Do You Need a Car in Chicago?

Tips for Moving to Chicago from Midway Moving & Storage

If you’re planning on moving to Chicago, IL, you likely have a lot of decisions to make. One crucial factor to consider is whether you need a car to live in Chicago. Our team at Midway Moving & Storage offers comprehensive moving services, including local moving services and long-distance moving services. If you’re moving from out of state, it might be hard to picture life without a vehicle. Chicago is different than cities in other parts of the country. Chicago was founded before automobiles, making it easier to get around by foot and tricky to learn your way around the streets as a driver. Learn more about whether you need a car in Chicago. Get in touch with us today to request an estimate for our national moving services.

The Pros of Owning a Car in Chicago

Many of Chicago’s neighborhoods are easy to navigate by walking or biking, but there are advantages to owning a vehicle. Check out these pros of having a car in Chicago:

Makes it easy to drive a long distance without having to pay for a driving service.
Convenient if you frequently travel beyond the scope of the city’s public transportation.
Gives you a better sense of independence because you can come and go as you please.

The Cons of Owning a Car in Chicago

Just as there are advantages of owning a car while living in Chicago, there are also some disadvantages. Learn about some of the cons of owning a vehicle in the Windy City:

You’re required to have current registration, license plates, and insurance for any vehicles you own.
It’s often challenging to find free parking on the streets of Chicago. That might mean walking blocks to park near your home.
Reserved parking spaces or garages can be expensive, costing hundreds of dollars a month in some locations.

Plowing scheduling during the winter can make it even more challenging to find a convenient parking spot.
Lots of traffic jams can make driving unpleasant.
Parking on the street leaves you vulnerable to break-ins or having your vehicle stolen.

Getting Around Chicago Without Owning a Car

If you’ve decided that you don’t need or want a vehicle while living in Chicago, you need to know how you’ll get around the city. Check out some of these ways to get around without a car:

Ride the bus. Visit the Chicago Transit Authority website to get routes and schedule information.
Take the elevated train, commonly known as the “L.” You should be able to get just about anywhere in the Chicagoland area. The CTA website will give you all the information you need.
Buy or rent a bicycle to get around the city.
Hail a cab from the streets of Chicago.
Use ride-sharing services, such as Lyft or Uber.

Whether or Not to Own a Car in Chicago

Now that you know more about whether you want to own a car in Chicago, it’s time to plan accordingly. If you own a vehicle and want to keep it, you can take advantage of our auto transport moving services. The team at Midway Moving & Storage offers local and long-distance moves. Contact us today to get your moving quote.

Midway Moving & Storage

4.5

Based on 459 reviews

review us on

Veatrice Jones

23:37 04 Jan 20

I had an emergency move due to a last minute cancellation. They came through like calvery! And when I tell you they went to work,. They went to work! They helped in some of the last minute packing and they were very polite. Thank You Midway Movers!

Gwendolyn Petersen

22:37 03 Jan 20

I think these guys are great! I’ve used them multiple times and recommend them to anyone who is moving. They know what they’re doing, and they’re very fast and efficient. They moved my upright grand piano, took apart the crib and reassembled, and put everything where I wanted it with zero issues. Customer service is beyond helpful and the group of guys are always friendly. I couldn’t say enough about this company and their employees!

Damian Alicea

22:40 09 Dec 19

This is the 2nd time I have used Midway and the prices can not be beat! My move took two hours tops and we had horrible weather. The team was great and positive and this was thanksgiving weekend, horrible time to move! In a world that common sense is not common...people do yourself a favor, get donuts/food and coffee for the movers, tip them! Treat them like people not your hired help with demands esp if your not willing to do a lil of the work esp for the prices! Thank you Midway! I will continue to use your services!

Joshua Sands

23:19 29 Nov 19

After being left stranded by myself bu another company, my wife called Midway Movers and they were to my storage unit within an hr of confirmation, and then another hr they were finished.I highly recommend this company and am glad they were so prompt and careful with my stuff.

Triarii

12:56 12 Sep 19

Customer service team by phone is polite and very helpful. Also flexible when dates are changed due to closing issues. Ty provided top notch customer service by phone.Onsite packers/movers were poorly organized, had haphazard placement of items in boxes, and not all boxes were labeled or listed on the inventory. Price billed was 2x the quote on both ends of the move.

Julie Leon

02:59 07 Sep 19

Always professional and the best price around. Very accommodating in my experience. Office staff very nice.

Patrick Hall

13:24 01 Sep 19

Thanks Martha I’ve moved 4 times with midway and u always send me good crews hopefully this will be the last time I move

Marcos Castro

13:02 01 Sep 19

Jerry sent me a great team they were fast efficient and very professional. I wasn't fully ready for the move but they helped me a lot they had extra boxes tape and they wrapped all my furniture

Colleen Frost

00:19 09 Aug 19

Movers were nice however left multiple scratches and dents in the walls and assured us multiple times they would send someone out to fix. After following up with them, they stated they are not sending anyone and that we would have to fix ourselves.

