Chicago can be an ideal place to work—but an expensive, noisy, and overwhelming city to live in. Many Illinoisans flock to the suburbs for its many benefits yet choose to work in the city. Commuters have a wide selection of Chicago suburbs they can call home.

A large metropolitan city like Chicago offers endless dining and entertainment options. But parking is a hassle and residential homes and apartments are pricey. Chicago’s suburbs, however, allow residents to live within their financial means while having access to all the excitement the city has to offer.

It’s important to choose a Chicago suburb that makes it easy to commute to the city. Proximity is a key factor to a daily stress-free commute. Following are vibrant suburbs that make traveling to the city a breeze, whether in a car or via public transportation.

1.      Skokie, Illinois

Vehicle owners can travel to and from Skokie to Chicago’s premier downtown area in 23 minutes. The 15-mile distance from this suburb to the city makes it a quick commute. Traveling by the Metra rail allows commuters to reach downtown within 45 minutes.

Skokie is also an ideal place to call home. Artistic and cultural opportunities abound here, with venues like the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Northlight Theatre, and Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra drawing regular crowds. Skokie even has a historic corridor for glimpses into the past.

2.      Evanston, Illinois

Another short commute to the city can be made from Evanston, a sophisticated suburb located along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. Commuters can make the 12-mile trip to Chicago in 23 minutes. The Metra allows commuters to reach the city after a comfortable 40-minute train ride.

Known as “Chicago Lite,” Evanston is highly walkable. Dotted along its tree-lined streets are numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops. Northwestern University is located in this suburb. Attend a concert at one of its music venues, like SPACE. Excitement and entertainment options are plentiful here.

3.      Oak Park, Illinois

Commuters reach downtown Chicago in 20 minutes from the historical treasure, Oak Park. When opting for the CTA, the commute time is 37 minutes. Oak Park is located a mere nine miles from the loop. The village even has its own Metra station as well as buses and bike paths.

Frank Lloyd Wright architecture can be enjoyed by residents of Oak Park. Walking tours take visitors throughout the suburb to see Wright’s architectural footprint left on private homes and public structures. Oak Park was the birthplace of author Ernest Hemingway, whose home can also be toured.

4.      Naperville, Illinois

Ranked as the nation’s best suburb to live in, Naperville is located 30 miles west of Chicago. By car, commuters can reach the city in 36 minutes, while Metra riders on the express line can arrive in Chicago in 45 minutes. The suburb offers multiple train stations and major highways.

Naperville boasts of an excellent school system, an acclaimed library, and a vibrant downtown. This highly desirable suburb is known for offering all the amenities of a modern city along with charming small-town living. The suburb’s 145,000 residents attest to its appeal.

5.      Hinsdale, Illinois

Hinsdale is located 20 miles from Chicago, making the commute by car a quick, 32-minute ride. By the express line on Metra, commuters reach Chicago in 22 minutes. Hinsdale’s historic downtown allows commuters to park and spend time browsing its 100 local shops.

Katherine Legge Memorial Park is located on 52 acres of Hinsdale’s picturesque woodlands, offering residents plenty of opportunities to play frisbee, golf, or go sledding in the winter. Hinsdale entices walkers and joggers alike with its rolling hills and woodlands.

6.      Wheaton, Illinois

Farther from Chicago is an active suburb known as Wheaton. By car, commuters can drive to Chicago in 41 minutes. By Metra, the trip to the city is one hour. Wheaton residents enjoy numerous events, shops, and farmers’ markets in the suburb’s historic downtown.

Nature lovers visit Wheaton’s robust forest preserve district. Walkers, hikers, and joggers can take advantage of its 145 miles of trails. Families can enjoy leisurely weekends at its 31 lakes and 1,450 picnic tables. Horseback riding lessons are available at the Danada Equestrian Center.

A few more suburbs make the list for the best commute to the city. Flossmoor requires only a 33-minute commute by car and a 40-minute ride on the Metra express line. Reach Chicago from Buffalo Grove in 45 minutes by car and 40 minutes on the Metra express line.

