Intimidated, but I have to do this... (Chicago, Schaumburg: rent, employment) - Chicago Suburbs - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

Karate_Qid · 02-12-2013, 10:24 PM

Hello everyone.

In about a month or so I will probably be coming to Illinois (to a suburb of Chicago-Roselle area) to receive medical treatment there.
I will have to be working (ideally full-time) while while I am in that area. I have been told by the specialist it might take a few months before I get better (I have a mental illness that I need to get treatment for).

I am wondering, what is the job situation like in the Chicago suburbs, particularly around Roselle? Would it be tough for me to find a roommate near/in Roselle and find work? I have a few years of office work experience, but nothing major. I have an AA (Associate's )Degree and not much real work experience. I am willing to do anything and would particularly be interested in non-desk(office) work.

I am honestly a bit intimidated to be coming from the West Coast to Illinois, but I have to get this medical treatment and my savings (around $1000.00) simply will not be enough for food, rent, phone,etc even if I live very frugally so I have to work, and anyway I want to work and contribute to the local area if I can.

I am willing to go to Chicago for work as well, but I worry about the commuting times between Roselle and Chicago, and making it on time to the counseling sessions.

Thanks

chet everett · 02-13-2013, 07:02 AM

I can't imagine this will work well. No professional type employer will accept a new hire with medical issues. Too much potential liability. I know the law says "you can't discriminate" but people do use "other qualifications" to select folks without these issues. I personally have close friends that survived cancer and have had to accept jobs with government as no one else would touch em when they found our about health issues...

In theory maybe a temp agency would be able to get you something but I think you are gonna be looking at like fast food or low end retail. Maybe a buck or two over minimum wage and probably less than 30 hrs/ wk. Can't imagine this and $1000 will go far...

Roselle is not the pricest part of the region but neither is it super cheap. Rent for even a tiny studio is likely over $600/mo.

almost3am · 02-13-2013, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet everett

I can't imagine this will work well. No professional type employer will accept a new hire with medical issues. Too much potential liability. I know the law says "you can't discriminate" but people do use "other qualifications" to select folks without these issues. I personally have close friends that survived cancer and have had to accept jobs with government as no one else would touch em when they found our about health issues...

In theory maybe a temp agency would be able to get you something but I think you are gonna be looking at like fast food or low end retail. Maybe a buck or two over minimum wage and probably less than 30 hrs/ wk. Can't imagine this and $1000 will go far...

Roselle is not the pricest part of the region but neither is it super cheap. Rent for even a tiny studio is likely over $600/mo.

Yeah, temp agency may be a good option. I would go witht hat.

nikitakolata · 02-13-2013, 08:58 AM

Your best bet for a job may be to look into retail work at Woodfield or IKEA or something. Those are both not far from Roselle (in Schaumburg) and if you have time before your move you may be able to start working with the company in your current location and transfer. Even if it delays your treatment a couple months a transfer is a much safer way to go than to just show up with no job.

I would also search Craig's List for both jobs and roommates.

Karate_Qid · 02-13-2013, 11:55 AM

Thanks everyone!
As you can imagine, my health issues have caused me a lot of problems in past employment as well. I can definitely see that being a problem in the future. Thanks for your honest opinions and thoughts. You have given me some good ideas!

nikitakolata · 02-13-2013, 12:50 PM

Just in case it wasn't clear, Woodfield is a huge mall in the town next to Roselle:

Woodfield Mall Mobile Website - Schaumburg, IL 60173-5012 - Simon Malls

Just about every chain store you can imagine is in there and I would be surprised if none of the store there are hiring at a given point in time. You probably won't end up with a really high paying job there, but you could probably find something.

Karate_Qid · 02-13-2013, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

Just in case it wasn't clear, Woodfield is a huge mall in the town next to Roselle:

Woodfield Mall Mobile Website - Schaumburg, IL 60173-5012 - Simon Malls

Just about every chain store you can imagine is in there and I would be surprised if none of the store there are hiring at a given point in time. You probably won't end up with a really high paying job there, but you could probably find something.

Hi Nikitakolata.
Thank you very much for this information! I appreciate it. If I can make anything I'll be happy, I've always been poor so anything helps.

Even if I could find part-time employment it would be something.

I thought about finding a roommate/roommates in the city (Chicago), but if my counseling sessions are twice a week in Roselle I doubt that the bus would be a good way to go.

knitgirl · 02-13-2013, 05:41 PM

The one decent thing about this situation is that if you do decide to live in Chicago, Roselle is right on the Metra Milwaukee District West line. I am really surprised you're coming from wherever you live to Roselle of all places. There's not much there.

nikitakolata · 02-14-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate_Qid

Hi Nikitakolata.
Thank you very much for this information! I appreciate it. If I can make anything I'll be happy, I've always been poor so anything helps.

Even if I could find part-time employment it would be something.

I thought about finding a roommate/roommates in the city (Chicago), but if my counseling sessions are twice a week in Roselle I doubt that the bus would be a good way to go.

I would check Craig's List. You could probably find a roommate in Schaumburg. Will you have a car? Can you get to your appointments on the bus?

There are a lot of offices in Schaumburg in addition to a ton of retail, which is why that's probably your best bet at finding a roommate. It's possible you'll find one in Roselle too, of course.

The area of Schaumburg/Roselle is pretty car-centric. You can make it work on public transit, but having a car would make life a lot easier in that location.

Karate_Qid · 02-16-2013, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikitakolata

I would check Craig's List. You could probably find a roommate in Schaumburg. Will you have a car? Can you get to your appointments on the bus?

There are a lot of offices in Schaumburg in addition to a ton of retail, which is why that's probably your best bet at finding a roommate. It's possible you'll find one in Roselle too, of course.

The area of Schaumburg/Roselle is pretty car-centric. You can make it work on public transit, but having a car would make life a lot easier in that location.

I will not have a car-that would be too expensive at this point for me.
I will look for roommates through Craigslist, thanks a lot for the idea.

It seems like it'd be tough to live in Chicago (for example north/near north) and then take the bus to Roselle when I have my appointments. At the same time though Chicago seems to be the place where I could have a better chance at finding a roommate.