Where should I live in Chicago if I take a position at IIT?

[chicagobear]

I think I'd live in the South Loop. It's getting to be a nice area with a lot more amenities than it used to have and it is an easy El ride to IIT.

[Drover]

Good luck finding space to park 2 cars in South Loop, unless you want to add $300-$400/mo to your budget to pay for off-street parking.

[summer22]

Bridgeport sounds like the best idea, and there's street parking (ample or not depends on the block.)

Canaryville to me always seemed similar to Bridgeport, but its more "off the map" and blue-collar. I did know someone who had an incredibly nice home on 46th & Union that was the edge of Canaryville. All their neighbors were longtime residents, mainly homeowners with a few rentals on the block. It's an interesting area. I don't know about crime in Canaryville.

McKinley Park had its share of gangs and trouble, although I don't think it's terrible.

[ravivg]

I'd also suggest looking around other neighborhoods on the red line, like Fullerton and Belmont. These
are very nice and safe neighborhoods. A ride on the red line from Fullerton to IIT takes 30 min. which is not bad.
South loop and Bridgeport would be a faster commute of course. I don't think many faculty live in Bridgeport,
it's mainly students. Having both red and green lines, and Metra, stop on campus is a huge plus.
If you want to live on campus, you can check the new residential neighborhood on campus.
3506 South State Street #312, Chicago IL - Trulia

[summer22]

Originally Posted by ravivg

I'd also suggest looking around other neighborhoods on the red line, like Fullerton and Belmont. These
are very nice and safe neighborhoods. A ride on the red line from Fullerton to IIT takes 30 min. which is not bad.
South loop and Bridgeport would be a faster commute of course. I don't think many faculty live in Bridgeport,
it's mainly students. Having both red and green lines, and Metra, stop on campus is a huge plus.
If you want to live on campus, you can check the new residential neighborhood on campus.
3506 South State Street #312, Chicago IL - Trulia

Bridgeport is mainly long time Irish/Polish families and more recent additions of Hispanic and Oriental families. Most of Bridgeport is single family homes and family-owned two-flats or three-flats. I think that's probably true that not a whole lot of faculty members live in Bridgeport. The apartments are likely to be less expensive than other neighborhoods, and what apartments there are probably are more conducive to student budgets. Watch out for the gang presence on Morgan Street and you might want to check the Chicago Police CLEAR maps for any block you have interest in.

The 35th & State area that RavivG shared the link to, looks very appealing and if the prices stay in that <$100K for a condo purchase when you're ready to buy, that could really be a great find. You would have to do your research, and check your own comfort level, about walking safety in that area especially at night. But perhaps the safety factor will be changing for the better. Technically I don't know what "neighborhood" that is, but it would I think be at the far eastern edge of Bridgeport. It is east of Sox Park.