Moving Advice (not a newbie to Chicago though) (2015, apartment complexes)

[quirkyone]

Hey all, my husband and I will be moving to Chicago in a few weeks. I have a few questions though that I'm having trouble sorting out myself (I lived in Chicago from 2006-2008).

1) We want to have a month to month lease, since we plan on buying a place this summer. Anyone know of any reasonable places? We may even do a short term stay hotel, anything for just a month or two.

2) Dunno what neighborhood to live in that would fit this criteria when we buy: he will be taking classes at Truman to fulfill pre-nursing prerequisites and then attending UIC starting in January 2015 (maybe taking classes there earlier). I'll be working at the Archer stop on the Orange line. I am assuming a place on the red/blue/brown lines would be best, but I'm not sure of an exact area. We'd like to stay on the north side, or maybe even a safer area of the west side, as long as property is affordable (we'd like to have a 2 bedroom or more, price limit of 200k). Thanks!

[chet everett]

You might find something that is month-to-month around Boystown or even the Belmont Red line stop, but be be prepared to pay a signficant premium, and really not sure why you would need to -- sound like you you already realize that a trip via the El's orange line is gonna require a transfer (presumably at Roosevelt) and unless there is some reason that you should endure a transfer filled commute but your friend cannot then it probably just makes sense to find a "regular" full year lease...

Truman Is walking distance from Wilson red line stop...

I guess you should grateful you don't need to rely on the south side red line. Sounds like a mess with many commuters waiting extended periods for shuttles.

[quirkyone]

We don't want to do a year lease though because we want to buy a place.

[OakBrookMom]

What may be a good fit and avoid the premium short terms charge is an association rental. Many associations rent units that are foreclosed to cover assessments until the bank resells the property. They are month to month but be aware that they can cancel it just the same as you so you aren't in total control but you also aren't stuck in a year lease. Also the rents are typically below market because of the risk. Another option is a sublet, which is a defined term but typically between 3-6 months. Most home searches aren't concluded in a weekend, then there's the closing process which typically is another month, so this would be a way to get you a shorter term than a year but avoid being kicked out before you close. Then of course there's the 5-6 month rentals that are available at a premium at many of the downtown apartment complexes.