The "Windy City" of Chicago is famous for its deep dish pizza and notoriously remembered for its gangster roots. Start over in Chicago and you will find a cornucopia of culture, sports and varied employment opportunities.

The third largest city in the U.S., Chicago is the seat of Illinois' Cook County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2005, almost 2.9 million people called this city home. A vibrant, young metropolis boasts an average resident age of just 33.1 years. Chicago is almost equally comprised of African Americans, Hispanics and White non-Hispanics. Five post secondary educational institutions have helped 30% of the city's adult population earn a bachelor's degree or higher. Over 95% of the workforce found employment in 2005, but remained below the national average. A quarter of all jobs was in educational services, health care and social assistance. The most popular occupations were management, professional and related, sales and office, and service industries. In 2005, 21.3% of city residents were considered poor by federal poverty standards, rising to 32.4% for the African American community.

The average house/condo value was $245,000, up from $132,400 in 2000. The cost of living is higher in Chicago than the national average. The good news for those moving to Chicago is declining crime rates dating back to 1999. If you like the changing of seasons, Chicago's climate offers something for everyone. Temperatures can average 96 degrees on high in the midst of summer to a low of 15 below in the dead of winter. Heavy snowfalls have been recorded due to the cold air flowing over Lake Michigan, and summer thunderstorms are a common occurrence. And, they don't call it the Windy City for nothing.

A diverse immigrant population has helped make Chicago a leader in national transportation, industrial, telecommunications, and financial industries. The city has a strong architectural presence, and its vast culture is derived from varied ethnic influences. Second only to New York, Chicago's boasts a large publishing industry and is the originator of many nationally distributed magazines, catalogs, educational materials, encyclopedias, and specialized publications. The Federal Reserve Bank, the Chicago Board of Trade, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are all headquartered here. The city skyline reaches great heights with edifices like the Sears Tower, the third-tallest man made structure in the world. Three more of the 10 tallest are located here, including the tallest apartment building, largest hotel and the largest post office. Thanks to its geographical location, the city is also home to world's largest and busiest airport with Chicago O?Hare International.

In the early years of the 20s and 30s, gangsters such as Aphonese "Scarface" Capone ruled this city. Those moving to Chicago today will find a culture ripe with famous theaters, plays, the arts, world class museums and many renowned places to dine. Night clubs found success with pioneering music legends lending their sound and tradition. Second City, a famous comedy troupe, started here and leant its talent to Saturday Night Live, a long running television success. Chicago is home to many professional sports franchises. Most notable teams include the Cubs and White Sox of baseball, the NFL Bears and NBA Bulls. Beach-goers are rediscovering Chicago's city shoreline, offering 29 miles of sandy beaches on Lake Michigan, once the most polluted of the Great Lakes. The city is home to annual events like the Chicago to Mackinac Island sailboat race and Chicago Marathon.

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