Transfer from Miami to Chicago (Berwyn, Oak Park: apartment, rental, townhome)

[KR0210]

Transfering from Miami to Chicago
I'm from the Midwest and have been living in SoFlorida for 15 years. I'm over it. People are rude, traffice is a nightmare, it's WAY too hot 10 months out of the year.
I will be working downtown across from Art Institute. Have a husband and toddler. Husband is an artist (painting) and At Home Dad caring for the toddler. We will want to rent first, get a feel and have a max budget of $1400/month. It's not a lot and with a toddler, I think we'd like to be close to parks, have a yard or access to a yard, walking distance to Metra for me if possible. I think the suburbs is a better fit but that's a really broad area.
Any tips on renting, looks like a challenging experience so you need to know what you're doing.
Will get tips and references from colleagues as well.

[4122]

You'll most likely have to rent a townhome or an apartment with your price range. Also, when picking a suburb make sure that the metra goes straight through to the stop near the stop you will be getting off at for work.

[ToriaT]

Maybe Oak Park area. Has good transportation and many families. Also you might look into south Berwyn. The Metra runs right through it. If you have a toddler schools are not a present issue and there are many private schools and day cars there. Here is an example of what you might find in the south Berwyn area.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/apa/4983460582.html

[sipes23]

You might not have to go to the suburbs (unless you want to). Given your budget and a bit of patience, you might find something in Jefferson or Portage Park that fits the bill. The JP Metra stop is also right on top of an L stop, so you get the best of both here. Plenty of parks in the neighborhood. Transit to the JP transit center is pretty decent if you don't want to fuss with walking.

For your data gathering purposes, we have a rental under your $1400/month budget that includes 3BR, off-street parking and a yard. I suspect we're getting a bit of a bargin, but probably not too much of one. We are less than a mile from the JP transit center and less than a mile from the Forest Glen Metra stop.

[Ophidian14]

By the way, maybe you've forgotten, but people are rude here, traffic is terrible, and it's way too cold 10 months out of the year.

[knitgirl]

Originally Posted by Ophidian14

By the way, maybe you've forgotten, but people are rude here, traffic is terrible, and it's way too cold 10 months out of the year.

go away

[Ophidian14]

See? Told you...

[KR0210]

Originally Posted by sipes23

You might not have to go to the suburbs (unless you want to). Given your budget and a bit of patience, you might find something in Jefferson or Portage Park that fits the bill. The JP Metra stop is also right on top of an L stop, so you get the best of both here. Plenty of parks in the neighborhood. Transit to the JP transit center is pretty decent if you don't want to fuss with walking.

For your data gathering purposes, we have a rental under your $1400/month budget that includes 3BR, off-street parking and a yard. I suspect we're getting a bit of a bargin, but probably not too much of one. We are less than a mile from the JP transit center and less than a mile from the Forest Glen Metra stop.

Thanks for the tips and this gives me hope! I would rather not go to the burbs.

[KR0210]

Originally Posted by ToriaT

Maybe Oak Park area. Has good transportation and many families. Also you might look into south Berwyn. The Metra runs right through it. If you have a toddler schools are not a present issue and there are many private schools and day cars there. Here is an example of what you might find in the south Berwyn area.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/apa/4983460582.html

I'll check both of those too. We love Oak Park having travelled there pre-baby 5 years ago. I just read nightmare stories regarding parking and crime/violence creeping in from neighboring areas.
Berwyn looks very nice and I'd have to take Metra to Union and then a bus. Looking at options near the El seems like a better commute for me. Keeping all options open though given the budget.

[KR0210]

Originally Posted by Ophidian14

By the way, maybe you've forgotten, but people are rude here, traffic is terrible, and it's way too cold 10 months out of the year.

Ha ha, good one. Still won't deter me.