When Stephanie Sorrina Beecher lived in a Milwaukee suburb, she and her teen-aged son often visited Chicago for the weekends. They would travel the entire city, looking for culture and adventure. But it turns out those visits were really practice runs for scouting out a new home.
“We never had an agenda but [my son] loved skateboarding, so in between walking all over the city, going out to eat, and shopping, I would take him to Grant Park, which became one of his favorite spots,” says Beecher, who at the time was trying to carve out her career as a writer and marketer in Milwaukee. “Simultaneously I would think to myself, ‘Man, I wonder what it would be like to actually live here one day?’”
That one day came in March 2023 when she moved to a high rise in the South Loop. The whys are varied. Yes, she’s a Milwaukee-area native but perhaps her hometown wasn’t big enough, or bold enough. Perhaps it was the impact of being stuck inside during COVID-19’s multi-year reign of terror. Or maybe it was the need to expand her business and networking circle. Whatever the reasons, she wasn’t alone.
Beecher, 40, is one of many millennials (individuals born roughly between 1981 and 1996) who chose to move to a bigger city in recent years. The Chicago-specific number, which is estimated to be around 176,400 people, is significant because Chicago’s millennials overall make up 34.8 percent of the city’s total population. The recently-moved residents comprise just 6.68 percent of the overall millennial group, according to SmartAsset’s 2025 study, which used 2023 U.S. Census Bureau data – but that’s still enough folks to populate a small city of people.
The TRiiBE set out to learn more about the Black millennials who moved to Chicago with plans to call the city their forever home. This narrative runs a bit counter to Census Bureau data that shows that Black folks of all ages are leaving Chicago and heading to southern states at a rapid rate. However, it seems there is a steady influx of young people – single or with families – poised to grow into our City of Big Shoulders. In May, new Census estimates show that Chicago added 22,164 residents from mid-2023 to mid-2024, marking a second consecutive year of population gains. We talked to Beecher and several others to gain insight into the moves, the whys and the hows of it.
For Beecher, the creep of COVID-19 changed everything. In 2020 she launched her brand strategy business, The White Agency. She also met her now-fiancé, got a dog, and sent her son off to college. She planned her move with her fiancé, who works as a student advisor for a medical research college and is a stand-up comedian.
While Beecher didn’t initially know which neighborhood she wanted to live in, she did know she wanted access to downtown activities, walkable streets, and proximity to Lake Michigan, as well as green space for her puppy. Using the Apartment List app to narrow down her search, Beecher says she also read many articles about each neighborhood in publications such as The TRiiBE and TimeOut Chicago.
The South Loop is now her home, so much so that she and her fiancé are looking to buy.
“While our neighborhood is admittedly a tourist destination on one end (Grant Park, Museum Campus, Soldier Field), just walking south a block or two feels like an escape,” she said. “It’s quite residential, beautiful to walk through, and every restaurant, cafe, shop has a strong community feel. We truly enjoy living here.”
‘NO TEXAS PETE, BUT STILL A GREAT FIT’
Food photographer and cultural documentarian Jonathan Cooper, 40, moved from Charlotte, North Carolina to Chicago in July 2024 for better creative opportunities and an affordable housing market. After spending his life in North Carolina, he needed a change of environment personally and professionally. Detroit was a top contender overall, but Chicago was a better fit.
While friends offered advice on what neighborhoods to look into, Cooper noticed they were very expensive. With a certain style of house in mind, he weighed out his options based around architecture and safety. Cooper currently lives in Pill Hill, a majority-Black Southeast Side neighborhood known for its mid-century modern homes, manicured lawns, block clubs and Black middle class estates. and he wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
“It’s gorgeous: Ultra Black, ultra proud, and super quiet minus the sirens from the main road,” he says. “We have some unique mid-century modern houses in our neighborhood that I’m in awe of.”
He will admit that, coming from the South, it is still a huge culture shock to live in Chicago. From the lack of sweet tea to an overload on Chicago’s beloved mild sauce, Cooper is adjusting to life in the Midwest.
“There’s not even any Texas Pete, and the mild sauce is weird to me,” he says, laughing. “It’s like spicy sweet ketchup, no thanks! I do love the food options though! Undeniable excellence in that department.”
‘REINVENTION AND EXPLORATION’
Bryah Taylor, 34, is a social media marketer and content creator who moved to Chicago from Dallas in August 2024 to explore new opportunities and embrace a fresh chapter in her life.
“I was drawn to Chicago’s vibrant culture, diverse opportunities, and reputation as a city where creativity thrives,” Taylor says. “The big city energy made it the perfect place to start over and explore new facets of my identity.”
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Taylor considered New York and Washington D.C., but Chicago felt like the best fit for its balance of opportunity and livability.
“I considered neighborhoods like Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and Pilsen,” she says. “I was looking for areas with strong community vibes, cultural richness, and access to public transportation.”
Taylor used Instagram and TikTok to explore local creators and neighborhood reviews. Websites like Zillow and Apartments.com also helped her research housing options. She currently lives on the city’s Southwest Side in Brighton Park, enjoying the mix of city life and community. In the future, she’s open to living in Lincoln Park or South Loop for their unique energy and amenities.
“It’s a city that pushes you to grow, and I’m embracing every moment of learning and exploration,” she says. “For anyone considering the move, I recommend being open to the city’s rhythm and finding ways to make it your own.”
