22 year old searching for a place to live (Chicago, Naperville: affordable apartment, insurance)

[emathias]

Originally Posted by ChiGuy2.5

...
Megabus. They offer wifi, bathrooms, and cheap fares.

megabus.com | Now serving over 20 million bus customers in North America

Megabus is cheap, but you can also usually get to Columbus for about $200 via air, which isn't too terrible a few times a year.

[aragx6]

Or you can rent a car for less than $20/day on the weekends pretty easily if that's your preferred method of travel.

We'd probably recommend getting rid of the car if you were going to have a budgte of double yours. It would really be crazy to keep it in your situation I believe.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Well, the OP specified AFTER utilities AND internet.Not going to find that after everything. The cheapest with roommates I've ever found in/around Lincoln Park and downtown was $750/month. That was a 3 bedroom above a bar in an old building my girlfriend toured this summer.

The closest you will come is Pilsen IMO.

I should clarify - $500 w/roommates is possible in good neighborhoods with public transit options, but not in Lincoln Park. There's plenty of safe options with decent to good public transit nearby. I should also qualify it by mentioning a place at this price point will likely not have conveniences like in-unit laundry, dishwashers, or AC.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

I should clarify - $500 w/roommates is possible in good neighborhoods with public transit options, but not in Lincoln Park. There's plenty of safe options with decent to good public transit nearby. I should also qualify it by mentioning a place at this price point will likely not have conveniences like in-unit laundry, dishwashers, or AC.

I agree. You could find that in Lincoln Square/Ravenswood (though it might not be the best place), Logan Square, Uptown, Rogers Park, Hyde Park, Bridgeport, Pilsen, etc.

[JKHOSU]

Thank you to everyone that has been commenting- this is extremely helpful info.

[JKHOSU]

I found a very affordable place- Troy St at Barry ave, chicago IL. They say it is Logan Square/Avondale. Is this a safe neighborhood?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by JKHOSU

I found a very affordable place- Troy St at Barry ave, chicago IL. They say it is Logan Square/Avondale. Is this a safe neighborhood?

It's been awhile since I've been right there before. I think it's safe-ish at least, last I got lost and wandered over to that area. Did you sign yet or anything? Because that is right next to the interstate..

[lenniel]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

An inexpensive tip, don't drive downtown. Use cta.

Very good tip.
To the OP, if you drive downtown and park, you're going to spend anywhere between $15-$30 depending on how long you park someplace.

The CTA is much more convenient and economical. Just be street smart since it sounds like your budget may keep in you in some more sketchy hoods.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by lenniel

Very good tip.
To the OP, if you drive downtown and park, you're going to spend anywhere between $15-$30 depending on how long you park someplace.

And sometimes even more like $35. When you think about it, if it's a minimum of $15/day and you're coming 4 days per week.. You'd be paying $60/week in parking. That's $240/month on average...or, for a 52 week year doing this every week of the year, it would be $3120/year for parking. That's minimum too. If you paid $22.50/day on average instead let's say (somedays $15, some days $30), then you'd be up to $4680/year in parking alone.

On the contrary, if you used the CTA it's going to be $2.25 each way, maybe a max of $2.50 each way with transfer. So a maximum of $20/week, or around $1000/year. Of course, if you go back home within 2 hours, then it would be like $520/year if you did that. $86/month is the most you'll ever pay for CTA if you get a monthly pass, or $1032/year. Saving yourself $2000/year for this in the minimum, and very possibly more like $3000-$4000. This isn't counting gas either, and parking tickets you'll most likely get at some point.

If you live in an area that can get you downtown or wherever easily, then there's absolutely no point in driving. You don't want to be stuck in traffic, and you'd be wasting money essentially.

[snoylekim]

Don't forget that Gasoline, Car Insurance, etc are generally more expensive here ..just guessing they're quite a bit higher here than in Columbus..plus yearly city sticker and Illinois Registration .. short answer is ..with the OPs budget , the care and feeding of a car will be challenging ..