Where should I live if I commute to IN? (Chicago: apartments, condos)

[cmillia]

Hey all, I am a single young professional starting a new job in Merrillville, IN. I don't want to commute too far but would like to have easy access to Chicago. I know alot of the southern suburbs aren't safe, but the north suburbs are just too far of a commute. I am not quite sure where to start looking. Apt. and area suggestions that would be affordable?

[cdc3217]

You might want to look into Beverly, a far south side neighborhood in the city limits of Chicago. Try mapping travel times from zip code 60643 and see if its within your time limits. Beverly is centered around 103rd and Western, more or less.

Its more signle-friendly than the typical suburb, and you're near I-94.

You'd also be able to take a train into the city and stuff for nightlife and cultural attractions.

[sbd78]

Agreed, check out Beverly if you are looking for city living. (Although Beverly has much of a suburban feel even though it is in city limits.) If you are looking for south suburbs, check out Tinley Park, Oak Forest, and Orland Park. All are safe areas and have train stations to get to the city.

[domergurl]

Move to Dyer, Indiana ...

[Chuckity]

Where are you moving from? Are you in Chicago now? The suburbs? Arkansas?

Your commute to Merrillville is going to be completely screwed up for a while no matter what - unless you live in the direct vincinity. They've completely torn up the 1-80/90/65 exchange.

Do you have friends or family in the area or are you starting from scratch?

And how young are you? 20s? 30s?

If you stay in Illinois, your commute is going to be around an hour. Maybe 45 minutes but that would be best case scenario. Or more. And you'll have to drive because there is no good way for public transportation to get you to Merrillville. And gas is 3.59 a gallon as of this morning. Oy.

I *might* look into apartments or condos in the immediate vicinity of downtown Crown Point - around the square. Good young nightlife at night (Registry is right there - and I just saw that some MTV Real Worlders are going to be there soon ... goody!) and a safe area.

[chet everett]

You might have some tax implications to consider too -- generally with lower cost of living in Indiana folks don't mind crossing into IL for work and paying their income tax, but the other direction might make your dollars go further...

Of course if you want to live in a town with $22M library and you don't mind a commute or two hours or so I hear there is somebody who can help you out...

[JP_GoBucks]

Avoid all the south suburbs close to Indiana. You may want to try Tinley Park, Mokena or New Lenox and see if those commutes are ok. Otherwise try Munster IN. I hear that's pretty nice.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by JP_GoBucks

Avoid all the south suburbs close to Indiana.

That's ridiculous and frankly uninformed.

Lansing, Lynwood, Steger, and Crete are all nice communities that have easy commutes to Merrillville.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by skye1974

That's ridiculous and frankly uninformed.

Lansing, Lynwood, Steger, and Crete are all nice communities that have easy commutes to Merrillville.

I bought my car in Matteson. Nice automall, I'd live in the Cadillac store in they let me...

[Chuckity]

Originally Posted by JP_GoBucks

Avoid all the south suburbs close to Indiana. You may want to try Tinley Park, Mokena or New Lenox and see if those commutes are ok. Otherwise try Munster IN. I hear that's pretty nice.

Please explain why someone should avoid all the south suburbs close to Indiana, and yet you say Munster is pretty nice - which borders a southern suburb (Lansing).

I'd love to hear your explanation ...