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Illinois is known as a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Chicago is a thriving, on-the-rise city. The state is known to be the home to some of the best music festivals in the country. So, if you're considering relocating to Illinois, there are a few things you should be aware of and prepare for. Here are certain things you should know before moving to Illinois.
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If you are relocating to Illinois, you will need to hire a reputable moving company or move. When searching for the best relocation experts in Illinois, look for positive reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
If you are permanently relocating to Illinois and expect to receive a significant amount of mail (excluding packages), you should consider signing up for the USPS's mail forwarding service. Mail forwarding allows you to have your mail redirected to the correct address for a set period. For six months, regular mail forwarding costs slightly more than a dollar. You'll have to pay around $20 to keep the service for another six months. Visit the USPS website or your local Post Office and sign up for mail forwarding.
Moving to a new location provides an opportunity to start over. If you're relocating to Illinois, selling or donating items you won't need will help make the transition easier. You can sell your old household items, personal belongings, and anything else that is no longer useful. Select the things that will no longer be useful to you in Illinois. Then, decide whether to sell them on Craigslist or Facebook MarketPlace or donate them to a non-profit organization.
To register by mail or in person, submit a completed Illinois Voter Registration Application (Form SBE R-19) and two identification pieces to your local election authority or county clerk. Along with mail forwarding, you will need to update your new address with Illinois authorities such as the DMV. You should also update your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers to avoid future complications.
You should transfer your out-of-state driver's license within 90 days of moving to Illinois and establishing residency. To share your out-of-state driver's license, you must go to your local SOS Driver Services Facility and submit your old permit, proof of ID, and payment for a new driver's license fee. You must also pass the vision and written exams.
If you have recently relocated to Illinois, you must register your out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency. Failing to do this can result in fines and additional charges. To register your vehicle in Illinois, you must complete an Application for Vehicle Transaction (Form VSD 190). This form is available online through the Electronic Registration and Title system and your local SOS office. If you want to print and submit the form online, you will have seven days to do so and all required documentation.
Getting health insurance is a great way to have peace of mind about your health. With health insurance, you won't have to worry about blowing your budget in the event of a medical emergency. The state of Illinois has a website to assist you in searching for health insurance. Select Illinois as your state and set up an account.
Getting home insurance is necessary regardless of where you live. It is a type of financial insurance that will cover your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Severe storms, floods, tornadoes, landslides, and wildfires pose a high risk to Illinois residents. As a result, getting home insurance will be beneficial.
If you are a couple, you should think about relocating to Chicago. It has a suburban feel, a vibrant nightlife, a distinct neighborhood, a diverse culture, and numerous amenities.
Wheaton is a good option if you have a family. Wheaton has some of the best public schools in the area and plenty of job opportunities and parks for kids.
If you are single, you should think about relocating to Urbana. The University of Illinois, located in Urbana, brings life to the city. In addition, it offers a variety of amenities.
The Illinois Commerce Commission regulates Illinois' electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications services. They ensure that consumers access affordable, safe, and dependable energy services.
You can search for electricity, water, and gas providers on their website and even contact them if you have any questions. The primary goal of ICC is to keep customers informed about the services they receive from utility providers.
Everyone wishes to find a dependable internet service provider. Illinois has some of the best internet service providers. It is the sixth most connected state in the United States, with 349 broadband providers and 97 percent of residents having access to 10 Mbps internet service. Internet service providers in Illinois provide a variety of prices, speeds, and connection types.
When it comes to high-speed internet access in Illinois, numerous options are available, including cable, DSL, Fiber, and Satellite. The best internet providers in Illinois will offer bundling, varying speeds, and various package options at reasonable prices.
In Illinois, there are 198 sunny days per year on average. The highest temperature in the summer is 86°, and the lowest temperature in the winter is 17°. Illinois receives 22 inches of snow and 40 inches of rain per year on average. Summers in Illinois are hot and humid, with temperature fluctuations. Winters are bitterly cold and snowy. The fall and spring seasons in Illinois are beautiful, with gold, red, and orange colors.
Illinois is ranked 28th in healthcare quality and 16th in public health. To assist residents, the state government has implemented Medicaid in collaboration with the federal government, which provides medical care assistance.
