how expensive is chicago? (Atlanta: crime rates, neighborhoods, safe)

[Soon2be3]

It's been a couple of days sicne you posted and I don't know if you're still reading, but I thought I'd chime in as a lesbian in Chicago....

Boystown (Lakeview) is pretty expensive, but really fun. If you really want to go clubbing and be in the very densest population of gay men, this is the place. It is the traditional center of gay life in Chicago. It also has good train and bus access to downtown. However parking is awful, if you keep a car, you should probably buy or rent a space. At your salary level and profession, you would be ok, though.

Andersonville is the "up and coming" gay neighborhood, especially among those who can't afford Lakeview or who want a bit quieter of an environment (Lakeview is boisterous at all hours, lol). It has been known for awhile as a lesbian neighborhood, but more and more men are moving out there (The lesbians are now moving out to Rogers Park). It is less expensive, though still somewhat pricey. The environment is more settled - lots of couples & families - but still a very high density of gay people. There are a number of gay bars and clubs in Andersonville, but fewer (and less concentrated) than in Boystown.

Edgewater is right next to Andersonville, and cheaper. I live in Edgewater, and it is very accepting and extremely diverse. It has a significant gay population, but nowhere near Lakeview or Andersonville.

Rogers park is very cheap - one of the cheapest places on the northside - and is becoming somewhat more popular with the lgbt crowd. Some areas have serious crime issues though, so be careful. There are nice areas of Rogers Park too, though. It's farther from downtown, so if you end up working there you could be in for a long commute.

If you think you'd like to visit Lakeview often but maybe don't want to live there, get a train map and follow the brown line "El" out from Belmont station. There are some great reasonably priced (relatively) neighborhoods along the brown line, and it makes for an easy train ride into Lakeview or downtown. I know people who live out near Western & Lawerence who are very happy with the move from Andersonville. They pay about 1200 for a 3 bed/1bath apt.

I would second the suggestion to rent for awhile, there are so many options here and most are overpriced right now. Give it time for the bubble to burst a bit and yourself time to figure out where you fit in.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by jxn3000

thanks lookout kid. i am fine with a one-bedroom. i have been in a three-bedroom home for years, and would actually welcome a smaller place. i am doing to do some research on buena park...thanks for mentioning it. i would welcome info on any other areas that have dense gay populations.

If you're OK living in a 1-bedroom, then you should be fine in Lakeview for under $300K. Keep in mind, however, that if you need a parking space, deeded parking can run you an extra $30-$40K. And I wouldn't live in Lakeview, especially the eastern part of the neighborhood, without off-street parking if I owned a car.

That said, I agree with those who suggested you should rent for at least a year or so.

[jxn3000]

thanks soon2b3, very very helpful info

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Windy City John

expensive is a relative term

Chicago has condos that run $ 4 million plus change and condos for under $115,000

http://mlsni1.connectmls.com/PICS/38157CB4D84A5B1AE040010A350104FA/P_1187716510110_o2.JPEG (broken link)http://mlsni1.connectmls.com/PICS/38157CB4D84A5B1AE040010A350104FA/P_1187716561289_o4.JPEG (broken link)
Above $4m+ in The Heritage

to a one room studio for under $115,000

4 mil for that? Even if I had the money, I would pass.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by andrew61

If you're OK living in a 1-bedroom, then you should be fine in Lakeview for under $300K. Keep in mind, however, that if you need a parking space, deeded parking can run you an extra $30-$40K. And I wouldn't live in Lakeview, especially the eastern part of the neighborhood, without off-street parking if I owned a car.

That said, I agree with those who suggested you should rent for at least a year or so.

And also keep in mind that deeded or rented parking in Chicago means little of it is not access controlled. Otherwise when you come home, you will find somebody else's car parked in your space that you paid for.

[Windy City John]

location location location

[Twa589]

I have lived in Chicago for many years, and would definetely reccomend renting for 1-2yrs, not erally to save money, but more to learn about the different neighborhoods before you are tied down with a a mortage. I rented in Lincoln park, and the GoLd Coast before finally decided to buy in Lakeview, but if you decide to buy I would totally recommend my building. I was in a wonderful building right on Halsted between Spin and Roscoes (2 of the biggest and best gaty bars in Chicago. My building was wonderful, only a few years old and my neighbors were great. Since you are not buying new a parking spot usually comes with the unit (As is the case in most Chicago condo bulding, the only time you have to shell out the 25K to 50K, is when you are buying brand new) The address for my building is 3232 North Halsted, Chicago, IL 60657. There are always units for sale there if u search the mls listings, ranging in price from the upper twos, to the low fours. I recently sold my place(the biggest and most expensive in the building for 450k, and I bought it for just over 400 a few years ago. The only reason i moved is I got relocated to Madison. I had a 2br/2bapenthouse corner unit that came with 2 tandem parking spots, at least 12 foot ceilings, granite, hardwood floors, and views of the lake, and downtown, but I viewed many other units in the building before purchasing this one, and for around 300k you can get a pretty nice condo. Lakeview is pretty reasonable with 2br/2ba running between 300k and 400k, if you are in the ideal addresses (Addison on the north, the lake on the east, southpot to the west, and wellington on the south) It is still nice a few blocks past all these streets, especially to the south and north, but at that point you are in Lincoln Park in the south, and wrigleville in the North. I made around 60K-80K annually, and could still afford my 400K place. The building assessments are kind of high, but they do include cable with showtime and hbo, and high speed internet, which many other buildings do not, which accounts for their higher prices.

[Drover]

Night of the Living Thread...

[NYrules]

You will be fine making that here. Heck like everyone is saying, even 40K a year will do you just fine as long as you can do without the 24k Gold faucets and Waterford Chandaleirs Good choice on neighborhoods too! Lakeview is about as gay friendly as they come. It is a regular scene from Q u e e r as Folk to be quite honest . The area is very upscale, classy/trendy, clean, and safe. I was just there on Fri visiting friends, yes they are gay. None the less it was fun, but that is besides the point, the area to be honest reminds me quite a bit of Manhattan's Tribeca, Greenwich Village area in the sense that the neighborhood is very artsy and lively. Lots of people out walking around, traffic, horns, sirens, all the urban ambience you can imagine, at a fraction of NYC prices! Only problem I see there is that there is a major lacking of restaurants. Might explain why everyone looks like they are starving there.

[Avengerfire]

No! Can you kill it with a bullet to the head? Will it be thrust back by fire? Will it be killed with a stake into the heart?