Advice for a southerner looking to move to Chicago?

I'm considering a move from Atlanta to either Chicago, Dallas or Houston in 2012. I'm a SBF in my early thirties and I work in clinical research (currently in cardiology).



Help convince me Chicago is the right choice out of the three



1. Can I expect to make a higher salary for the same type of position there as compared to here? I have a bachelors and 6 years research coordinator experience; I've been looking at Northwestern, Rush %26amp; University of Chicago because I had been seeing quite a few research positions there. I may also look into pharma. companies or CROs that do research.



2. Please offer any insight on a good strategy for securing a job out of state. Do I need to mention in my cover letters that I can relocate within 2-3 weeks of written offer? Mention that I do not need relocation assistance?



3. I currently rent a 700-something square foot apartment for mid 600's. It's not new but it's nice. Any recommendations on areas to rent in/stay away from that are in the 700-800 range for a 1 bedroom (no roommates)? (That are safe?) I like diversity, proximity to public transit/restaurants/culture/arts/places I can meet other singles easily, etc.



4. What's a good way to find an economical place? Meaning, low security deposit/application fees, electric, etc.? Craigslist? Apartmentfinder.com?



5. Besides the weather (and restaurants not selling 'sweet tea' ), what are some things I might be in for a culture shock? I'd be interested to hear from other southerners that moved to Chicago about this question.



6. If you were me, how much would you think would be the minimal amount to have saved up ideally before moving? This is assuming you already had a job lined in Chicago before leaving. This would include first month's rent, security deposit/application fee, transit card, and furniture for a 1 bedroom apartment (I plan to sell all my furniture so I don't have to pay to move much; the money will go towards all new furniture).



7. Please feel free to mention reasons why you think Chicago is/is not a better choice than Dallas or Houston, and feel free to specifically mention any of the following: culture, food, weather, arts/entertainment, employment, transportation, and *dating life for SBFs*.Advice for a southerner looking to move to Chicago?
I'm from Memphis and have lived in Chicago for about 6 years.

1. Wages are generally higher here.

2. I've never tried to get an out of state job so I can't help you with this.

3. Uptown, Rogers Park, and Edgewater are good neighborhoods with a lot of diversity and low apartment prices. You would be right by the redline and the 146 bus takes you downtown very, very quickly on Lakeshore Drive.

4. Craigslist worked for me.

5. Culture shock wise I found this: Many blue collar people here have money - a lot of money. There is a vibrant middle class and people with plenty of money actually are kind of rednecky (unlike in Memphis where if you make over 100,000 you are immediately considered upper middle class and you are likely college educated). It's interesting.

Humor wise: I fine Chicago, being the Midwestern city that it is, is full of very earnest people. Subtle sarcasm kind of goes over their heads. They also don't really do the self-effacing humor Southerners do. In the South you are expected to make fun of yourself - Chicagoans find this odd. Chicagoans also are very assertive. Southern passive aggression doesn't go over well here.

6. Save up? Well enough for the security deposit and the move. Maybe a few more hundred to be safe.

7. Chicago is fantastic. People aren't in your face religious like in the South. A lot of Catholics here too. Catholics are religious but they honestly don't care if you are (unlike Southern Baptists). We have civil union, don't have the death penalty, and you are EXPECTED to be accepting of others. Being racist or anti-gay or not 'believing' in evolution is not commonplace here. It is very rare and those that are bigots or don't 'believe' in scientific facts keep it to themselves.

Edit: My Mom is an RN and worked at Rush and now works at Northwestern as a call center manager. She says both treat RN's very well. I don't know how you would find them but she had nothing but good things to say.
Just feel free to move.Advice for a southerner looking to move to Chicago?
Hey ''Shy Girl''..I'm in the same situation as you are...I'm SBF early 30s looking to leave my hometown of Chicago, email me and I can tell you the ''real'' pros and cons about Chicago and answers all your specific questions mentioned above. I also spent a small amount of time in Dallas, so I can give you some advice about it also..Until then take care...kimeetha@yahoo.com
Here is Information on Chicago's climate and weather. http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/unit鈥?/a> Chicago experiences all four seasons, and the winters are cold and take some getting used to, we dress in layers. The mid spring thru mid fall is prime time, you could fall in love with Chicago summers and the many festivals and art fairs.