Best Chicago to Riverside Movers and Practical Moving Guide
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Moving from the Windy City to the City of Arts and Innovation is more than a change of scenery; it's an exhilarating journey toward new beginnings. Leaving behind Chicago's towering skyscrapers and deep-dish pizza for Riverside’s historic missions and sunny citrus groves might feel bittersweet, but adventure awaits. Given the distance and the logistics involved, it's crucial to have trusted and reliable professional movers on your side, ensuring your transition is smooth and stress-free. That’s why we diligently rank the best moving companies, so you don’t have to guess who to trust for this significant life change.
Best Chicago to Riverside Moving Companies
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Moving in the opposite direction? Here is our moving from Riverside to Chicago guide.
5 Best Chicago to Riverside 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 A1 Movers, Inc
A1 Movers, Inc. is a leading moving company in the Aurora, IL area providing residential moving services. This Aurora moving company offers ...Read More >>
Services
- LOCAL MOVES
- LONG DISTANCE MOVES
- PACKING SERVICES
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.
Chicago vs. Riverside Neighborhood Comparison
When moving from one city to another, familiarizing yourself with your new surroundings is crucial for a smooth transition. This guide aims to help by comparing local neighborhoods between Chicago, IL & Riverside, CA . By identifying neighborhoods with similar vibes, amenities, and lifestyles, we hope to make your move feel like finding a new home in a familiar place.
| Chicago | Riverside | How They're Similar |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Park | Wood Streets | Historic homes, family-friendly |
| Wicker Park | Arlington Heights | Trendy, artsy community |
| Gold Coast | Hawarden Hills | Upscale, exclusive feel |
| Loop | Downtown Riverside | Bustling urban center, cultural sites |
| South Loop | Grand | Growing, diverse, convenient amenities |
| River North | Canyon Crest | Scenic views, high-end dining |
| West Loop | Mission Grove | Family-oriented, great restaurants |
| Logan Square | University | Eclectic mix of students and families |
| Hyde Park | Woodcrest | Educational institutions, suburban feel |
| Andersonville | Redwood | Diverse, strong sense of community |
If you're moving from Chicago's picturesque Lincoln Park, with its serene parks such as Oz Park, and vibrant Armitage Avenue's boutiques and cafes, you'll find Riverside's Wood Streets area to be a charming counterpart. The historic homes and lovely gardens echo the family-friendly atmosphere, while still offering a sprinkle of urban convenience and cultural offerings. Meanwhile, Wicker Park's dynamic blend of art galleries, nightlife, and quirky shops has a parallel in Arlington Heights, where Riverside's emerging arts scene and eclectic local businesses provide a similar indie vibe. Comparing Gold Coast to Hawarden Hills, both neighborhoods boast exclusive residential areas with a mix of historic and modern homes, catering to those who appreciate a fine living experience alongside accessible luxury amenities. Riverside's robust cultural and outdoor attractions like the Riverside Art Museum and the plethora of hiking trails near Canyon Crest offer a rich, fulfilling lifestyle akin to what one might find in Chicago's more affluent or culturally endowed areas.
Ready to start your move?
Pros and Cons of Moving from Chicago to Riverside
Moving from one city to another is a major decision that comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. This comparison aims to provide an honest reflection of the good and the bad attributes of relocating from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA, helping you weigh your options carefully.
Chicago, IL- Harsh winters
- Higher crime rates
- Costly living
- Heavy traffic
Riverside, CA- Milder winters
- Lower crime rates
- More affordable
- Less congestion
Riverside, CA- Less diverse
- Quieter nightlife
- Fewer dining options
- Dependent on cars
Chicago, IL- Vibrant culture
- Abundant nightlife
- Great dining scene
- Better public transit
While both Chicago and Riverside have their unique charms, it's essential to weigh these aspects based on personal needs and preferences. Chicago's winter can be brutally cold, whereas Riverside offers a much milder climate, making it an appealing destination for those weary of the snow. Chicago's vibrant culture and bustling nightlife, highlighted by venues like The Chicago Theatre and City Winery, stand in stark contrast to Riverside's calmer ambiance, which is more focused on outdoor activities and community events in spots like Mount Rubidoux Park. Dining options in Chicago are vast, with renowned restaurants such as Alinea, whereas Riverside, despite having fewer choices, boasts gems like Mario's Place that offer a more intimate dining experience. Consider these factors carefully to make the best decision for your lifestyle.
