How does the cost of living vary between cities. What factors influence living expenses in different locations. How can you accurately compare costs across different areas. Why is understanding cost of living crucial for relocation decisions.
Understanding the Concept of Cost of Living
Cost of living is a crucial concept for anyone considering relocation or assessing their financial situation. But what exactly does it mean? Cost of living refers to the amount of money required to maintain a certain standard of living in a particular location. It encompasses various expenses that individuals and families incur on a regular basis.
The cost of living can vary significantly from one city to another, even within the same country. These variations are influenced by numerous factors, including:
- Local economic conditions
- Housing market trends
- Transportation infrastructure
- Food prices
- Healthcare costs
- Taxes
- Entertainment and leisure expenses
Understanding these differences is essential for making informed decisions about where to live, work, or retire. It allows individuals to assess whether their income will be sufficient to maintain their desired lifestyle in a new location.
Key Components of Cost of Living Calculations
When analyzing the cost of living in different areas, several key components are typically considered. These elements form the foundation of most cost of living calculators and comparisons:
Housing Costs
Housing often represents the largest expense in a household budget. This category includes:
- Rent or mortgage payments
- Property taxes
- Home insurance
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
- Maintenance and repairs
Housing costs can vary dramatically between cities and even neighborhoods within the same city. Urban centers and desirable suburban areas typically have higher housing costs compared to rural locations.
Transportation Expenses
Transportation is usually the second-largest expense for most households. It encompasses:
- Public transit fares
- Car payments
- Fuel costs
- Vehicle maintenance and repairs
- Parking fees
- Tolls
The availability and efficiency of public transportation can significantly impact overall transportation costs. In cities with extensive public transit systems, residents may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for a personal vehicle, potentially resulting in substantial savings.
Food and Grocery Costs
Food expenses are another significant component of living costs. This category includes:
- Grocery items
- Dining out
- Takeout meals
Food costs can vary based on local agricultural conditions, transportation costs, and the prevalence of food deserts in certain areas. Urban centers often have higher food costs due to increased overhead for retailers, while rural areas might benefit from proximity to farms and lower operating costs for stores.
Healthcare Expenses
Healthcare costs are an increasingly important factor in cost of living calculations. This category includes:
- Health insurance premiums
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses
- Prescription medications
- Dental and vision care
Healthcare costs can vary significantly between regions due to differences in insurance markets, the availability of medical facilities, and state regulations.
Entertainment and Leisure
While often considered discretionary, entertainment and leisure expenses play a role in overall quality of life and cost of living assessments. This category may include:
- Movie tickets
- Sporting events
- Concerts
- Gym memberships
- Hobbies and recreational activities
The cost of entertainment can vary widely between locations, often correlating with the overall cost of living in an area.
Factors Influencing Cost of Living Variations
Numerous factors contribute to the differences in cost of living between cities and regions. Understanding these influences can help individuals better interpret cost of living data and make more informed decisions.
Economic Conditions
Local economic conditions play a significant role in determining the cost of living. Areas with strong job markets and high average incomes often have higher living costs. Conversely, economically depressed regions may have lower costs but also fewer job opportunities.
Geographic Location
A city’s geographic location can impact living costs in several ways:
- Coastal cities often have higher housing costs due to limited land availability
- Areas prone to natural disasters may have higher insurance costs
- Remote locations might have higher food and goods prices due to transportation costs
Population Density
Highly populated urban areas typically have higher living costs due to increased demand for housing and services. Rural areas often have lower costs but may lack certain amenities or job opportunities.
Local Policies and Regulations
Government policies can significantly impact living costs:
- Zoning laws affect housing availability and prices
- Tax rates influence overall expenses
- Minimum wage laws can affect prices for goods and services
Utilizing Cost of Living Calculators
Cost of living calculators are valuable tools for comparing expenses between different locations. These calculators typically use data from reputable sources to provide estimates of how far a given income will stretch in various cities.
How Cost of Living Calculators Work
Most cost of living calculators follow a similar process:
- Input your current location and income
- Select a comparison city
- The calculator adjusts your income based on the cost differences between the two locations
- Results show how much you would need to earn in the new location to maintain your current standard of living
Interpreting Calculator Results
When using a cost of living calculator, it’s important to understand that results are estimates based on average data. Individual experiences may vary based on personal lifestyle choices and specific circumstances. Nonetheless, these tools provide valuable insights for initial comparisons and can help guide further research.
