Trying to move but many questions first (Chicago, Evanston: section 8, rental market)

[Fallen-Star]

So I'm 22 right now going to school for Law Enforcement, but for a job right now I work at Walmart. I'm looking to move to Chicago, however its not like very soon perhaps in a year and half mainly because I need to save money to move. My town now is only 10,000 so I don't want to move right into the city. What I'm looking for is a safer suburb of Chicago and somewhat cheap. Clearly I don't make a lot of money so this many be an issue. I also don't want a super small suburb something with like atleast 85,000 would be nice but i'm open if to ideas if you have a better number in mind. I'm looking to rent anything really but a trailer like I said as long as its safer. We have rent help up here but they only go up to $500 and I was wondering if they cover more up there or not?

On a side note I'm trying to find a place that allows me to either have a Husky or a German Shepherd I've talked to a few places and they don't allow them.

Really just any info on the city also would be nice the more the better!

Thanks!

[ChicagoMeO]

some suburbs which seem lower priced but yet are pretty -

Carol Stream, Elk Grove and Forest Park. all northwest suburbs or west suburbs near the city, and i believe are good costs for rent.

[elanmorin25]

Any particular reason you don't want to live in the city? There's just much more of a rental market there compared to the suburbs.

Might be worth looking for roommates on Craigslist in Evanston or some of the more up and coming city neighborhoods with lower rents such as Humboldt Park, Avondale, West Town, parts of Logan Square, or Irving Park. I know a guy who has a place in the very eastern part of Humboldt Park near Wicker Park who pays less than $500 a month to rent a place with two other roommates.

[mattywo85]

OP have you decided on a school yet? If you are looking into Law Enforcement, Western Illinois University is the #1 school in the state for that. It is in Macomb, IL which is in the boonies but its cheap and mostly a college town.

[ToriaT]

I don't know what you mean by rent help. Perhaps that would be referred to here as Section 8? Perhaps others will chime in. You said you want a suburb but you want something larger. Forget the population to judge as the suburbs and the city all run into each other so its not really an accurate judge of anything. Its not like you are an island. I suggest a place like Forest Park or Berwyn. More reasonable than Oak Park or Evanston. 500 is tough for a stand alone apt, you might need room mates. If you don't already have a dog, don't get one now. It will complicate where you live and so many places don't take them. It will limit you, and its also expensive.