Living Here

A big city with Midwestern friendliness, Chicago will never cease to surprise you. Strangers on the streets of downtown will sense that you're lost and help you find your way on the “El”—Chicago's elevated train system. Your students and their families will give you advice on where to get the city's best tacos, hot wings, pizza, and hot dogs. Even the barista at your local coffee shop will remember your name among the many Chicagoans who wait in line for their caffeine fixes each morning.

Chicago has been, and still is, a prominent destination for people looking for new opportunities, both from within the United States and abroad. The city exemplifies this history through its 77 distinctive neighborhoods, which are shaped by traditions brought from countries across the globe. While the cost of living in Chicago is generally high, where you choose to live can significantly impacts your personal cost of living, and all corps members are able to find comfortable, affordable housing.

No matter where they teach, Chicago corps members usually choose to live in the city, with a few exceptions who opt to live in the surrounding suburbs. All corps members who teach in traditional public schools (currently about 30% of our corps) are required by the City of Chicago to live within city limits, and have six months to establish residency from the time they begin working.