A little help (Chicago, Westmont, Lincoln: sublease, apartment, transfer to)

[linebacker04]

Hi, me and my buddy are thinking of moving from St. Louis to Chicago we are both in college and would like to transfer to another school there. Were 21 and 22 years old, like to go out and meet people. My question is what part of the city has a younger crowd and semi affordable housing?

[Drover]

Lincoln Park
Lakeview
Bucktown/Wicker Park
University Village/Little Italy/Tri-Taylor

[jak88]

I'd suggest looking into the suburbs. Don't know much about the North but in the South we have an abundance of suburbs that are connected to 55 which will take you right to Chicago. Also, we have a train system too.

The reason I say suburbs is do to cost. If you are willing to pay more, than you should check out the areas the above poster mentioned. But either way you have easy access to the nightlife and clublife Chicago has to offer, it just may take you a little bit longer to get there (but not really).

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

I have to second Drover's recommendations. Commuting from the burbs sucks, in my opinion. My girlfriend did it for a time in her college days and hated it. You can get by in those neighborhoods just fine if you have roommates. What schools are you looking at?

[oakparkdude]

Live in the city. If there's a time in your life to suck it up and live in an old, cramped apartment in a shabby (not dangerous, just shabby) neighborhood, its in your twenties. Commuting from the suburbs (especially in a metro area as big as Chicago), is just not going to be worth the opportunity cost (time & flexibility).

[aragx6]

I absolutely agree - live in the city! I grew up in St. Louis and went to Mizzou. I just graduated and got a job in the suburbs and decided to, at least for a year, live here to save money - I would not suggest it. Granted it's cheaper, but I'd choose a studio in the city any day of the week...
Actually I take that back... you can sublease my apartment in Westmont and then I'll get a place in the city. haha

If you're going to UIC live in tri-taylor area (stay away from Garfield Park unless you're really adventurous), If UC stay in Hyde Park, but stay as close to the University as humanly possible- the neighborhood disintegrates very quickly. Of course there's a million colleges in a million neighborhoods..

[jessiegirl_98]

I agree with Drover, but it depends on how you define "reasonable" housing....most people from outside of Chicago wouldn't consider the first three suggestions reasonable. What's your "goal" rent?