Best place to live? (inexpensive, won't get shot, close to city) (Chicago: fit in, apartments)

[AFayer]

I am an actor, jazz tuba player, singer, writer, filmmaker, cinematographer, director, and all round cool guy who is looking to move closer to Chicago.

I took some acting classes down there, but I found the length of the commute fought with the amount of time I needed to work to make the money to afford the class. Fun, no? I am looking to move closer to the city so I can get there within half an hour or so to make auditioning, classes, and work easier.

Enough with the background stuff. I have lived in the north west Chicago suburbs all my life, but I don't know much about the suburbs close to the city. What are the best areas close to Chicago that aren't too pricey (up to $800 a month) and are decent places to live? All I'm really looking for is a place where I can get to the city (preferably with public transportation) and won't get mugged, shot, robbed, vandalized, carjacked, or in any way violently attacked.

Thank you to all who answer my plea.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by AFayer

Enough with the background stuff. I have lived in the north west Chicago suburbs all my life, but I don't know much about the suburbs close to the city. What are the best areas close to Chicago that aren't too pricey (up to $800 a month) and are decent places to live? All I'm really looking for is a place where I can get to the city (preferably with public transportation) and won't get mugged, shot, robbed, vandalized, carjacked, or in any way violently attacked.

If you are not opposed to living in the city of Chicago, you might want to try Jefferson Park or Edison Park. Both are pretty quiet and fairly safe and they fit into your budget.

[AFayer]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

If you are not opposed to living in the city of Chicago, you might want to try Jefferson Park or Edison Park. Both are pretty quiet and fairly safe and they fit into your budget.

Thanks! I have no problems being in the city (the closer the better), I guess I figured in city would be too pricey.

Another question: I am also looking at New York and someone I know out there said she found her apartment through Craig's List. She moved from Australia, so I figure if she found one from that distance it should be easy for me to find one in Chicago. I have never used Craig's List before, though. Do I just search apartments and use the web browser find tool to look for the areas I want? Is Craig's List even a good tool for this, or should I be looking for another way? What is a good way to find an apartment? Thanks again to all who give their advice.

Edit - I just Google'd Jefferson and Edison Park. That's pretty much on the spot for what I was hoping to hear. Closer isn't bad, but that is the area I was hoping to be no farther than. Thank you, jlawrence.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by AFayer

...Edit - I just Google'd Jefferson and Edison Park. That's pretty much on the spot for what I was hoping to hear. Closer isn't bad, but that is the area I was hoping to be no farther than...

You should look into Norwood Park as well.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by AFayer

I am an actor, jazz tuba player, singer, writer, filmmaker, cinematographer, director, and all round cool guy who is looking to move closer to Chicago.

I took some acting classes down there, but I found the length of the commute fought with the amount of time I needed to work to make the money to afford the class. Fun, no? I am looking to move closer to the city so I can get there within half an hour or so to make auditioning, classes, and work easier.

Enough with the background stuff. I have lived in the north west Chicago suburbs all my life, but I don't know much about the suburbs close to the city. What are the best areas close to Chicago that aren't too pricey (up to $800 a month) and are decent places to live? All I'm really looking for is a place where I can get to the city (preferably with public transportation) and won't get mugged, shot, robbed, vandalized, carjacked, or in any way violently attacked.

Thank you to all who answer my plea.

You can find a lot of apartments in good city neighborhoods for 800/month. Just not the premium neighborhoods (gold coast/old town/lincoln park/river north).

Check out the sticky thread in the chicago forum for more info about the different neighborhoods.