Best Santa Ana to Chicago Movers and Practical Moving Guide
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Moving from the sunny landscapes of Santa Ana, CA, to the bustling energy of Chicago, IL, spells an exciting chapter in your life. While you'll swap the laid-back vibe and palm trees of the "Golden City" for the Windy City's soaring skyscrapers and deep-dish pizza, remember that such a significant transition requires meticulous planning. To ensure your journey is smooth and stress-free, it’s crucial to entrust your move to trusted and reliable professional movers. At Great Guys Moving, we meticulously rank the best movers using an unbiased algorithm, ensuring you get top-notch service for this long-distance move.
Best Santa Ana to Chicago Moving Companies
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Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Chicago to Santa Ana guide.
5 Best Santa Ana to Chicago Moving Companies
These are the top recommended movers based on our unbiased & regularly updated ranking algorithm (NOT paid promotions)
About Pure Moving
Pure Moving has six locations across California, including an office in Los Angeles. This locally operated business moves over 10,000 client...Read More >>
Services
- Residential moving
- Commercial moving
- Long-distance moving
About Terry Moving & Storage
Terry Moving & Storage offers full-service moves locally and throughout the 11 Western States. This Lake Forest-based business has helpe...Read More >>
Services
- Local Move
- Interstate Move
- Packing Services
About 606 Movers, Inc.
606 Movers, Inc. has been serving the Chicagoland area for over 12 years. This professional moving company offers quality, eco-friendly movi...Read More >>
Services
- Residential Movers
- Commercial Movers
- Packing & Unpacking Services
About Move-tastic!
What happens when two passionate triathletes decide to make extra income using their physical abilities? The result is an energetic moving c...Read More >>
Services
- Full Moves
- Truck Loading and Unloading
- Interstate Moving Assistance
About Safe-Way Moving, Inc.
As a family-owned and operated moving company, Safe-Way Moving, Inc. has served all of Orange County since 2007. It offers both residential ...Read More >>
Services
- Local Moving
- Long Distance Moving
- Commercial Moving
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Dependable Rankings You Can Count On!
Our rankings are data-driven — movers cannot purchase a spot on our list. Here's why you can have confidence in our recommendations:
- No Paid Placements: Every company earns its spot through merit, not payment.
- Extensive Analysis: Evaluated over 24,000 movers across the country for our rankings.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Neighborhood Comparison
Moving to a new city can be daunting, but familiarizing yourself with your new surroundings is easier when you have a point of comparison. This guide will help you match the vibe and culture of Santa Ana, CA & Chicago, IL neighborhoods, making your transition smoother. We’re here to compare top neighborhoods from your current city to those in your new city, ensuring you find a community that feels like home.
| Santa Ana | Chicago | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Floral Park | Roscoe Village | Family-friendly vibe, historic homes |
| West Floral Park | Beverly | Well-manicured lawns, strong community feel |
| Morrison Park | Old Irving Park | Spacious parks, quiet residential streets |
| Washington Square | Wicker Park | Vibrant nightlife, boutique shopping |
| French Park | Lincoln Square | Culturally rich, cozy cafes |
| Fisher Park | Hyde Park | Diverse community, close to major museums |
| Armstrong Park | Portage Park | Family-oriented, historic theaters |
| Riverview West | Bucktown | Artsy, with a mix of old and new |
| South Coast | South Loop | Urban, near major attractions |
| Heninger Park | Pilsen | Vibrant art scene, rich cultural heritage |
If you're intrigued by the family-friendly ambiance and historic charm of Floral Park, you'll appreciate the similar atmosphere in Roscoe Village, where sidewalks are often filled with strollers and dog walkers in the midst of beautiful historic homes. For those who enjoy Floral Park's community-focused lifestyle but are looking for something with a bit more urban flair, Wicker Park in Chicago offers an exciting mix of vibrant nightlife and boutique shopping, making it a popular choice for younger residents and creatives. Meanwhile, if the cultural richness and cozy cafes of French Park are what you cherish, Lincoln Square will make you feel right at home with its array of cultural institutions, like the Old Town School of Folk Music, nestled among inviting cafes and bountiful green spaces.
Things to Do in Chicago
Explore the Art Institute of Chicago- Watch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field
- Visit Shedd Aquarium
- Enjoy Millennium Park concerts
- Take the Chicago Architecture River Cruise
- Discover the Field Museum
Ready to start your move?
Pros and Cons of Moving from Santa Ana to Chicago
Moving from one city to another is a significant decision, often accompanied by a mix of excitement and apprehension. This comparison aims to offer an honest reflection of Santa Ana, CA to Chicago, IL, outlining both the desirable and less desirable aspects of such a relocation. By examining the pros and cons, you'll gain insights that could help make your transition smoother and more informed.