Importance of Cost of Living in Relocation Decisions
Understanding cost of living differences is crucial when considering a move to a new city or region. It allows individuals and families to:
- Assess whether a job offer in a new location is truly beneficial
- Determine if retirement savings will be sufficient in a potential retirement destination
- Evaluate the financial implications of moving for educational opportunities
- Make informed decisions about where to start a business or invest in real estate
By considering cost of living alongside other factors such as job opportunities, quality of life, and personal preferences, individuals can make more holistic and satisfying relocation decisions.
Strategies for Managing High Cost of Living Areas
For those living in or considering a move to high-cost areas, several strategies can help manage expenses:
Housing Alternatives
In expensive housing markets, consider:
- Shared living arrangements
- Smaller living spaces
- Suburban or exurban locations with lower costs
- Rent-to-own options
Transportation Optimization
Reduce transportation costs by:
- Using public transit when available
- Carpooling or ridesharing
- Walking or cycling for short trips
- Choosing fuel-efficient vehicles
Smart Shopping and Budgeting
Manage food and entertainment costs through:
- Meal planning and bulk purchasing
- Taking advantage of local free or low-cost events
- Utilizing discount programs and loyalty rewards
- Exploring affordable dining options
Future Trends in Cost of Living
As we look to the future, several trends are likely to impact cost of living calculations and comparisons:
Remote Work Revolution
The increasing prevalence of remote work may lead to:
- Decoupling of job location from residence
- Potential equalization of salaries across geographic regions
- Increased demand for previously overlooked, lower-cost areas
Technological Advancements
Emerging technologies could affect living costs by:
- Reducing energy costs through improved efficiency
- Lowering transportation expenses with autonomous vehicles
- Changing healthcare delivery and costs through telemedicine
Climate Change Impacts
Climate change may influence cost of living through:
- Increased insurance costs in areas prone to natural disasters
- Shifts in agricultural production affecting food prices
- Energy cost fluctuations due to changing demand patterns
As these trends develop, individuals and policymakers will need to adapt their approaches to cost of living assessments and financial planning.
Understanding and analyzing cost of living differences is an essential skill in today’s mobile society. By leveraging available tools and data, individuals can make more informed decisions about where to live, work, and invest. As economic conditions and societal trends continue to evolve, staying informed about cost of living factors will remain crucial for personal financial success and satisfaction.
Whether you’re a recent graduate considering job offers in different cities, a family planning a move, or a retiree exploring new locations, taking the time to thoroughly research and compare cost of living can lead to better financial outcomes and a higher quality of life. Remember that while cost of living calculators and comparisons provide valuable insights, they should be used in conjunction with personal research and consideration of individual priorities and lifestyle preferences.
As you navigate decisions related to cost of living, consider consulting with financial advisors, real estate professionals, and locals in potential destination areas to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what life might be like in a new location. By combining data-driven analysis with personal insights, you can make choices that align with both your financial goals and your vision for the future.
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Compare the cost of living in 2 cities.
Current cityIf you can’t find a city, you can type the state name to see all cities available in that state.
New city
Pre-tax household income
Los Angeles-Long Beach
Comparable Income: $40,721
Miami-Dade County
Comparable Income: $32,025
Chicago
Comparable Income: $32,344
Boston
Comparable Income: $40,695
New York (Manhattan)
Comparable Income: $65,085
Philadelphia
Comparable Income: $28,367
Afford the city you want to live in
Get free guidance on changes you can make to afford more home, without spending more.
Where does the data come from?
Core cost of living data is from The Cost of Living Index – COLI from the Council for Community and Economic Research, or C2ER. Researchers conducted price collection in each city at a specified time and followed specific standards.
Education data was provided courtesy of Greatschools, a nationwide ratings system that evaluates schools based on performance on state achievement tests, graduation rates and other factors.
NerdWallet’s calculator doesn’t include tax data, which can vary by and within metropolitan areas.
How is this tool different from other resources out there?
