Is Chicago a good place to start a career in CRE?

About to start a role at a large life co/investment manager on the equity side. Covering the Midwest down to Texas. I love the city although I’m not sure if it’s the place to be for young folks starting their careers? Seems like New York, Sf, LA have more jobs. 
 

Is Chicago not looked at as favorably as nyc would be on a resume? Please share all thoughts.

7 Comments
 
Most Helpful

It won't matter. As long as the company you're at has good deal flow, you'll be able to move down the line if you want. Companies care about experience and if you're at a reputable shop that'll be the focus point, not where you sit. If you're starting your career, you also have plenty of time to move if you want to in a few years

From what I hear from my friends who live in Chicago, if you don't mind the weather, it seems like a great place to live. Fairly reasonable cost of living and lots to do. I've never really heard anyone bash Chicago like I have heard them say LA or SF

With that said, if you want to be a new yorker, go to NYC. There's plenty of jobs there

 

For real estate, at least RE institutional investment, Chicago has a ton of opportunities. It's centrally located with one of the most connected airports in the world, so it's a great place for an investment manager to be located. At least for real estate, Chicago will have more jobs than SF. New York is obviously the top dog, but I would think Chicago and LA aren't too dissimilar. Now, if you want to go work for an operator/sponsor, LA will have a lot more. 

 

Everyone is making good points, and Chicago is easily one of my favorite cities in the country (I also enjoy the cold more than the heat, so the winters don't bother me), but don't discount the architecture! Chicago is home to some of the most important buildings and architects in American architectural history. From the houses of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe to the skyscrapers of Louis Sullivan and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Chicago has always been on the cutting edge of design. I know your job doesn't really have much to do with the architectural tradition but understanding the history of real estate in the city is always an enriching experience and I think can pay dividends in ways unexpected. 

 

Nihil est unde saepe doloremque quasi. Id aliquam itaque occaecati omnis libero fugiat eveniet. Dolores nulla quod sint sit aperiam fugit recusandae pariatur. Hic eos ratione expedita voluptates iure.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (47) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (74) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”