Not as intense as Wicker Park but not as isolated as Bridgeport? (Chicago: apartment, rentals)

[debian0001]

I'm trying to find a place to live. Currently I am in Bucktown with some friends but I want to get a apartment by myself. WP is extremely expensive. I love the area but living there will make me poor. Anyone have any tips?

I'm trying to stick around $800 for a 1 bedroom.

So far, Pilsen seems to be possible but I don't know how much of a local nightlife it offers.

[rparz]

It's not Wicker, but you're constrained by housing stock.

Your biggest issue is your budget. I'd consider it a 'step down' from the vibe that WP/BT offers, but you can land yourself a 300ft^2 studio in Lakeview/Lincoln park for like 6 bills.
Studio in East Lakeview

It's not perfect, but with your budget and desire to live alone, there's going to be tradeoffs.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by debian0001

I'm trying to find a place to live. Currently I am in Bucktown with some friends but I want to get a apartment by myself. WP is extremely expensive. I love the area but living there will make me poor. Anyone have any tips?

I'm trying to stick around $800 for a 1 bedroom.

So far, Pilsen seems to be possible but I don't know how much of a local nightlife it offers.

Pilsen, Hyde Park, Ukrainian Village, and Logan Square are the first that come to mind for me. Generally speaking, you're not going to be around a ton of nightlife at that price. I like two or three of the bars in Pilsen, but then I could say the same of Bridgeport, which you've decided is too isolated.

[chet everett]

Hyde Park tends to be VERY pricey.


I puit ZERO faith in any "bargain priced" rentals on Craigslist.

I would walk around Pilsen or maybe even Tri-Taylor and if there is a landlord with a clean but small unit, maybe in a building the live in, that might be the best way to get a bargain...

[rparz]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I puit ZERO faith in any "bargain priced" rentals on Craigslist.

If you look at a place like this, how much can they really charge?

Alexandra's Petite First Place House Tour | Apartment Therapy

http://community.apartmenttherapy.co...1/entries/1002

[It'sAutomatic]

You can find a 1br for 800 anywhere except downtown.

[andrew61]

For $800 you should probably be able to find a decent 1BR apartment in Irving Park near the Blue Line, and then use the el to travel to Wicker Park for the "fun" stuff.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Hyde Park tends to be VERY pricey.

You must know of a different Hyde Park. Are you talking about the one in London, perhaps? The one I know of is more expensive than most of the South Side but far cheaper than Wicker Park, and certainly possible within the OP's budget. The down side would be that it doesn't have the nightlife he's looking for, but most places won't at his price range, unless he wants to have a studio or roommates.

Originally Posted by chet everett

I would walk around Pilsen or maybe even Tri-Taylor and if there is a landlord with a clean but small unit, maybe in a building the live in, that might be the best way to get a bargain...

I'm not familiar with Tri-Taylor, but $800 in Pilsen for a 1 bedroom doesn't even need to be small or a bargain. You can get a good sized 1 br or even a 2 br for that price, or a small 3 br as a bargain.

[chet everett]

I swear I though I saw $600 was the limit.

I agree with others that a 1 br for $800 ought not be hard in most parts of Chicago.

[gomexico]

Have a look at the neighborhood on either side of Lincoln Avenue between Montrose Ave. and Lawrence Ave. I'm not certain if you can find a 1 BR for 800, but it's become a good alternative to Wicker Park/Bucktown .. with good bars/restaurants/cultural scene.