Big Box Chain Stores in the City (Chicago, Cicero: affordable apartments, rent)

[Chelito23]

I was wondering if there is an area in Chicago where the big box chain stores have moved in and set up shop (such as supermarkets, Target, etc)...but that does not cater to the wealthy crowd...rather middle class....

From what I have seen, there are some big box stores neer the Kennedy, but they seem to be near Wicker Park which has really gotten out of control rent wise.

I am interested in knowing if there is an area of Chicago that hasn't been "revitalized" and still has somewhat affordable apartments by Chicago standards...but has nearby access to the big chain stores, all while in the city. If there is a neighborhood like this, please let me know. Thanks.

[supernerdgirl]

I live in Edgewater and live 1.5 miles from a Target (the Peterson bus goes right to it - Peterson/Damen), 7 or 8 blocks from one Jewel (it's at 54 or 5500 N Clark), 4 blocks from another (Berwyn red line stop), and about a block and a half from a Dominick's (Thorndale red line stop). And, actually I think there's another Dominick's at about 5200 N Sheridan, about 7 blocks from me. (My block counts might not be right, but you get the idea - walking distance ... even the Target is if you want to get right down to it).

I pay $614/month for a studio with utilities included. I'm not sure what you're interested in, but the non-Andersonville portion of Edgewater isn't too terribly pricey, I don't think.

[Drover]

I live in Irving Park, just a couple blocks from Elston Avenue. Elston is where a lot of the big-box stores are that you see from the Kennedy. It's about a 3-mile shot down Elston from where I live. There's also a K-Mart, a Home Depot and a Target all on Addison Avenue, all a mile or less from where I live. The K-Mart is nasty though and I refuse to shop there. Irving Park is a safe and non-gentrified neighborhood. Rents are very reasonable. I pay $900/mo for a very large 2-bedroom (about 1200-1300 sqft). That does not include utilities but it does include off-street parking. You can probably find a smaller 2-bedroom for about 800 or so in my neighborhood, and a one-bedroom starting at probably 700.

[prairiestate]

S. Cicero Ave, around 75th St. is another area with a full line of big box stores. The neighborhoods on the far southwest side, around Midway are nice, and very affordable. Transportation is good, you'll be near the Orange line. Also on the southwest side, Target has stores around 43rd and Pulaski and the Stevenson and Damen. That last one is by Mckinley Park and Bridgeport, which are very hot neighborhoods right now, and both are on the Orange line. Also in the area is a Home Depot near 47th and Western, and a large Dominick's anchored shopping center at Archer and Ashland. However, Bridgeport in particular has gotten to be pretty expensive, rivaling the trendy neighborhoods up north. Old man Daley would be shocked.