Moving to Chicago - 55K salary? Where to live? (Lincoln: apartment, rent)

[nj21]

I am relocating to Chicago and my company does not offer relocation assistance but I do have some money saved up.

I am a 27 year old female and I am single. I would like to live in a diverse area with plenty of things to do and where there are plenty of other working professionals around the same age.

I'd like to spend no more than $1200 on rent if possible and I do have a vehicle to get around if that means living on the outskirts of the city and commuting in.

I've been to Chicago a few times but I am from New Jersey and I have been working in Manhattan for the past year.

Thanks!

Also - please excuse my double post in the Illinois forum.

[Drover]

What is the workplace location?

[marothisu]

What part of town will you be working in, and what kinds of "things" are you into that might define your personality? Ideally, what kind of commute would you like?

You can afford to live in most neighborhoods (not all) on $1200/month in Chicago. The COL here is much lower than Manhattan...unless it's convenient for your job/life, you do not need to live on the outskirts or even close.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by Drover

What is the workplace location?

It's at Prudential Plaza.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by nj21

It's at Prudential Plaza.

Prudential Plaza is right near a few train stops (basically 6 of the 8 train lines in Chicago go right near there with a 7th not far away). $1200 a month you can take your pick of most neighborhoods (not all, but many)..

[nj21]

Originally Posted by marothisu

What part of town will you be working in, and what kinds of "things" are you into that might define your personality? Ideally, what kind of commute would you like?

I really don't know the area - just the address is prudential plaza.

And I'm into street fairs, hiking, biking, reading, jogging outside - I just like to have the option to do things that are easily accessible.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Prudential Plaza is right near a few train stops (basically 6 of the 8 train lines in Chicago go right near there with a 7th not far away). $1200 a month you can take your pick of most neighborhoods (not all, but many)..

Oh okay! Great. What are the neighborhood names..? Any in particular that I should check out..?

Thx!

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by nj21

I really don't know the area - just the address is prudential plaza.

See the above answer. It's in the Loop, which is the CBD and has excellent public transit access.

And I'm into street fairs, hiking, biking, reading, jogging outside - I just like to have the option to do things that are easily accessible.

That narrows it down a little bit. If you really, really enjoy the whole biking and jogging outside thing then you might want to look into the Lakeview area (specifically the area closer to the lake) on your budget. There is an 18 mile long path alongside the lake (which Lakeview East is right near) where many people bike and jog on. There's a lot of restaurants, bars, some arts stuff, etc in Lakeview. Lincoln Park is another one, although a tiny bit more expensive on average than Lakeview.

My girlfriend's place in that area was $1500/month for a 2 bedroom. You should be able to find a 1 bedroom for maybe $1000-$1100 in that area..depends on how nice you want it I guess.

Here's a video for the entire neighborhood (it's the second largest in Chicago by population at almost 100k and it's more than just the area around the lake). There are express buses that also go from Lakeview to not terribly far from where you're working. If not that, then a few train lines run through this neighborhood which would put you like a 1.5 block walk to your office.

[UPChicago]

Great thread, I make the same, not knowing much about the North Side I moved to Uptown. I'll probably move if I can find something better I pay $1,150 the apartment is very nice but this forum makes me a little weary of Uptown. lmao

[nj21]

Originally Posted by marothisu

See the above answer. It's in the Loop, which is the CBD and has excellent public transit access.

That narrows it down a little bit. If you really, really enjoy the whole biking and jogging outside thing then you might want to look into the Lakeview area (specifically the area closer to the lake) on your budget. There is an 18 mile long path alongside the lake (which Lakeview East is right near) where many people bike and jog on. There's a lot of restaurants, bars, some arts stuff, etc in Lakeview. Lincoln Park is another one, although a tiny bit more expensive on average than Lakeview.

My girlfriend's place in that area was $1500/month for a 2 bedroom. You should be able to find a 1 bedroom for maybe $1000-$1100 in that area..depends on how nice you want it I guess.

Here's a video for the entire neighborhood (it's the second largest in Chicago by population at almost 100k and it's more than just the area around the lake). There are express buses that also go from Lakeview to not terribly far from where you're working. If not that, then a few train lines run through this neighborhood which would put you like a 1.5 block walk to your office.

Oh wow! It's very nice! Going to stat looking into Lakeview right now! It actually reminds me of some cities here in NJ that I would like to move to.

Thanks so much!