Late 20's - Moving to Chicago. Living Suggestions? (Des Plaines, Lincoln: rent, condos)

[luckisanart]

I'll be moving to Chicago around end of May (working in Des Plaines). I'm looking for some living advice. Considerations:

1) I do own a car
2) I would prefer to live in a quieter (but still somewhat lively) neighborhood downtown. However, I am open to suggestions outside the city.
3) I am not sure whether or not I want to buy or rent yet. My preference would be to buy (something modest around $250-300Kish)
4) Price is somewhat flexible. I have a decent salary ($120K) with very little other expenses besides car/student loan payments.
5) I hate high rise condos. I'm thinking either a small townhouse or lower level brownstone condo.

Any suggestions? My initial thought after reading some other comments would be to check out the Wicker Park area.

[rparz]

Yeah, Wicker or Bucktown. Also, you may like Roscoe Village / Lincoln Square. Ukie Village if you like the vibe, but a little further from your place of work.

These are the places people who move into the city move to after they get a little older and tire of Lincoln Park/Lakeview. Ultimately, you'll have to get a feel for the area that suits you best, but I'm quite certain one of those will be close to what you're looking for.

[Zippity234]

Lincoln Park/Lakeview area. Just stay away from college campuses.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by Zippity234

Lincoln Park/Lakeview area. Just stay away from college campuses.

Parking is a ***** and anything that resembles a single family / townhouse is more than 300k

[sprtrpr]

Originally Posted by luckisanart

I'll be moving to Chicago around end of May (working in Des Plaines). I'm looking for some living advice. Considerations:

1) I do own a car
2) I would prefer to live in a quieter (but still somewhat lively) neighborhood downtown. However, I am open to suggestions outside the city.
3) I am not sure whether or not I want to buy or rent yet. My preference would be to buy (something modest around $250-300Kish)
4) Price is somewhat flexible. I have a decent salary ($120K) with very little other expenses besides car/student loan payments.
5) I hate high rise condos. I'm thinking either a small townhouse or lower level brownstone condo.

Any suggestions? My initial thought after reading some other comments would be to check out the Wicker Park area.

I think you should rent for a while before buying regardless of where you choose to live.

[knitgirl]

Originally Posted by sprtrpr

i think you should rent for a while before buying regardless of where you choose to live.

this!

[It'sAutomatic]

Anywhere on the north/northwest side, really. It depends on your method of transportation (highway or Metra), where you like to hang out, and how close you want to be to either of those.

Also, don't expect to find a separate home in a somewhat lively neighborhood for less than 300k

[Jandur]

As mentioned I think Roscoe would be worth checking out. It's pretty quite, most people there are late 20s at the youngest it seems. Parking is pretty easy too. That being said, rent for a year or so and get acquainted with the city then make a choice.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by rparz

Parking is a ***** and anything that resembles a single family / townhouse is more than 300k

The OP specifically said condo and nothing about single families - there are definitely decent condos in just about any neighborhood at about $300k (and less than that in most areas).

[marothisu]

What types of bars/food do you like to go to and be around? Do you like art?etc.. Different neighborhoods have different vibes sometimes and while I could list about 10 neighborhoods for you..having a better feel for your personality would help narrow things down.