Brooklyn to Chicago with 1 yr old baby (Lincoln, Roscoe: best neighborhoods, apartments)

[vieira4ever]

Hello. I would really appreciate any advice on this topic. My wife and I have decided to move from Brooklyn, NY to Chicago early next year. We love New York, particularly Brooklyn but NYC has become so expensive rent wise and we both feel it's not a great place to raise a child. Anyway, can anybody point us in the right direction regarding apartments? We're hoping to get a 2 bed for $1000. An area with good daycare/parks and also a few bars/restaurants (we're young and like to socialize/eat out) would be ideal. I'm a bartender and would like to be in an area with a lot of job opportunities (bars!) but don't mind a commute to work. Thank you.

[Lookout Kid]

You'll probably have to shell out a bit more for a decent two-bedroom in a good neighborhood... I'd say more like the $1300-1500 range. The best neighborhoods that fit your description are Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and Bucktown. However, these are also some of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. Other nice neighborhoods that have cheaper rentals but less nightlife are Ravenswood, Edgewater, Buena Park, North Center, etc. And if you don't mind something more "transitional", there's Rogers Park, Albany Park, Uptown, and Logan Square. All of these neighborhoods have plenty of parks and public transportation options.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

1000 is tight but possible in Roscoe Village and Ravenswood. Those would be good options. They're hard to come by, but you can occasionally catch places in Lincoln Square for under 1000. I just saw one on Craigslist for 900 yesterday. There are spots for you to tend bar in any neigborhood, but the more lucrative gigs are gonna be in Lincoln Park, Mag Mile, Gold Coast, etc.

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by vieira4ever

I'm a bartender and would like to be in an area with a lot of job opportunities (bars!) but don't mind a commute to work. Thank you.

Id be careful what you wish for. Its one thing to be a short commute away. Its another to live in the middle of post-frat fantasy land with drunks pouring out into the streets yelling "Woo!" at 4AM (especially considering you have a 1 year old on your hands).

[Chinolala]

Look into Lincoln Square. Great urban neighborhood with both young singles and young familes. Has some popular restaurants/bars located in Lincoln Avenue and is not too far from Lincoln Park - the mecca of watering holes. I highly suggest this area. May cost more than $1000 but you may be able to find something in that range.