Chicago vs. Newark/NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn: apartment, rent, neighborhoods)

[AR_Meadz]

We're a young couple looking to move to either Chicago or Newark/NYC. We've never been to either of these cities and will not have the chance to before we move. Our apartment budget is $800 - $1000, but will likely raise after a few months.

Here's what we need to distinguish between these two cities:
- What types of areas can we expect to live in considering our current budget? And what are the names of these areas?
- What are the job prospects like for someone entering the web design/development field?
- What the cost of living is like for each city?
- Which city is safer to live in?

Any and all advice will be much appreciated!

[marothisu]

Are you looking for a 1 bedroom, studio, 2 bedroom...?

[AR_Meadz]

1 bedroom would be nice, but a studio would do just fine.

[citylove101]

I think you'll have much more luck finding a place within your budget in Chicago than in NYC, where $1000 really won't get you much of anything in any halfway decent neighborhood. With a bit of luck it might get you a studio in some part of the city far from Manhattan, but maybe not even that. And perhaps its possible in one of the city suburbs, but you should post in the New York forums to check. I don't know them as well, but $1000 still sounds pretty low. Plus you'd have to add in either commuting or car onwership costs. And why Newark?

I think Chicago is your best bet. The cost of decent housing in metro NYC is very high.

[nearnorth]

For that price in Chicago you can get a studio in almost any neighborhood, a 1 BR most places, and a 2 BR many places. I would not want to attempt to live in NYC on that monthly housing budget, and wouldn't want to live in Newark on any budget.

[Domino369]

To be perfectly honest, I would suggest trying to land jobs in either city first. Car costs aside, Chicago you can probably get by cheaper. New York has more opportunities, amenities, and whatnot on a grand scale, but it's much more competitive. Also not a nice city to move to without a job for sure in your hands.

[OleSchoolFool]

U need to at least visit a place once befo movin, wat if u hate it?
Secondly, u don wan live in newark unless u like yo car stolen and wakin up to a lovely sound of gunplay in da mornings
Thirdly, wit yo budget u will only afford a dog kennel in da projects, u seem to not understand how extremely expensive nyc/nj is
I strongly suggest u consider chi instead

[marothisu]

Chicago with that budget will afford you a more comfortable living than NYC for sure. You can find 1 bedrooms in good neighborhoods here for that, and if you want a studio, even less (unless it's a new luxury high rise).

[IEnjoyBeer]

You can find that rent in Newark/JC and Manhattan is only a PATH ride away, but its not worth it because that area of Jersey is a ****ing dump.

Go with Chicago or if you wanna do NYC, Brooklyn.

Im from NY, lived in NY/NJ and now am looking at Chicago myself.

[reppin_the_847]

For NYC, Queens might also be worth considering. It's not as hip as Brooklyn, but the transportation is quite solid in this borough.

Originally Posted by IEnjoyBeer

You can find that rent in Newark/JC and Manhattan is only a PATH ride away, but its not worth it because that area of Jersey is a ****ing dump.

Go with Chicago or if you wanna do NYC, Brooklyn.

Im from NY, lived in NY/NJ and now am looking at Chicago myself.