Questions about the far south side of Chicago and apartment costs (Greenwood: fit in, apartments)

[crackerjack123]

Hey, everyone.

I'm a junior at UIC looking for a one-bedroom/studio apartment. I keep trying to get involved with other persons, but they flake out.

About a 1.5 years ago, I was under the impression that the total rent (util. included) on the far south side of Chicago was no more than $550 for a studio apartment per month.

Does that sound about right to you?
I've been looking at the prices, and they seem steep.
I don't quite understand what is with the prices.

A quick craigslist look shows me that prices are $600, $670+ without utilities.
Would those be rip-offs?

I keep looking at online ads and the such, and I'm seeing apartments that are much higher than that. If I remember correctly, the far south side of Chicago has a bad reputation and is known for its often ill-tempered neighborhoods. I'm the kind of person who minds his own business and needs a place to sleep, but as a white male in his early 20s, I don't want to deal with a bunch of people who are going to harass me for no good reason. I'm going to at least hope that the far south side of Chicago isn't like varying European areas where social classes bicker and harass (beat others, throw stuff, spit at each other) each other to fine degrees.

I'm 1/4 Irish, so I should fit into the south side just fine, right?

[thePR]

You want to be that far away?

And you're about 50 years too late to fit in that way.

[noid_1985]

Originally Posted by crackerjack123

I'm 1/4 Irish, so I should fit into the south side just fine, right?

yeah maybe Mt. Greenwood, yet Im not sure if you can find a studio for that low

[Southside Shrek]

To play it safe and also for convenience, I think I would look at a residence hall on campus or possibly a north side studio.

Have you searched UIC's off-campus housing database?
http://www.housing.uic.edu/offcampus/

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by crackerjack123

Hey, everyone.

I'm a junior at UIC looking for a one-bedroom/studio apartment. I keep trying to get involved with other persons, but they flake out.

About a 1.5 years ago, I was under the impression that the total rent (util. included) on the far south side of Chicago was no more than $550 for a studio apartment per month.

Does that sound about right to you?
I've been looking at the prices, and they seem steep.
I don't quite understand what is with the prices.

A quick craigslist look shows me that prices are $600, $670+ without utilities.
Would those be rip-offs?

I keep looking at online ads and the such, and I'm seeing apartments that are much higher than that. If I remember correctly, the far south side of Chicago has a bad reputation and is known for its often ill-tempered neighborhoods. I'm the kind of person who minds his own business and needs a place to sleep, but as a white male in his early 20s, I don't want to deal with a bunch of people who are going to harass me for no good reason. I'm going to at least hope that the far south side of Chicago isn't like varying European areas where social classes bicker and harass (beat others, throw stuff, spit at each other) each other to fine degrees.

I'm 1/4 Irish, so I should fit into the south side just fine, right?

Being 1/4 Irish want necessarily fit you in, unless you're looking at the far Southwest side like Mt. Greenwood or Beverly. You can check out the apartments on W. 111th St. in Morgan Park.

[crackerjack123]

Originally Posted by thePR

You want to be that far away?

And you're about 50 years too late to fit in that way.

I'm looking for that which is affordable, has a bed, and doesn't involve flakes.

As such, about the prices, does it seem like going past a total of $550 is too much?

[levans32]

I dont think you would like the south side....the S.side use to be known as the calm and cool side of Chi...mostly Black decent neighborhoods...NOT ANYMORE !!! its wild out south, 79th street for instance...a hot mess. There is always someone getting shot, robbed, raped, or something. My father lives on 79th and wolcot and every time I drive down there are countless people walking in the middle of the street during Green lights to the point where u are fearful you will hit someone. once again a HOT MESS...I dont know all there is to know because I dont live there but I dont think this would be the place for you being you are white male whom I assume is not a gangbanger (right??) I kid, i kid.....If you are going to UIC ( i work there) why not find something downtown or out west where u will be going to school? I think that will work alot better, after all the far south side is not called the " Wild 100's" for no reason. Believe me on this Bro....

* oh and by the way I am a 26 yr old blk woman so you know I am not a racist person on here just trying to talk against the black/brown but truth is truth...

[latikeriii]

Simple Answer=No. A Student of any race shouldn't have to worry about going home safely late after a late-night study session. Stay close to campus like everyone else said. Public Transit isn't the best on the far South Side either.

[It'sAutomatic]

You probably won't like the far South Side very much, but more importantly, there's no reason to live in an apartment that far from campus.