If you want more information about one of the cities you’ve compared, you can use NerdWallet’s City Life tool for data on local schools and businesses, walkability and demographics — more than basic cost comparisons. You can see Manhattan’s page here. Input the city name and state abbreviation for other locations to see their information.
What is ‘cost of living’?
One of most important determinations you need to make before moving to a new city or town is how much it will cost to live there. “Cost of living” is the amount of money you need to sustain a certain lifestyle in a given place.
Because the price of goods and services varies from one city to the next, calculating the cost of living will determine how affordable it is to live in a certain area.
The expenses that factor into cost of living can include housing affordability, transportation expenses, food prices and entertainment costs. Cost of living is also tied to income, as salary levels in a geographic area are measured against these expenses.
What is the breakdown of the cost of living?
Housing costs: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest bill consumers pay each month is for housing. Whether that’s a mortgage or rent, a large percentage of your salary will go toward your housing expenses. Home prices, property taxes and monthly rents vary from state to state, city to city, town to town and even neighborhood to neighborhood. For homeowners, there are more expenses to consider than just the monthly mortgage payment. There are also maintenance costs, upgrades, taxes and fees to take into account when deciding where to live.
Transportation: Unless you’re lucky enough to work from home, you will need to factor in transportation costs when deciding where to live.
According to the BLS, transportation is the second-largest expense consumers have. For some, these costs include taking public transportation. For others, it involves driving your car, and that means factoring in car repairs, gas, tolls and parking. Proximity to employment is an important consideration because it can drastically impact your cost of living.Food: Weekly trips to the grocery store can add up, especially if food costs are high where you live. According to the latest BLS data, consumers average over $8,000 per year on food expenses. There are ways to trim that down. You could eat out less, cut back on takeout and cook more often. But even then, the price of groceries is going to significantly influence your cost of living.
Entertainment: A movie ticket, a pint of beer, box seats at a baseball game — they can all come with a different price tag depending upon where you live. And it adds up. Americans spend an average of more than $3,500 per year on entertainment.
But just like with food costs, you can curb how much you spend on entertainment by altering your behavior.Healthcare costs: On average, Americans spend almost $5,500 per year on healthcare costs. For most people, the bulk of these costs are made up by insurance premiums, but if you’re uninsured — or are considering an area with few in-network providers — healthcare costs may play a role in where you decide to live.
Education: Some of the metro areas covered by this calculator also include a GreatSchools score, which gives public schools a 1-10 rating. If you’re moving to an area with excellent public schools, your education costs may remain low — most Americans pay about $1,200 per year — but if you decide you’d prefer private schools for your child, this may also factor into your cost of living.
According to the BLS, transportation is the second-largest expense consumers have. For some, these costs include taking public transportation. For others, it involves driving your car, and that means factoring in car repairs, gas, tolls and parking. Proximity to employment is an important consideration because it can drastically impact your cost of living.
But just like with food costs, you can curb how much you spend on entertainment by altering your behavior.What is a cost of living index?
A cost of living index allows you to directly compare what it costs to live in one area against another, helping you understand how far your money can go in each place.
For example, the cost of living in San Francisco is twice that of Twin Falls, Idaho. Whether you use a cost of living index or a cost of living calculator, each will help you feel more confident in deciding where to live.
About the calculator
NerdWallet’s cost of living calculator is powered by data from C2ER. According to the council, its cost of living index “is the only local level cost of living index available for the U.S.” It adds that, “Items on which the Index is based have been carefully chosen to reflect the different categories of consumer expenditures.”
C2ER was founded in 1961, and it continues to exist today as a nonprofit organization. It has published its quarterly Cost of Living Index since 1968. It is comprised of data about “over 60 goods and services collected at the local level from over 300 independent researchers.”
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A Magical Family Weekend in Chicago
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Just because you’re a family of Disney fans doesn’t mean you can only ever run away to Orlando to have a good time. Since we live in the Midwest, it’s much easier for us to travel to locations in the middle of the country, and the past weekend we did just that. Our family of four spent some time in Downtown Chicago. I used a lot of my Disney touring tips and tricks to help things go more smoothly, and to guide some of our activities and dining. I want to share some of the fun that we had, and some of the ways I apply my Disney touring knowledge to our non-Disney family vacations! I’ll cover what we did just this weekend, and then some more generic recommendations from other Chicago trips too.
