Moving To Chicago...20 years Old...Budding Musician

Question

Hello,

I am contemplating moving to a big city. Me & my parents got into an argument & basically I have to be out of the house in 6 months. I currently live in delaware & I wouldn't have any problems living here & getting a place by myself. But, anyone who has been to delaware would know exactly why someone would be hesitant to plant more roots here (itz boring). I am a musician & my dream is to make it in the music industry by any means necessary. So, I was thinking if I have to move out anyway why not move out to a city where I would have a better chance of getting noticed. My choices were Atlanta & Chicago, I love Chicago so freaking much, everything about it just makes me want to go there that much faster but, Atlanta is a hot bed for musicians right now & so much music is coming from that area (i.e. easier to get noticed), so as for my question, which city should I choose & which city is the best for somebody who is trying to get into the music industry (by the way, dont say nyc cuz i hate nyc)

Answer 1

I lived in Chicago for a couple of months and I love downtown but I was homesick too much. I think you'll do well in Chicago, I'm not sure about Atlanta. LA would also be a great place except you probably don't want to move all the way to the West coast. Do what you think is the best for your music career. Good luck and hopefully we get to see your name in big lights someday. :)

Answer 2

What type of musician are you trying to be. If you're a jazz club/bar musician Chicago will work. But if you're trying to become a musician with a big career I'd have to suggest NYC or LA, though I know you said you hate NYC. But one of my teachers used to be a movie producer, worked for Johnny Carson, was an intertainment lawyer writing contracts for big name artists in LA, etc and she advised the whole class that if they are serious about their career, they should move from Chicago to NYC or LA because according to her those are the entertainment meccas. She was raised in Chicago but moved to L.A. when she started her career. (I went to Columbia College, which is a big arts school and has programs in music and music business).

Like I said though, if you want to be a musician at like a night club, then there will probably be plenty of options. It's a pretty cool city otherwise though.

Answer 3

Chicago is GREAT.  I live there now (in the city) and LOVE IT.  It's also great for the music scene - there are so many excellent indi venues that even some of my friends who are in bands have performed at before.  Unfortunately, the weather sucks bad in the winter, but if you don't mind that, then I'd say Chicago... It's a wonderful city -- the northside especially for young people like yourself and I... Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Wicker Park (which is HOT HOT HOT for young ppl - GREAT SCENE there), etc.

Good luck!