Looking for the best place to buy. Keywords: young, liberal, artsy (Chicago: renting, condos)

[blahanotheruser]

I'm currently living in Florida and am considering relocating to Chicago. I'm just not sure where to start.

I'm looking to buy either a small home or condo/townhouse/studio. My price range is around 150K give or take, but general areas matching what I'm looking for (even out of price range) would be greatly appreciated. I'm 25, modern and liberal. I'd like to find an area with plenty of nightlife and things to do, close to public transportation, with a more liberal outlook where I probably won't get shot. Maybe that's a lot to ask but if someone could point me in the right direction it would be wonderful.

[j33]

I don't mean to be flippent, but good luck with 150K in the city, I did a search in the Tribune of my neighborhood (West-Town) and found some older one-bedrooms around 200k. The one listing for 155k featured a 'master bedroom' that was 7x9, and needed extensive rennovation. For 150k, you probably could find a one-bedroom somewhere if you looked, but beware of the association fees and be sure you are okay with the neighborhood (because it probably won't be liberal hip and artsy).

Needless to say I'm renting, and I'm in my 30's.

[blahanotheruser]

Yeah well, I just threw a number out. I'm not very worried about the price more worried about the area so If you have any area advice that would be great. I'm looking at the Wicker park area and I have found some places that I like. My budget isn't "hard", it's just a place to start. I'm waiting for some property to be sold but I should be working with close to 300K if that is any help for you.

Also Maybe I'm just not reading right but I did find some condos/studios that were in the 150-200K price range and they looked pretty nice, but maybe it's different becasue I'm going strait to a realtor site?

[NSH]

try looking in these three areas first, wicker park, west loop and logan square

Stay away from anything that says "west wicker park" or "south wicker park" or "north wicker park". Those areas don't exist and are more than likely in a less than desirable neighborhood,

west loop is a bit more upscale and less artsy

Logan square is a bit more artsy and less upscale

[blahanotheruser]

Thank you so much. That's exactly what I was looking for.

[domergurl]

Wow, Logan Square was a slum when I lived there ... glad to see it's picking up. How's the Uptown neighborhood doing?

[j33]

Uptown is doing pretty good these days. I remember it in the 80's, totally different place now.

Isn't "north wicker park" Bucktown?

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by j33

Uptown is doing pretty good these days. I remember it in the 80's, totally different place now.

Isn't "north wicker park" Bucktown?

I remember riding the el over Wilson and thinking what a shame it was that the neighborhood looked so bad. Glad to hear that it's getting better.

[j33]

It started to change in 90's. I took classes at Truman college for a year, so I spent a fair amount of time in the neighborhood around 1992-1993.

[NSH]

Originally Posted by j33

Uptown is doing pretty good these days. I remember it in the 80's, totally different place now.

Isn't "north wicker park" Bucktown?

Yes, I was getting a little carried away, Bucktown is another good place to look for property