Where To Stay
I don’t like recommending specific hotels because SO much can change so quickly with things like price, service, staffing and amenities.
But I do have very firm ideas about the general area you should try to stay in, especially if you have shorter-legged folk in your family. Once I narrow things down to the appropriate area, then I just hunt for the best deal at a hotel with great ratings on sites like Google, Priceline, and Tripadvisor.
We always aim to stay in the Loop, as close to the north-east “corner” of that area as possible. By that I mean an ideal location for us is the corner of Michigan and Wacker, just south of the river and just west of Michigan Avenue. From this location, it’s easy to get up onto the Magnificent Mile, down onto the Riverwalk, or over to Millennium Park and all of its fun. There are also plenty of dining and shopping options nearby, theaters if you want to catch a show, and the Chicago Cultural Center, which I consider to be something of a hidden gem.
On a previous trip, we stayed at StayPineapple, which had a great theme and feel for families with young kids. But on this trip we got even luckier and stayed at the exact ideal location I mentioned above.
At that corner I mentioned is LondonHouse Chicago, which is the #1 rated hotel in all of Chicago on Tripadvisor. I found an Express Deal a few weeks earlier that seemed to be “broken” (aka, was priced much lower than it should have been) and pounced on it when I cross-checked enough to feel comfortable that it would end up being LondonHouse. It was!
Exterior of LondonHouse on Wacker Street
Even the entrance is stunning!
Make sure to look up
We sometimes wished the elevators would take longer to arrive
Posh kids (in classy tie-dye) playing chess in the lobby
We booked a “blind” room (aka, no specific room type – just one that promises to fit 4 humans) for $180/night, which was already a crazy deal. The cheapest room type available directly on the LondonHouse website for our same travel dates was a double/double room for $485/night. When our room got assigned, it was actually a very large King 1 Bedroom Suite. We had SO much space in a room that was retailing for at least $579 a night.
I joke that we can now never come back to Chicago. We will always be paying way more money for way less space in the future. We enjoyed it thoroughly while we could.
Bedroom in the 1 Bedroom King Suite
Including two bonus sleeping surfaces, if we’d needed them!
Pull-out couch, second tv, and desk in spacious second room
A lovely, large, well-lit bathroom
The view from the bedroom overlooked Michigan Avenue
Our girls in their favorite spot – watching from the window
Shopping as a Family: Souvenirs, Budgeting and More
Chicago is ALL about shopping. And elementary-age kids love things. Even Disney satisfaction scores show that they love attractions that result in take-home items (droids, lightsabers and the like). We have lots of budgeting tricks that we utilize in the parks, and we use some of the same techniques on non-Disney trips.
For example, this weekend included stops in a lot of our recommended stores:
- Primark (for low-priced Disney attire and other items)
- It’Sugar (for bribery and/or snacks)
- Lego store
- American Girl store
But each store came with its own unique rules.
First, we never intend to walk into a store unless we intend on making/allowing purchases. During this trip, we had one exception to the rule. Our girls have been promised that if they read all of the chapter books for a single historical American Girl doll, they can have that doll. So that visit was used for motivation – not purchasing.
In the other shops, we set rules and/or spending limits. For example, in Primark, each girl got to pick one “nightgown” (aka, adult shirt that they can wear as a nightgown) and one shirt. Anything beyond those purchases came out of their own spending money, not ours. At It’Sugar, they got to pick some select-your-own candy to go into a parent-supervised baggie as an afternoon snack. And at the Lego store, they got to pick out a Lego set that was priced at or under $10. All of this allowed them to browse and have fun while also knowing the limits and not breaking the bank.
Cheap Disney shirts abound at Primark!
And stuffed buddies too, of course
Overwhelmed by their options at It’Sugar
Jumping right into the action at the American Girl store
360 Chicago: A View from the Top
During our last family visit to Chicago, our girls were astonished by the towering view … from our 5th floor hotel room.
So I knew that on this trip we needed to get higher. There are two obvious choices for that goal – Skydeck Chicago (in the Willis-formerly-Sears Tower) and 360 Chicago (in the formerly-Hancock Building). Willis is taller, but also more expensive and further out of the way compared to the rest of our itinerary. At 94 floors up, 360 Chicago would be plenty tall for our kids who were gleeful about their 5th-floor view.
