Midwest really is best: the great migration home

We all know at least a few people that moved during the pandemic – and if you’re like me, you know a lot! And Chicago was no exception. People left the city in search of wide open spaces, which made total sense in 2020. But, times and priorities have changed, and as a team we have seen a new trend: people are returning to the Windy City! In fact, the population of Chicago has increased every year since 2020, with last year’s gains as the biggest since the pandemic at .53% to 8,984,000. 

Over the last year, we have seen a resurgence of lifestyle moves. We recently helped an attorney who moved to Park Ridge during the pandemic, move back to the city to be closer to the courthouse. Anecdotally, we have also noticed an influx of Floridians and Coloradans at showings, looking to move to Chicago. We are also seeing a revival of suburban empty nesters moving to the city to be closer to Chicago’s cultural and dining scenes. 

When speaking to our clients and buyers, a few themes come up again and again that are prompting their move. 

Lower cost of living for a top city
Of the most populous cities in the country, Chicago remains the cheapest in terms of cost of living! Forbes put together this fun Cost of Living Calculator that lets you compare your cost of living of where you live now with where you want to go. 

Returning to work
Outranked only by New York as the city with the most Fortune 1,000 company headquarters, many people are moving back to be closer to their office as reopening continues. Public transportation becomes a huge factor too, and people miss the ease the L and Metra provides. 

Natural disasters
Chicagoans moved to Florida in droves throughout the pandemic period. In 2022 alone, over 35,000 relocated there. But in the past few years, the number and intensity of hurricanes in Chicago have dramatically increased. In contrast, the midwest is always at the top of the list of safest cities from natural disaster. Hurricanes are not only a major lifestyle inconvenience, but have financial impact as well, specifically in regards to homeowners insurance, repairs, and potential loss of income. 

Midwest is best!
We hear it over and over again: there is something about Chicago, and more importantly, something about Chicagoans! People who move south miss the midwest charm, the culture of the city, the weather, the lake, and everything that makes Chicago, Chicago.