changing my post from earlier this week (Chicago, Oak Park: apartment, leasing agent)

[Tanyaboo]

I have changed jobs & need an apartment, duplex, townhouse, or building with less than 6 units & laundry facility. I would like to move in one of these locations Lakeview, west town, north lawndale, lincoln park, forest park, oak park or logan square.

The rent I can afford would be between $700-$1000 a month.
Is this possible in these areas?
Should I drive around the neighborhoods looking for ads on buildings or is there a website with this information?

[Drover]

The quickest way to narrow down your search to units meeting all of your criteria is to use a leasing agency. They'll have all that stuff in their database so all the legwork is already done for you.

Scratch North Lawndale off your list unless bullet-dodging is one of your favorite pastimes. Also, I can't help but notice that most of your selected areas are within spitting distance of downtown except Oak Park and Forest Park. How did you come to select these, and where is your job located?

[Tanyaboo]

I am already in an area where I am dodging bullets (South Shore) that is why I want to move north, I have a car so it is easy to get around. I have always heard nice things about Oak park and Forest park. My job is northwest close to Kedzie and Van buren.
I was originally born in Hyde park IL & that is the type of peaceful nice safe area I should not have moved from. I thought South shore was a neighborhood on the rise but after being here for a few years I see it was a bad investment. Someone just recently told me South shore is known as "Terror town"

[Drover]

North Lawndale makes South Shore look tranquil. While it would certainly be very convenient for your commute, it would at very best be a lateral move in terms of quality of life.

Leasing agents aren't likely to have much coverage of Oak Park and particularly Forest Park, unless you find one based out of there. That might be worth looking into seeing if there are leasing agents out there. Otherwise, the "drive-and-look-for-signs" method might be your best bet, supplemented by Craigslist.

Of the places on your list, forest Park is probably where you'll get the most elbow room and the fewest adjoining-unit neighbors for your money. The commute by car will probably suck unless you work off-hours. but it wouldn't be any worse than doing it from South Shore, that's for sure.

[richrf]

On your budget you can probably get a Jr. one bedroom or a small one bedroom in Lakeview and gradually larger as you go North. Ravenswood are might be another option.

[Tanyaboo]

I forgot about Craigslist, I have been reading the Chicago Reader magazine. I have no problem with a commute as long as my home life is peaceful when I get there.
I will look into Forest Park and possibly Ravenswood. I don't want to hear gunshots at 7 pm while watching TV.