There are many ticket packages available for 360 Chicago, from admission to admission + TILT (where you stand in a glass box and they tilt you toward the ground), to “sip + view” where you get a voucher for a drink from the bar, and even a skip-the-admission-line ticket.
Here’s the secret. You don’t need a skip-the-admission-line ticket. Your regular old timed ticket, if you purchase it any time before you’re on-site, will allow you to skip the admission line. Reservation holders have a separate entrance. And once you’re past admission, there is almost never any wait.
We went mid-afternoon during a BUSY summer weekend, and had maybe a 2-minute wait for an elevator. Not worth paying more to skip any supposed line. But you do want to purchase in advance – that admission line was crazy-long and chaotic.
We didn’t do TILT because you have to be 42 inches tall … and because my fear of heights is manageable but not that manageable. TILT also has timed tickets, but the line for reservation holders was filling two different switchbacks and had to be at least 30 minutes long. Can’t really recommend that unless you just feel like you need a “thrill”. The views are plenty stunning from all around the 94th floor. Our family spent about 30 minutes wander and taking pictures and absorbing everything there was to see.
Looking up toward our 1000-foot journey
Waving across the lake from high above
The view here is almost incomprehensible!
Pixar Putt
We are the core demographic for Pixar Putt. Our family loves to mini-golf, and we obviously love Disney.
Still, I was skeptical. A family-pack of tickets for the weekend we were visiting was well over $100. We can play fun mini-golf for a lot less. But I had to try it out … for science.
Pixar Putt is a seasonal installation at Navy Pier during the summer (and in several other cities during various times of year). There are 18 holes and each is themed to a different Pixar movie. Now, I’ll fully admit that the theming is next-level. Only a couple of holes felt really phoned in. But on the whole (it’s a mini golf pun), there was a lot of careful attention paid to having designs and functionality that matched the movies. You had to go over a marigold bridge for Coco and down a piano for Soul. On hole 18, your ball travels into the air in the Up house before falling down Paradise Falls. It was all delightful and fun.
Starting off on our mini-golf adventure
And taking the obligatory prop photos
Incredibles hole – where there are four holes and you have to get one ball in each.
Cars hole with loop-the-loop
Soul hole, complete with piano
Finding Nemo hole with Nigel (why was his mouth not the goal???)
Brave hole – very tricky indeed
Toy Story hole – the claaaaaawwwwww
Luca hole was especially pretty
Example of lack of foot space or thoughtful design
The grand finale – a floating Up house and Paradise Falls
That being said, there are certainly some downsides – price being the major one. Am I glad we did it once? Yes. Everything on Navy Pier is pretty wildly expensive, so it was worth the time and money for us. But I wouldn’t do it again.
Most of the holes were not designed to consider space for standing. This resulted in many awkward shots, and eventually cause our 4 year old to tumble off the side and get a pretty bad scrape to her leg (which all of the attendants stood around watching us try to address and clean up without helping at all).
And all of the holes are subjected to the elements throughout the summer, so many of them were pretty worn-down and worn-out by the time we played. This led to golf balls meandering back to where they started from because of uneven surfaces, major decorative elements fallen down or missing, and more.
Still – we got a lot of cute pictures, and even with the big knee boo-boo, our girls rated it as one of their favorite activities of the weekend.
Ed Debevic’s: A 50’s Prime Time Cafe Comparison
I’m pretty sure Ed Debevic’s qualifies as a Chicago classic. I distinctly remember eating there when I was younger, and I even have a mini souvenir sundae glass that is now at least 2 decades old. Vintage! And since I already have 50s Prime Time Cafe reservations for later this year, I wanted to see how my kids would react to dinner and service all being an act.
They LOVED it. Ate it up. Participated in the fun and laughed at all of the shenanigans. Servers at Ed Debevic’s are mean.
Rude. Silly. And they are great at their job. I don’t know how they keep the energy up. If you’ve been to Prime Time Cafe, think about that kind of interaction, but dialed up to a level of obnoxious even above what you might experience at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It’s LOUD thanks to the in-house DJ. There is lots of yelling. Your servers will even dance on elevated platforms between the tables.