Laura Adkins

13:27 07 Aug 19

These guys are awesome! They handled a complex move for the community chorus I work for (baby grand piano, choral risers, a lot of heavy, full filing cabinets of music coming from a 3rd floor attic with no elevator, going to multiple drop-off points) with friendly professionalism. They were so helpful and kept me calm throughout the nerve-wracking process. The rates were incredibly reasonable and I would definitely recommend them in the future.

Deborah Hester

17:51 05 Aug 19

The crew on truck #74 were phenomenal. They were polite, prompt and professional. Our long distance move was handled with a spirit of excellence! I thought my daughter remembered your name and I forgot to ask. Kudos to vehicle #74!!!

Monica

17:31 03 Aug 19

I moved on 7/17 and had a wonderful team. Mati and his crew were friendly, helpful and very professional. This is my 3rd move with Midway and each time has been a good experience, but this team is superb. I can’t thank them enough!

Sue Hepker

02:19 02 Aug 19

BUYER BEWARE! We were warned about choosing a mover who quoted based on mass and not on volume. The quote is never going to be as cheap as it seems. Even knowing this we had to choose Midway as they were the only movers who could move us on the day our building gave us to move out. Not only did we have to pay a steep penalty because they were so slow and inefficient, but once they held our stuff in hostage we were given the real cost: more than double what we had been quoted! Then when stuff arrived broken, missing and damaged, we were told that we had not chosen coverage that would cover this. This - DESPITE the fact that I had asked and was told we HAD signed for it. Liars. Cheats. And bad movers. A large painting was smashed - $1890 to repair the frame. They offered us $35 as a "goodwill gesture". WOW. If anyone uses them after reading this - good luck to you! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!!!

Randle-Davis Reunion

02:19 04 Jul 19

I used this company on 28 June for a 3 bedroom move. The movers arrived at 0915, and didn’t leave until 445pm with 4 men! Why? I have contacted Wayne and Judy about being overcharged for packing material I didn’t use. I even sent pictures NO REPLY! I wouldn’t recommend this company to anyone! I am an active duty service member so this isn’t my first move!

Peter B

13:52 10 May 19

4 bedroom house, move took 11 hours, $2700. Damage happens with every move, but this company is trying to hide it...Besides regular scratched floors and damaged walls, after breaking the custom wood blinds, they just hid pieces in the closet corner for the new owners of the house to discover and complain. But it goes way further than that. After movers left the new house location we were surprised to see two random boxes in front of the tv in the middle of leaving room with no other boxes around. After moving the boxes we discovered that a door from the tv stand is missing. Nice expensive wood tv stand. Surprising right. Called the crew and was told they have the door and will send it. After having to contact the management multiple times over a month, we were assured multiple times that they have the door right in front of them in the office. Got the door eventually in the mail... it was obviously broken in two parts right across the hinges area, poorly glued together and hinges still missing!!! Responsible company would admit their mistakes and find a way to resolve the issue. Not here. To add we also have broken mirror, and damaged coffee table.... PLEASE AVOID THIS COMPANY BY ALL MEANS.

Lisa Mertens

22:00 03 May 19

I had very great 3 men helping me a lot... Save the coat and was very honest with me... Awesome men great job moving etc... The big bosses and staff help me as well very much... Midway is awesome movers i will recommend them to others... If i need help again moving i want Midway Moving and Storage NO ONE ELSE... THANK YOU EVERYONE...

j c

12:16 26 Apr 19

Called to have a piano moved. Asked specifically about the piano. They quote me for two movers and then send 3 older gentlemen . They proceed to drop the piano onto cement steps on the way out of the original persons house. Upon arrive at destination they bounce the piano up the 6 steps into the destination house. After arrival the mover then gouge brand new hardwood floors. The piano does not work correctly now.The movers admit to doing all the damage. They said they would fix all the damage. I have since sent in a claims form and called with NO resolution. It’s been over a month now.I could have move it myself in this manor. But I was told you had to be very careful moving a piano.I would never recommend these midway movers to anyone. I already told 3 friends who asked how it went, because they were moving long distance in the near future, to never use midway movers very bad movers. My wife was so mad she even posted on social media.Jeff

tiff

13:22 19 Apr 19

Definitely not worth the star. I had a scheduled move for my mom and on they day of they kept calling and changing the time. After a few hours they stopped calling so we contacted them, and no one answered. We reached out to customer service and had to change the move day all together because it was getting late. They rescheduled our move for the following day which was an inconvenience but by this time we had no other options. The next morning they arrived early but then the interaction between the “head mover” and my mother was very intimidating my mom was shouted at like a child all for their mistakes. They brought a small truck to move a 3 and half bedroom house and we let them know that the truck they had was too small. The guy who’s name we still don’t know lost it. After my mom called and they continued to be rude with her, I called in and I was not at all Happy with the interaction. The communication with their customers is terrible, and there is no corporate office to complain to. On top of all the confusion a lot of my Mom’s things were stolen. This was a terrible experience and I wouldn’t recommend using there service unless you are in a real jam.

