Couple need opinions/suggestions on moving to Chicago (affordable apartments, condos)

[Isola]

Hello Everyone,

I live in Midwest and after six years I am thinking to relocate (not originally from that area). I have done a couple of researches on different cities but still undecided. The ideal place would be: lively city, lots of culture, good cuisine, beautiful nature – walking areas where one can see humans walking and not only cars driving (outdoor and indoor quality of life are equally important), good job market, reasonable cost of leaving (not sky-rocket apt/condos/houses prices) and relatively good weather. I believe Chicago should be somewhere on the top-five list (except the weather, but I am not too concerned about it for where I live right now, gets and stays below zero for almost eight months of the year).
Having said all these, I would like to know some of your opinions regarding the city:

1 – Good location to live (lively atmosphere) for early 30s couple.
2 – Chicagoeans way of living: activities, conversations, leisure etc.
3 – Economy: steady, growth, decline etc. (We both are in Acct/finance)
4 - Cost of living - monthly avg.

Thank you for your thoughts!

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Isola

Hello Everyone,

I live in Midwest and after six years I am thinking to relocate (not originally from that area). I have done a couple of researches on different cities but still undecided. The ideal place would be: lively city, lots of culture, good cuisine, beautiful nature – walking areas where one can see humans walking and not only cars driving (outdoor and indoor quality of life are equally important), good job market, reasonable cost of leaving (not sky-rocket apt/condos/houses prices) and relatively good weather. I believe Chicago should be somewhere on the top-five list (except the weather, but I am not too concerned about it for where I live right now, gets and stays below zero for almost eight months of the year).
Having said all these, I would like to know some of your opinions regarding the city:

1 – Good location to live (lively atmosphere) for early 30s couple.
2 – Chicagoeans way of living: activities, conversations, leisure etc.
3 – Economy: steady, growth, decline etc. (We both are in Acct/finance)
4 - Cost of living - monthly avg.

Thank you for your thoughts!

Sounds like downtown Chicago is just the place for you. You may have to hunt around for affordable apartments, but at least if you live in the downtown area itself you wont need a car at all, so that is a BIG savings right there.

From what you described by wanting to have a nightlife type atmosphere where there is stuff to do, good eatting, great shopping, steady growth, safe neighborhood, and great recreation, you may really want to look in the Streeterville neighborhood right downtown. Apartments go for about $1600 a mo. to start then work their way up from there. Believe me though, the lifestyle there is well worth the price. There is so much to do around there that I cannot even begin to name it all.

Streeterville is located around Fairbanks and Grand. That would put you pretty much right in the heart of it all there.

[Isola]

Thank you NYrules! I was planning to visit Chicago soon (been there before a couple of times). I have to look for Streeterville this time (apologies if this is not the correct spelling).
The only problem would be that i love my car and i would like to use it even if not often. But i guess at the end i have to make a choice on that regard.
How big are the apts in Streeterville? I have heard that the accommodation in downtown Chicago can be small-sized sometimes. Let's say the ones for $1600?

[Lookout Kid]

Chicago is a great place to live for all of the things you are looking for. The weather is bad a lot of the time, so if you're concerned about that, there are better places. I guess I'm just not that concerned about the weather. It's not Alaska, afterall!

[desibear]

$16 will get you a "decent" 1 bedroom, 1 bath, roughly 900 sq. feet. $20 will get you a "nice" 1 bed, possibly with 1.5 baths and/or den, with footage between 900-1100 sq. ft. Parking may or may not be available at either of these prices. The "nice" place should get you all the building amenties you can dream of, along with most upgrades you can think of within the condo itself, and a very desirable location.

[chitown1]

Look at the River North area too. Will put you just North of the River, close to everything including Hard Rock Cafe, Rush Street, the "Loop" area, and a neighborhood with lots of restaurants, and nightlife.

I know River North, and it's a lot of fun. The other "hip" area on the North side is Wicker Park. Kind of a Mecca for the musician/artist crowd.

One thing you can be sure about. Chicago is loaded with great neighborhoods. Especially for your age group. You will love whatever you pick.

Good luck!