But it’s so much fun. The food is decent too – my burger was easily the best I’ve had in several months, and our girls devoured their kids meals. You’re not here for fancy dining, but what they offer is made well and served up quickly.
If your kids are shy, or you don’t like forced funny interactions with servers, this is not the place for you. But if you want something fun and different, give Ed’s a try!
We will gladly endorse eating at Ed’s
Servers (who give the best cast members at Disney a run for their money) dancing between tables
One kid thoroughly enjoying ALL of the shenanigans (and her lemonade)
Another kid who declared this to be the best grilled cheese EVER
Chef Art Smith’s Reunion: This Is No Homecomin’
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs is perennially well-rated in our dining satisfaction surveys.
It’s not winning any awards from readers, but it’s popular and generally has positive reviews. I decided to try out the Chicago equivalent during our trip, and got dinner reservations on a Sunday at Reunion, which is located on the Navy Pier.
Things started out well – the weather was beautiful, and all of the doors were opened up to the outside. We were seated as soon as we walked up and checked in for our reservation. And we even got complimentary “shots” of lemonade when they brought us our waters.
After that, everything was a bit of a mixed bag. I tried ordering the Brown Butter Old-Fashioned, but they were out of some critical component, and could not make any old-fashioned. I could have gotten up and left after just that news. But instead I opted for a Southern Sour made with the same bourbon. It was decent. My husband tried to order a no-jito. 2 minutes later our server came back and said they were also out of mint. So he just defaulted to a full-sized lemonade instead.
We ordered the Goat Cheese Buttermilk Biscuits as an appetizer. The portions were large, and the flavor was phenomenal, but the texture was off. If I was Paul Hollywood, I would be complaining about the amount of goat cheese resulting in no discernable crumb. For a biscuit, that’s a major no-no. And the bottoms of each biscuits were all hard and almost sticky. Very odd, but I’ll give them a pass because they were so tasty.
Kids meals at Reunion are expensive. $12 each and no included drink. That’s more expensive than Homecomin’, for what appears to be the exact same meals in both locations. One girl got a cheeseburger (she ate less of this burger than her Ed Debevic’s burger), and the other got chicken fingers, which was the much superior choice. Both spent more stomach space on their mac than on their main.
My husband ordered the salmon and thought it was great. For the price, it was certainly a smaller portion and he totally cleaned his plate. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich, and requested no pickles.
The pickles arrived intact, desecrating my bun (pickle-haters know what I mean). I took off the fried chicken and tried to eat the tomatoes too – but they were disappointingly a shade of pink that was very close to white, and one had inedible core in the middle. I may have gotten a bad piece of fried chicken, but it was very tough. And my sandwich came with a gigantic bowl of fries … which had no salt and were all soggy.
After the drink dilemma and the unimpressive entrees, we cut our losses and didn’t even order dessert. I can’t recommend a meal at Reunion to anyone – unless you want to gamble on ingredient availability and quality.
The entrance to Reunion is inside the main Navy Pier building
A menu that seems strikingly similar to Homecomin’
And a beautiful interior and outdoor seating area
The goat cheese biscuits were a decent start
My back-up drink option – a Southern Sour
Kids Chicken Finger meal
Kids Cheeseburger meal (caution: Mac and Cheese is hotter than it appears)
Pan-Seared Salmon
The sad, sad Fried Chicken Sandwich
Other Chicago Recommendations for Families
We’ve been to Chicago as a family twice now, and I grew up going at least once a year with my family.
If you’ve got young-ish kids, here’s a slightly more robust list of recommendations, in no particular order:
- I lied about the order. But only for this top tip. Maggie Daley Park is the hidden gem of Downtown Chicago. It’s got mini-golf and open spaces to hang out, and climbing walls, and all kinds of other activities. But mostly it has a play garden. A well-maintained, generally shade-covered, mostly-enclosed play garden. There are several different areas like a splash pad, two different types of swings, a lighthouse slide, a large boat, several smaller boats, an “enchanted forest” and a whole complex of slides. We spend hours here on every trip, and it’s my number one recommendation for kids.
