can I rent a nice condo for $1400? (apartments, lease)

[zxcvbs]

I've lived with roommates or in basic studios for years and I finally want a nice 1br place for myself. I'm looking for an october move-in, and finding very little on craigslist. basically, I want to rent a modern, fairly new 1br place, bigger kitchen, marble/granite and all that jazz. balcony would be nice but I won't be able to use it for the next 6 months so not that big a deal. high ceilings would be awesome. yes, I'm mostly describing a cookie cutter new construction condo, but that's still a step up from where I've been living and I've never really cared for "vintage".

I'd like to spend no more than 1400 (don't need parking), but everything on craigslist that looks nice is 1800+ which seems a bit ridiculous given the market value of the properties themselves. am I way off base here, or am I just looking at the wrong time of year, or too picky, or what? is it worth trying an apartment broker for this type of place? I'm looking primarily in the west loop, bucktown/wicker, old town, or north center, if that helps.

[jdiddy]

I'm surprised you haven't found something like that at 1400 yet. Even so, no reason you can't try negotiating down a few hundred bucks.

[long101]

I am very surprised as well. If by the west loop I imagine you are looking at the greek town area. I saw a few modern 1br lofts in doorman buildings go for that range in the past 6 months. If your only looking for a 6 month lease that could be your problem

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by zxcvbs

I've lived with roommates or in basic studios for years and I finally want a nice 1br place for myself. I'm looking for an october move-in, and finding very little on craigslist. basically, I want to rent a modern, fairly new 1br place, bigger kitchen, marble/granite and all that jazz. balcony would be nice but I won't be able to use it for the next 6 months so not that big a deal. high ceilings would be awesome. yes, I'm mostly describing a cookie cutter new construction condo, but that's still a step up from where I've been living and I've never really cared for "vintage".

I'd like to spend no more than 1400 (don't need parking), but everything on craigslist that looks nice is 1800+ which seems a bit ridiculous given the market value of the properties themselves. am I way off base here, or am I just looking at the wrong time of year, or too picky, or what? is it worth trying an apartment broker for this type of place? I'm looking primarily in the west loop, bucktown/wicker, old town, or north center, if that helps.

Besides West Loop, the other areas highlighted don't really have the housing that you are describing...I would concentrate more on Southloop/Rivernorth/Streeter/Gold Coast. A quick craigslist search came back with a handful of places that meet your criteria

[DrinktheKoolAidin08]

Originally Posted by zxcvbs

I've lived with roommates or in basic studios for years and I finally want a nice 1br place for myself. I'm looking for an october move-in, and finding very little on craigslist. basically, I want to rent a modern, fairly new 1br place, bigger kitchen, marble/granite and all that jazz. balcony would be nice but I won't be able to use it for the next 6 months so not that big a deal. high ceilings would be awesome. yes, I'm mostly describing a cookie cutter new construction condo, but that's still a step up from where I've been living and I've never really cared for "vintage".

I'd like to spend no more than 1400 (don't need parking), but everything on craigslist that looks nice is 1800+ which seems a bit ridiculous given the market value of the properties themselves. am I way off base here, or am I just looking at the wrong time of year, or too picky, or what? is it worth trying an apartment broker for this type of place? I'm looking primarily in the west loop, bucktown/wicker, old town, or north center, if that helps.

yeah

[Avengerfire]

"can I rent a nice condo for $1400?"

Yes.

[eevee]

op need to actually put in the footwork and look harder. I've found 2 bedrooms under that price w/ tons of amenities. OP, we're not going to do your work for you; keep looking (in 10 seconds, I've found 10 apartments that fit the description)

[grapico]

should be easy!, i am trying to rent "nice" for around 1k and finding lots to look at...you should probably refine the CL search, also look on chicago reader, etc. But, me and my gf look everyday for about 3-4 hours a day so...we literally scan through every single listing as lots are listed miscategorized..

[zxcvbs]

Originally Posted by eevee

op need to actually put in the footwork and look harder. I've found 2 bedrooms under that price w/ tons of amenities. OP, we're not going to do your work for you; keep looking (in 10 seconds, I've found 10 apartments that fit the description)

to clarify, I wasn't asking you to do the work, I was just asking if, in peoples' experiences, they've seen/rented higher-end condos for that price, and if they tend to be offered through brokers vs craigslist.

I've spent a lot of time on craigslist and the vast majority of what I found was apartment buildings (not privately owned condos) and broker spam, I've found maybe 3 or 4 condos. maybe I'm not looking closely enough, so I'll continue searching, but it seems like people here think what I want is out there, so that's good to know.

[aragx6]

I agree with prelude,that several of the neighborhoods you're looking at simply don't have all that many condos for rent -- the places that overbuilt a bit in the last several years are going to be your best bet.