Santa Ana, CA- Higher living costs
- Less public transportation
- Milder weather
- Less cultural diversity
Chicago, IL- More affordable housing
- Better transit options
- Vibrant seasons
- Rich multicultural scene
Chicago, IL- Colder winters
- Far from coast
- Longer food miles
- Higher population density
Santa Ana, CA- Year-round sunshine
- Close to beaches
- Fresher produce
- Less crowded
In moving from Santa Ana to Chicago, you'll be trading the comfort of year-round sunshine and proximity to California's stunning beaches for the hustle and bustle of a bigger city with its vibrant change of seasons. Chicago's renowned public transit system, including the "L" trains and buses, ensures you're well-connected throughout the city—particularly handy in neighborhoods like the Loop, Wicker Park, and Lincoln Park. You'll discover a rich tapestry of cultural diversity, from the historic Mexican-American influences in Pilsen, with its colorful murals and authentic eateries such as Birrieria Zaragoza, to the robust Polish community in the Avondale area. Though you might miss Santa Ana's fresh produce, Chicago compensates with a culinary scene that ranges from Michelin-star restaurants like Alinea to deep-dish pizza icons like Lou Malnati's. The transition might be challenging, especially when braving Chicago's winters, but the city's rich cultural experiences and stunning lakefront parks, such as Millennium Park, offer compelling reasons to make the Windy City your new home.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Food Guide
When relocating, it's not just the scenery that changes; the local cuisine also offers a whole new experience. In this guide, we're making a comparison of the local cuisine between Santa Ana & Chicago to help you get a taste of what your new home has to offer, ensuring a smoother transition into the food scene of your future city.
| Santa Ana | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Tacos | Deep-dish pizza |
| Most popular meat dish | Carnitas | Italian beef sandwich |
| Most popular street food item | Taquitos | Chicago-style hot dog |
| Most popular vegan food | Avocado toast | Seitan wings |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
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| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
If you're moving from Santa Ana to Chicago, you're transitioning from a city known for its Mexican cuisine with items like tacos and carnitas to a place celebrated for its hearty deep-dish pizzas and savory Italian beef sandwiches. Chicago isn't just about traditional meat dishes; the city also has a robust vegan scene, offering seitan wings and other innovative plant-based dishes. Neighborhoods like Lincoln Park or the West Loop are foodie heavens in Chicago, hosting restaurants like Alinea for those seeking a unique fine dining experience, or Portillo's for a taste of the local fast-food culture. Additionally, both cities boast a vibrant food truck scene, ensuring you're never far from a delicious meal on the go.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Restaurant Comparison
Food plays a crucial role in making a place feel like home. This restaurant comparison between Santa Ana and Chicago is designed to help you find new favorite eateries in your new city, based on your old favorites. Whether you’re moving for work, family, or adventure, this guide will ease the transition by keeping your dining experiences delightful.
| Santa Ana | Chicago | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Taqueria Zamora | Big Star | Authentic tacos in a lively setting |
| Burritos La Palma | Carnitas Uruapan | Famous for their burritos and carnitas |
| Playground | Alinea | Innovative dining experience |
| Hopper & Burr | Intelligentsia Coffee | Renowned for high-quality coffee |
| Chapter One: the modern local | The Publican | Contemporary American cuisine with a twist |
| Mix Mix Kitchen Bar | Fat Rice | Eclectic and globally-inspired dishes |
| Crave | Portillo's | Famous for hot dogs and Chicago-style food |
| The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar | Au Cheval | Best known for their gourmet burgers |
| Falasophy | Naf Naf Grill | Middle Eastern cuisine with a modern spin |
| Taqueria El Zamorano | Cemitas Puebla | Authentic Pueblan sandwiches and tacos |
Among the culinary transformations for Santa Ana expats, Taqueria Zamora's closest counterpart in Chicago, Big Star, not only serves authentic tacos but boasts a lively atmosphere that mirrors the vibrant Santa Ana taco scene. For those missing the innovative and boundary-pushing dishes of Playground, Alinea in Chicago provides an unparalleled dining adventure, known globally for its creativity. Lastly, coffee enthusiasts who've loved the artisan brews of Hopper & Burr can find solace in Intelligentsia Coffee, a pioneer in the specialty coffee scene in Chicago. These transitions promise to be both smooth and delicious, making your move a little less stressful and far more flavorful.
Ready to start your move?
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Real Estate & Living Facts
When planning your move, understanding the real estate landscape is crucial. This comparison between Santa Ana and Chicago helps illuminate the differences in housing, guiding your decisions on where to establish your next home.
| Comparison | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Ranch, Spanish | Brick, Victorian |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Outdoor spaces, Proximity to amenities | Public transportation access, Entertainment options |
While the median home price in Santa Ana might be more elevated, sitting at around $710,000 compared to Chicago's $320,000, the difference in costs aligns with the unique offerings of each city. Santa Ana homes often highlight outdoor spaces and the proximity to amenities, reflecting its sunny California charm. Chicago, on the other hand, boasts of its rich architectural history with listings emphasizing access to public transportation and a myriad of entertainment options. The stark differences in walkability and bikeability scores further illustrate Chicago's denser urban environment versus Santa Ana's more spread-out layout, offering insights into the lifestyle each city cultivates.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Chicago, IL
1. Lincoln Park: With its sprawling namesake park, you'll find plenty of green spaces for walks and the Lincoln Park Dog Park where your furry friend can run off-leash.