Highland Park is another opportunity for suburban living and easy access to Chicago. From Highland Park to Chicago, the commute by car is 36 minutes and 45 minutes on Metra’s express line. This list wouldn’t be complete without Park Ridge, which is just 15 minutes northwest of downtown Chicago.

Illinoisans have diverse options for commuting to Chicago from any of the city’s many surrounding suburbs. When your company is amping up to relocate to a Chicagoland location, choose Chicago Office Movers for a seamless, stress-free, and on-budget corporate relocation.

As an experienced office mover with crews of trained, union moving specialists, we’ll handle your move from start to finish. Included in our efficient services are help with planning the details of the move, packing, transporting the goods safely, and unpacking them at the destination.

Our highly rated corporate relocation service is utilized by major local companies and prestigious universities, such as Alcatel Lucent and Northwestern University. Whether your business is large or small, our dedicated moving crews deliver exceptional service to all valued customers.

Chicago Office Movers is experienced in handling a wide range of office goods. Our crews have successfully moved fragile antiques, complex IT systems and servers, sensitive electronics, and bulky office furniture. No matter the size or weight of the items, our movers transport them with care.

We also offer several conveniences, such as short- and long-term storage, insurance contracts, and add-on services. When you are planning a local, long-distance, or international corporate relocation, Chicago Office Movers in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, will exceed your expectations.

Call our Chicago, Illinois, location at 312-244-2246 (CHI-CAGO) or fill out a form for a free estimate.

Packing up an office in preparation for a relocation can be a challenge, due to the fact that parts of the business must continue to remain operational even close to the moving date. But packing the office goods with minimum disruptions can be achieved with knowing what to pack first.

Pack First

1. Office Décor

Trophies, awards, plaques, statues, and certificates should be packed first. While these decorative items give the workplace a pleasant feel, they serve no purpose in the daily business functions. In the same vein, pack all wall art, such as posters, paintings, and other hanging décor.

Framed documents, like diplomas or photographs, should be wrapped in bubble wrap prior to packing them into boxes. Protect the edges and corners with firm cardboard. Tape a large “X” over the frames’ glass to prevent shards from flying in the event of damage. Label the boxes with “Fragile”.

2. Records

Contemporary offices use file cabinets to hold business records. Most often, these files are unnecessary in day-to-day functions. The records are conveniently kept in hanging files, which makes it easier to transfer them into filing boxes in preparation for moving day.

Purchase boxes or bins designed with built-in inserts for hanging files. Place the hanging files in the boxes, being careful to organize and label the boxes. In the event of an unanticipated need for the files before the scheduled relocation, office personnel will have easy access to them.

If the records are stored in non-hanging files, the papers should be packed vertically. A vertical position will prevent the papers from sliding around during transport, which can lead to chaotic disorganization at the destination point. Fill the box to maximum capacity to limit shifting.

It is highly recommended to keep important paperwork with a designated office worker during the move. The staff member should be careful to keep the records in a personal vehicle on moving day. Such paperwork includes the new lease, insurance documents, and moving contracts.

3. Books

Similar to office records, books should be packed earlier rather than later. Office personnel are unlikely to reference books around moving day, so it is safe to pack them first. Books in bulk can be heavy, so pack them in small boxes. Disassemble and pack bookshelves at the same time.

Books require careful packing. Lay books flat in the box or with their spines facing the bottom of the box. Try to pack books of the same height and width dimensions together to eliminate the need to fill excess space. Wrap expensive or old books in bubble wrap.

Pack Midpoint

4. Desk Items

While office workers’ desks and chairs will be among the last items to be packed, the contents of their desks can be packed early on. If not packed, the majority of desk items may be donated. Be sure to keep essentials, like a stapler, pens, and notepads, for use.

