Where to move in Chicago? (Lincoln, Noble: sublease, apartment, rentals)

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by marothisu

1) Chicago is very walkable in many areas. Driving everywhere is not needed.
2) You don't need a car depending on where you live/are going. Chicago has the 2nd most extensive mass transit system in the US. Everyone takes it..I've ever seen the Mayor taking the train home before. Especially if you live within reasonable distance to 600 w chicago, you might need a car every once in awhile depending on what you're doing but you'll probably find yourself not needing it very often (happens to a lot of people).

3) Easy street parking or a driveway/garage? Not going to find that within reasonable distance to 600 w chicago. Sounds like you'd do better off in the suburbs.

I find the difficulty of street parking to be very overrated, I almost never have issues parking on the street in the most densely populated areas of the city. Additionally, having a car is plenty useful in Chicago, you may not need one, but from my 27 years living here, I find driving is more convenient far more than walking, especially East-West Trips or Trips that take me far from my home neighborhood.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by prelude91

I find the difficulty of street parking to be very overrated, I almost never have issues parking on the street in the most densely populated areas of the city. Additionally, having a car is plenty useful in Chicago, you may not need one, but from my 27 years living here, I find driving is more convenient far more than walking, especially East-West Trips or Trips that take me far from my home neighborhood.

It depends on the time of day and where you are basically. Can you find street parking without a ton of luck in Lakeview at 3pm on a Wednesday? Yes. Can you find street parking there at 8pm on a Thursday or pretty much any day? Yes ,but it's a hell of a lot harder.

Yes a car can be useful but you don't *need* one for many areas, even if you are going east-west. It might not be as fast as a car or train, but it's still easily doable with a bus.

[rca215]

Street parking in Ukrainian Village shouldn't be too bad. I did it for years in some of the busiest parts of WP/Bucktown with minimal problems, often in areas that didn't even need the zone sticker, so I imagine it would be even easier in Ukrainian Village. And you would be able to take the bus to work if you don't have parking there, the car's in the shop, etc.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rca215

Street parking in Ukrainian Village shouldn't be too bad. I did it for years in some of the busiest parts of WP/Bucktown with minimal problems, often in areas that didn't even need the zone sticker, so I imagine it would be even easier in Ukrainian Village. And you would be able to take the bus to work if you don't have parking there, the car's in the shop, etc.

Exactly..and the "crowd" in UK Village is not as "rowdy" (overstated) as an area like say parts of Lincoln Park.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by marothisu

It depends on the time of day and where you are basically. Can you find street parking without a ton of luck in Lakeview at 3pm on a Wednesday? Yes. Can you find street parking there at 8pm on a Thursday or pretty much any day? Yes ,but it's a hell of a lot harder.

Yes a car can be useful but you don't *need* one for many areas, even if you are going east-west. It might not be as fast as a car or train, but it's still easily doable with a bus.

I lived on Burling and Diversey in LP (which is one the densest areas of LP) for a few years, and parked on the street everyday, hardly ever had a problem. Did I have to circle the block every now and then, sure, but never had issues.

Of course you don't need a car, but it sure as hell comes in handy most of the time (at least for me personally). Chicago isn't New York City, where it is damn near impossible to even own a car, Chicago is the best of both worlds, it is doable in many areas without one, and is convenient to have one.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by prelude91

I lived on Burling and Diversey in LP (which is one the densest areas of LP) for a few years, and parked on the street everyday, hardly ever had a problem. Did I have to circle the block every now and then, sure, but never had issues.

Of course you don't need a car, but it sure as hell comes in handy most of the time (at least for me personally). Chicago isn't New York City, where it is damn near impossible to even own a car, Chicago is the best of both worlds, it is doable in many areas without one, and is convenient to have one.

I agree with you here and I now know why the OP needs a car, which came after the message of mine you replied to. I still think Ukrainian Village is a good area. The street parking is not a huge hassle like it *can* be in other areas, you can get a lot for your money, the crowd is older (but not too old), and it's a short bus ride over to the OP's work (and if they have parking available for employees, then it's a short drive likewise).

I think though it depends on the OP's personality..the area isn't right for everyone, but to 600 W Chicago it's a good strategic location for a fairly painless commute. Gold Coast you'd have to take two buses to get there basically or your drive would be longer (but not by much).

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by marothisu

I agree with you here and I now know why the OP needs a car, which came after the message of mine you replied to. I still think Ukrainian Village is a good area. The street parking is not a huge hassle like it *can* be in other areas, you can get a lot for your money, the crowd is older (but not too old), and it's a short bus ride over to the OP's work (and if they have parking available for employees, then it's a short drive likewise).

I think though it depends on the OP's personality..the area isn't right for everyone, but to 600 W Chicago it's a good strategic location for a fairly painless commute. Gold Coast you'd have to take two buses to get there basically or your drive would be longer (but not by much).

Agreed. Though Old Town could work too with the Sedgwick Brown Line to Chicago Ave (which is a about a 10 min walk to 600W, though many workers do that walk there).

I am not at all anti transit, I actually think it is stupid to drive into the loop for work if you have access to the CTA, but outside of business hours I personally rarely use PT.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by prelude91

I am not at all anti transit, I actually think it is stupid to drive into the loop for work if you have access to the CTA, but outside of business hours I personally rarely use PT.

For the Loop and the greater "downtown" area? In general I think it's stupid unless you can find cheap parking deals or your company pays your parking. There are places that are $35+/day. Even a round trip cab ride from Lakeview is probably less than that and less stressful even.

[prelude91]

Originally Posted by marothisu

For the Loop and the greater "downtown" area? In general I think it's stupid unless you can find cheap parking deals or your company pays your parking. There are places that are $35+/day. Even a round trip cab ride from Lakeview is probably less than that and less stressful even.

agree.

[hindukid]

The answer here is obvious. Anything around Chicago avenue to the immediate west is perfect for the OP's needs. This would include river west, west town, noble square, east Ukrainian Village and Ukrainian Village. If the OP checks a map, basically anything near Chicago between Halsted and Western. Live far enough east and the OP can walk to work. Further west and its a 5-10 minute bus ride on the 66 bus.

Street parking is easy in this neighborhood. Rents are reasonable too. And there is plenty of activity and the area is relatively safe. My friend just rented a reasonable 1BR at Chicago and Noble for $975. You will be able to find less updated 2BR for $1300.