Need help on insights about UIC and Chicago (affordable apartments, crime)
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I'm kinda stuck between UIC and BU MPH programs with only a few days away to choose. I've done my research as much as I can via UIC SPH's website, but I feel like I don't know enough about the school or city. And unfortunately, I don't have the option to visit before the decision deadline so I was wondering if I can find out more information about the program at UIC from those who attended or know someone from the school. Any relevant details, experiences, or insight would be greatly appreciated! I've heard the costs of living in Chicago (UIC school area) can be just as expensive as Boston (South End, Back Bay area), is that true?
I'm kinda stuck between UIC and BU MPH programs with only a few days away to choose. I've done my research as much as I can via UIC SPH's website, but I feel like I don't know enough about the school or city. And unfortunately, I don't have the option to visit before the decision deadline so I was wondering if I can find out more information about the program at UIC from those who attended or know someone from the school. Any relevant details, experiences, or insight would be greatly appreciated! I've heard the costs of living in Chicago (UIC school area) can be just as expensive as Boston (South End, Back Bay area), is that true?
I think Boston will be more expensive. It depends what you want really out of the city, but either way you can't wrong with either choice.
Nah, I think Boston is much more expensive to live in, especially the Back Bay area.
Urbanlife, I didn't mean it has to be in the Back Bay area, there are also other neighborhoods like South End and other areas where the school is located at (I just know those two are the closest), but do you think it's overall more expensive than UIC Chicago area? Because we I googled it, it looks close to downtown Chicago and I was thinking it'll be equivalent in costs. And how much more expensive would you consider Boston to be like 2x or 3x as much?
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Originally Posted by ChikidII
I think Boston will be more expensive. It depends what you want really out of the city, but either way you can't wrong with either choice.
ChikidII,
What do you mean when you say what I really want out of city? How does Chicago compare to Boston? All I know is Chicago is the diverse big city while Boston is the smaller walkable city.
As a big city, I understand that there are more crimes and I've heard from some people that Chicago has a lot of break ins, do you guys think that's a huge concern in the area of UIC? Sorry guys, if I'm asking so many questions. Never been to the mid-west or east coast before.
, it looks close to downtown Chicago and I was thinking it'll be equivalent in costs.
If you went to UIC, would you want to live close to campus? The thing is that UIC is close-ish to "downtown" which is the Loop i.e. the Central Business District which is not where all the expensive things are in the city. There's actually tons of fast food-ish stuff in the loop.
The area around UIC is cheaper because well, it's near a college campus. College kids are not rich, and therefore things have to be cheaper or else nobody would live there.
The great thing about Chicago is the great public transit. There are a few Metro lines (train) going to UIC and you could live in many, many other neighborhoods as a result. The area around UIC is not bad, but if you're going to live here, honestly research some other areas. It all depends on what your budget is too I guess.. There are a ton of affordable apartments within Chicago and the food can all be pretty cheap too. It's a big city afterall..people have to eat.
Chicago is on average cheaper than Boston though for just about everything.
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All I know is Chicago is the diverse big city while Boston is the smaller walkable city.
Chicago might be big, but it's extremely walkable. I for one do not own a car even though I live downtown. I hardly ever need a car. I either walk everywhere or take the train/bus and walk from there...or take a cab. Honestly I could walk down here for 5 miles with no problem whatsoever (if I was up for walking that far). There's been many times I've easily walked 2 miles in the summer just because it was nice out and I wanted to be outside. It's a big city, but very walkable (not everywhere is, but there are many neighborhoods which are).
You will find tons of people who don't own cars here (got rid of them) and have no problem.
Quote:
As a big city, I understand that there are more crimes and I've heard from some people that Chicago has a lot of break ins, do you guys think that's a huge concern in the area of UIC? Sorry guys, if I'm asking so many questions. Never been to the mid-west or east coast before.
Chicago is safe in many, many areas. Much of the crime is actually concentrated in certain areas..the south side here is known historically as the bad part of town and that's true, and also certain neighborhoods on the west side. You will see crimes in "downtown" (loop, river north, streeterville), but much of it is say shoplifting from the stores on Michigan Avenue (where tons of retail stores are), maybe some pick pocketing, and every once in awhile something more serious, but that doesn't happen too often (i.e. assault).
I never considered the area around UIC to be bad or anything. Chicago isn't really as dangerous as a city as people make it to be if you aren't going to gangland on the south side or on some of the west side. That doesn't mean you don't have to watch your back, but some people make it out to be more dangerous than it really is.
I would go with the school that has the most highly ranked MPH program and the best overall reputation in that field. The cost of living isn't all that different and you can make up for any variance by picking a different neighborhood as both cities have so many from which to pick.
If you went to UIC, would you want to live close to campus? The thing is that UIC is close-ish to "downtown" which is the Loop i.e. the Central Business District which is not where all the expensive things are in the city. There's actually tons of fast food-ish stuff in the loop.
The area around UIC is cheaper because well, it's near a college campus. College kids are not rich, and therefore things have to be cheaper or else nobody would live there.
The great thing about Chicago is the great public transit. There are a few Metro lines (train) going to UIC and you could live in many, many other neighborhoods as a result. The area around UIC is not bad, but if you're going to live here, honestly research some other areas. It all depends on what your budget is too I guess.. There are a ton of affordable apartments within Chicago and the food can all be pretty cheap too. It's a big city afterall..people have to eat.
Chicago is on average cheaper than Boston though for just about everything.
Chicago might be big, but it's extremely walkable. I for one do not own a car even though I live downtown. I hardly ever need a car. I either walk everywhere or take the train/bus and walk from there...or take a cab. Honestly I could walk down here for 5 miles with no problem whatsoever (if I was up for walking that far). There's been many times I've easily walked 2 miles in the summer just because it was nice out and I wanted to be outside. It's a big city, but very walkable (not everywhere is, but there are many neighborhoods which are).
You will find tons of people who don't own cars here (got rid of them) and have no problem.
Chicago is safe in many, many areas. Much of the crime is actually concentrated in certain areas..the south side here is known historically as the bad part of town and that's true, and also certain neighborhoods on the west side. You will see crimes in "downtown" (loop, river north, streeterville), but much of it is say shoplifting from the stores on Michigan Avenue (where tons of retail stores are), maybe some pick pocketing, and every once in awhile something more serious, but that doesn't happen too often (i.e. assault).
I never considered the area around UIC to be bad or anything. Chicago isn't really as dangerous as a city as people make it to be if you aren't going to gangland on the south side or on some of the west side. That doesn't mean you don't have to watch your back, but some people make it out to be more dangerous than it really is.
What I meant when I said depends what you want out of a city I meant do you want the big city experience or more of a college experience? While Chicago has areas that are college like, like by DePaul, Loyola and UIC, Boston is definitely superior in that category. Big Chicago will give you a more big city experience.
In terms of safety Chicago is safe as long as you stay out of the dangerous neighborhoods.
What I meant when I said depends what you want out of a city I meant do you want the big city experience or more of a college experience? While Chicago has areas that are college like, like by DePaul, Loyola and UIC, Boston is definitely superior in that category. Big Chicago will give you a more big city experience.
In terms of safety Chicago is safe as long as you stay out of the dangerous neighborhoods.
Not sure if you meant to respond to me or the OP? hah.
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