- You’ll find plenty of food options for even the pickiest eaters. But if you need some special treats for the sake of bribery or buoying tired legs, we really really love Stan’s Donuts (multiple locations) and Molly’s Cupcakes (also multiple locations). The Ghiradelli locations on Michigan Avenue can also be a lot of fun.
- The Chicago Cultural Center is another spot that doesn’t make a lot of “with kids” lists, but I consider to be a diamond in the rough. The architecture inside is amazing, and there are often whole ballrooms empty where you can blast “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” on your phone while you dance around wildly. Not that we’ve ever done such shenanigans.
- The exterior of Tribune Tower (very conveniently located near Michigan Avenue and the river) has its own sort of seek and find game, with rocks from every state and many historic sites integrated into its stonework. Our girls love pointing out what they find and learning about where it’s from. Educational and entertaining. I’m here for it.
- Shedd Aquarium is at least a half-day adventure that is enjoyable for even the littlest of littles. It does get crowded, so approach it with a touring strategy. Rope drop (line up before it opens), and go immediately to the lowest level. You’ll have the place to yourselves while everyone else explores the first things they happen upon.
- Museum of Science and Industry and Field Museum are also both stunning and well worth the price of admission. MSI is good for the roughly elementary aged set, although it offers a LOT of tempting upcharges that can quickly get parents in trouble. Field Museum could be good for elementary and middle schoolers depending on how you approach it and your kids’ interests.
- The Riverwalk and various boat cruises help show a different side to the city and can help kids learn about some history and architecture in a fun and not-boring way. We haven’t done a boat tour yet with our girls, but they very much enjoyed walking along the river during a weekend where almost every spot was bustling with something to look at.
- If you’ve got kids that like to shop, stick to State Street rather than Michigan Avenue. Everything is cheaper, and you won’t have to mortgage your house if they break something in one of the State Street shops. The exceptions to this rule are mostly the Lego store and the American Girl store, both located in Water Tower Place.
Maggie Daley Park – boat structure
Maggie Daley Park – swings with a view
Maggie Daley Park – nautical adventures
Maggie Daley Park – Lighthouse slide
Maggie Daley Park – an exciting bridge
Maggie Daley Park – slide play structure
Maggie Daley Park – downtown oasis
Tribune Tower – seek and find
Tribune Tower – found our home state!
Stans Donuts – our favorite breakfast spot
Stans Donuts – can’t go wrong with these choices
Molly’s Cupcakes – another great treat spot
Do you have any questions about spending time in Chicago, or other suggestions for visitors? Share them in the comments! And please let us know if there are other travel destinations you’d like us to post about in the future.
Rock Weekend, radio broadcast, listen online
program
We watch everything
Andrey Budberg’s musical program
Vacation every day
Music.
EventsNot yet evening
Eventsradio
broadcast
music radio shows
Radio Mayak
Cult Programs (Radio Mayak)
Marathon with Anastasia Shtark and Marker.
School
Together with our lecturer Anastasia Shtark, we organized a portrait marathon.
Watch all broadcasts and draw with us.
First broadcast!
Live on June 25 she painted a stunning image on the magical and complex theme “LIGHT”!!!
To take part in the marathon of our instagram account @markerschool, and WIN PRIZES FROM OUR SCHOOL AND SPONSORS, there are several conditions:
- You need to draw three tasks – three porters according to our references. One per week. The recording of this broadcast is just on the topic of the first task.
- Use the marathon hashtag when publishing your work in IG: #markerschool_shtark
- And you need to subscribe to our page of IG and marathon sponsors, which you can find in the publication with a poster in the country of our school on Instagram.
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second theme – JULY 2
third theme – JULY 9
Prizes from sponsors will be drawn among the best works chosen by sponsors and Anastasia.
And the MAIN PRIZE of the marathon from us will be the author’s course from Anastasia Shtark – “Basic course of portrait illustration v.2.0” !!!
Which we will raffle RANDOMLY among all marathon participants!!!
Therefore, if you want our super course, be sure to participate!! Good luck and inspiration to all!
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You can view and manage your favorites in your account in the “My Courses” section.
This mini-course has been successfully added to your favorites.
You can view and manage your favorites in your account in the “My mini-courses” section.
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You can view and manage your favorites in your account in the “My mini-courses” section.
