City vs suburbs living (Chicago, Naperville: rentals, crimes, homebuyer)

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Jamesbond

Thanks for your insight, this makes me want to move into the city even more.

I have been pricing condos and apartments in the city. Yes, it will be more expensive to live in the city but it will be worth it to have a good social life. I might even get a studio condo or studio apartment in the loop or north side. River North looks good, so does Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville and Lakeview.

A guy I used to work with told me that his social life improved 100% when he moved from Schaumburg to the city. I have had other single people tell me the same thing that basically, "the suburbs are death to your social life."

Depending on the burb you're coming from and the neighborhood you choose in the city, it's not necessarily even more expensive to live in the city. There are plenty of good places to live in the city that aren't Lincoln Park or Lakeview. (Actually, culturally speaking those are probably the most suburb-like neighborhoods in the city-- not what I would choose.)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

Depending on the burb you're coming from and the neighborhood you choose in the city, it's not necessarily even more expensive to live in the city. There are plenty of good places to live in the city that aren't Lincoln Park or Lakeview. (Actually, culturally speaking those are probably the most suburb-like neighborhoods in the city-- not what I would choose.)

And depending on the burb you're coming from and the neighborhood you choose in the city, it's not necessarily even better for your social life to live in the city. There are huge swaths of Chicago that are as dull as can be and offer very little in terms of night life (responding to "Jamesbond's" comment here, not ChinNaan's).

The Chicago forum now has the incredibly myopic view that "city" = fun north side neighborhood and "suburb" equals auto-oriented cul-de-sac. Reality is a lot more complex. But of course, when we are talking about a city of 2.8 million people and a suburban region of 6 million people, it's hard not to discuss without making sweeping generalizations.

[ChicagoMeO]

I heard on the news today that there are more renters than first time home buyers - homes are too expensive so rent is the best thing. That's great (for me), now renters are elevated up a bit higher in status (home owners were the ones that were supposed to be the most wonderful as opposed to lowly renters LOL)

wonder if that might make all our rents go higher because of it, or less available housing.

[Lookout Kid]

More renters = higher rent. Supply and demand is the most basic concept in Econ 101.

Renters have higher "status"? This makes up for the fact that your rent will be jacked up hundreds of dollars next year? Okay then.

[BleedCubbieBlue]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

More renters = higher rent. Supply and demand is the most basic concept in Econ 101.

Renters have higher "status"? This makes up for the fact that your rent will be jacked up hundreds of dollars next year? Okay then.

And the "status" might make up the fact that in 1, 2, 3, or 5 years the renter will have nothing to show for her monthly payments. The buyer will have some equity if she is smart. The only reason to rent is if your work/personal situation is in flux and you may need to move in the next year or two.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

More renters = higher rent. Supply and demand is the most basic concept in Econ 101.

Renters have higher "status"? This makes up for the fact that your rent will be jacked up hundreds of dollars next year? Okay then.

He wasn't saying that--he was suggesting that perhaps the "status" of renters might increase a little, simply because their numbers are increasing, and this might be more of a common factor among a larger group of people ( strength in numbers, etc)..

Besides, perhaps an owner's roof might cave in, and he may be under/uninsured, and that would surely overwhelm any potential rent increases; it's all relative..

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by MassVt

He wasn't saying that--he was suggesting that perhaps the "status" of renters might increase a little, simply because their numbers are increasing, and this might be more of a common factor among a larger group of people ( strength in numbers, etc)..

I thought MeO was a she???

Either way, more renters = higher rents unless the supply of rental housing increases in measure (which it won't). We already have a city with very tenant-friendly laws on the books, so I don't anticipate any changes there.

[ChiNaan]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

And depending on the burb you're coming from and the neighborhood you choose in the city, it's not necessarily even better for your social life to live in the city. There are huge swaths of Chicago that are as dull as can be and offer very little in terms of night life

That's true if you're wanting fun right in your specific neighborhood. Even the most boring neighborhoods in the city are significantly closer to the fun things in the city than places like Schaumburg or Naperville are, though.

[holl1ngsworth]

Originally Posted by ChiNaan

That's true if you're wanting fun right in your specific neighborhood. Even the most boring neighborhoods in the city are significantly closer to the fun things in the city than places like Schaumburg or Naperville are, though.

Have you been to Naperville??

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by holl1ngsworth

Have you been to Naperville??

Is Naperville closer to the 'fun' areas of the city than other parts of the city?