How far north? (Chicago, Lincoln, Byron: real estate, 2013, apartments)

[Hunter2013]

I am going to relocate to Chicago this summer. The last time I was there, I drove north through the Lincoln Park and Lakeview areas up to Belmont and liked the neighborhoods. However, the apartments that are currently available are a little more than I'd like to spend. I was thinking about looking a little further north to find some cheaper rents, but read on another forum not to go too far north or safety can become an issue. So how far north can a young female go and still feel safe commuting late at night? At what point going north does it become safe again? I also prefer trains over buses, if possible.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Hunter2013

I am going to relocate to Chicago this summer. The last time I was there, I drove north through the Lincoln Park and Lakeview areas up to Belmont and liked the neighborhoods. However, the apartments that are currently available are a little more than I'd like to spend. I was thinking about looking a little further north to find some cheaper rents, but read on another forum not to go too far north or safety can become an issue. So how far north can a young female go and still feel safe commuting late at night? At what point going north does it become safe again? I also prefer trains over buses, if possible.

1) What is your monthly budget? Nobody can help you unless they know what you can comfortably pay.

2) Safety becoming an issue north? In a few small areas yes and there's a few shady areas in some far north areas, but on the whole? It's still very safe on average

[Hunter2013]

I was hoping to spend no more than $1200 for a one bedroom. I am getting quotes of around $1600 in Lincoln Park and Lakeview, and under $1,000 from Edgewater and further north. The commute downtown starts getting a little long there though. For example, google maps had Rogers Park as a 50+ minute commute. I've seen previous threads here that Edgewater and Uptown might not be safe, but maybe that was very specific areas.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Hunter2013

I was hoping to spend no more than $1200 for a one bedroom. I am getting quotes of around $1600 in Lincoln Park and Lakeview, and under $1,000 from Edgewater and further north. The commute downtown starts getting a little long there though. For example, google maps had Rogers Park as a 50+ minute commute. I've seen previous threads here that Edgewater and Uptown might not be safe, but maybe that was very specific areas.

$1600/month for Lincoln Park? I don't 'even pay that much in the Gold Coast, which is more expensive on average than Lincoln Park. What kind of places are you looking for??

I'm guessing either the vacancy rate is even lower right now and all the normal priced places are taken in that area or your standards are too high. I would look in the neighborhoods of either North Center, Ravenswood, or Lincoln Square. They are all very safe, and even safer than Lincoln Park/Lakeview and they are on the Brown Line. It's a 10 minute ride from Ravenswood/Lincoln Square down to Belmont.

[Lifelong Chicagoan]

You should look in Ravenswood off of the Brown Line around Montrose or Irving Park. It's a safe neighborhood and you should find something for under $1200 for a one bedroom.

[marothisu]

My girlfriend's old place was near here. The area is quiet, but there is stuff on the main streets (especially Montrose).

Chicago Apartments | 4540 N WOLCOTT AVE #1E | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 1946 W WILSON AVE | Domu Chicago

[Hunter2013]

I have two separate agents sending me listings. One sent me very expensive listings in Lincoln Park and Lakeview. The other sent me listings for older, less expensive buildings in Edgewater and Rogers Park. I haven't made any specific requests for higher end amenities. The only thing that I have requested is that the landlord be willing to allow me to keep my dogs. The dogs are really limiting my options.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Hunter2013

I have two separate agents sending me listings. One sent me very expensive listings in Lincoln Park and Lakeview. The other sent me listings for older, less expensive buildings in Edgewater and Rogers Park. I haven't made any specific requests for higher end amenities. The only thing that I have requested is that the landlord be willing to allow me to keep my dogs. The dogs are really limiting my options.

Are these agents working for people such as ...Chicago Apartment Finders? If so, that's your first minor problem. These aren't agents who scour every listing for you. Think of it as a real estate company where people list their apartments through that company. So basically, the agent is only looking for listings which his company actually has.

Here are some listings for Lakeview (and one in Lincoln Park..I actually know that building) that allow dogs that are within your budget I found on domu:

Chicago Apartments | 3823 N FREMONT AVE | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 511 W MELROSE | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 635 N BARRY AVE | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 550 W ARLINGTON AVE | Domu Chicago --> Lincoln Park
Chicago Apartments | 711 W BROMPTON | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 1444 W BYRON ST | Domu Chicago

Ravenswood:
Chicago Apartments | 4614 N PAULINA AVE | Domu Chicago
Chicago Apartments | 4851 N DAMEN AVE | Domu Chicago

[jwaiter]

I like the Ravenswood suggestion.

[Hunter2013]

Thanks. This is all really helpful. I will check those neighborhoods and listings. The agents do work for specific companies, so I know their listings are limited. That is why I have two of them. The dogs are large and on the resctricted breeds list for every landlord I have contacted directly. That is why I was hoping an agent might know which landlords would allow them.