Newer, more urban/less sprawling suburbs? (Chicago, Rockford: rent, condos, townhouse)

[HockeyFan]

Apologies in advance for choppy sentences as I am on a "smart" phone.

After more than 2 weeks looking in the area, I am leaning towards the city proper, as I favor high energy and busy environments. However, I would like to find at least one suburban option for comparison, but it appears what I am looking for does not exist.

The reason behind a suburban location would be largely parking related. Something bigger than a 16 foot garage (all but impossible to get out in one foot when you're over 6 feet and 200 pounds), and better on-street parking.

The problem is, I've done the huge lot thing before and hated it. In areas that are to spread out, my allergies suffer from too much vegetation, I get depressed from quiet, desolate roads and areas, and I'm just not up for yard work (allergies again). Also, being early 30s and single, the demographics of most suburbs are not to my suiting.

Are there any newer suburbs with a less sprawling feel, more like the suburbs of Toronto, Denver, or even Omaha? I've checked out Oak Park and Evanston but could not figure out the advantage over the North Side. Prices and housing seemed similar, and schools are not significant in my case. Norridge and Harwood Heights were okay, but again, I did not see a clear advantage over the city.

Thank you for your time and help!

[prairiestate]

Look to the southwest side. The great majority of Oak Lawn is fully developed, i.e. curbs, sidewalks, streetlights. Most streets are on a grid. Many areas are walking distance to some shops and restaurants. Yet there is plenty of open space, ample parking, good sized, but not huge, lots. There is Metra service downtown, and it is near the Orange Line and the Rock Island Metra line. Also, there are a ton of condos available, and in general it is much cheaper then comparable neighborhoods up north.

[Lookout Kid]

HockeyFan, you're back at it again? Can't you just buy new-construction or a gut-rehab with a parking space? The North Side should be full of these, though they won't be cheap. Look a bit further west from the lake and you'll have more options. Check out the newer townhouse developments.

[JanuaryGirl]

There are many areas in the city where parking is not nearly such a big deal. If you expand your search beyond the typical Lakeview/Lincoln Park areas you will find places that are less congested parking-wise.

As far as newer suburbs with an urban feel, I'm not so sure you will find that. Most of the suburban areas have been built up for a really long time, the ones that have an urban downtown feel are going to be older and some will rival Lakeview in terms of costs.

If I were you I would get a place in the city and rent a spot in a nearby garage. Often people with homes/condos in the area will rent out a space, often even a garage or carport... as far as needing more than a 16' garage, what kind of car are you driving? Unless you are driving a Hummer and are an enormously huge person I don't understand how that's not enough and don't see how you could expect more living in a big city.

[HockeyFan]

Well, there will be more than just me, so there will be two cars in the garage. I am indeed intending to downsize my car, but even a smallish vehicle with awd is 6 feet wide. That leaves one foot on each side of each vehicle. Perhaps it works, but the math seems iffy.

I have been looking well west of Lakeview, at all new developments I can find. Generally, parking is easier further out, but in many of the areas around these developments, parking is tighter. I'm a night person, and the idea of coming home at 1 and walking several blocks on my own isn't that appealing.

I'm not sure what I'm at again, unless you mean using this board as a valuable resource. My understanding is, it's okay to ask questions here!

I will defnitely check out Oak Lawn, thanks for the advice! I have not been there yet but will visit in coming days.

[JanuaryGirl]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

Well, there will be more than just me, so there will be two cars in the garage. I am indeed intending to downsize my car, but even a smallish vehicle with awd is 6 feet wide. That leaves one foot on each side of each vehicle. Perhaps it works, but the math seems iffy.

I have been looking well west of Lakeview, at all new developments I can find. Generally, parking is easier further out, but in many of the areas around these developments, parking is tighter. I'm a night person, and the idea of coming home at 1 and walking several blocks on my own isn't that appealing.

I'm not sure what I'm at again, unless you mean using this board as a valuable resource. My understanding is, it's okay to ask questions here!

I will defnitely check out Oak Lawn, thanks for the advice! I have not been there yet but will visit in coming days.

Lol! Okay, with two cars I see what you are saying, with one car it just wasn't adding up! I would still say, downsize your car more, unless you need awd for some reason. Parking can be very very tough late at night. I lived in East Lakeview for a long time, there were things I liked and things I didn't like but parking was always a nightmare. Have you looked along Irving Park further west? The neighborhoods aren't as nice, but parking would be easier and there are several new developments.

I really think though that Oak Park or Evanston may be a better choice. You said you didn't see what the benefits were, but I think you can get a better place for less money, parking is easier or at least cheaper if you rent spots, plus since you are a car owner/driver you won't have the hassle of trying to drive in the city during Cubs games/Taste/every other time the roads are a total goat-rope. If you are in Evanston you have access to great beaches that are far less crowded than most of the city beaches on the north side.

Just my thoughts, hope that helps!

[HockeyFan]

One of motivations in coming to Chicago is the ability to travel the Midwest to watch hockey at various levels, and by nature, that means much winter driving. Even tonight, I went out to Rockford without awd, and the trip out would have been nicer with awd. Then at 6 foot plus, there's only so far you can downsize and fit. LOL

It seemed at a glance that Evanston was more expensive than much of the North Side, but it sounds like I should look closer!

[JanuaryGirl]

Originally Posted by HockeyFan

One of motivations in coming to Chicago is the ability to travel the Midwest to watch hockey at various levels, and by nature, that means much winter driving. Even tonight, I went out to Rockford without awd, and the trip out would have been nicer with awd. Then at 6 foot plus, there's only so far you can downsize and fit. LOL

It seemed at a glance that Evanston was more expensive than much of the North Side, but it sounds like I should look closer!

Can you specify which part of the north side you're looking at or what your price range is for what size place? There's a big difference between Lincoln Park, Andersonville, Uptown, for example that are all on the north side.

Sounds like maybe awd is a good idea; maybe the girlfriend/partner/whoever's moving with you should trade in their car for a scooter!

[Avengerfire]

Forget Oak Park and Evanston. Why do people always bring up those two places like other burbs do not exist. Christ.

[JanuaryGirl]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Forget Oak Park and Evanston. Why do people always bring up those two places like other burbs do not exist. Christ.

Because they, out of all the other burbs, have the closest feel to the north side Chicago areas people are usually interested in in terms of housing, retail, atmosphere, etc.