Medicaid provides medical assistance to eligible children, parents, and caregivers of children, pregnant women, people who are disabled, blind, or older, people who were formerly in foster care services, and adults aged 18 to 65 who do not have Medicare and are not the parent or caregiver relative of a minor child. According to health officials, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and pulmonary conditions are major health concerns among adults in Illinois. At the same time, drug abuse, childhood obesity, stress, depression, and smoking are major health concerns among teenagers.
Illinois is primarily an agricultural state, with 27 million acres of farmland accounting for approximately 75% of the state's total land area. Corn, soybeans, swine, cattle, wheat, oats, sorghum, hay, sheep, poultry, fruits, and vegetables are widely grown here.
Agriculture contributes to the state economy, and the state is home to approximately 2,640 food manufacturing companies. With $180 billion in processed food sales, Illinois leads the nation.
Agricultural commodities in Illinois make animal feed, ink, paint, adhesives, clothing, soap, wax, cosmetics, medicines, furniture, paper, lumber, and food processing and sales.
There are a variety of neighborhoods for everyone moving to Illinois, regardless of lifestyle.
Deerfield is one of the best places to live in Illinois due to its low crime rate, low unemployment rate, and high livability score. The city's crime rate is roughly 70% lower than Illinois and the national average.
Western Springs is conveniently located between Chicago and Naperville. The city's high median household income (ranked ninth in the state), low unemployment rate, and low crime rates make it one of Illinois's best places to live.
Hinsdale is well-known for providing high-quality education. GreatSchools rated all of the city's elementary schools as 9/10, while the local middle and high schools were rated 10/10. More than 40% of the city's residents have a master's degree or higher.
Lake Bluff has one of Illinois' lowest poverty rates and is one of the state's most educated communities. A master's degree or higher is held by approximately 40% of adults in Lake Bluff, while a college degree is owned by around 80% of adults in the city.
Winnetka is regarded as one of the wealthiest communities in Illinois. This city has the highest household income in the state and one of the most expensive real estate markets.
Buffalo Grove is a Chicago suburb with one of the lowest crime rates in the state. In addition, the city has a low cost of living compared to other similar towns in the state.
Because of its meager crime rates, Elburn has been rated the safest city in Illinois. Elburn has a lower cost of living than other similar cities in Illinois.
Wilmette is consistently ranked as the city in Illinois with the highest education expenditure per student. Almost half of the city's adults have a master's degree or higher. Wilmette has a low crime rate and one of the state's highest median household incomes.
Clarendon Hills has one of Illinois' lowest employment rates. The city is also well-known for having one of the lowest crime rates in Illinois, making it one of the sought-after places to stay in the state.
La Grange Park is included partly because of its low crime rates, which are more than 50% lower than the state average. Compared to other cities on this list, the cost of living in La Grange Park is relatively low.
See also: 6 Largest Cities in Illinois to Move to
Conclusion
Illinois is a great state, while Chicago is its crowning achievement. Nobody can deny that the living experience in Illinois is exceptional and one-of-a-kind. While weighing the benefits and drawbacks of living in Illinois, you may have noticed that the state ranks high in outdoor entertainment, food scene, and natural beauty. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to pack our belongings and head to Illinois.
See also: Best Moving Companies in Chicago
Is Illinois a nice place to live?
According to WalletHub's Best States to Live In list, Illinois is the 18th best state to live in the country. WalletHub compared all fifty states in five categories: affordability, economy, education and wealth, quality of life, and safety.
Is Illinois an expensive state?
Illinois has the 19th highest overall cost of living compared to all other states. Living in Illinois costs about the same as it does in the rest of the USA. As per Bureau of Economic Analysis data, goods and services in the state cost just 1.9 percent less than they do on a national scale.
What is it like to live in Illinois during the winter?
The average annual temperature ranges from 48°F in the north to 58°F in the south, with highs ranging from 57°F in the north to 67°F in the south (south). Winter highs typically range from the 30s (north) to the mid-40s (south), while lows usually range from the teens to the upper 20s.
See also: Best Moving Companies in Illinois
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