help! moving to chicago from boston (Lincoln, Newton: apartment, to rent, condo)

[40yrsyoungfemale]

Good morning. I am a single 40 yr old professional female moving to Chicago. May I please get some advice on areas to live? I need access to the EL or Metra in order to commute to downtown weekly, but will also be flying twice a month for business. I'm looking for social opportunities as well as safe neigborhoods, as I know absolutely NO ONE in Chicago.

Thanks so much!!!

[oakparkdude]

I lived in Boston until 2005. Tell us what neighborhood(s) in Boston you liked? Also a price range would be helpful.

[Lookout Kid]

Also, will you typically fly out of O'Hare or Midway?

Do you want to approximate the scale and walkability of a typical Boston rowhouse neighborhood?

Chicago's housing is a little bit cheaper than Boston's, so you might be pleasantly surprised about what you can afford here. However, most Chicago low-rise neighborhoods feel wide-open compared to Boston's. In grad school we used to measure and diagram the "street section" (facade height, setbacks, sidewalk width, curbs, street width, etc.) of various cities across the world, and Boston had more compact, pedestrian-friendly streets than nearly all other U.S. cites. There are just a few neighborhoods in Chicago that even approach this urban feel--though Chicago probably offers the highest low-rise density east of the Appalachians, with the possible exception of San Francisco.

[Kent Sonnefeld]

Sorry, All I have is GO CUBS and my brother lived in Linclon Park area, very nice.
Thanks,
Kent

[alwaystraveling25]

A friend of mine from Boston moved here about 8 months ago. He sold his 1BR/1BA Condo in the South End of Boston and was able to buy a 2BR/2BA here with a parking space with the same amount of money.

He chose to live in Lakeview/Lincoln Park (right along Diversey).

I think your best bets, as a single woman in her 40's, would be more of a Lincoln Park/Gold Coast Neighborhood. You definitely will get more bang for your buck here, apartment/condo-wise, and parking is less of a nightmare (so says my friend from Boston).

If you have any more questions, I would be glad to pass them onto him...he is so much happier, he loved the summer here and says that people are much friendlier...I would consider that, considering we met in a bar when he my friend was trying to pick him up...and he became a good part of our circle of friends!

[Lookout Kid]

But if the OP wants to take the train to O'Hare on a frequent basis, Bucktown or Wicker Park might work out better than a lakefront neighborhood.

[40yrsyoungfemale]

Wow! Let me just start by remarking that Bostonians would rarely be so helpful! I'm originally from St. Louis and I can't wait to get back to the friendly Mid-West. Thank you very much for your suggestions thus far. Here is a bit more information:

-Sukwoo, I currently live in Newton, but love the South End and Back Bay. (Too $$ for my wallet.) I don't want to be house poor.

-Parking is a must, preferably with a garage.

-I need access to the Metra in order to travel to Milwuakee for business trips

-I LOATHE THE RED SOX AND THE PATRIOTS!! (Cardinals fan...sorry Cubbies)

-I'm undecided as to renting or buying due to several variables: the economy, unfamiliarity of Chicago, expected time in the area.

-My biggest priority next to housing is meeting friends, not necessarily dating per se, though certainly that's intriguing as well! I'll be working out of a home office. I need mental stimulation!

Thank you! Thank God for the Mid-West!!

[40yrsyoungfemale]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

But if the OP wants to take the train to O'Hare on a frequent basis, Bucktown or Wicker Park might work out better than a lakefront neighborhood.

What an OP????

[aragx6]

(Cardinals fan...sorry Cubbies)

I love you. That is all.

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by 40yrsyoungfemale

What an OP????

OP= Original poster