Very social female PhD student thinking to move to Chicago. Please help! =) (Lincoln: apartment, neighborhoods)

[Swoo]

Hello all,

I'm 26 yrs old, single, female, 3rd yr PhD student of sociology (historical) in upstate NY, and originally from California (oh how I miss the beach!). I'm course complete and if I play my cards right the rest of this school year, I'll be ABD and have the option of moving out of upstate NY by summer 2011 and begin my dissertation research (I can't wait! This location is suffocating me!).

I would like to know which neighborhoods would best fit my needs. I hope to find a one bedroom apartment in a safe, diverse, and moderately quiet neighborhood for no more than about $750/mo (is this unrealistic?). Of course, being a grad student, I am having to deal with a very tight budget so, the cheaper the better! In addition, I have a vehicle but, if I end up near the subways, I could easily leave my vehicle behind (unless you all think having a car is necessary). Also, being near an extensive library would be HUGE a plus!!!

Here's some extra info about myself just to give an idea of what kinds of places I'd like to live near: I LOVE trying new cuisines as I have an international palate and a culturally inquisitive mind. Before becoming an academic, I daydreamed constantly of becoming a musician/actress (Justin Beiber and Gaga have nothing on jazz and 90's R&B! haha). Good thing I finally realized I didn't have the talent and found my way to the ivory towers. LOL I could absolutely lose all track of time in nerdy places like museums and art galleries (none of that foo foo pretty painting for me though). I also LOVE bookstores with old and rare finds. And, of course, being from California, I was socialized to love the commodities of fashion/beauty. Marx would be very upset. LOL Oh, and speaking of home, I miss the water VERY much. I want to be able to get to the lake with ease!

Any given advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[Avengerfire]

What is your definition of "diverse?"

I do think you would probably like Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. You might have to settle on a studio though in those areas because $750 is on the lower end for 1 bedrooms (they can be found, but there are not as many that are at $750-$900.)

[Swoo]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

What is your definition of "diverse?"

I do think you would probably like Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. You might have to settle on a studio though in those areas because $750 is on the lower end for 1 bedrooms (they can be found, but there are not as many that are at $750-$900.)

Thanks for taking the time to respond! By "diverse" I'm referring to cultural diversity. As far as transportation, what do you think would be most convenient? Having my car or sticking to the subways? Will subways be inconvenient in the winter? And I'll definitely take a look at Lincoln Square and Ravenswood.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Swoo

Thanks for taking the time to respond! By "diverse" I'm referring to cultural diversity. As far as transportation, what do you think would be most convenient? Having my car or sticking to the subways? Will subways be inconvenient in the winter? And I'll definitely take a look at Lincoln Square and Ravenswood.

You could look at Pilsen or the Taylor Street area, too (close to UIC). Or Hyde Park (home of UofC).

I don't know what the UofC's or UIC's policies are for non-students using their libraries, but if you could get access as a student from another university being in Hyde Park would be good for access to their libraries. Both have good sociology departments, so I would think both of their libraries would be well-suited for your needs.

Pilsen and Taylor Street would also make getting to the Harold Washington Library pretty quick and easy, and if you're unable to get access to a local university library, that would be your best bet since it's the central branch for the Chicago library system.

Alternately Chinatown sometimes has good deals if you know Chinese or know a Chinese person who can make some introductions to the world-of-mouth listings that fall closer to your price range.

Finally, Edgewater and Rogers Park have some good deals sometimes, are diverse, and are close to Loyola Chicago's main campus, and not far from Northwestern's campus, too. Again the usefulness of that would depend on their library policies. Last I checked at Northwestern, you can't even walk through the library without a student ID or authorization, but one or the other may allow you access as a student from another school. The other benefit to Rogers Park and Edgewater is that they're both right on the Lakefront, although they're not very near downtown, if that plays into your equation at all.

[grapico]

I think you could get a decent 1br for 850-950 and a studio from 750-850 you would find acceptable with your description.. Or you could just get a roommates and cut it down to probably 500-600.

I would be hesitant to recommend Rogers Park to somebody new to the city.

I would recommend leaving your vehicle.

[chitown85]

I would be hesistant to recommend Pilsen to someone new to the city. Pilsen is more dangerous than Rogers Park particularly with the gang problem on the West Side/SW Side. In my opinion, Hyde Park is really boring and disconnected from downtown, Near North Side, Loop, etc. Look to Edgewater, Ravenswood, and Roscoe Village. You could find something in your budget.

Those neighborhoods all have L and bus access, but having a car is easy to get groceries, run errands, etc. You should find a place on a residential street rather than a main thoroughfare so you can permit park on the street. City permits are $100 for the year.

All of Chicago is diverse in the sense you can get on the train or bus easily and go to another neighborhood fairly quickly. Chicago is heavily segregated by neighborhood, but there tends to be a lot of restaurant choices in each neighborhood.

Access to the Loop and downtown are good with the neighborhoods I mentioned.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by chitown85

I would be hesistant to recommend Pilsen to someone new to the city. Pilsen is more dangerous than Rogers Park particularly with the gang problem on the West Side/SW Side. In my opinion, Hyde Park is really boring and disconnected from downtown, Near North Side, Loop, etc. Look to Edgewater, Ravenswood, and Roscoe Village. You could find something in your budget.

Those neighborhoods all have L and bus access, but having a car is easy to get groceries, run errands, etc. You should find a place on a residential street rather than a main thoroughfare so you can permit park on the street. City permits are $100 for the year.

All of Chicago is diverse in the sense you can get on the train or bus easily and go to another neighborhood fairly quickly. Chicago is heavily segregated by neighborhood, but there tends to be a lot of restaurant choices in each neighborhood.

Access to the Loop and downtown are good with the neighborhoods I mentioned.

Yeah I wouldn't recommend Pilsen either. Would add in "North Center" area as well.

[It'sAutomatic]

You could try the near NW side: Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square, Ukrainian Village, though 750 may be hard to find for a 1BR.

You can find studios in Lincoln Park or Lakeview for 750.

Pilsen has gang problems, but so do almost all Chicago neighborhoods. I lived in the eastern part for 2 years and never witnessed anything other than occasional graffiti.

Your best bet may be Edgewater. It's cool and attractive, cheap, and has the best beaches in Chicago. Its only downside is that it's relatively far from downtown, but it has good transit access (24-hour train service that gets you downtown in 20-25 minutes), and doesn't feel like a suburb if that matters to you.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Swoo

...By "diverse" I'm referring to cultural diversity...

So how do you define "cultural diversity?" It does not mean the same thing to everyone.

[aragx6]

How could it mean anything other than a diversity of cultures?