Moving to Chicago from UK - need advice on neighbourhoods - 28 year old couple, 2,5k budget

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Well, that is her complaint.

Yes, I know you are the expert on every single thing in Chicago.

Stop with the snide statements. You don't have to be an "expert" to know that South Loop doesn't close at 3pm. If you've spent enough time there, you'd know that. Perhaps your friend only eats at Yolk, which is a breakfast place and closes at 3pm.

Knock yourself out:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc...201c2427f6b7de

[jonnynonos]

Look, she has lived there for several years and constantly complains to me about a lot of the places she likes to go to closing early; I've already conceded that these pertain to businesses that most people would refer to as being in the "Loop" itself; perhaps her experience isn't typical of people who live in the South Loop in general.

I assumed that people would be able to extrapoliate that the places that close are going to be more in the Loop.

Yes, I'm aware there are normal restaurants and businesses in the South Loop.

I would say it depends on where in the South Loop you are talking about. Chett for example just conflated the Columbia College campus with the South Loop; we all know it's far larger than that.

Here's another way of phrasing it: Large chunks of the Loop itself basically shut down after business hours so if you are near them or counting on them you will be out of luck.

[Isotope-C14]

Originally Posted by lord_anthony

Thanks for the replies and the advice everyone! We're really excited!

It sounds as though in terms of actual apartment building we should be able to find something we the amenities that we are after in any of the South Loop/Loop/West Loop/River North neighbourhoods.

River North is probably better for nightlife but may add 20 mins or so to the commute, South Loop is better for the commute but nightlife probably not so hot. That sound about right?

My plan is to check out both these neighbourhoods when I'm over next week and maybe have a look at a few apartments as well. We are lucky enough that my company is going to put us up for the first month we arrive so we will have some time then to do some proper apartment hunting.

Thanks for the advice on the commute distance/time as well - my current commute is 15 miles and 30 mins so this doesn't sound too bad. One of the main reasons for moving to Chicago was to experience some big city living so I'm quite happy to spend a bit more time in the car than I do now to live somewhere central - by this I mean not living out near Burr Ridge!

Also thanks for the website links - rent.com and zillow are proving very useful.

Dear OP.

Glad to be of some help. Keep the questions coming, lots of people enjoy it.

FYI in Chicago, sometimes people have an opinion. When they do, they tend to stick by it, as evidenced by some of the people in this forum. Chicago people are really like this. Don't worry, we all end up being friends and having a drink and an Italian Beef together at the end of the day. It's endearing after you get used to it.

That's why I'm friends with conservatives, liberals, socialists, nihilists, and even fascists once in a while.

It does keep things interesting, after all if everyone had the same idea there wouldn't be much reason to communicate. Sometimes you end up learning something too which keeps the brain useful.

I lived in the utter wasteland of Portland Oregon for some years, and no one had an opinion, they just stared at the ground and looked away from you. I honestly wouldn't live anywhere else in the U.S. aside from Chicago now.

And no, the south loop doesn't close at 3pm. Yolk does, that is correct.

The south loop certainly doesn't have social places that I prefer, for example the Scout is a place where you can go to see women who have over $100k in cosmetic surgery done on themselves, I hate that place, but it is sometimes amusing to see the silicone cyborgs in their natural habitat.

It *does* however take all of 20-30 minutes by train to go to just about 60% of the fun night-life neighborhoods in the city from the Roosevelt stop. The only time I think it gets to be a wait, is if it's after midnight-1am on a weeknight or Sunday, depending on if you miss your transfer at Jackson or Clark/Lake you might have to wait 15 or so for the next train. They also do maintenance after 10pm from time to time like they have been this week, that causes some minor delays.

Ok, Let us know how your stay is! And welcome to Chicago!

[chet everett]

Nothing more to add!

Originally Posted by Isotope-C14

Dear OP.

Glad to be of some help. Keep the questions coming, lots of people enjoy it.

FYI in Chicago, sometimes people have an opinion. When they do, they tend to stick by it, as evidenced by some of the people in this forum. Chicago people are really like this. Don't worry, we all end up being friends and having a drink and an Italian Beef together at the end of the day. It's endearing after you get used to it.

That's why I'm friends with conservatives, liberals, socialists, nihilists, and even fascists once in a while.