Pack Last

5. Technology

Computers should be among the last to be packed since office personnel will likely use the technology right up to moving day. Before packing up the computers, back up the data to a preferred storage area, such as a USB drive, external hard drive, or cloud storage.

Prepare computers and technology for packing. Once the data has been backed up, disconnect and label all cables and components. Remove ink cartridges from the printers and place tape over the contact points. Place the cartridges in plastic bags to prevent ink from leaking and damaging other items.

The ideal scenario is to pack the computers and electronic equipment in their original boxes, with the padding and protection. If the original boxes were recycled or are otherwise unavailable, consider purchasing a computer packing kit from a moving supply store.

When using moving boxes to pack the computers and technology, first wrap the equipment in protective bubble wrap. The bubble-wrapped tower, computer screen, printer and scanner should be positioned upright inside the moving boxes. Fill any empty box spaces with crumpled packing paper.

Prevent tangled cables and components by folding them together and wrapping with a cord. Place the cords in the same box with the electronic equipment to which they belong. Also consider adhering colored tape to the cords labeled with their corresponding devices.

Labeling the boxes is key to stress-free unpacking. Mark the boxes with the technology they contain, which direction is “up” and the rooms into which the boxes belong in the new office space. Be sure to use a dark marker to label the boxes containing electronics with the word “Fragile.”

6. Office Furniture

Disassemble office desks and chairs last. Keep the parts together by placing them in the same box. If the disassembled furniture pieces are too large, either tape them together or clearly label them. Place small parts in plastic bags, label them and tape the bags to their larger, corresponding parts.

Work with a Professional Office Mover

Relocating to a new office space is an exciting endeavor. You’ll want a qualified and experienced team to help make the office move successful. When plans to relocate are on the horizon, choose the most trusted name in office relocation, Chicago Office Movers.

Chicago Office Movers is a local commercial moving company with years of professional experience. We’ve earned our stellar reputation by moving prestigious companies, like Lucent and Lake Forest College. We will bring the same dedication and professionalism to moving your business.

Our moving crews are licensed, background checked and trained to handle every aspect of an office move. Your business belongings remain secure during the move. Plus, our moving trucks are climate controlled and feature air-ride suspensions, so your delicate electronic equipment stays safe.

The experience and care Chicago Office Movers bring to each office move is unparalleled. Our countless satisfied customers can attest to our safe handling of business equipment, competitive pricing, and comprehensive commercial moving services.

Contact Us

When you plan to move your business into or out of the Windy City, give us a call at 312-244-2246 or fill out a form. We proudly provide free estimates.

Summer in Chicago promises to be just-ducky! Residents and tourists can expect to see 25 brilliant yellow duck sculptures throughout downtown and in surrounding communities. But positioning these large sculptures takes muscle power—a job professional movers handle with expertise.

What is Ducks on the Mag Mile?

The city’s special showcase is known as Ducks on the Mag Mile. The public art is commissioned by local and national artists, many with disabilities. The giant duck sculptures are on display along North Michigan Avenue and nearby areas from June 15 through August 9, 2020.

Massive duck sculptures feature multi-colored hues and extravagant designs. Visitors to the event can expect to see a range of spectacularly painted ducks, including those with titles, like Doodle Duck, We are Better Together, Together We Rise, We Are All Special and Stronger, Happier Together.

Special Olympics Illinois is behind this illustrious project. The Make Corporation, the Magnificent Mile Association, businesses and individuals also support this unique and artistic Chicagoland endeavor. The Ducks on the Mag Mile serve two important purposes: one celebratory and one promotional.

Firstly, the Ducks on the Mag Mile is intended to celebrate inclusivity. Those with disabilities are especially celebrated and recognized through the project. Secondly, Special Olympics Illinois’ August 6^th fundraiser, Chi Ducky Derby, is promoted via the organizers’ collaborative efforts.

The Special Olympics is a familiar, global movement that aims to celebrate people’s various abilities—rather than their disabilities. Sports, leadership, community building, health and education are all pathways through which Special Olympics participants empower themselves and grow in confidence.

