Guest blog by Kunal Gokhale
So, you’re thinking about Booth—or maybe you’re already here—and you’re wondering what it’s like to live in Chicago while completing a full-time MBA?
Let me tell you: it’s an experience like no other. Between balancing classes, networking, and exploring everything this city has to offer, life here is busy, exciting, and honestly, pretty incredible.
Living Downtown and Commuting to Hyde Park
One of the coolest things about Booth is that you get to experience two completely different parts of the city—Hyde Park and downtown.
Hyde Park, where the main UChicago campus is, has that classic college town feel. Lots of historic buildings, tree-lined streets, and coffee shops filled with students pretending they’re being productive. If you like a quieter, more academic vibe, living here could be a great choice…but, you’ll most likely live in The Loop with the rest of the full-time MBA students, which is the way to go.
Many students choose to live in neighborhoods like the Loop, River North, or West Loop to be close to the city’s best restaurants, night life and tourist attractions. Also, you’ll have close access to Gleacher where plenty of networking events and evening classes take place. Even if you just want a place to hang out and study, it’s a really unique experience having 2 campuses both within the same city to go to.
The Chicago Experience
One thing about Chicago—it’s never boring. There’s always something happening, whether it’s a music festival, a sports game, or a random pop-up event that you and your friends decide to check out.
Food Scene: You can’t live here and not try deep-dish at least once (one slice will fill you up for an entire day, but you still have to go to Pequod’s). Beyond that, Chicago’s food scene is unreal. From taco joints in Pilsen, to Michelin-starred restaurants in Fulton Market, to a dripping wet Italian Beef at Portillo’s, there’s something for every craving.
Outdoor Life: When the weather’s nice, Chicago’s lakefront is hands-down one of the best places to be. The Lakefront Trail is perfect for a run, a bike ride, or just a scenic walk. In the summer, there are rooftop bars, street festivals, and beach days at North Avenue Beach.
Sports & Entertainment: Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just in it for the vibes, Chicago has you covered. Catch a Cubs game at Wrigley, watch the Bulls at the United Center, or just hit a sports bar with friends to soak up the energy. Not into sports? No problem—there’s also amazing theater, live music, and comedy clubs (The Second City is a must).
Balancing Booth and City Life
Let’s be real—Booth keeps you busy. Between classes, recruiting, social events, and the multitude of international trips I’m sure you’re going to plan, it’s easy to feel like there’s never enough time in the day. But the beauty of Chicago is that it gives you plenty of ways to unwind.
Need a study spot? Coffee shops like La Colombe or Intelligentsia have the right mix of caffeine and productivity vibes. Want to de-stress? A walk along the river or a yoga class in Millennium Park does wonders. Trying to network? There are always happy hours, speaker events, and industry meetups happening somewhere.
At the end of the day, living in Chicago while at Booth is about making the most of everything around you. Some days, that means grinding in a study room until midnight. Other days, it means grabbing tacos along the riverfront with friends after a long week. No matter what, you’re constantly learning—both in and out of the classroom.
So, if you’re wondering if Booth + Chicago is the right combo for you, my advice? Jump in and enjoy the ride. You won’t regret it.
