Opinions on addresses (Chicago, Barry, Ashland: fit in, apartment, neighborhoods)

[KSML]

Hello,

I am a 26-year-old single female planning to relocate to Chicago. I have gone through the sticky post, searched and read and I think Lakeview is the area I am going to shoot for.

I am looking for a studio and I have found a few that fit into my budget and I wanted general opinions on the areas.

Thanks

530 W. Arlington
452 W. Aldine
420 W. Melrose
445 W. Barry

[Avengerfire]

All are fine. If you need more help with the area DM me. I live in Lake View.

[Drover]

Plan on spending a lot of money for off-street parking in that area if you have a car. It's very dense and street parking is hard to come by.

There's something about that area around Arlington that it has absolutely the best tree canopy in the summertime. Maybe it's because the streets are narrower than most Chicago streets and the trees are closer together.

[alwaystraveling25]

Originally Posted by KSML

Hello,

I am a 26-year-old single female planning to relocate to Chicago. I have gone through the sticky post, searched and read and I think Lakeview is the area I am going to shoot for.

I am looking for a studio and I have found a few that fit into my budget and I wanted general opinions on the areas.

Thanks

530 W. Arlington
452 W. Aldine
420 W. Melrose
445 W. Barry

Hey, welcome to Chicago! All of those places are great; I live in East Lakeview too, and you can't go wrong with any of those places.

I am from Kalamazoo too, in a way (went to WMU for five years), so if you want to know anything from a "Kzoo" perspective just let me know!

[KSML]

Thanks all for the help. I'm planning things long-distance so I'm relieved to know I'm on the right track. I will be making a trip to the area in the upcoming weeks to check things out in person so I may have more questions then.

Drover, I do have a car so I will keep parking fees in mind while figuring out my budget. Do you have a suggestion for a similar area with available street parking?

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by KSML

Thanks all for the help. I'm planning things long-distance so I'm relieved to know I'm on the right track. I will be making a trip to the area in the upcoming weeks to check things out in person so I may have more questions then.

Drover, I do have a car so I will keep parking fees in mind while figuring out my budget. Do you have a suggestion for a similar area with available street parking?

Unfortunately, most of the "hip" places to live have high parking fees. If you want more of a neighborhood feel, you could do something with street parking. When I lived in West Lakeview (west of Ashland), I could easily street park. Otherwise parking can be anywhere between $70-$250 (I have one friend paying $70 in lakeview and another paying $250 for a garage!)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by KSML

Thanks all for the help. I'm planning things long-distance so I'm relieved to know I'm on the right track. I will be making a trip to the area in the upcoming weeks to check things out in person so I may have more questions then.

Drover, I do have a car so I will keep parking fees in mind while figuring out my budget. Do you have a suggestion for a similar area with available street parking?

I guess it depends on how "similar" you need. If you need to be in a dense area right on the lakefront, then no. If you just need to be in or near a decent nightlife area, parking is considerably more manageable in West Lakeview than East; and also in Bucktown and Wicker Park. In all of these places, you should be able to find street parking no more than a block or two away between the hours of, say, 8am and 7pm. After 7pm it becomes increasingly difficult. Just as well; unless you work out in the suburbs chances are you'll be taking public transportation to work anyway.

[KSML]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

Unfortunately, most of the "hip" places to live have high parking fees. If you want more of a neighborhood feel, you could do something with street parking. When I lived in West Lakeview (west of Ashland), I could easily street park. Otherwise parking can be anywhere between $70-$250 (I have one friend paying $70 in lakeview and another paying $250 for a garage!)

I don't need "hip" as much as I need affordable and safe. I will look into West Lakeview studios as well. Some of the complexes state that covered parking is available so I'm assuming those garages will cost $70-$250? I have called a few of the complexes to see what is available and I will be sure to inquire about parking fees.

[KSML]

Originally Posted by Drover

I guess it depends on how "similar" you need. If you need to be in a dense area right on the lakefront, then no. If you just need to be in or near a decent nightlife area, parking is considerably more manageable in West Lakeview than East; and also in Bucktown and Wicker Park. In all of these places, you should be able to find street parking no more than a block or two away between the hours of, say, 8am and 7pm. After 7pm it becomes increasingly difficult. Just as well; unless you work out in the suburbs chances are you'll be taking public transportation to work anyway.

I would like to live in a place with a decent nightlife that is safe and affordable. Living alone, I want to feel comfortable walking to my apartment if I have to park several blocks away and/or take public transportation.

I cannot find Bucktown on my map (I'll will do a search to see to where it is) but I will check out both Bucktown and Wicker Park as options, thanks.

[Drover]

Well for someone who is looking for affordability, you should know that Lakeview is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. What kind of combined rent/utilities budget are you looking at?