moving to Chicago for internship (Orland Park, Lincoln: sublets, home, neighborhoods)

[Qw3rty]

Hello. I'm a 20 year old student who will be working at the far south end of Chicago for an 8 month internship (January-August 2008.) I am current residing in Madison, WI and previously spent my entire live in the Minneapolis, MN area. I'm not familiar with the Chicago area at all, except for a few short visits throughout the years with family or school. While I would like to live in a more college student filled area, I don't want to be stuck in traffic all day for the commute to work. I am now considering living in a South suburb, where the commute will be much more tolerable. Any recommendations for areas/neighborhoods for an engineering student to live for 8 months?

[Windy City John]

check out Craigs list-- you need to look for a sublet or a shared housing arrangement--take advantage of the citylife. wwwamericanclassifieds.com

[emmi605]

I agree with Windy City John. Experience the city. There should be some sublets available around University of Chicago (Hyde Park). That would be the way to meet people your age also. Have fun and good luck!

[Qw3rty]

How are the commute times from that area of town to the southern most end of Chicago? (E 122nd st area)

[Windy City John]

13 miles/ 24 minutes from Hyde Park

[Windy City John]

plan your commute at Chicago Transit Authority | 1-888-YOURCTA

[vester72]

Are you going to be working in the city limits or the burbs? If the burbs, which one?

I would live in the city either way, the commute south is not bad, even during rush hour - the Dan Ryan has been expanded and there are not many people commuting to the South Side to work, they are all coming into the city to work.

I would look in Bucktown/Wicker Park, South Loop, Lincoln Park and the West Loop for places - you will have the most fun in Lincoln Park, but not great access to the highways to get south. Bucktown/Wicker Park is great too and close to the highways.

If you have to live in the south burbs, look in Orland Park - great suburb and lots of retail and restaurants, but not ideal for a college kid looking to have any kind of social life. I'd recommend other South/Southwest suburbs but not really a fun place for someone in college IMO - great for families though.

Live in the city and the commute will not be that bad - and it will be worth it.

[SloopyJ]

Originally Posted by vester72

I would look in Bucktown/Wicker Park, South Loop, Lincoln Park and the West Loop for places - you will have the most fun in Lincoln Park, but not great access to the highways to get south. Bucktown/Wicker Park is great too and close to the highways.

Live in the city and the commute will not be that bad - and it will be worth it.

Agree with all this, except I would endorse the South Loop over Bucktown or Lincoln Park. Not many college kids in Bucktown/WP (more post-college), and while Lincoln Park has lots of DePaul kids, it would make your commute difficult. The South Loop is home to Columbia College, DePaul's downtown campus, Robert Morris College, Roosevelt University, and a smattering of commmuter schools. UIC is located around where the South and West Loop areas converge, and there is a newer area called University Village right at Roosevelt Road and the Dan Ryan Expressway that would make for an easy commute.

Skip the far south side or the 'burbs - especially south 'burbs if you want any type of social experience befitting a college student.

[vester72]

FWIW I live in the South Loop - 18th and Prairie and love it more than any other neighborhood in the city (I have lived in Bucktown and Lakeview).

But I am way post college with a family, but I do see more and more kids (early 20's) moving into the area.

[Qw3rty]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I am working within city limits, the very southern end, 122nd. I'll be taking a closer look at the South Loop... I am also considering the Lincoln Park neighborhood as well, a few friends have given me that recommendation too. Though, I am concerned about the commute, what kind of rough time estimate would the commute from Lincoln to the south side in rush hour be? Much appreciated everyone.