Neighborhood Advice - On Blue Line - Early 30s, Single Male

[urbanlife78]

Actually if you can find something in Printers Row, it sounds like you would like that area with short walk to the Blue Line and give you a sense of living in a big city. Plus from that area the things in River North and other neighborhoods is pretty easy to get to, and a cab ride back from River North isn't that bad.

The thing that stood out the most was the wanting to buy, so might as well do what you want right now and then later pick the neighborhood you would want to buy in.

[mjefferson1980]

OP here. Thanks for more good info. You guys have helped a lot. I am spending a weekend staying at the Wicker Park Inn next month for more exploring and to do some early apartment scouting. Not moving until March or April.

My updated monthly rent budget is $2100 max. Either a 2-bedroom with the second bedroom to be mostly used as home office or a 1-bedroom with legitimate separate office area other than room for a desk in the living room or bedroom.

Is there a sweet spot for distance from the El in terms of close but far away not to regularly hear the noise?

Any building/specific area within Bucktown or Wicker Park recs would greatly appreciated.

[paytonc]

A lot of the "two bedroom" apartments in West Town (the area encompassing Wicker Park & Ukrainian Village) have really tiny bedrooms, so you'll probably find better deals on 2 BRs than 1 BRs.

As for noise, a lot of factors are at work: speed of train, curves, elevated vs. subway, building construction, whether there are other buildings in the way, etc. Over a block away and other ambient noise will probably be louder than the "L." New buildings have much better sound-proofing; I looked at one apartment on Milwaukee next to the tracks where I honestly could not hear the train when the HVAC was on.

For buildings in your sweet spot of low-rise but not three-flat, I'd focus on lofts in Bucktown; most of those are on the 2200/2300 blocks of W. Wabansia, Winnebago, Bloomingdale, and St. Paul, or 1700 block of N. Marshfield or Paulina. There are also lots of 6- and 12-flat buildings scattered around the neighborhood, and a handful of larger buildings -- I used to live at 2108-2118 W North Ave, which had ~34 units. However, buildings in the neighborhood are much smaller than those along the lakefront, where you'll find more high-rises and more low-rise courtyard buildings.

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by paytonc

A lot of the "two bedroom" apartments in West Town (the area encompassing Wicker Park & Ukrainian Village) have really tiny bedrooms, so you'll probably find better deals on 2 BRs than 1 BRs.

As for noise, a lot of factors are at work: speed of train, curves, elevated vs. subway, building construction, whether there are other buildings in the way, etc. Over a block away and other ambient noise will probably be louder than the "L." New buildings have much better sound-proofing; I looked at one apartment on Milwaukee next to the tracks where I honestly could not hear the train when the HVAC was on.

For buildings in your sweet spot of low-rise but not three-flat, I'd focus on lofts in Bucktown; most of those are on the 2200/2300 blocks of W. Wabansia, Winnebago, Bloomingdale, and St. Paul, or 1700 block of N. Marshfield or Paulina. There are also lots of 6- and 12-flat buildings scattered around the neighborhood, and a handful of larger buildings -- I used to live at 2108-2118 W North Ave, which had ~34 units. However, buildings in the neighborhood are much smaller than those along the lakefront, where you'll find more high-rises and more low-rise courtyard buildings.

Yeah in regards to hearing the El, it depends at what part, since it travels at different speeds in different sections. For instance, I used to live two blocks away from the Fullerton Station (could even see it from my apartment) but really would not hear it from my apartment unless it was super quiet and I had the windows open. It helped that it was a stop, so you didn't hear too much roaring.

The Blue Line between California and Western can go fast sometimes but is particulary LOUD! It has happened a few times when I am walking down Logan Blvd. near California and I can hear the roar of the El. Not often but it has happened a few times. Mind you this is also like 7 blocks away from the train line!

I would say that between Damen and California the train can get really loud. Outside of that for the most part it's underground or runs along the expressway once you get north of Addison.

I wouldn't worry too much about the train really. I have stayed at places that are right next to it, and know several people that have lived right next to the tracks and you get used to it. And newer buildings are more sound proof. Then again I am used to living with a lot of noise since I was raised half a block from a busy street and few from the Kennedy Expressway. I would actually be more hesitant living next to the expressway. The expressway can be loud and the biggest negative is that it is constant and never ending. At least with the El it kind of shuts down after a while late at night and or for the 24/7 lines they only start to run periodically.

[mjefferson1980]

Threads been dead for a couple months, but thought I'd update.

Signed a lease on loft in Bucktown starting on March 1. Thanks for all the great advice and help.