The Big Move to Chicago From Philly (Camden: section 8, apartments)

[mrsbrown2b]

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to chicago next September. We live in one of the hoods in the city and are not afraid of living in the hood in Chicago. We are in our 20's with no children. We can afford up to $750 for rent,we prefer a 2 bedroom apartment or townhome. Can any one give me suggestions on nieghborhoods to move into that are on the less expensive side for people who are on a budget? We are average blue collar workers so we can't afford the burbs. I have been reading threads and people have mentioned area codes 60655,60643 and 60623. Any information on these area codes and the nieghborhoods they include will be very helpful to us in the future.

[edward71355]

Originally Posted by mrsbrown2b

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to chicago next September. We live in one of the hoods in the city and are not afraid of living in the hood in Chicago. We are in our 20's with no children. We can afford up to $750 for rent,we prefer a 2 bedroom apartment or townhome. Can any one give me suggestions on nieghborhoods to move into that are on the less expensive side for people who are on a budget? We are average blue collar workers so we can't afford the burbs. I have been reading threads and people have mentioned area codes 60655,60643 and 60623. Any information on these area codes and the nieghborhoods they include will be very helpful to us in the future.

Chicago is a expensive city, with high taxes, and rent. Good Luck

[coldwine]

Originally Posted by mrsbrown2b

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to chicago next September. We live in one of the hoods in the city and are not afraid of living in the hood in Chicago. We are in our 20's with no children. We can afford up to $750 for rent,we prefer a 2 bedroom apartment or townhome. Can any one give me suggestions on nieghborhoods to move into that are on the less expensive side for people who are on a budget? We are average blue collar workers so we can't afford the burbs. I have been reading threads and people have mentioned area codes 60655,60643 and 60623. Any information on these area codes and the nieghborhoods they include will be very helpful to us in the future.

Chicago is not a high-tax city. I mean, yes, certainly it is a giant metro area and thus taxes are higher than average, but $750 can buy you a fantastic apartment in a safe area

[jessiegirl_98]

What exactly are you looking for in a neighborhood (besides lower rent)?

[mrsbrown2b]

Were looking for a urban area to move to. We live in Philly which is a very busy city and we love city life. We enjoy going out to eat,movies and some clubs. I was told that Edgewater and Hyde Park or urban areas. Some people say stay away from the Southside,but to me the parts of the Southside sounds like the neighborhood I live in now. We are young so we do not want to live in an area with all old people,we are not hippies and are not into the arts much. We don't mind living in a row home, we have no kids so no family only areas please. Basically, we are looking for a neighborhood with people in there 20's and a not so bad place to live. We don't have to catch public transportaion so commuting is no problem. Just looking for neighborhoods that are middle class,blue collar and young adult friendly. Any info is helpful.

[aragx6]

My experience with Hyde Park is admittedly limited, but from what I've gathered when down there is that it's generally pretty safe if you stay in Hyde Park, but there isn't a whole lot to do it seems. Most of the UC kids I have met that live there are always going to other parts of the city to do stuff, and although there are plenty of bus routs, there isn't any el coverage.

[southwest1230]

750 for a two-bedroom or townhome? Not anywhere at all in the city........even the hood charges more, as they get section 8 vouchers to pay for it..i would recommend
northwest indiana or the south burbs, that are actually more hood than the majority of the city, and you are still close to the expressways...you can find a 2/bed apt there.
You can forget about the 750 townhome in the entire chicago region though.....

[southwest1230]

You say blue collar, which I construe as caucasian, if I understand correctly.
In that case, even the ethnic caucasian areas are out of that range.......only burnt
out hoods in harvey or ford heights are under 700 a month in the chicago region per
2 bedrooms....what dont you guys just get a 1 bedroom? You can for sure get a 1
in a half-ways decent area in the city...otherwise you are talking something like Camden or trenton...if you can handle something that is comperable to camp or trent. then you
will find something out there in chicago for that price

[mrsbrown2b]

No I am not caucasion......actually I am puerto rican and my boyfriend is black. Blue collar does not mean caucasion it just means that you are an average middle class worker, working an average middle class job.In response to southwest1230 I have seen plenty of apartments in Chicago from $595 to $750 on craigslist, so it is possible. Unless all the entries on craigs list are incorrect. I was just asking for suggestions of any neighborhoods that are affordable to live in.Remember I already live in a big city and already live in the hood,as you say!

[Drover]

I'd suggest Rogers Park. It's not exactly "hood" but it does have some 'hood elements to it. It's a strange mix of blue-collar, white-collar yuppies, and thuglets/drug dealers. It's also a place that is so racially/ethnically mixed that you'll blend right in with no problems. And it's pretty affordable too. I'd generally recommend living no further north than Pratt. The closer to Howard you get, the more 'hood-ish it gets.