Evanston (Chicago, Sheridan: hardwood floors, fit in, rent)

[miamiheat305]

Hi. I am looking to move to the Chicago area from Miami. I have family who lives in Evanston now but I have never been there. Miami is more like Los Angeles in that we do not have an active city center, more like a sprawling network of different places to go. Thus, I have never really lived in the urban type of place like Chicago. While I think I would like to try that out, I also would like to learn about my options that would be a little more like "home", ie living in the suburbs. Also, I have a car, and while I can easily get rid of it, I figure if i lived in the burbs I could keep it. I was curious most about Evanston since it seems to be relatively close to Chicago. What is rent like there? How long would it be to get into Chicago by train...can I "experience" Chicago, like going into the city for work and to hang out while living in Evanston or should I just live in the city itself.

[lakecountylifer]

Miami is not that different than Chicago from the perspective of urban experience....You may be over thinking a bit with the L.A/Miami comparison.... Miami is just as urban as Chicago.

Most people in Chicago have a car----again you may have some bad information if your thinking that Chicago residents don't have cars.

Evanston is a great choice to live. Its kind of half city and half suburb. You can take the L train 24/7 into the city for work and night life and the $2 fare will take about 20-30 minutes to reach most north side areas. Or, you could skip the train and just drive into the city too---no big deal.

I paid less than $600 for a one bed room in Evanston during the late 90s so I'm sure the rent has gone up but not that much.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by lakecountylifer

Miami is not that different than Chicago from the perspective of urban experience....You may be over thinking a bit with the L.A/Miami comparison.... Miami is just as urban as Chicago.

Most people in Chicago have a car----again you may have some bad information if your thinking that Chicago residents don't have cars.

Evanston is a great choice to live. Its kind of half city and half suburb. You can take the L train 24/7 into the city for work and night life and the $2 fare will take about 20-30 minutes to reach most north side areas. Or, you could skip the train and just drive into the city too---no big deal.

I paid less than $600 for a one bed room in Evanston during the late 90s so I'm sure the rent has gone up but not that much.

miami, I absolutely agree with the above. Think of Chicago this way: it has many of the elements of an excellent public transportion system (from commuter rail to rail transit to bus) that New York has, but we still manage (even in the city itself) to still put a lot of importance to our cars.

The result? Many of us will drive downtown and curse and swear and sit in frustration over a slow crawl into the heart of town and often gridlock once we've arrived (I won't even get into the price of parking!)....but we still do it.

As for Evanston, I think you will really like the way that it mixes the best of urban with the best of suburban. Evanston is the ultimate transition town between both. With the lakefront, Northwestern University, and a lot of other ammenities, Evanston manages to have loads of character and identity. It is very much its own place despite being tightly fit into the framework of neighboring communities (both Chicago and other suburbs)

[miamiheat305]

ok thanks guys. Will rent be cheaper in Evanston than in Chicago? If its only a 20-30 minute train ride into Chicago I think i might live there.

[city414]

Originally Posted by miamiheat305

ok thanks guys. Will rent be cheaper in Evanston than in Chicago? If its only a 20-30 minute train ride into Chicago I think i might live there.

ive ask this question but in chicago i have found some areas to have cheaper rents even on the north side...

Renovated, hardwood Floors,New Bed,Living,DiningRooms,NearMetra&CTA

2850 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60657

just go to craigslist but be weary of problem areas

as i scope areas of chicago to i still prefer evanston because to me its cleaner, being congested is not always a good thing but thats my opinion

[miamiheat305]

What appeals to me about Evanston is that though it is part suburb, it does not strike me as the type of mass produced, cookie cutter suburbs we have here in Miami. It seems to be an established smaller city that as other users have pointed out is parts urban part suburban. I like the idea of the mix.