Chicago vs. Riverside Food Guide
This is a comparison of the local cuisine between Chicago & Riverside, highlighting that food is not just sustenance but a vibrant part of local culture. Understanding the culinary landscape of your new city is essential to feeling right at home.
| Chicago | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Most iconic local food item | Deep Dish Pizza | Avocado Toast |
| Most popular meat dish | Italian Beef Sandwich | Carne Asada |
| Most popular street food item | Chicago-Style Hot Dog | Street Tacos |
| Most popular vegan food | Seitan Wings | Vegan Burrito |
| Top 3 iconic restaurants that summarize the city |
|
|
| Fitness/Health Conscientiousness | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 | 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 |
| Abundance of Food Trucks | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 | 🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚🚚 |
| Foodie Scene | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 | 🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴🍴 |
| Vegan Friendly | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 | 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱 |
In Chicago, you can explore neighborhoods like the Loop for a slice of the city's beloved deep-dish pizza, or venture to River North to sample iconic Italian beef sandwiches. Meanwhile, Riverside offers a culinary voyage through its rich street food culture, particularly noted in areas such as the historic Downtown, where one can delight in a myriad of vegan options or savor the local favorite: carne asada. Riverside's heightened health consciousness and vegan friendliness are reflected in its diverse culinary offerings, making it a welcoming city for food enthusiasts of all preferences.
Chicago vs. Riverside Restaurant Comparison
Food is a cornerstone of feeling at home in a new city. This restaurant comparison from Chicago, IL, to Riverside, CA, aims to ease your transition, guiding you to new favorite eateries that echo the flavors of your current hometown favorites. Let's discover where your culinary heart can find its next home.
| Chicago | Riverside | What You'll Love |
|---|---|---|
| Alinea | Le Chat Noire | Fine dining French cuisine reminiscent of Alinea's elegance |
| Giordano's | Big T's Pizza | Known for their deep dish pizzas, similar to Giordano’s iconic pies |
| The Purple Pig | Mario's Place | Italian-inspired dishes with a modern twist, capturing the essence of The Purple Pig |
| Portillo's Hot Dogs | Dog Haus Biergarten | Offers a variety of creative hot dogs, mirroring Portillo's famous offerings |
| Girl & The Goat | The Salted Pig | Gastropub fare with inventive twists, akin to Girl & The Goat’s approach |
| Smoque BBQ | Gram's BBQ | Authentic barbecue flavors that resonate with Smoque BBQ’s smoky goodness |
| Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill | Don Jose's | Authentic Mexican cuisine with a passion for flavors, much like Frontera Grill |
| Publican | The Salted Pig | Again, for its diverse menu that reflects Publican's focus on meats and artisanal beers |
| Gene & Jude's | Baker's Drive-Thru | A local fast-food chain with unique offerings, hitting the spot like Gene & Jude's |
| RL Restaurant | Mission Inn Restaurant | Offers a luxurious dining experience resembling RL Restaurant’s sophistication |
Discovering your new go-to dining spot can be a culinary adventure that reminds you of home. For those missing the deep-dish delight of Giordano's, Big T's Pizza in Riverside serves up a hearty and satisfying alternative, ensuring your pizza cravings are well catered to with their own take on the iconic deep-dish recipe. The transition from the eclectic, bold flavors of Girl & The Goat to the innovative twists at The Salted Pig is another seamless culinary journey Riverside offers. Here, the focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients and playful renditions of classic dishes mirrors the spirit and passion for food that defines Chicago's dining scene. These selections not only promise to fill the void left by your old favorites but also offer a unique take, ensuring your dining experiences in Riverside are as fulfilling and exciting as back home in Chicago.
Ready to start your move?
Chicago vs. Riverside Real Estate & Living Facts
Real estate plays a pivotal role in the decision-making process when moving. Understanding how the housing markets in Chicago, IL, and Riverside, CA compare is essential. This comparison will help you gauge affordability, lifestyle, and architectural styles that await you in your new city.
| Comparison | Chicago | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Architecture Style | Prairie, Chicago School | Spanish Revival, Ranch |
| Walkability | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 | 👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟👟 |
| Bikeability | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 | 🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲 |
| Urban Lifestyle | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ | 🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️🏛️ |
| Most popular items mentioned in real estate listing | Hardwood floors, Stainless steel appliances | Outdoor living spaces, Solar panels |
While the median home price and monthly rent are considerably higher in Riverside than in Chicago, Riverside offers a unique blend of architectural styles with a focus on Spanish Revival and Ranch designs, reflecting its geographic and cultural landscape. The emphasis on outdoor living spaces and solar panels in Riverside listings highlights a lifestyle that capitalizes on California’s sunny climate. Conversely, Chicago’s real estate listings often boast hardwood floors and stainless-steel appliances, catering to urban living within its characteristic Prairie and Chicago School architectural settings. Though Riverside rates lower in walkability and urban lifestyle, it offers a more laid-back atmosphere compared to Chicago’s bustling city life.
Pet-friendly Neighborhoods in Riverside, CA
1. Downtown Riverside: Known for its welcoming environment, Downtown Riverside boasts multiple dog-friendly establishments like Lakeside to Brambles, a specialized pet spa that offers grooming, therapy, and consultation services for your furry friends.
2. Wood Streets: This neighborhood is perfect for those who love to take regular strolls with their pets, thanks to its peaceful streets, beautiful architecture, and Wood Streets Green Team's community garden that includes dog-friendly spaces.
3. Canyon Crest: Canyon Crest stands out with its City of Riverside parks and recreational facilities such as Sycamore Canyon Wilderness Park, known for pet-friendly walking paths and trails where you can enjoy outdoor activities with your pets.
