which suburb to live in for hospital Workers? (Chicago, Oak Park: apartments, to rent)

[ih8becham]

My girlfriend and I are planning to move to Chicago. She will be working in Il. Medical district so close to the blue and pink line trains. We are wondering what areas would be best to live in.

- Late twenties white couple
- Relying on public transport and would like short commuting times to medical district
- Safety is a top priority, both in terms of the location and commuting on trains late at night
- Willing to buy a place if less than 100k$
- Willing to rent up to $1600
- Restaurants and activities nearby would be a bonus

Any advice would be much appreciated

[chirack]

The City would be better for you if you need public transit and don't need schools. Oak Park/Forest Park are good bets for the burbs.

[pvande55]

The Medical district has good transportation so you could live almost anywhere in the region. Restaurants and activities are a limiting factor, though. And the city is definitely best for that. Near west side is great for that.

[ih8becham]

Thanks for your replies. I don't think I want to live downtown Chicago, I think the burbs would be a better choice so Ill look at forest park

[chet everett]

Forest Park really has the appearance of nearby part of Chicago itself.

There is a big difference between living in "downtown" Chicago, which is nearly all high-rises and townhouses with no real backyards and the sort of low scale apartments and single family homes that exist around the UIC / Taylor St / Medical Center -- lots and lots of "three flats" and older single family homes. The lot sizes are generally such that there is a two car garage and small backyard beyond these place, interconnected with alleys. That sort of development pattern basically stretches west to almost DuPage County.

If you did live in DuPage Co or even a nice town like Western Springs on the edge of Cook Co you'd be facing a longer commute, paying more mostly for high quality grade schools you do not need, limiting options for dining / nightlife aimed more at families and just not fitting in all that well.

Don't get me wrong, Forest Park is a nice enough town too, but it is no way superior based on your wishlist...

[sfcambridge]

How early/late will you be taking the trains? For example, off of rush hours, after 8pm or before 6am? Sometimes hospital hours can push you into times of day with fewer commuters walk to/from trains or on the trains themselves.

Just wondering what City-Data folks think about a young woman traveling alone (maybe in a white coat....) on the Blue line in the evening? If she was traveling out to Forest Park/Oak Park (which might be fine for your requirements)?

From my own experience, the Blue line can sometimes be a little more shady off hours, going west from the city towards Forest Park. If you are city savvy, you should be ok, but it should be considered.

I would also considering living in the UIC neighborhood. Living in walking distance to work, when you are working long hospital hours, can improve your quality of life immensely.

[ih8becham]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

How early/late will you be taking the trains? For example, off of rush hours, after 8pm or before 6am? Sometimes hospital hours can push you into times of day with fewer commuters walk to/from trains or on the trains themselves.

Just wondering what City-Data folks think about a young woman traveling alone (maybe in a white coat....) on the Blue line in the evening? If she was traveling out to Forest Park/Oak Park (which might be fine for your requirements)?

From my own experience, the Blue line can sometimes be a little more shady off hours, going west from the city towards Forest Park. If you are city savvy, you should be ok, but it should be considered.

I would also considering living in the UIC neighborhood. Living in walking distance to work, when you are working long hospital hours, can improve your quality of life immensely.

This is a very good question, thanks. She will indeed be doing long and crazy hrs, has anybody got any thoughts on that on the blue Line? Specifically what times to Avoid? I guess she could get a taxi or we could look into getting a car

[sfcambridge]

Where are you coming from? Are you city savvy?

I would recommend walking around UIC neighborhood. See if you would be comfortable living there. Maybe look around Madison street in Forest park, and Harrison street Arts district in Oak Park. That is a diverse assortment.

Folks - can you recommend what streets around UIC they should walk around to look for apartments - where you would feel it is safe for a single woman to be walking alone in the dark at all hours? That will be their situation.

If you can afford it (and if she's a resident, and you have two salaries, you can), I would think about having a basic car and living in forest park/oak park. The commute off hours wont be bad at all. Just avoid the 3:30pm - 6pm hours like the plague. The one good side of working crazy long days... will be less traffic.

[sfcambridge]

You may get more replies by posting in the Chicago forum, since UIC is in Chicago.

[Vlajos]

Why don't you just live in the area?