Working in Portage Park, Seeking Neighborhood Advice (Chicago, Addison: rental, condos)

[aryadaene]

Greetings! I apologize for yet another neighborhood thread but if you wouldn't mind offering your suggestions I would really appreciate it.

I'm an early 30's, single female moving to Chicago (originally from the Midwest) from the East Coast to begin a new position in Portage Park. I work rotating shifts that can be scheduled morning/afternoon/night/late night and plan to drive to and from work and home (assigned covered parking is a must). Conversely I would prefer that I use my car only for my work commute and travel, using the local neighborhood and the L for everything else. I would prefer a (driving) commute under 30 minutes at any time of day (from traffic patterns it looks like the weekday, 5pm shift will be the longest commute from areas south and east). For fun I enjoy great restaurants (am very excited for "Check, Please"), blues clubs/bars, bowling, and the beach. Looking to rent and not yet to buy.

Looking for a 2+ Bed/2 Bath Condo/Townhouse with a garage (or at least covered) and a little luxury. I'm willing to spend $2500/month but would prefer $1800-2000/month.

From what I can tell the neighborhoods I should consider are Jefferson Park, Lincoln Square, North Center, Avondale, Logan Square, and Bucktown.

Should I remove any of those neighborhoods? Or should I add some others (Ravenswood, Albany Park, Irving Park, Sheridan Park, Ukranian Village, Lake View, Lincoln Park)?

I'm no stranger to being "city safe" but given the frequency that I'll be driving home at 2/3 am, safety is certainly something that's important.

Also, is now the right time to look for a July 1 rental or should I wait?

Thank you!!!

[Chicagoist123]

I wouldn't do Jefferson Park or Lincoln Square. Jefferson Park, nice neighborhood but extremely family oriented and somewhat boring. Lincoln Square to Portage Park is not a quick drive. The thing is the Chicago River and the expressway in the Northwwest area make going east to west only limited in regards to routes for the most part.

If I were you I would do Logan Square or Bucktown. Avondale is nice but with your budget Logan Square and Bucktown are more exciting neighborhoods to live in. You will find commuting should be short from both of those hoods as you can easily take Milwaukee or Elston (which reduce traffic time drastically) or the expressway you will quickly get there.

My pick: Logan Square.

[aryadaene]

Hey thanks, figuring out traffic times with google maps traffic (even at different times of the day) was giving really mixed information.

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by aryadaene

Hey thanks, figuring out traffic times with google maps traffic (even at different times of the day) was giving really mixed information.

I would stay towards neighborhoods that are near the Blue Line, just because they are close to the expressway and provides multiple solid ways to get to work (Milwaukee Ave, Elston Ave, Blue Line, the expressway). If you go too far east you will find that you won't have many opitions and that once you get south of Montrose the only streets you can use to get from East to West are Montrose, Irving Park, Addison, Belmont, Diversey and Fullterion, etc because the river and expressway cuts ALL the side streets not once by TWICE when traveling east to west.

My father lives in Portage Park and I live in Avondale. It's a hassle going east to west just from Avondale sometimes when traffic is terrible. I can't imagine how much more annoying it would be coming from Lincoln Square.

[ProgMichael]

I'd definitely look at North Center. Great neighborhood, VERY safe, lots of stuff going on, quick access to great restaurants in Lake View, Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Park. Brown Line access too. Plus only a 15-25 minute drive (depending on points A & B) to Portage Park. Could also take the Addison, Montrose, and Irving Park buses to/from work. Relatively affordable to rent too!

Shameless self-promotion: http://bigshouldersatlas.blogspot.co...erst-bens.html

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by ProgMichael

I'd definitely look at North Center. Great neighborhood, VERY safe, lots of stuff going on, quick access to great restaurants in Lake View, Lincoln Square, and Lincoln Park. Brown Line access too. Plus only a 15-25 minute drive (depending on points A & B) to Portage Park. Could also take the Addison, Montrose, and Irving Park buses to/from work. Relatively affordable to rent too!

Shameless self-promotion: Big Shoulders Atlas: A Chicago Neighborhoods Blog: North Center/St. Ben's

Lincoln Park and Lakeview are nowhere near Portage Park and not the most convenient commute.

[aryadaene]

I'll be working near Addison and Austin. Does North Center bypass the traffic issues because it's north of Addison? It seems like it would have the same difficulties as Avondale during busy times.

Also, is Jefferson Park near the transportation center really as far away from everything as it seems? I wonder if the suburban/family feel of it isn't better for the many daylight hours that I prefer to sleep in silence when working nights. The condos out there are very nice and would save me quite a bit of cash... The drive also seems like a straight shot south.

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by aryadaene

I'll be working near Addison and Austin. Does North Center bypass the traffic issues because it's north of Addison? It seems like it would have the same difficulties as Avondale during busy times.

Also, is Jefferson Park near the transportation center really as far away from everything as it seems? I wonder if the suburban/family feel of it isn't better for the many daylight hours that I prefer to sleep in silence when working nights. The condos out there are very nice and would save me quite a bit of cash... The drive also seems like a straight shot south.

Wow, Addison and Austin? Yeah definitely stay away from Lincoln Square, Lakeview, North Center, etc. Definitely stick with Avondale and Logan Square then.

What about Irving Park neighborhood? It's right next to Portage Park and has a good blend of surburban and urban.

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by aryadaene

I'll be working near Addison and Austin. Does North Center bypass the traffic issues because it's north of Addison? It seems like it would have the same difficulties as Avondale during busy times.

Also, is Jefferson Park near the transportation center really as far away from everything as it seems? I wonder if the suburban/family feel of it isn't better for the many daylight hours that I prefer to sleep in silence when working nights. The condos out there are very nice and would save me quite a bit of cash... The drive also seems like a straight shot south.

Also take this into consideration. During the summer there are Cubs games and Addison gets horribly jam packed.

[aryadaene]

Irving Park actually seems pretty cool. Given that it is east of 90/94 what streets would you recommend staying west and south of (kedzie? montrose?)? Thanks again, you've already been more helpful than 2 different realtors.