Looking at apts and totally overwhelmed (Chicago, Oak Park: apartments, rental, condos)

[bryn89]

I'm 20 years old and will be making the big move to Chicago in January to attend UIC. I've lived in a town of about 20,000 for the last fifteen years, so this is going to be a pretty big adjustment for me. I plan on living in student housing for the spring semester of this year, but my girlfriend and I are looking at apartments for the summer of 2010 onward. There are tons of sites out there with different listings, and I'm starting to feel more than just a little overwhelmed.

We're trying to stay under $900 for a 1BR, and have looked at neighborhoods like Edgewater and Rogers Park. (visited both and liked them a lot) Can anyone here help us out by suggesting neighborhoods, websites with listings, or properties? It'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

br

[surlycue]

The commute from Edgewater to UIC will be a bit of a drag. Probably around 50 minutes- 1 hr. I'd recommend checking out the University Village area and East Pilsen for college aged kids. You can get great space for $900 in East Pilsen too. You may also want to try further north along the blue line in West Town (around the Chicago or even Grand stop), in East Village and Wicker Park around the Divison Stop, in Wicker Park/Bucktown by the Damen stop (this will get you the least amount of space for your money) or around the California or Logan Square stops in Logan Square. Logan Square may be the penultimate neighborhood for the 20-24 year old set. Stick close to the boulevards (Kedzie, Logan) and to the train stops. The further out you go the less 'scene' and the more traditional neighborhoody (with working class folks and families) it becomes.

[chet everett]

If you are going to be attending UIC you might to rethink Rogers Park and Edgewater are mighty far away -- those would be great for Loyola.

University Village/Little Italy is much closer to UIC as are West Loop, Printers Row/Dearborn Park, Wicker Park, Bucktown, Ukranian Village and Medical District/Tri-Taylor.

Some of those areas are going to be are a bt dicey and/or the landlord will fudge and try and tell call the area something that it is not

Lots of sites out there, including Craigslist and Chicago Reader Spacefinder , apartments.com have lots of "buyer beware" listings. The chicagoapartmentfinders site is another option.

Frankly I think this is probably pretty early to be looking for summer 2010, but perhaps you can use your time to do more extensive searchng.

[linicx]

There have been a lot of new neighborhoods created since I last lived in Chicago. However, one of my favorites is Oak Park. I've including links to OP and an non-profit rental center. Their videos of Sample Apartments will give you a good idea of what you might find for under $1000. OP is about 9 miles from the city and their is bus and train. Please use common sense. You are moving from a small rural town to a mega-city of 10M people. It will be a cultural shock but a pleasant one if you take it slow and easy. The rental group can help you with utilities. Unless you drive a beater you will probably want covered parking. Parking is at a premium.

Would this be a good communte? I do not know, but SurelyCue or OakParkDude can tell you.

Village of Oak Park: http:Oak Park Tourist - Touring, Living and Working in Oak Park, Illinois
Sample Apartments: Oak Park Regional Housing Center

[MannheimMadman]

[quote=surlycue;11557821]The commute from Edgewater to UIC will be a bit of a drag. Probably around 50 minutes- 1 hr.quote]

[quote=chet everett;11557984]If you are going to be attending UIC you might to rethink Rogers Park and Edgewater are mighty far away -- those would be great for Loyola.

Surely you're referring to these commute times by CTA, right? I imagine that automobile traffic could make it a tougher commute at peak times, but it can't be almost an hour. For a similar reference, I timed NEIU to Bridgeport (or, where the Ryan and Stevenson meet) at least 3 times, and it was only 25 minutes. And, that was sitting in the circle for a bit.

[kodaka]

Chicago Apartments | The Apartment People is another website that has listings. Similar to 'chicagoapartmentfinders' except they've been in business longer. I've found prices on these websites to be perhaps 10% higher than I can find through craigslist or by just walking the streets. (I presume it is their higher rent price that makes a landlord need to advertise to get it leased).

I would recommend neighborhoods that are on the blue line for easy commuting to school. These also tend to be more affordable neighborhoods (not 100% but mostly) than red and brown line neighborhoods. Wicker Park/Bucktown, west loop, ukrainian village, greektown, little italy, and university village are options. Printers row is a nice idea but I think you'll find most places go for well over your budget.

[chirack]

[quote=ManheimMadman;11558492][quote=surlycue;11557821]The commute from Edgewater to UIC will be a bit of a drag. Probably around 50 minutes- 1 hr.quote]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If you are going to be attending UIC you might to rethink Rogers Park and Edgewater are mighty far away -- those would be great for Loyola.

Surely you're referring to these commute times by CTA, right? I imagine that automobile traffic could make it a tougher commute at peak times, but it can't be almost an hour. For a similar reference, I timed NEIU to Bridgeport (or, where the Ryan and Stevenson meet) at least 3 times, and it was only 25 minutes. And, that was sitting in the circle for a bit.

Ah yes it could. Traffic can get that bad in town durring rush hour. Basically he would have to go down lake shore drive which at best is a pseduo expressway then cross downtown to the congress(or just drive arcoss downtown UIC since is close to downtown). Depending on when he left he could be there in as little as 30 mins or as much as 50. Also I am not sure how UIC handles parking because parking is somewhat limited in this area.

[hamh]

You can try Bridgeport, I remember I got a 2 bedroom apt for 700 when I was still at school (5 yrs ago). As long as the apartment is near Halsted, you can take Bus #8 directly to UIC.

[MannheimMadman]

[quote=chirack;11558846][quote=ManheimMadman;11558492]

Originally Posted by surlycue

The commute from Edgewater to UIC will be a bit of a drag. Probably around 50 minutes- 1 hr.quote]



Ah yes it could. Traffic can get that bad in town durring rush hour. Basically he would have to go down lake shore drive which at best is a pseduo expressway then cross downtown to the congress(or just drive arcoss downtown UIC since is close to downtown). Depending on when he left he could be there in as little as 30 mins or as much as 50. Also I am not sure how UIC handles parking because parking is somewhat limited in this area.

Ah ok. for some reason I was reading your post as if the 50 min was an absolute. I have sat in weekday traffic and it is terrible. I also forgot about the fact that at peak times, the area around UIC might be madness.

[citygirlll]

I live in the neighborhood just south of UIC and have also lived on the north side. I would strongly, strongly urge you not to commute from Rogers Park or other far north neighborhoods.

There are plenty of apartments much closer to UIC or even condos that you could rent. Go to Barbara's Bookstore on the corner of Roosevelt and Halsted and you will see many postings for apartments for UIC students.

I would consider the following areas: Little Italy/Taylor Street area, University Village, West Loop, South Loop, areas farther north along the Blue Line (the Blue Line stops right at UIC). There are many, many apartments/condos at many price points in these areas, which would be a much better commute.