Chicago: America’s Underrated City

150 years ago,?Chicago was the fastest-growing city globally ?and the 2nd largest city in the United States. In the decades that followed, its rapid growth brought Chicago a bad reputation it is still struggling to shake off. This reputation doesn't bear much resemblance to the reality of life in this city. There's so much to love about Chicago, which is why I choose to live here and call it home.?

Chicago is a flourishing city - ranked among the most beautiful in the world - with world-class infrastructure, booming revenues, and a rich and diverse cultural environment.

In short, it's one of the world's most dynamic places and among the best to live. It offers a great mix of commerce, culture, and lifestyle, with something for everyone.

Here's some of what Chicago has going for it:

It's Big

Chicago had a total gross metropolitan product (GMP) of $770.7 billion in 2020, surpassing the total economic output of Switzerland. The city is home to more than 400 major corporate facilities, including headquarters for 37 Fortune 500 companies. Chicago has been number #1 in corporate expansions for the last nine years with 441 major business expansions and relocations in 2021 alone.

It's Busy

The city has the most diversified economy in the United States and plays a pivotal role in sectors as varied as risk management innovation, information technology, and health services. Chicago boasts a gross regional profit (GRP) of $698 billion -?larger than the likes of Poland, Thailand, Sweden, or Belgium . Chicago is?also ranked among the 20 most competitive ?financial centers globally.

Chicago has been ranked "Top Metro" in the US for corporate investment by Site Selection magazine for nine consecutive years. In 2021, Site Selection tracked 441 qualifying business expansions and relocations in the Chicagoland MSA, accounting for more than $2.8 billion in investments, 18,368 jobs, and 59 million square feet of expansion or new space. Among the companies expanding in Chicago are Nature's Fynd, Tegus, John Deere, Discover Financial Services, Kimberly Clark, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Quiet Logistics, and Italco Foods.

Chicago is also ranked?among the top data center ?locations for 2022, thanks to its rapid development, low cost of land, and lower power costs.

It's Beautiful

Thanks to its stunning architecture, clean streets, 570 beautiful parks, and 26 miles of uninterrupted lakefront along Lake Michigan, Chicago was?recently voted the second most beautiful ?city in the world and first in North America in the annual Time Out Index survey. The city is home to approximately 60 museums, eight major sports teams, 26 Michelin-starred restaurants, and 7 AAA Diamond-rated restaurants. These accolades place Chicago ahead of Paris, Amsterdam, and Vienna. The Chicago River is activated with new pathways and restaurants that transform the riverfront in the summers.?

Chicago is home to buildings by architectural icons like Mies Van Der Rohe, Adrian Smith, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Jeanne Gang and some excellent Brutalist and Art Deco structures. It features several buildings that were the tallest skyscrapers in the world at one time.?

It's Smart

Chicago has established itself as an epicenter for young, educated talent. The city has?won a Smart 50 Award ?as one of the world's most connected cities from Smart Cities Connect for its innovative Array of Things program and its ambition to be the most data-driven government in the world.

Chicago plays host to a total of 28 universities, most of which are?well-ranked? and include some of the nation's – and the world's – most prestigious universities: the University of Chicago (ranked 10th in the world), Northwestern University (31st), and the University of Illinois, which collectively produce the most MBA's and third most graduates in the country . For many students, the exceptional academic facilities on offer, alongside the many social and cultural opportunities, make studying in Chicago well worth the investment.

One of the best talent pools in the country can be found here. The city also remains more affordable when compared to coastal cities, an advantage for both employees and employers looking to hire the best talent. It's no surprise why big tech giants such as Uber, Salesforce, Google,?Snapchat , and many more have relocated to the windy city. In 2021, 17 venture capital funds raised?$7.42 billion , significant growth for the city's venture ecosystem. Overall, Chicago is seeing more capital than ever before for entrepreneurs to access.?

It's Fun

Chicago is ranked?as the most fun city in the United States ?and the second most fun city in the world, according to the latest Time Out Index, with friendly citizens and a plethora of places to go and things to do.

Some of the nation's most prominent, historical, and successful sports teams call Chicago home, including the Chicago Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox. Whether you're a fan of football, baseball, hockey, soccer, or basketball - there's something here for you.

Being an ideal place for top tech talent to work and grow their careers is made even better by what Chicago has to offer after hours. Chicago truly caters to all tastes with so much going on in terms of sport, culture, food, and music, no matter what you want to do with your downtime.

Sustainable Lifestyle

Despite its size and history, Chicago has a relatively low cost of living compared with many of the other major tech hubs, a big plus for Millennials and recent university leavers entering the workforce.?

Getting around the city is pretty easy. The Chicago L is the 4th largest transit system in the US. It has the?third most riders in the country , and only New York's metro has more stops. The L is convenient and easy to navigate, too.

If you prefer to get out and about by bicycle, Chicago has 303 miles of bike lanes and over 13,000 bike racks, and a large commuter population that cycles to work.

Chicago has a great environment when it comes to lifestyle. With 570 parks and approximately 500 playgrounds, the city is exercise- and kid-friendly.

Fulton Market

One particular neighborhood, Fulton Market on the city's near West Side, epitomizes Chicago's reinvention and is an area where we at CRG are focusing a great deal of our attention. In the 19th century, the Fulton Market area was a bustling marketplace for meatpackers, cold-storage facilities, and industrial manufacturing that contributed to the city's economic boom.

Now, Fulton Market is a top choice for Fortune 500 headquarters, high-end restaurants, and Chicago's most creative hotels and art galleries. It's a vibrant, trendy neighborhood that is the epicenter of innovation, hospitality, and culture, filled with new office buildings, modern apartments, and some of the hottest restaurants in town—not to mention global headquarters for McDonald's, SRAM, Aspen Dental, CCC, Mondelez, and Vital Proteins.?

Offering the live, work, play, stay lifestyle in one trendy precinct, leading companies are moving?en masse?to Fulton Market for its high-end shopping and coworking spaces. Over?70%? of all new office leases in Chicago since the start of the pandemic have been in Fulton Market. Not only does it meet the modern lifestyle needs of the city's professionals, but the area is also close to trains to the suburbs, only 10 minutes from downtown, and around the corner from some of the best sports teams in the world.

Rich in Arts & Culture

If you're an art fan like I am, EXPO CHICAGO, held every year for nearly 40 years, is an incredible platform to view contemporary art and culture. Since its inception, EXPO CHICAGO has remained dedicated to supporting local, regional, and international arts communities. EXPO CHICAGO has strong regional support throughout the Greater Midwest, both US coasts, and has maintained a growing international commitment from Europe, Asia, and Latin America.?

EXPO CHICAGO 2022 is underway this week. The expo includes participation by excellent galleries and artists, including some of my favorites: Mariane Ibrahim , a Somali-French art dealer who has hosted acclaimed exhibitions from leading and emerging artists, such as Amoako Boafo, Clotilde Jimenez, Maimouna Guerresi, Ayana V. Jackson, Lina Iris Viktor, and Florine Démosthène; Kavi Gupta , who amplifies voices of diverse and underrepresented artists to expand the canon of art history, and the renowned Nancy Hoffman Gallery .

For me, Chicago is the perfect home. It has an excellent, diverse economy, a great mix of 'live here, work here,' award-winning restaurants, inspiring architecture, world-class sports, and fascinating history.

Chicago has come a long way from its gritty roots, growing into one of the world's most exciting and vibrant cities. But unlike many other booming cities, it hasn't lost its heart: Chicago maintains its sense of history, a warm, Midwestern culture, and a feeling that you've come home.