Which suburb is best for me? (Chicago, Evanston: best neighborhood, to rent, how much)

[MissV]

Ok... here's my profile... I would MUCH appreciate any advice on the best neighborhood or suburb of Chicago for me to move to.

I'm a 26 year old single girl... moving to the Chicago area for a new teaching job. I wouldn't mind living in one suburb and working in another.

I'm moving from Indiana...it is so boring here. I would like to find an area with plenty of other young, single professionals like myself. I don't know anyone there, so I would like to meet people. Any places that cater to this demographic?

Also, remember that I am a teacher, so rent can't be too crazy.

Thanks in advance--and feel free to ask for any other info you might need in order to give me sound advice

[j33]

First of all, at your age, you probably would be better served looking in the city because the rent you'd pay in the sort of suburbs you'd probably want to live in will be just about as much. But if you do want to go the suburban route, I'd look at Evanston or Oak Park, they are both inner-ring burbs with active downtowns and easy access to public transportation. What do you mean by 'not too crazy' when it comes to rent, how much are you willing to spend.

Also, where is your new teaching job, you should consider living by where you work, traffic here is a really pain in the butt.