Moving from San Francisco, CA to Chicago, IL

Another world-class experience awaits in the Windy City 

Few cities are as dynamic as San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL. Resonance Consultancy, which compiles a comprehensive annual ranking of the world’s top urban destinations, places Chicago No. 12 and San Francisco No. 14 on its World’s Best Cities list for 2021.  

How exciting to have the opportunity to live in two of the world’s most highly regarded cities! As you prepare to leave the Golden City for the Windy City, learn why Chicago drew nearly 58 million visitors (its all-time high) in 2019. And, discover an easier option for moving there. 

Enjoy the outdoors (when the weather allows) 

America’s third-largest city (population: 2.7 million) is designed for gathering and exploring. At more than three times the physical size of San Francisco, Chicago has vast public spaces that separate its skyline from Lake Michigan. The Lakeshore area has 26 miles of public beaches along with the 18.5-mile Lakefront Trail South for biking, walking, running or skating.  

Embrace the seasons 

While San Francisco residents see little change in the weather throughout the year, Chicago offers a different experience 2,100 miles east. Frigid winters are part of the package, but so are pleasant springs, summers and falls.  

Many Chicagoans live for summer, and for good reason. After getting through the frosty winter and thawing out in the spring, locals are eager to get out and play. In addition to watching Cubs and White Sox games, they gather for concerts like Lollapalooza, Pitchfork and the Windy City Lake Shake, and festivals like the Windy City Rib Fest and Old Town Art Fair. 

The architecture defies definition 

If you find yourself missing San Francisco’s eclectic mix of Victorian and modern architecture, Chicago is filled with similar structural diversity. Fun fact: The now-demolished Home Insurance Building — built in the late 1800s and standing 10 stories tall — is credited as the world’s first skyscraper! 

Today, many other significant structures make up Chicago’s cityscape, including the Rookery Building, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Tribute Tower and the Aqua Tower. For the best views and some historical flavor, treat yourself to an architectural boat tour along Lake Michigan. 

Wondering where to live? There’s a fit for you 

Enjoy the vibrance of San Francisco’s diverse neighborhoods? Chicago offers a similar vibe with more than 70 unique neighborhoods that reflect all the city has to offer, including popular spots like Old Town, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park and River North. 

Public transit makes car ownership optional 

Driving and parking is difficult in both San Francisco and Chicago. Fortunately, both cities have expansive public transportation systems. An estimated 12 percent of commuters use systems like Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and South Shore Line. 

Ride-sharing services and bicycles are also popular in Chicago. Most of the streets have bike lanes and rental bike stations are located throughout the city. 

Moving cross country is easy with U-Pack 

Did you know there’s a happy medium between hiring a full-service moving company and doing it yourself? U-Pack® offers a non-traditional approach designed to take the stress (and added costs) out of long-distance moving. Simply load your belongings into our equipment, then we deliver it to your new home in less than a week!  

Find your local service center here, or contact one of our helpful moving consultants for details and a free, no-obligation quote.