Where to live in Chicago
The city is divided into five main sections: downtown, North side, Northwest Side, South Side and West Side. Chicago is also divided into 77 community areas that are composed of neighborhoods. More than 210 neighborhoods are listed throughout the city. From a general point of view, it is said that the city is divided into two parts: the North that is wealthy and the South that is poor. The residential areas lie in the North.
When choosing an area where to live, each person has his/her own criteria. But when it comes to such a choice in Chicago, the main criteria is the rate of criminality. If there is one area that has to be avoided, it is, unfortunately, the South Side.
Other criteria may depend of the structure of the expatriate family, that is to say which school the children are going to attend and the location of work for the expatriated parents.
It might be a good idea to choose the school first and then look for a house or apartment. Especially if you choose a Chicago Public School, for which living in the school boundaries is mandatory. Moreover some international or private schools apply this rule, too.
Aside those criteria, there are a lot of nice neighborhoods to live in Chicago.
