1. Big city lifestyle, less expensive compared to New York and California.
2. More square footage for your money.
3. Depending on your style Chicago has many unique neighborhoods such as Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Wicker Pack that can accommodate your every need.
4. Chicago is one of the top cities in the country to have LEED Certified buildings; we are doing our best to be green.
5. Chicago is also one of the cleanest cities in the world and we pride ourselves in staying so beautiful.
6. Variety of options when it comes to real estate from restored Victorians in the Gold Coast to spacious lofts in Wicker Park.
7. Beautiful architecture by world class architects.
8. Luxury high-rises with every amenity you could ever want; pools, rooftops, fitness centers, car service, and more.
9. Wherever you live in the city you are close to all the fun that Chicago has to offer including the lakefront and beach, restaurants and bars, great shopping, and our fabulous sports teams the Chicago Cubs, Bears, White Sox, Blackhawks, Bulls.
10. Pet friendly building, dog parks, and plenty of places to walk your beloved pets.

If you are thinking about making the Chicago relocation move, contact real estate agent Sheldon Salnick by emailing ssalnick@rubloff.com or calling (312) 264-5853.

One classic Chicago summer activity is to visit Navy Pier with family or friends – and you should definitely stay for the fireworks happening every Saturday night until the end of the summer. If you want to stay away from the crowds and you happen to live in Streeterville, you can likely take advantage of your Chicago condos’ rooftop to see Navy Pier’s fireworks. Starting on July, you can enjoy Movies in the Park – a series of classic movies will be projected on to the big screen in Millennium Park. Don’t forget to bring your chairs, blankets, and a picnic basket filled with goodies!

Nearby in Grant Park is the 26^th Annual Chicago Blues Fest in June, when celebrated musicians from around the country come together to play some amazing concerts every year.  Of course, July is the biggest month for Chicago festival.  The popular Taste of Chicago takes place in Grant Park starting June 26^th through July 5^th – The Taste is in its twenty-fifth year and features over seventy of Chicago’s best restaurants. At the end of July the spectacular 52nd annual Venetian Night along the lakefront features hundred of boats adorned with dazzling decorations. If you live in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, you will also have great access to the oldest running and longest free Chicago air and water show at North Avenue Beach (or simply watch the show from the rooftop of your Chicago condo). Also, don’t forget about the hundreds of smaller festivals throughout the summer including Wicker Park Fest and Lincoln Fest.

Of course, you can’t forget the simpler joys of summers in Chicago – grilling on your patio, exploring the city’s beautiful parks, and the way that the city’s beautiful architecture sparkles in the sunshine.  There’s really nothing like it.

If you’re considering relocating to Chicago, contact Chicago real estate agent Sheldon Salnick.

One of the best reasons to live in Chicago is the impressive architecture – not only are you surrounded by stunning sky scrapers, modern homes and condos, and elegant vintage townhomes and midrises, you could even make an world class building such as the Trump Tower your home.  After all, compared to New York and California, high end properties in Chicago cost considerably less with luxury real estate starting under $750.00 per square foot.  On the contrary, similar homes in New York or San Francisco start at $2500.00 per square foot.

Of course, relocating across from the England, Scotland, or Wales to the United States can be a very overwhelming and a difficult task.  Therefore, when starting the relocation process, working with an experience Chicago real estate agent who understands the unique issues of moving to Chicago from Europe is essential, as well as following these helpful tips:

Make Connections: While you decide to make the move, you need to build an American credit history. Apply for credit cards – you will need credit to be able to even start the process of buying your Chicago condo.  Also, apply for your green card, social security card, and open an account at United States bank. Make sure to ask any questions; after all, banks, the post office and of course immigration officials are here to help fulfill your needs and questions and to help make the process of relocation as smooth as possible.  You may have to rent a place for a time when you first move to the U.S. to create a credit history here.

Read: Go to your local book store to pick up travel guides, maps, and even Chicago newspapers. Researching your new home it a great way to discover places, and to learn about the local culture and where you might want to live.

Real Estate: Like what you see and what Chicago has to offer? Once you have established credit and residency it is now time to start checking out the local real estate scene, choose a Chicago real estate agent, and find the perfect Chicago home.

Explore: Once you have chosen your Chicago home, take a few days to explore your new surroundings. You can visit some of Chicago’s many great museums, do some sight-seeing, shopping, and sample the local restaurants – and most importantly, enjoy the best the Windy city has to offer, starting with the amazing luxury homes.

