New to Chicago, need help on apartments! (Addison, Prospect Heights: renter, broker)

[AGV]

Hey, I'm moving to Chicago to attend the Art Institute.

I'm originally from Madison, WI but have been living in Denver. I want an apartment that's close to bars and grocery stores, but it doesn't necessarily have to be close to the school. Out here I take the lightrail everywhere so I don't mind public transportation.

I'm a 21 year old female, and I'd love to be in a neighborhood of a younger crowd, I like to go out and have fun. I just need some tips!

I'm used to paying between $500-$800 a month for a studio or one bedroom.

THANKS!

[soulful]

You can find a studio in East Lakeview in your price range. Great neighborhood full of 20 somethings (and some older...but slanted towards young professionals). Great shops, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You can stroll North Broadway from Diversey Pkwy up to Addison St and beyond. 2 blocks east of Broadway is Lake Shore Dr and the park/lake is on the other side of "the drive". Great running/biking trails along the lakefront path.

There are other cool neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park (immediately south of Lakeview and the border street is Diversey Pkwy). Also, you might enjoy Wicker Park which is rather hip but a bit "inland" from the lake.

good luck to you.

check craigslist for apts or google apartment rental agencies in 60657 for Lakeview or 60614 for Lincoln Park. In Chicago, there is generally no fee to the renter when you go through an agency (the landlord pays the fee). You don't typically sign an exclusive agreement so you can search with a rental agency and simultaneously do your own search so you don't miss anything.

[Science007]

Dear Chicago members,
Can you please advice me a good apartment community in Des plains/ Prospect Heights area, i need to travel to Riverwoods and chicago downtown for work. Any area in between these 2 places will be helpful.

Also i am not worried about school zone

[jgardener]

Both Wicker Park and Lakeview are great choices for you and may fit your price range if you look around. A studio in Lakeview under $800 would be easy to find, whereas a 1 br may be more difficult (not impossible, just small and/or a little worn). Studios in Wicker Park are in short supply; there just aren't as many buildings with studios, but should be in your price range. One bedrooms may be a little above your range, but if you look hard enough you might find something doable. Ukrainian Village (next to Wicker Park) rents might be a little cheaper and its a great neighborhood as well.

As a student at the Art Institute (10 years ago), I lived in both Lakeview and Wicker Park. I preferred the latter as the commute (Division Blue line stop) was shorter and had other art students and just more of a neighborhood feel. Other neighborhoods to check out would be Logan Square (a little further out), Pilsen (you could find a great place in your budget, but as developed as other neighborhoods- Wicker Park 15 years ago), Lincoln Park (might be out of your price range, a little too homogenous).

[knitgirl]

Originally Posted by Science007

Dear Chicago members,
Can you please advice me a good apartment community in Des plains/ Prospect Heights area, i need to travel to Riverwoods and chicago downtown for work. Any area in between these 2 places will be helpful.

Also i am not worried about school zone

Start a new thread in the suburban forum!

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by soulful

You can find a studio in East Lakeview in your price range. Great neighborhood full of 20 somethings (and some older...but slanted towards young professionals). Great shops, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. You can stroll North Broadway from Diversey Pkwy up to Addison St and beyond. 2 blocks east of Broadway is Lake Shore Dr and the park/lake is on the other side of "the drive". Great running/biking trails along the lakefront path.

There are other cool neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park (immediately south of Lakeview and the border street is Diversey Pkwy). Also, you might enjoy Wicker Park which is rather hip but a bit "inland" from the lake.

good luck to you.

check craigslist for apts or google apartment rental agencies in 60657 for Lakeview or 60614 for Lincoln Park. In Chicago, there is generally no fee to the renter when you go through an agency (the landlord pays the fee). You don't typically sign an exclusive agreement so you can search with a rental agency and simultaneously do your own search so you don't miss anything.

This is very good advice.

[efrenb5]

Originally Posted by soulful

In Chicago, there is generally no fee to the renter when you go through an agency (the landlord pays the fee).

This is good news! My other option is Boston, MA and it's the other way around. You will usually have to pay the broker fee yourself. Another pro for Chicago.