Need your advice!!! Moving in w/ mom, and need a temporary stay, which community is best for us given our situation? (Chicago: apartments)

[toronto519]

So here's my situation, hopefully you can help.

- I'm 30 years old, single, and have a work-from-home remote job. I will be making about $45k/year

- My mom is disabled, though she is able to work Uber part time.

- I will be paying the rent, she will help with most of the bills (food, internet, etc)

- I don't have a car, though my mom does


So this will be a temporary stay, my 'dream' is to ultimately buy a place as close to downtown as I can afford so I can pay down a mortgage instead of throw away money on rent. That being said, my goal is really to do things like:

- Explore the city. I obviously can't afford a place downtown (especially with my mom as my roommate), so I'm hoping I can find a community where I can walk to a train/subway station

- Safe. Outsiders hear a lot about the dangers of Chicago so I don't want to sacrifice safety, especially with my mother.

- This last one is not a need but a want, so not important, but a community with a higher arab community would be great for my mom.


In terms of my budget on rent, I'm hoping I can spend at least half my paycheck or less, that would be ideal, but I would be willing to sacrifice more depending on the community I can get.

Just want your suggestions and advice I'll do the homework of looking into the communities but would love if you can give some ideas that I can explore.

Thank you so, so much. Chicago seems equal parts big & scary and big & amazing.

[majka]

starting in Edgewater north part of Chicago going south along lakefront down to monstrose - it’s more affordable, the closer to lake the better. As going with safety, it’s a city, a lot of people, but closer to downtown safer and more expensive. I used to live in edge water and I like it so much. Then I moved to lake view community by Sheridan/ Irving park and even more safer, generally I liked all the line, public transportation awesome. Therefore, you have to be aware if you drive a car a lot, you will think of renting a parking spot. There was a enough moment for me and I rent a parking spot, I paid $100 monthly.

[amd555]

West rogers park, uptown or edgebrook would be places in the city. If you want subsurbs, you can look at Des Plaines

[deeman7]

Since this is in the Suburbs section, you can try looking for apartments in Skokie, Cicero, Berwyn. They all have CTA/Metra access. You can try Evanston and Oak Park, but you'll be paying more.

[mwj119]

Yeah, if we're talking suburbs, I'd suggest inner ring towns with a lot of apartments/rentals available. Skokie and Niles to the north, Forest Park and Brookfield to the west/southwest. Maybe Berwyn, though I know nothing about the area, and it gets kind of a bad rep for crime.

The rest are safe and affordable options with easy access in and out of the city. Look as close to a commuter as possible, and bonus if the commuter has an express.

If you want to be in the city now, as opposed to the future, I'd suggest areas like Jefferson Park, Irving Park, and Logan Square to the north.

Despite what folks on here seem to think, you absolutely can find a 2BR in a more happenin locale in the city for <$1.2k.. For that, again, Logan Square would be the premiere destination.

Not sure about proximity to the train, but something like this: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...82597527_zpid/

You can also dig through some near west areas of the city. Pilsen and West Town might have something.. Increasingly nice, and safe, and better situated than any on the list.

The reality is that you'll get in and out of the loop faster from the burbs than the northern reaches of the city. The furthest I'd go, if I am living downtown proper, is Logan Square to the north, or West Town/Pilsen. At least then you will be able to take advantage of true city perks- lively restaurants and bars most notably. Areas like Jefferson/Edison are full of folks who work in public service, and their families. No more going on there than there is in the suburbs, and a slower train ride downtown.

[Teacher Terry]

My sister lives in Elk Grove. It’s nice and safe.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Not sure about proximity to the train, but something like this: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...82597527_zpid/

That's about 20 minutes south of the Irving Park Station and 37 minutes west of the Diversey station by bus.

[mwj119]

Originally Posted by nana053

That's about 20 minutes south of the Irving Park Station and 37 minutes west of the Diversey station by bus.

Heh? Just looked, the L stop on Fullerton is a few blocks south... Why would you need to go to Irving Park or anywhere on Diversey?

You are within easy walking distance to everything on N Milwaukee, and W Fullerton, and the L. It's almost the perfect location.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by mwj119

Heh? Just looked, the L stop on Fullerton is a few blocks south... Why would you need to go to Irving Park or anywhere on Diversey? That 3819 is pretty far west on Diversey.

You are within easy walking distance to everything on N Milwaukee, and W Fullerton, and the L. It's almost the perfect location.

The address is 3819 W. Diversey

I think you are mistaken. The Fullerton station is further away than that

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Full...41.9316188!3e2

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Full...41.9316188!3e3

[Nearwest]

Toronto519: You wrote that you're seeking an area with an Arab population.


The largest concentration of Middle Eastern people in Chicagoland is in the southwest suburbs. This is especially true in Oak Lawn, Hickory Hills, Burbank, and Bridgeview. Bridgeview has the most established community of Middle Eastern residents of all these suburbs.


As far as commuting to the Loop from the southwest suburbs, you can use the Orange Line on the L. You would need to take a Pace Bus (suburban bus line) to the Orange Line terminus at Midway Airport. Or, you can also travel to the Loop using Metra (commuter railroad) from these suburbs. The SWS Line on Metra has stations in communities in this area.


Welcome to Chicago!