Granted, Chicago is known for its chilly winters that sometimes seem to last forever, but you shouldn’t let this factor into your decision to not move to this great city. As you will hear from the locals themselves, getting through the winters is worth it because of the fantastic summers that you can look forward to – there are endless fun activities and experiences that you can participate in throughout the summer months.  Here is just a few of the many things that you can look forward to if you choose a Chicago home:

*Go the beach, Chicago is home to several great beaches, where you can play volleyball, lay in the sun, have drinks and food at the famous Castaways, or stroll and ride bikes on the paths.

*Check out the many summer festivals that are featured almost weekly in popular Chicago neighborhoods, like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and also Downtown. Check out this list of 2009 Chicago festivals.

*Visit the zoo. Lincoln Park Zoo is home to Chicago and with free admission all year, many animals to see, and even paddle boats this beautiful zoo is worth visiting again and again.

*Movie in Park is held every Tuesday evening throughout the summer. After a long day at work you can grab a bunch of friends and head over to Grant Park, layout on blankets, bring a picnic and watch a classic film.

*Enjoy the sun and sit outside at the many patios that are in every Chicago neighborhood. Check out Sheffield’s in Lakeview for some grilling fun or be one of the first to enjoy cocktails and see and be seen at The Roof located at the Wit Hotel opening this May.

*Enjoy a boat tour at Navy Pier or the popular architectural tour to learn about Chicago’s history of its fabulous buildings.

When looking for your new Chicago home, remember that even though the winters can be freezing, the gorgeous, fun, and exciting summers are just one of the many reasons that Chicago is a great place to live.

“Chicago has given America social investing and the stories of Stuart Dybek and Aleksander Hemon. It has been greening itself since long before it became trendy, and it has been dancing, too — this is the home of house music, Wilco, and Lupe Fiasco. Here, in the birthplace of the American skyscraper, Santiago Calatrava is redefining the form with his Spire, while at the Art Institute, Renzo Piano is building a $300 million addition. The economy is growing faster than New York’s or L.A.’s. And one of Chicago’s own, who arrived in the 1980s and, in the tradition of the great rabble-rouser Saul Alinsky, took a job community organizing, has made a shockingly viable run for president, despite everyone telling him he was too inexperienced. Early in his campaign, Barack Obama told supporters, ‘I try to explain to people, I may be skinny but I’m tough. I’m from Chicago.’”

Chicago has long been known for its toughness – it has been nicknamed the “city of big shoulders” after all, and people still associate Al Capone and other Prohibition-era gangsters with the Second City.  However, it is also known for its stunning and iconic architecture as well as the fact that Chicagoans started going green before being eco-friendly was a trend -  it is home to a wide variety of eco-friendly and LEED-certified buildings, so if you are relocating to Chicago, there are plenty of sustainably built real estate and Chicago condo options for you to choose from.

According to the most recent World Business Chicago newsletter, a variety of local, national, and international companies invested in Chicago during 2008 and will continue to expand their presence in the coming years.  For instance, MillerCoors (the joint venture between SABMiller and Molson Coors), selected the Second City as the ideal location for their national headquarters; the world’s largest environmental services agency, Veolia environment, has chosen Chicago for their North American headquarters.  These developments not only result in more jobs, they increase the overall prestige of the city, making it more attractive to large corporations and small businesses alike.  Visit World Business Chicago for more information on the twenty-five plus local companies that have expanded this year.

Furthermore, you may already be aware that Chicago was selected as Fast Company magazine’s city of the year -thanks in no small part to being in the global spotlight as Barack Obama’s hometown, something that will certainly continue throughout his presidency.  Naturally, the city’s vibrant culture and relatively flourishing economy played a role as well, making relocation to Chicago a fantastic lifestyle upgrade as well as a solid financial decision.

Of course, the real estate market is a key part of the growing Chicago economy, making Chicago condos and homes more likely to maintain and eventually increase in value – Chicago real estate is certainly a safer investment than in many other areas of the country.

One of the first things you should do when you decide to relocate to Chicago is research the various neighborhoods and their pros and cons. My Chicago real estate blog covers many of the different locales, including the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeshore East. Of course, nothing compares to touring the areas and getting a feel for the atmosphere for yourself – ideally with an experienced real estate agent like myself. Naturally, there are factors like the individual features of each piece of Chicago real estate, property values and average prices will affect your decision, but there are plenty of intangibles that make a difference as well.

