice/move/moving-myths/). Some say moving on Friday is the right choice because you have all weekend to unpack. While this is true, the weekends are also the busiest time for moving companies. Add in warmer weather and you may just find the prices are high and the movers are booked.

Free Boxes Work Great

We all want to save money and score a deal. However, using free boxes for your move may not be a great idea. You should never go cheap on the boxes, since they will protect your belongings. While you don't have to buy your boxes directly from the moving company you hire, it's usually a good idea. They will carry boxes for all different types of items, such as flat screen TVs, wine glasses and many other items.

Any Old Moving Company Will Do

Another huge myth you might hear about moving is that hiring any moving company will work just fine. However, when you hire a professional moving company compared to a fly-by-night operation, it may be the difference between hidden charges, high prices, theft, loss of good or damage. If you want to receive your goods and pay a fair price, you need to read the reviews, compare prices and hire a moving company with a solid reputation.

Moving Insurance will Cover it

Moving insurance is a good thing, but it's not going to cover you fully. Professional movers will explain their basic liability and what the insurance will cover if something is lost or damaged. Make sure you understand fully what is covered before you go ahead with the move. If you feel like you will need a full value moving insurance policy, you may need to use a third part or request this type of policy from the movers.

There are several moving myths you have to be careful of as others try to sway you not to move. Most people are comfortable where they are and some are simply afraid to every step out of that comfort zone. Don't let moving horror stories or myths change your mind.

The Professionals Moving Specialists