Venus Guerrero

12:35 11 Apr 19

1 star is to much but, it won't let me give zero stars!! Took 2 hours longer than said and STOLE, yes STOLE my 65 inch TV and ladder and over charged me.Driver charged me when he got there for what i was quoted then at the end after 2 extra hours he charged me a full amount so I paid almost $1100, he called his boss and he says "oh well we will refund and how ever long that takes it takes"!! I was still nice enough to give them a tip and then come to find out they stole my TV and ladder!!Called them about it got 3 different stories from driver, then Judy at rhe company gives you some BS. My son in law called and told them we filing police report for theft and the guy he talked to said give me till tomorrow and I will call you back....NOPE NEVER DID!I gave them till Monday to call me back NOTHING and when I called them back, I left a voicemail 1st for Judy, then called another number and guess who answered Judy. She then wants to claom she emailed me some claim form and its gonna take 90 days to investigate. BS, BS, BS!!! Filled out yhe form se nt back and have not heard anything from them since. I filed a police report and reported it stollen to my insurance so lets see who moves quicker!!HORRIBLE SERVICE AND THEY SHOULD NOT BE MOVING THE CUBS OR ANYONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER!!

Julie B

16:55 06 Apr 19

Sent from my iPhoneBegin forwarded message:Date: April 4, 2019 at 6:55:07 AM CDSubject: Re: Midway MoversOriginal quote: $1,142Charged on day of move: $2,600, & then another $1,200 * “boss” (Steve?) said - well, you have so much stuffTotal - $3,800!!!They arrived at 7:45 am and left at 5:50 pm on Wednesday, March 27th, 2019.He also told me that he expected $125/man as a tip. He was angry when I didn’t give them that much.* they were the sloppiest movers I ever had - left garbage everywhere * they, without asking, drank every last Pepsi I had in the fridge * they “stole” a 24 pack of water - I need that to take my medicine * they did not keep perishable food separate, nor did they notify me where it was - some was just dumped in the bottom of a box with other things (I had to buy all new)* they just dumped some of my beautiful, expensive clothes in the bottom of a box with other things - including a lamp!* some furniture is missing - I told them multiple times where I wanted my desk. It’s not even in my apartment. I need it.* clear bins with no tops, of things I needed immediately, are missing * my dresser is damaged- told a mover - he ignored it* they mixed up my insulin - put in wrong box * turned on & left on my stovetop (electric)! Very dangerous! Was hot! What if something was put on it?!!Sent from my iPhone

Rick Franklin

21:35 27 Jan 19

Do not waste your valuable time with other movers! With Midway, we had the best experience in moving ever. I am a veteran of many local and long distance moves, and nobody has ever come close to doing the job that Midway did. Midway Moving showed up on a recent Friday, packed AND loaded a crowded 4 story townhouse in Evanston in less than one day, and delivered the next morning 304 miles away in Michigan! From my first call to Midway, to the last part of the delivery, EVERYBODY worked together perfectly, like complete professionals. No crushed boxes. No scratches, no breakage, no loss whatsoever. ALSO, another mover estimated that we had over 11,000 pounds to move (WRONG!), even though we had just moved 18 months prior with only 7,100 pounds, and had added virtually nothing. That company wanted over $3,000.00 more than Midway charged. For that matter, I was not impressed with any other company we called. MIDWAY, however, told me what they could do and for how much, and simply did it! MANY thanks to TY in sales and operations, who communicated promptly and accurately every step of the way, and MANY thanks to George and his crew, who would win a reality TV show moving contest, hands down! PS This was not an easy move, but everyone at Midway made it LOOK easy!

Jeff Crumbaugh

19:41 13 Dec 18

Eric sent me some great movers they were fast efficent and polite nothing like my other moving experiences with other moving companies

Kate Falardeau

04:48 30 Nov 18

Midway has absolutely no integrity whatsoever. They quoted me hundreds of dollars less than what they charged me. Their movers were slow as molasses, causing me to have to pay for extra time for the elevator in my high rise building. They were late, and they got lost going to my new place, causing me to have to go and find them to direct them where to go. All of this added hours of extra time to my final bill. After discussing my experience with management, they finally agreed to giving me a refund worth one hour - not nearly enough, but I agreed. I was told my check was being mailed to me, but when I called weeks later to check on the status, I was told that I had never signed the “final agreement” they sent via email (an agreement I had never been told about). After finding it in my junk folder, I saw that I would have to sign away my ability to talk about, post about or review my experience with Midway, and I would also be responsible to pay to have the agreement notarized. What an absolutely ridiculous ask from a company that just screwed me out of hundreds of dollars. No thank you, Midway. You can keep that $80. It is well worth it to me to be able to advise people not to work with you.

Sonja Susnik

02:19 22 Nov 18

Phil, Carlos, and Danny helped me move on Saturday and it's the best moving experience I've had. These guys were absolute pros even though it was both intermittently snowing and raining, took great care with my things, and finished moving everything so quickly. I hope they see this, thanks guys! I'll definitely be requesting this team the next time I need a moving crew 🙂

Jonathan Brown

12:53 27 Sep 18

Nate George and Craig were absolutely the best movers I've ever used they were very careful and quick Nate ran the crew like a army sergeant. Everything went perfect kudos to midway for have such talent

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