20 somethings from memphis to chicago (Bridgeport: apartment, renters, insurance)

[mandipoo]

Hey guys! I have read through the posts, and I am really glad I found this forum! My boyfriend and I are looking to move to Chicago in July. I am a teacher - not sure where I'll be working exactly. We would like to live in the Lakeview area, as I have a close friend in that area. We have a small (5 pound) dog--and our budget is 1250tops. We'd ideally like to get a 2 bedroom. Is that even doable with our budget? I haven't found much on rent.com. Also, we both have cars, but we imagine we will be taking the El more often than driving, so we are thinking of selling our cars in order to avoid insurance, parking fees, etc. Would you recommend this, or is a car a bigger neccessity than we think? Thanks in advance!

[Drover]

First things first. If I were you I'd find out where you're teaching first and then use that as the basis for your decision on where to live. Otherwise you could be stuck with a dreadful commute that will make you want to damage people and/or things. Speaking of commute, whether or not it's practical to get rid of both cars will also depend on the geographical relationship between where you live and where you both work.

Supposing you both do get jobs that are conveniently accessible by public transportion: Getting rid of both cars is a viable, perhaps even practical option. In most of Lakeview, parking is tight. Off-street parking is relatively scarce and stupid expensive. Some parts are so tight that people get rid of their cars not because they want to but because it's more of a hassle to have one than to not have one. In the really tight areas -- typically close to the lakeshore -- people will go weeks without using their cars because if they move it, it could take hours to find another parking spot again. Not all of Lakeview is that bad, but all of Lakeview is at least a minor parking hassle.

Fortunately, public transportation is very comprehensive and can take you from any part of the city to any other part of the city. Not always promptly, but at least it will get you there. (Public transportation in the suburbs is another story.) If you need a car for out-of-town trips you can always rent one. If you need a car for, say, a trip to the grocery store or to visit a friend in the suburbs for a few hours, there are car-sharing co-ops you can join where you rent a car by the hour or day-to-day. The most well-known in the Chicago market is i-go cars (i-go-cars.org). Another is ZipCar (zipcar.com).

And yes, you should be able to find a 2-bedroom in Lakeview for $1250, though that is close to the "starting rate" for a 2br in that area and having a dog will further limit your options. Rent.com is worthless. Your best bet is to use chicago.craigslist.org for apartment hunting. You shold also contact The Apartment People; both management companies and mom-and-pop landlords use them and they're free to the tenant. They have a Lakeview office that specializes in that area though they do pretty much all north and northwest side neighborhoods. Their website is theapartmentpeople.com

I wish to stress again that you should probably figure out where you're working first before you settle on Lakeview, because a commute that looks short on a map can, in reality, be an exercise in masochism.

[domergurl]

Try the Chicago Reader online for apartment ads. You'll probably end up renting from someone who owns a condo. That's what I did when I rented in Lakeview (the boystown section on Stratford). The person I rented from got married and moved to his new wife's place, so he rented to me.

[mandipoo]

Thanks guys, for your help! I am definetely open to places other than Lakeview, depending on where I'll be working. I'll keep the commute in mind. Thanks for the great advice!

[j33]

What sort of teaching do you do. Are you planning on working for CPS?

[NSH]

If you are renting try to look for places away from the Red Brown Yellow or Purple Line trains as these will be your main methods of transportation and are going through monstrous track reconstruction. The CTA is telling riders to allow for double your commuting time for the next 2 years.
Because of this many renters are moving to Logan Square, Wicker Park, Bucktown close to the blue line West Loop, South Loop close to the green line, Bridgeport, McKinley Park close to the Orange Line and Armour Square close to the Dan Ryan Red Line.

[j33]

nsh -- I thought about that too as I read the article this morning. I can't help but wonder if this construction project will change some of the demographics of the northside and the near southside.

Thankfully, I live off the Blue Line, but I'm bracing for even larger crowds. I'm off the Division stop so as it stands now, I often have to fight my way on to a train in the morning, and don't always succeed.

[NSH]

I'm no expert on the northside but renting in the far north neighborhoods like Buena Park, Rogers Park, Edgewater Andersonville is not going to look that attractive to a downtown commuter.
West Loop and Wicker Park area will see the bulk of the demand as they have the most nightlife. And those searching for bargains or less crowds will "discover" other neighborhoods like Bridgeport. Pilsen and McKinley Park.

[j33]

nsh --That is probably true. I guess that means for me that I'd better stay put in my apartment (I doubt I'd get my rent elswhere, and I bet rents will rise given what will probably be a surge in demand) unless I want to head south, which I am in no way opposed to, and have often considered. However, I like my neighborhood and my landlord and have lived here for four years now and am comfotable. Picking up and moving to a new neighborhood is a pain, but if I were living in Edgewater or Rogers Park (I've lived in both of those places in the past) then I'd definately be looking to get out. There is no way I'd want to commute 1 1/2 hours to work (it already takes 45 minutes or more from that far north and they are saying that commuting times could double).

[NSH]

j33 - if I were you I would stay put, you are right in the heart of the action, on the downside be prepared to wait for 3 or 4 trains before sardining yourself in at the Damen or Division stop, but at least your commute time won't change which is a good thing!