Moving to Chicago very soon, need neighborhood advice (Evanston, Skokie: transplants, 2015)

[JDD4YD]

Hey all, like the title says I will be moving to chicago within the next few weeks as I have just gotten a job offer. Heres a bit of background information..

Im 24, and will be working in an office environment in Mount Prospect. I really like the idea of living more in the city but I know the commute can be horrible so Iam willing to check out neighborhoods in the NW area.

I really like Evanston and have a friend living in this area (he is not very knowledgeable of different areas though) but from what I have heard the commute would be aweful. I was looking in the Jefferson Park area (easy access to blue line for city visits) and also on the outskirts of Skokie but I was hoping I could get some input from actual Chicago residents... Thanks for any help you can provide.

ALL suggestions are appeciated!

[chet everett]

Mt. Prospect is one of the closer 'burbs. You could make it to Jefferson Park in under 40 minutes most evenings.

J Park ain't exactly hoping -- if you decided to live in a hipper neighborhood it might increase your commute by maybe 20 minutes or so...

Mt P does have a Metra stop too, so potentially you could take a train.

[JDD4YD]

Thanks for the response.

I have ruled out Jpark, its not the younger, i guess "hip" area I was looking for. (it was kinda shady looking too, at least the area i was looking at apts) I did the morning drive from my office to rogers park to get an idea of travel time, it was not bad at all, maybe 45 min an hour tops. I think I am going to look into the rogers park/loyola area because there seems to be waaaaaay more places to choose from. My only concern would be finding street parking, I have always had a dedicated spot where I have lived before.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Mt. Prospect is one of the closer 'burbs. You could make it to Jefferson Park in under 40 minutes most evenings.J Park ain't exactly hoping -- if you decided to live in a hipper neighborhood it might increase your commute by maybe 20 minutes or so...Mt P does have a Metra stop too, so potentially you could take a train.

Jefferson Park is 50 times more "hopping" than Mount Prospect.

[tonythetuna]

Originally Posted by JDD4YD

Thanks for the response.

I have ruled out Jpark, its not the younger, i guess "hip" area I was looking for. (it was kinda shady looking too, at least the area i was looking at apts) I did the morning drive from my office to rogers park to get an idea of travel time, it was not bad at all, maybe 45 min an hour tops. I think I am going to look into the rogers park/loyola area because there seems to be waaaaaay more places to choose from. My only concern would be finding street parking, I have always had a dedicated spot where I have lived before.

You think parts of Jefferson Park are kinda shady looking? Rogers Park is 50 times more shady and it ain't just in looks.

I am curious what streets you were looking for a place near in Jefferson Park. It is possible you were actually in Portage Park and not Jefferson Park, but did not know it.

[Chicago76]

If I were your age and in your shoes, I'd suck it up and endure a slightly longer commute. Two options:

-Suburban w/ an urban feel=Oak Park. It would be about a 45 minute drive and you would need to schedule your travel time carefully to get through the Hillside strangler where the Ike and Tri-State meet. DT Oak Park offers a good selection of bars and restaurants and the area is a nice mix of young people, students, families and retirees. Neighboring Forest Park has some solid restaurants and a few decent bars too.

-Urban: Bucktown. The neighborhood offers a straight shot up the Kennedy to 90 or if you're really good, you can find a place in the NE corner of Bucktown near the Riptide Lounge/Bucktown Pub/Cortland's Garage area and be within a 3 minute walk of the Metra. to take a train to Prospect Park. The 7:21 pulls into Prospect Park station at 7:51. You just wouldnt' be able to miss the 7:38, because the next trains leaves after 9. The near NW side neighborhoods of Bucktown/Wicker Park/East Village are great neighborhoods for new transplants in their 20s.

Bucktown would be my preferred choice. A somewhat generic, but still useful blurb on the area here:

http://chicagotraveler.com/neighborh...wn-feature.htm

[aragx6]

Rogers Park is much sketchier than Jefferson Park.

If you want city living, I'd probably live in Wicker Park or Bucktown -- the closer to the Kennedy the better. Logan Square is a good bet too.

[deadplant]

Originally Posted by JDD4YD

Thanks for the response.

I have ruled out Jpark, its not the younger, i guess "hip" area I was looking for. (it was kinda shady looking too, at least the area i was looking at apts) I did the morning drive from my office to rogers park to get an idea of travel time, it was not bad at all, maybe 45 min an hour tops. I think I am going to look into the rogers park/loyola area because there seems to be waaaaaay more places to choose from. My only concern would be finding street parking, I have always had a dedicated spot where I have lived before.

The morning drive isn't the real problem. It's your commute back every night. Take your morning drive and triple it.

[aragx6]

^Triple? Really? I kind of doubt that.

[deadplant]

Originally Posted by aragx6

^Triple? Really? I kind of doubt that.

That's what it is in snow, ice, or on nights of big events on the Kennedy. Esp. if it's a Friday night