Location or Look? (Chicago, Lincoln, Atlanta: apartments, condos, neighborhood)

[pinkpearls10]

So here's my dilemma. I'm a grad student and have classes downtown three evenings during the week. My job is near the Hoyne area.

I found two great options for apartments in Rogers Park. 1) 2bd/2bath for $990 a month and 2) 2bd/1ba for $950 a month. I'm from the south where you can get renovated apartments with a modern look, in-unit washer/dryer for less than $800 per month so it's EXTREMELY important for me to have a nice place; not something that looks 30 years old, which is what I see a lot since my search. So this is a great deal HOWEVER the area is not near a bus stop or a train line. They are both several blocks away. The area has a neighborhood feel so there aren't any businesses/stores/gas stations near the apartment.

On the other hand, I found a place near downtown that is more ($1100) 2 bd/1bath but the feel is NOT modern. It's an older unit in a building that is decent but definitely NOT better than what I found in Rogers Park. The washer/dryer is in the basement of the building whereas I can have the luxury of doing my laundry from inside my apt at Rogers Park.

So in your opinion would you rather take a longer commute to work/school and pay to live in a nice apartment or take a shorter commute and get a not so great apt?

By the way, I have a car that I'll be bringing up in a couple months but there is no parking area at the train stop to leave it if I wanted to use that as alternative to avoid the long walk.

[chirack]

Well you wont be driving downtown and I doubt that you will have somewhere to park in downtown for that price. I would look elsewhere for a cheaper apartment nearer to a train line or give up the car and move downtown.

In general I would take shorter commute over newer apartment esp. if you are going between downtown and Roger's park. However if I were you I would look elsewhere. You can find cheaper, closer or more convenient elsewhere.

[Drover]

What does "near the Hoyne area" mean? Hoyne is 20-some miles long.

[pinkpearls10]

Originally Posted by Drover

What does "near the Hoyne area" mean? Hoyne is 20-some miles long.

I'm recently hired and new to the area however its on W Chicago Ave.

[surlycue]

haha, 30 years old. that's awfully vintage.

[pinkpearls10]

Originally Posted by chirack

Well you wont be driving downtown and I doubt that you will have somewhere to park in downtown for that price. I would look elsewhere for a cheaper apartment nearer to a train line or give up the car and move downtown.

In general I would take shorter commute over newer apartment esp. if you are going between downtown and Roger's park. However if I were you I would look elsewhere. You can find cheaper, closer or more convenient elsewhere.

Thanks for your input.

I've been reading up on the Rogers Park area in old threads on this forum and I'm reconsidering it all together despite the look and price for the condo. These condos are near the Jarvis red line (Greenview Ave & W Jonquil Ter) and there seems to be a unanimous opinion on there that it isn't a good area. My safety is my first priority.

[pinkpearls10]

Originally Posted by surlycue

haha, 30 years old. that's awfully vintage.

lol, I was exaggerating however it seems the norm here for an okay looking apartment is the exact opposite of Charlotte and Atlanta. But I digress .. it's the city and I should expect this.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by pinkpearls10

I'm recently hired and new to the area however its on W Chicago Ave.

So if I understand you correctly, your job around Chicago and Hoyne. That being the case, basically you'll be bouncing back and forth between downtown and Ukranian Village. I wouldn't bother looking for apartments all the way up in Rogers Park. Living up there will be massively inconvenient, especially when trying to get to your job. If I were you I would be looking for places near the Damen Blue Line stop. That way the train can take you downtown for school and the Damen bus can take you down to Chicago avenue for your job.

[pinkpearls10]

Originally Posted by Drover

So basically you'll be bouncing back and forth between downtown and Ukranian Village. I wouldn't bother looking for apartments all the way up in Rogers Park. Living up there will be massively inconvenient, especially when trying to get to your job. If I were you I would be looking for places near the Damen Blue Line stop. That way the train can take you downtown for school and the Damen bus can take you down to Chicago avenue for your job.

I agree. I'm researching apartments in that area as we speak.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by pinkpearls10

Thanks for your input.

I've been reading up on the Rogers Park area in old threads on this forum and I'm reconsidering it all together despite the look and price for the condo. These condos are near the Jarvis red line (Greenview Ave & W Jonquil Ter) and there seems to be a unanimous opinion on there that it isn't a good area. My safety is my first priority.

The area is ok. There are some rough spots but not 100% ghetto. That being said it is not convenient for you in terms of work and school. You need to be elsewhere.

Where ever you pick make sure you have somewhere to park your car if you are bringing it. Parking in some areas can be a headache and near the Damen blue line stop is somewhat one of them(not as bad as Lincoln park thou...).