Finding a studio in Chicago. (Albany: apartments, for rent, neighborhoods)

[windynostalgia]

Hello all! After growing up in Chicago, and later relocating to Texas I feel I am finally ready to move there again. I'm toying with the idea of a move to either Chicago or NYC, but I am well aware that Chicago is leagues cheaper.

My question to you fine Chicagoans is this: What neighborhoods would you recommend for a single, young Mexican girl that is relatively safe (and cheap) but still mainly a Mexican neighborhood? (I need my taquerias and men selling corns and paletas nearby lol). I would probably be looking at a studio (cheaper) but would also like a 1br. I would probably want it to be max 800$ a month... I'd like to be in an area like Pilsen if possible.. but close to public trans. Is this doable? Or are there other even better alternatives that I'm not aware of?

[Plzeň]

Originally Posted by windynostalgia

would also like a 1br. I would probably want it to be max 800$ a month... I'd like to be in an area like Pilsen if possible.. but close to public trans. Is this doable?

$800 for a decent 1 bedroom in Pilsen close to the Pink Line and/or a bus route is very doable. If you want a not-so-nice 1 br or a studio you could probably even find one for $600 if you search a bit.

[windynostalgia]

Originally Posted by Plzeň

$800 for a decent 1 bedroom in Pilsen close to the Pink Line and/or a bus route is very doable. If you want a not-so-nice 1 br or a studio you could probably even find one for $600 if you search a bit.

And by "not so nice" you mean what? I am certainly not picky and would of course love to save as much as possible

[marothisu]

That is definitely doable in Pilsen IMO. Another area to look at might be Albany Park which is somewhere between 40-50% Hispanic and has a good number of Spanish/Mexican eateries in the area. The end of the Brown line is there (Kimball stop) and there are some gangs in the area, but I wouldn't call it amazingly unsafe or anything. Many different cultures live there, not just Hispanic if you want a little more variety.

[rparz]

Pilsen in comparison to albany park is much much closer to the loop

[windynostalgia]

Where in Pilsen would I need to live to be as close to the train as possible? And are those areas on the safer/or less safe side?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by rparz

Pilsen in comparison to albany park is much much closer to the loop

Sure, it is, but the OP never mentioned being near the Loop. Pilsen is more Hispanic, but Albany Park is another area, close to public transit within the OP's budget, that is still a large percentage hispanic/mexican.

[rparz]

Originally Posted by windynostalgia

Where in Pilsen would I need to live to be as close to the train as possible? And are those areas on the safer/or less safe side?

Look at the M in the center, that's the el stop: Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Rent.com, Kijiji, and Craigslist Apartments

[windynostalgia]

Originally Posted by rparz

Look at the M in the center, that's the el stop: Apartments for Rent - PadMapper Apartment Search for Oodle, Apartments.com, Rent.com, Kijiji, and Craigslist Apartments

Thank you! You all are being so helpful. And is that area generally safe? As in I would have no problem walking around alone?

Also, to the person who suggested Albany Park, how is the safety in that area?

[rparz]

I'm pretty sure in Pilsen there are plenty of young single girls who come and go to school or whatever.

I dated a girl who lived in Albany Park, she never had a problem.