Chicago vs. Riverside Weather Considerations
When planning a move from one city to another, understanding how the weather compares between Chicago, IL and Riverside, CA can help guide your preparation for a new climate. This comparison highlights key weather characteristics to expect in your new home.
Chicago, IL
Riverside, CA
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Average Summer High/Low (°F)
Chicago, IL
Riverside, CA
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Average Winter High/Low (°F)
Chicago, IL
Riverside, CA
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Annual Rainfall (Inches)
Chicago, IL
Riverside, CA
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
Annual Snowfall (Inches)
| Comparison | Chicago | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Air Quality | Moderate | Varies (Moderate to Unhealthy) |
| Natural Disasters | Blizzards, Severe Thunderstorms | Earthquakes, Wildfires |
| Days of Sunshine per Year | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ | ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ |
| Avg. UV Index | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ | 🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️🕶️ |
| Avg. Annual Humidity | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 | 💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦 |
Moving from Chicago to Riverside means preparing for warmer summers and milder winters, along with significantly more days of sunshine and lower humidity in Riverside. While Chicago battles with blizzards and severe thunderstorms, living in Riverside introduces the risk of earthquakes and wildfires. It's important to consider the varying air quality and prominent seasonal allergies in Riverside as compared to Chicago. Adjusting to less rainfall and the absence of snow will be part of the transition. These climatic differences significantly affect daily life and should be considered in your moving plans.
Ready to start your move?
Money, Economy, and Job Market Considerations for Moving from Chicago to Riverside
When planning a move from one city to another, it's crucial to understand how your finances might be affected. This comparison between Chicago, IL and Riverside, CA sheds light on the economic differences you might encounter. Beyond just the cost of living, we explore taxes, income levels, and the overall economic health of each location to give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
| Comparison | Chicago | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. Household Income | $66,576 | $76,558 |
| Cost of Living Index | 116.9 | 112.5 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95 | 9.3 |
| Avg. Property Tax | 2.10 | 0.81 |
| Avg. Sales Tax | 10.25 | 8.75 |
| Top 3 Industries | Finance, Manufacturing, Information Technology | Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing |
| Affluence | Moderate | High |
| Poverty | Significant | Lower |
| Homelessness | High | Moderate |
Moving from Chicago to Riverside involves navigating a significant shift in economic landscapes. Your dollar might stretch differently due to variations in taxes and the cost of living. While Riverside boasts a higher average household income, its cost of living and state income tax rates are also higher, potentially impacting your net income. However, the more favorable property tax rates in Riverside may offer some relief. Moreover, the industries driving each city’s economy vary, which might influence your job prospects. Understanding both cities' fiscal health, including poverty and homelessness levels, is also crucial to setting realistic expectations for your new home.
Chicago vs. Riverside Political & Religious Comparison
When planning your move from Chicago, IL to Riverside, CA, understanding the comparison of the politics between Chicago & Riverside and religious landscape helps in setting the right expectations. This quick overview aims to provide a snapshot of what to expect from the communities in both cities.
| Chicago | Riverside | |
|---|---|---|
| Political Make-up | Liberal/Democratic | Moderately Conservative to Liberal |
| Local Politics | Primarily controlled by the Democratic Party | Mixed with a slight Republican lean in local governance |
| Religion | Diverse, with a significant Catholic presence Archdiocese of Chicago | Diverse, with noticeable Christian communities Harvest Christian Fellowship |
In both Chicago and Riverside, you'll find a diverse and vibrant community, but the political and religious landscapes do have their differences. Chicago is known for its liberal leanings and Democratic dominance in local politics, which is evident in its progressive policies and social dynamics. On the other hand, Riverside presents a more mixed political environment, with a balance that leans slightly toward conservative values, especially in local governance. Religiously, both cities offer diversity; however, the Catholic Church has a substantial presence in Chicago, while Riverside is home to significant Christian communities, including large congregations like the Harvest Christian Fellowship. These differences reflect the unique cultural makeup and priorities of each city.
Chicago vs. Riverside Traffic and Public Transit Considerations
Exploring the differences in daily commute and traffic between Chicago & Riverside can illuminate how your daily life might change after a move. This comparison aims to give you a clearer view of what to expect in terms of traffic, public transit availability, and the overall necessity of owning a car in both cities.
| Comparison | Chicago | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Commute Time (in minutes) | 34 | 30 |
| Traffic Congestion | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 | 🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦🚦 |
| Availability of Public Transit | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 | 🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇🚇 |
| Can you get by without car? | Yes, easily | Challenging |
Chicago and Riverside offer contrasting experiences when it comes to navigating them. In Chicago, the average commute time is slightly longer than in Riverside, partly due to higher traffic congestion. However, Chicago's extensive public transit system, which includes buses, trains, and subways, significantly reduces the need for a personal vehicle. On the other hand, Riverside, with its lower availability of public transit options, makes daily life without a car more challenging. The city's public transit system is growing but doesn't yet compare to the convenience found in larger metropolitan areas. This factor is essential to consider if you're contemplating a car-free lifestyle post-move.
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