Looking for a Suburb/Apartment Complex near O'hare (Chicago, Arlington Heights: rentals, condos)

[narwhal]

Hi,

I am being forced to move from Houston to Chicago if I want to keep my job. I'm a native Texan but have decided to just suck it up and move north. I will work at O'hare.

I make about 90k and am single, are there any decent areas with rents that are no higher than $1k/month for a 600-ish sq. ft one bedroom?

I would prefer to live outside of the Chicago city limits because I am a firearm hobbyist and many laws in the city infringe on this hobby, although I suppose I can just leave my gear with family in Texas if it came to that. I would be willing to accept up to a 45 minute drive from my residence to O'hare. The nature of my work dictates that I will only be making the drive 2-3 times per week at most.

Any recommendations are appreciated on communities and/or specific apartment complexes to look into are appreciated.

-Narwhal

[chitown85]

If you don't have kids that expands your horizons since you don't need to worry about schools. O'Hare is located in the NW burbs, although is part of the city. Look into Elk Grove Village, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and Rolling Meadows.

Just an FYI, you must apply for a Firearms Owners ID Card from the State Police. Keep in mind that Illinois does not allow the carrying of firearms anywhere on your person anywhere in the state. You may only keep your firearms in your home and this is allowed only with a valid FOID card (and any local ordinace registration).

They may or may not allow you to register your out of state firearms.

[narwhal]

Hmm, sounds like I'll just have to leave all my guns in TX. I'm hoping to be able to transfer back to Houston ASAP, no offense. I don't see how you guys tolerate these sorts of laws. The state income tax has sort of got me down too.

I'll look into Elk Grove, Arlington, Mount Prospect, and Rolling Meadows. Thanks for the recommendations.

[cubssoxfan]

Where in Houston are you coming from? Are you looking for similar area? What are your other hobbies and interests besides shooting that you would like to be close to. You may not like the winter, but I think you will really enjoy late spring through mid-autumn around here.

[chitown85]

Originally Posted by narwhal

Hmm, sounds like I'll just have to leave all my guns in TX. I'm hoping to be able to transfer back to Houston ASAP, no offense. I don't see how you guys tolerate these sorts of laws. The state income tax has sort of got me down too.

I'll look into Elk Grove, Arlington, Mount Prospect, and Rolling Meadows. Thanks for the recommendations.

It sounds like you are single. If that's the case, you may want to look into the city for more entertainment options. The suburbs are just that, a little boring. Downtown ARlington Heights has stuff to do, but you might want to check out the NW side like Edison Park and Edgebrook.

The city has the same firearms laws as the state now, except you also need to secure a Chicago firearm permit, which is a formality.

If you are thinking you will be here short term, try to find a furnished apartment with generous lease termination agreements. Google search "furnished apartments (insert suburb here).

[narwhal]

I'm coming from The Woodlands in Houston. It's a suburb/planned community on the north side of town. Aside from target shooting I'm into spectator sports, movies, traveling, and audio/video electronics. None of those things are really location dependent though (aside from the sports, but I won't abandon my Texas teams), so a burb near the airport is probably my best option. I spend 75% of my life on the road for work.

I've also been getting some recommendations for Des Plaines from some other people.

[chitown85]

With your above criteria, pretty much any NW suburb by the airport is ok. The easiest commute would be Elk Grove Village or Des Plaines. A little further out is Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights. Just be a little vigilant of your surroundings when you view these apartment complexes, as some are higher priced, but still have gang activity.

[cubssoxfan]

I visited the Woodlands few years ago when a job possibility in Houston appeared. I generally liked the area because it was wooded and had zoning. There really isn't anything comparable I can think of in the NW suburbs. But here are some suggestions: Village Green at Arlington Club, Woodland Creek Apartments are nice. I especially like Woodland Creek because it is fairly densely wooded. Both are in Wheeling, but in good sections of town. Both these complexes would provide the feel of the master-planned vibe that Woodlands has.
Avalon Arlington Heights is a decent , modern, high rise in downtown Arlington Heights with excellent walking distance to library, restaurants, movie theater and live theater. This would be like living near the Town Center of Woodlands, but less Disney-esque and more suburban in-town feel.
Downtown Des Plaines is not bad, but it has more of a blue collar vibe mixed in with newer, upscale vibe. That's not bad, just not for me. Arlington Heights is more consistently upscale IMO. Des Plaines does put you closer to O'Hare. I am 1/2 mile from Woodland Creek apartments and during rush hour, taking lesser traveled arterial streets I can make O'Hare terminals in less than 30 minutes. In clear traffic via Palatine Rd & I-294 I can make it in 17-20 minutes.
Check the local newspapers for rentals including condos and townhomes:
Daily Herald - Suburban Chicago's Information Source

[Dncr]

If you're going to leave your guns at home, why not consider looking at the city? It'll make moving here much more exciting. The suburbs around O'Hare tend to be stereotypical, all American suburbs. You could easily take the expressway to O'Hare for work if you have to have a car. Otherwise, you could take the blue line.