Looking for a Chicago Suburb by lake, shopping, etc. for people around my age (Evanston: rentals, condos)

[sportgrl]

Hello! My husband and I are looking to move to Chicago in the next 6 months. I am wondering if anyone can give me some ideas for Chicago suburbs where we can get a condo with a lake view, somewhere close to shopping a restaurants and pet friendly parks. We are early 30's and would like to be in a community with people our age. I have done some research but wondering what everyone else thought. Thanks for your help!

[847mom]

I would vote for Evanston, as it has all of the amenities that you requested.

[sfcambridge]

Any particular reason why you want a suburb, rather then to be in a neighborhood in the city? Are you planning to have kids soon, so schools are an issues?

It is also really important to know where you are working, as Chicago is a huge city, and commutes are usually one of the most important variables when choosing where to lives.

As well as your budget.

[sportgrl]

A neighborhood is fine too. I guess a lakeview would be one of the most important as far as choosing a condo. Budget is under 300k. Kids in the future yes but not soon. I hopefully will be working downtown. Thanks for your response and your help!

[chet everett]

If you don't currently have school age kids I would recommend Chicago, though with a budget of only $300k I would probably also recommend renting if you want to be anywhere near Lake Michicagn and not have major concerns about safety...

[sportgrl]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If you don't currently have school age kids I would recommend Chicago, though with a budget of only $300k I would probably also recommend renting if you want to be anywhere near Lake Michicagn and not have major concerns about safety...

I have seen some properties online on N. Lake Shore Drive that are in my budget. Is this a nice area?

[chet everett]

Lake Shore Dr. Ranges from REALLY nice in 2000 blocks of the Gold Coast to not so great in the areas closer to Uptown to pretty awful south of Hyde Park where it pretty much ends....

You need to specific addresses so that we can help with the neighborhood.

[sportgrl]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Lake Shore Dr. Ranges from REALLY nice in 2000 blocks of the Gold Coast to not so great in the areas closer to Uptown to pretty awful south of Hyde Park where it pretty much ends....

You need to specific addresses so that we can help with the neighborhood.

So for example, here are some Lake Shore Drive address I found:
3660 LAKE SHORE DR 4413, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60613
1000 Lake Shore DR 405, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60611
860 LAKE SHORE DR 8L



And here are some other address of properties I found with a lakeview.
655 IRVING PARK RD 3502, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60613
5701 Sheridan RD 21T, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60660
400 Randolph ST 2611




I want to be in a nice area as well. I am not familiar with Chicago other than the Mag Mile area. Thanks again everyone for your help!

[chet everett]

I would rent! Seriously. That 400 Randolph building is sadly lacking in updates. I thinks there are Motel 6 bathrooms that look more modern! And they want $300k?!?

I actualy knew someone that lived in the 860 N LSD building,and it does have great view with a location that is hard to beat -- views are never to be obstructed. Price seems fair for a 3 bd/ 2 ba though tas I recall the assessments are quite high and ceiling heights are pretty cramped. Window technolgy frommthat era is not as good at filtering sounds or weather, you'll be in fish box and awfully closer to tradfic and "summer sounds" like firework, yet not high enough to fell like you are innthe clouds... As the photo shows,updates from the 90s hardly look stylish. You are going to be hard pressed to renovate in a building like that in a cost effective way too -- contractors charge extra becuase the older buildings don't make things easy on them. If you have your heart set on views and nice area the low price is hard to just dismiss.

Personally I would not be eager to like Uptown / Edgewater area, but assessments are probably less.

There is a glut of rentals and I suspect you could rent for a fraction of what buying would cost...

[sportgrl]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I would rent! Seriously. That 400 Randolph building is sadly lacking in updates. I thinks there are Motel 6 bathrooms that look more modern! And they want $300k?!?

I actualy knew someone that lived in the 860 N LSD building,and it does have great view with a location that is hard to beat -- views are never to be obstructed. Price seems fair for a 3 bd/ 2 ba though tas I recall the assessments are quite high and ceiling heights are pretty cramped. Window technolgy frommthat era is not as good at filtering sounds or weather, you'll be in fish box and awfully closer to tradfic and "summer sounds" like firework, yet not high enough to fell like you are innthe clouds... As the photo shows,updates from the 90s hardly look stylish. You are going to be hard pressed to renovate in a building like that in a cost effective way too -- contractors charge extra becuase the older buildings don't make things easy on them. If you have your heart set on views and nice area the low price is hard to just dismiss.

Personally I would not be eager to like Uptown / Edgewater area, but assessments are probably less.

There is a glut of rentals and I suspect you could rent for a fraction of what buying would cost...

Thanks for all the great info! Looks like I might look into renting instead. Thanks again!