When it comes to accolades and pop-culture cache, it's hard to beat New York. After all, what can compare with the iconic status of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or a sea of angry cab drivers?

For some, this kind of brand recognition puts New York squarely at the top of big American cities, on a par with L.A., or London.

But as we all know, "famous" doesn't mean better, or even good.

If you live in Chicago, you already know. But if you don't know, it's time to learn why America's Second City is actually the best - or at least better than New York.

1. That Holiday Feeling

New York is the city that never sleeps...which sounds awful, not to mention bad for your health.

Chicago, on the other hand, is a giant

Every year, the Chicago Tribune publishes the Top Workplaces in the Chicagoland area, from small to large sized businesses.

And Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices KoenigRubloff Realty Group took the top spot for the top large-size workplace!

The rankings are determined solely by employee surveys that assess everything from company culture to work/life balance to confidence in company leadership.

Knowing that KoenigRubloff Realty Group employees and agents rated the brokerage highly on all accounts gives everyone on our team a true sense of pride.

The brokerage raked above other highly-regarded companies in the Chicago area, such as SalesForce and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises.

In hundreds of surveys, they detailed the support and

Terri's Picks will be a recurring feature on WeKnowChicagoRealEstate.com that showcases the very best in Chicago—from restaurants to bars to venues.

Read about most delicious restaurants around Chicago's River North: (jump to your favorite style)

• Breakfast
• American
• Italian
• Seafood
• Mexican
• French
• Japanese
• Pizza
• Drive Thru

Breakfast

Brett’s Kitchen

This is one of my Saturday AM favorites! Brett’s Kitchen has become a mainstay in River North over the years. With homemade soups, fresh sandwiches, salads, breakfast items and baked goods, this restaurant has it all.

Yolk

Yolk is a great option for breakfast in the area. While the menu features a number of both sweet and savory breakfast classics, there are

For several decades, the American dream was to own a home with a white picket fence and a large backyard or acreage where your children could run around and play.

Although this is still the ideal for many, families in the past few years have been reconsidering raising their kids in the city.

Big cities attract tons of families each year, not only because of their wide selection of career opportunity, but because urban centers are simply great places to live.

Chicago is no exception to this.

Arguably, Chicago is one of the best places to raise a family. Here are a few of the benefits of raising kids in the city:

Variety in Public and Private Schools

One of the benefits of raising your kids in a city like Chicago is that you have a

Chicagoans are a tasteful people, and so are their pets.

When you are looking for real estate in Chicago, great amenities are a plus, for both you and your furred roommates. Are you on the hunt for pet friendly condos for sale in Chicago? Well we have a treat for you, and we won't even make you sit for it...

The Best Dog-Friendly Condo In Chicago

Finding pet-friendly condos in Chicago is tough. Really tough. Cats often have an easier time, but their canine brethren can't always catch a break.

Finding a dog-friendly condo for sale in Chicago shouldn't mean that you have to make sacrifices. You and your puppy deserve to live exquisitely with all of the best amenities and amazing attractions only steps away. You should be able to live close

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in October 2017 and has been revamped to include the latest information on Chicago's HQ2 bid.

What happens when one of the largest companies in the world announces that it’s looking for a city in North America in which to build a massive expansion?

In early September, Amazon did just that. The company announced that it plans to spend $5 billion on a second headquarters—dubbed “HQ2”—somewhere outside of its current home in Seattle, Washington. This additional headquarters, which the company claims is “not a satellite office,” is expected to employ 50,000 people beyond 2027. Naturally, cities from coast to coast have formed bid committees to attract this titan of online retail, and Chicago is no

If you're relocating to Chicago, you're in for a treat. Chicago has so much to offer, from sports to food, music, attractions, and not to mention some gorgeous lakefront views. Before you move to the Windy City, though, there are some things you need to know:

1. Chicago weather may throw you off

They don't call it the Windy City for nothing -- it gets chilly here. Be sure to pack a heavy winter coat and gloves, because winter temperatures can drop below freezing.

But even though the winters are cold, the weather is very comfortable during the other seasons.

This might surprise you, but the beaches in Chicago will send you on a vacation in your own backyard. Located right on the coast of Lake Michigan, there are 26 miles of sand along the lake.

2.

Though the majority of high-rise buildings being built in Chicago are apartments, the condominium market is beginning to heat up again too. Certainly, those looking for luxury living in a new or reinvigorated tower will appreciate the many unique opportunities to own in some of the city's best neighborhoods. These range from awe-inspiring luxury penthouses to one-bedroom homes that are perfect for young professionals looking to live where the action is. Over the next few years, we'll be seeing a number of exciting new high-rise constructions appearing across the city, but we've selected the best. Read about each of them below.

One Bennett Park

The stunning masonry and glass facade of One Bennett Park makes it a striking—yet classic—addition to

Do you ever find yourself wishing that you could live in downtown Chicago? Are you considering moving away from your home in the suburbs? While it might seem like an impractical dream to you, there are some good reasons to make it a reality!

New condo buildings are going up in Downtown Chicago every day, but the demand keeps growing too. Why? Because living downtown puts you close to all the best parts of the city, and living in a condo can save you tons of time and even money.

So is it time for you to make the move back to the city? Here are 5 reasons why it might be!

1. You Spend All Your Time Commuting to the City

Do you work in the city? What about on weekends—do you drive downtown for fine dining, live music, or other cultural

It’s a given you’re going to eat some turkey, and probably some pie, watch a little football and hear some classic family stories… but there is so much else to do in Chicago over the Thanksgiving Weekend. Here are a few of our picks for fun ways to mix things up:

Turkey Day 5K in Lincoln Park
Thursday, November 27, 9 am
Donated food will is collected at packet pickup and on race day to support Greater Chicago Food Depository. Go event further and make a cash donation when you register online. Enjoy hot apple cider post race!

Looking for something a little more relaxed? Head out for a walk through the woods on one of the many trails that are part of the Cook County Forest Preserve. Maps are available on their website.

McDonald’s Thanksgiving