For instance, nothing is quite as important as learning about things like the local schools if you have children (or are planning on starting a family soon), the neighborhood culture, dining opportunities, nightlife, and other positives like parks, theaters, or museums. Furthermore, you will likely want to know the transportation options – are you near public transit or major highways (especially if you commute to work)? Of course, there are some key statistics that will matter as well – crime statistics, demographics, and perhaps even the overall diversity of the area will impact your choice of neighborhoods. Therefore, it is absolutely key to work with an agent with significant knowledge of Chicago and the various elements of each neighborhood during your relocation process.

However, one of the biggest positives of living in Chicago is the vibrant local culture. There is truly something for everyone, from world class museums to a multi-faceted local music scene to a range of dining options (after all, the city is home to everything from deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, and Eli’s Cheesecake to high end dining like Alinea, Tru, and Charlie Trotter’s). There is also a major theater scene, as well as the globally renowned Second City comedy club – Chicago is the birthplace of improvisational comedy, after all, and famous comedians earned their chops here in the Windy City. For a more refined evening, Chicagoans can visit Civic Opera House, the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, or the Joffrey Ballet (among others) for a memorable performance.

Of course, Chicago also has plenty to offer sports fans as well – with the Bears (or should I say “da Bears), the White Sox, the Cubs, the Bulls, and the Blackhawks all representing the city on a national level and a number of teams making waves in the minors, there are plenty of fantastic sporting events to attend. The city’s many parks and beaches also make it possible for athletes to play their favorite games without venturing too far from their homes. All in all, a Chicago relocation might be the smartest move you’ll ever make.

For instance, when you seek my services in finding your new Chicago condo or home, I’ll work to provide you with more than just listings and prices. Relocating to Chicago can involve more planning and preparation than many buyers expect-especially if you choose a newly constructed building. New construction offers you various options for personalized design. Luckily, if you do choose to personalize your living space, I can enlist the services of a trusted team that specializes in design and architecture.

My clients benefit from the advice of a seasoned designer who has redone a well known country club and worked on numerous multi-million dollar condos including a brand new construction penthouse and some upper bracket single family homes. Where my expertise ends, his begins; when it is time to pick out paint and finish colors, window treatments, and furniture, his assistance is priceless.

Another option for many clients is a partial or total remodel of their purchase, since many potential buyers find it more economical in the current market to rehab an older home or Chicago condo than to purchase new construction. By making the small changes that perfect a certain piece of Chicago real estate, buyers can make a quicker close on the property they want. In this situation, my clients can consult with two experienced architects for quotes and design ideas for their remodel.

In a difficult and unpredictable market, a good real estate agent can provide you with so much more than just a buying or selling experience. Thanks to my numerous years in the business, my extended network of colleagues and friends will make your Chicago real estate transaction seamless and convenient.

1. The Energy – The world’s most interesting, cosmopolitan cities all have a unique energy and liveliness, and Chicago is no exception.

2. The History – Chicago has thousands of stories in its long history, and living here lets you become part of it all.

3. The Food – Chicago’s dining scene is world class, with options ranging from high end cuisine to great local diners and a stunning array of ethnic cuisines, and everything in between.

4. The Nightlife – Whether you are a fan of upscale lounges, trendy nightclubs, or just the cozy corner pub, there is something for everyone in Chicago.

5. The Neighborhoods – Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, and each one has a different flavor.

6. The Sports Teams – Although Chicago baseball was essentially a no-show this post season, there is no denying the fact that Chicago is a fantastic sports town with the Bears, the Bulls, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Blackhawks, and even the Chicago Fire (soccer).

7. The Culture – With the Art Institute, the Field Museum, and more, you could visit a different museum every weekend; there are also any number of festivals, concerts, and special events that you can attend.

8. The Weather – Yes, this is serious. Although the winters can be incredibly cold, the fact that Chicagoans experience the full four seasons is certainly a plus.

9. The Architecture – There is different unique building almost everywhere you look in Chicago, and of course there is that distinctive skyline.

10. The Shopping – From Michigan Avenue to hip neighborhood boutiques, you can find anything and everything in Chicago.