2. Lakeview: Home to the popular Wiggly Field Dog Park, Lakeview offers an urban setting with a pet-friendly attitude, hosting numerous pet supply shops and pet-friendly patios.
3. Andersonville: This community-oriented neighborhood not only features pet-friendly dining and shopping but also events like the annual Andersonville Pet Parade, making it a delightful place for pet owners.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Weather Considerations
When planning a move from one city to another, understanding how the weather compares between Santa Ana, CA, and Chicago, IL is crucial. This insight prepares you for the changes and helps you adapt more quickly to your new environment.
Santa Ana, CA
Chicago, IL
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Santa Ana, CA
Chicago, IL
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Santa Ana, CA
Chicago, IL
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Santa Ana, CA
Chicago, IL
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Good | Moderate |
| Natural Disasters | Wildfires, Earthquakes | Snowstorms, Tornadoes |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
While both Santa Ana and Chicago enjoy warm summers, winter in Chicago is markedly colder and snowier, affecting not just daily attire but also routine activities and transportation. Chicago also experiences fewer sunny days, which might influence mood and vitamin D intake. Considering air quality and potential natural disasters, you'll find Chicago experiences moderate air quality and faces different natural disaster risks like snowstorms and tornadoes as opposed to Santa Ana's wildfires and earthquakes. Adapting to these changes will involve embracing new precautions and preparations for seasonal variations and potential emergency situations.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Santa Ana to Chicago
When considering relocating, understanding how the cost of living and financial dynamics in Santa Ana compare to Chicago is crucial. This comparison aims to shed light on what you might expect in terms of expenses and economic opportunities in your new city.
| Comparison | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $80,265 | $66,576 |
| Cost of Living Index | 136.4 | 116.9 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3 | 4.95 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 0.72 | 2.16 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 9.25 | 10.25 |
| Top 3 Industries | Manufacturing, Retail, Health Services | Financial Services, Manufacturing, Information Technology |
| Affluence | Moderate | Varied |
| Poverty | Noticeable | Significant |
| Homelessness | Concerning | Widespread |
Upon moving from Santa Ana to Chicago, you'll observe significant financial adjustments. Despite a lower average household income in Chicago, the cost of living index is also substantially lower, meaning your dollars can stretch further in terms of housing, groceries, and more. However, Chicago’s higher property and sales taxes reflect broader public services, which may offset some cost of living advantages. The diversity in top industries also suggests varying job opportunities, with Chicago’s strong presence in financial services and information technology. Understanding these nuances will help you navigate your relocation with greater financial insight.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Political & Religious Comparison
This section offers a quick, at-a-glance snapshot of the political and religious makeup of the residents in the comparison between Santa Ana & Chicago. Understanding these aspects can help prepare for the social and cultural environment you're moving into.
| Santa Ana | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Mostly Democratic | Mostly Democratic |
| Local Politics | Focus on immigration, housing | Focus on public safety, education |
| Religion | High Catholic population | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence |
When comparing Santa Ana to Chicago, one notable similarity is their predominantly Democratic political leaning, indicating a potential ease in transitioning for those accustomed to liberal policies. However, local political priorities differ, with Santa Ana often emphasizing issues like immigration and affordable housing, whereas Chicago's local politics have recently focused on improving public safety and education systems. In terms of religious makeup, both cities exhibit a strong Catholic presence, though Chicago boasts a more diverse religious landscape, reflecting its broader cultural diversity. This information can help set expectations for the cultural and social environment you're moving into.
Santa Ana vs. Chicago Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
Considering a move from Santa Ana, CA, to Chicago, IL? It’s imperative to understand the differences in driving and transiting in these two cities. This comparison of the traffic and transportation options between Santa Ana & Chicago will help you better grasp what your daily commute might look like.
| Comparison | Santa Ana | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 25 | 35 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without a car? | Challenging | Easier |
In both Santa Ana and Chicago, your daily commute and method of transportation will significantly impact your experience of the city. While the average commute time is longer in Chicago, the city makes up for this with its more efficient public transit system, scoring an 8 out of 10 compared to Santa Ana’s 4. This makes living in Chicago without a car much more feasible than in Santa Ana, where the car is still king. Traffic congestion, though higher in Chicago, is mitigated by the diversity of transit options available, from buses and trains to bike-sharing programs, offering a broader range of choices for navigating the city.
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