Once the Ducks on the Mag Mile event ends on August 9, the picture-perfect duck sculptures will be sold on public auction. Proceeds from the sales will go to the 23,000 Special Olympics Illinois athletes; 80 percent of raised funds go to Special Olympics Illinois programs.

How Does Chicago Office Movers Help?

The duck sculptures—being three-to-four-feet wide and tall—are bulky and weighty. Professional handling is required to ensure these delicate yet enormous works of art remain intact from their original locations in the artists’ studios to each designated spot on the Magnificent Mile and nearby areas.

1. Coordination Services

Chicago Office Movers crews use professional moving equipment and trucks when relocating large items, including delicate artwork. Our team coordinates the relocation of the ducks by first creating a customized moving plan and then following through to make sure each duck stays stunning and intact.

2. Assembly Services

Safely transporting 25 immense ducks from point A to point B takes more than planning. Chicago Office Movers also provides assembly services. Each duck sits on a large, wooden base, which we move separately and then install onsite on the Mag Mile.

3. Installation Services

Our crews have years of installation experience, so moving the ducks and assembling them onsite in the city will be as seamless as can be. Chicago Office Movers specialists also work closely with organizers to help make the relocation of the ducks as efficient as possible.

4. Tracking and Inspection

Twenty-five large-scale art pieces should be tracked. At Chicago Office Movers, our team creates a detailed inventory list to keep track of every duck included in this major, citywide project. A careful inspection of each item is also included to ensure all 25 ducks are ready for public display.

5. Decommissioning Artwork

Once the Ducks on the Mag Mile event comes to a close, Chicago Office Movers crews will be prepared to decommission the artwork. Moving crews will carefully disassemble the duck sculptures from the wooden bases and safely transport them out of the city limits.

6. Secure Storage Space

Since the duck sculptures will be sold on public auction, organizers will need storage space to house the ducks until they are ready to be presented at auction. Our dedicated storage facility is ideal for temporarily housing large objects, like the Ducks on the Mag Mile.

Chicago Office Movers' storage facilities take the guesswork and stress out of knowing where to securely house the ducks once the event is over. Our 60,000 square foot climate-controlled storage facilities temporarily store a wide variety of large equipment, furniture as well as artwork.

Event organizers can be confident that the ducks will remain secure and in good condition while housed in our storage facilities. Once the ducks are sold on auction, our moving crews are available to pack, load and transport the ducks from the storage facilities to their final destinations.

7. Licensed Movers

Working with professional movers is key to a successful move, especially when transporting delicate works of art. Each Chicago Office Movers team member is licensed, bonded, insured and certified, which gives our customers extra peace of mind. We also have years of professional relocation experience.

Working with Chicago Office Movers

Plus, working with a local mover, like Chicago Office Movers, on relocations within city limits helps to sustain our economy. Located in Chicago, our moving company is available to quickly respond to our customers’ moving and relocation needs. We are dedicated to serving the Windy City.

Chicago Office Movers has assisted and continues to assist countless area businesses with reliable relocation services. Our experience ranges from moving commercial businesses, educational institutions, government agencies and the hospitality industry. We are no strangers to moving delicate equipment or artwork.

When organizers look to Chicago Office Movers to help with moving the Ducks on the Mag Mile, they have the advantage of working with one company throughout the whole process. Our crews will assemble, install, disassemble and store the ducks efficiently and swiftly.

Every aspect of the relocation is coordinated by our experienced Chicago Office Movers team. Whether your moving needs involve delicate artwork, high-end office equipment, heavy machinery or bulky furniture, you can count on Chicago Office Movers to deliver high-quality moving services.

If your business is located in Chicagoland and you have a plan to relocate anywhere within the city, consult Chicago Office Movers. We offer a free estimate to businesses interested in our professional relocation services.

Contact Us

Contact us at 847-593-7201 for the best in local moving services.