Moving to Chicago - Advise for writer/advertising, living (rental, home)

[rj_usf]

I will be moving to Chicago, my birthplace but emigrated when I was still in diapers, in September.

I will be transferring jobs to the Wyndham Downtown, a temporary transfer, hopefully. I was interested in a writing/film career and was curious as to the opportunities in terms of jobs/internships. (i have a B.A. and some relevant experience) What would be a convenient and moderately priced neighborhood to live? (will not have a car)

[kellynchi]

If you are going to be working downtown I'd suggest checking out the Pilsen area (south of the loop) and Printer's Row. Printers Row can be pricey, but you can find a good deal if you're willing to have a roommate or live in a studio. Pilsen is known as an artsy neighborhood and has a lot of local small businesses. Safety can be a concern, so be sure to check out the surrounding blocks during the day and at night. I've found most of Chicago to be pretty safe if you use common sense.

[sharkylittleton]

Originally Posted by kellynchi

If you are going to be working downtown I'd suggest checking out the Pilsen area (south of the loop) and Printer's Row. Printers Row can be pricey, but you can find a good deal if you're willing to have a roommate or live in a studio. Pilsen is known as an artsy neighborhood and has a lot of local small businesses. Safety can be a concern, so be sure to check out the surrounding blocks during the day and at night. I've found most of Chicago to be pretty safe if you use common sense.

My roomate used to live in Pilsen, I havent noticed much going on there yet besides a few art galleries on Halsted. For me, it's not a large enough surrounding community, but that probably will change over time if Pilsen becomes the new cheap artsy destination.

Chicago has an art scene in most of every neighborhood. Even if you live in one, the next is not hard to access with the local transportation. If you prefer to call "art communities" home base, there are a few i'd recommend. Consider living in lakeview (belmont & halsted). This area neighbors Chicago's LGBT community which spills over if that may be an issue. The scene is pretty big there, lots of local talented film makers and artists call that area of Chicago home. There are art galleries in the area as well. You are about a 30 minute train ride downtown and you are next to the lake. There is also Wicker Park, supposedly has the highest concentration of working artists in Chicago but I havent met any of them yet. It's closer to downtown, but farther from the lake.

[Drover]

Everyone's idea of "semi-affordable" is different. It would help to have a rental range to work with.