It does keep things interesting, after all if everyone had the same idea there wouldn't be much reason to communicate. Sometimes you end up learning something too which keeps the brain useful.

I lived in the utter wasteland of Portland Oregon for some years, and no one had an opinion, they just stared at the ground and looked away from you. I honestly wouldn't live anywhere else in the U.S. aside from Chicago now.

And no, the south loop doesn't close at 3pm. Yolk does, that is correct.

The south loop certainly doesn't have social places that I prefer, for example the Scout is a place where you can go to see women who have over $100k in cosmetic surgery done on themselves, I hate that place, but it is sometimes amusing to see the silicone cyborgs in their natural habitat.

It *does* however take all of 20-30 minutes by train to go to just about 60% of the fun night-life neighborhoods in the city from the Roosevelt stop. The only time I think it gets to be a wait, is if it's after midnight-1am on a weeknight or Sunday, depending on if you miss your transfer at Jackson or Clark/Lake you might have to wait 15 or so for the next train. They also do maintenance after 10pm from time to time like they have been this week, that causes some minor delays.

Ok, Let us know how your stay is! And welcome to Chicago!

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jonnynonos

Look, she has lived there for several years and constantly complains to me about a lot of the places she likes to go to closing early; I've already conceded that these pertain to businesses that most people would refer to as being in the "Loop" itself; perhaps her experience isn't typical of people who live in the South Loop in general.

I assumed that people would be able to extrapoliate that the places that close are going to be more in the Loop.

Yes, I'm aware there are normal restaurants and businesses in the South Loop.

I would say it depends on where in the South Loop you are talking about. Chett for example just conflated the Columbia College campus with the South Loop; we all know it's far larger than that.

Here's another way of phrasing it: Large chunks of the Loop itself basically shut down after business hours so if you are near them or counting on them you will be out of luck.

I have numerous friends who live in the South Loop, and I dislike it, but to make a claim that businesses close at 3pm is very false. Even if she meant the Loop, yes some businesses do close early but many of them do stay open a few hours after standard business hours. I work in the Loop so I am pretty familiar with this. I am not denying that some places do close that early, but many actually do stay open a few hours after 5pm.

I know that the Chipotle near me in the Loop is open until 7pm every weekday. The Rotis in the Loop are open until 8pm. Yes, some places do close at 3pm or 4pm in the Loop, but many are open until at least 7pm believe it or not. As far as the South Loop goes, it's a later area. Places usually close at least at 10pm (sometimes 9pm, and some strictly breakfast places at 3pm) if not later.

[jonnynonos]

Does this make you happy?

"A lot of stuff closes at 3pm"

REDACTED/AMENDED: "A lot of stuff in the Loop in general closes between 3pm-7pm."

Give me your three favorite most vibrant areas of the South Loop.

Or don't.

Because we both know it is a sad state of affairs compared to virtually anything across the river.

[marothisu]

A lot of stuff in the Loop closes between 3pm-7pm is accurate. But Loop != South Loop. I never said I liked the South Loop (and my last message clearly states it). I find the area boring, but stating a fact has nothing to do with liking or disliking something. Some people like the area and some don't - opinion, but facts are facts. You don't have to like an area, person, etc to recognize a fact.

[Mimihaha]

Take a look around Graceland Cemetery. I know that sounds morbid, but there's enough ex-pat Brits to keep the Jolly Posh going [url]http://spencerfoods.com/[/url]

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Mimihaha

Take a look around Graceland Cemetery. I know that sounds morbid, but there's enough ex-pat Brits to keep the Jolly Posh going Spencer's Jolly Posh British and Irish Foods

Way too far north for that commute

[emma hamid]

Originally Posted by lord_anthony

My wife and Iare moving to Chicago early next year from the UK and we need to find a place to live. I’m coming over for a visit next week and I’d like some advice onwhat neighbourhoods I should be looking at.

We quite like the idea of a high rise apartment with amenities like a gym and a pool and our budget is 2-2,5k. Obviously the area needs to be safe and we'd like good transportation links so we can explore the city! A lively neighbourhood with bars and restaurants close by is preferable but nothing too noisy.

I'll be working in Burr Ridge and don't mind a commute up to 45 mins or so (by car).

We were thinking of the Loop/South Loop/West Loop/River West neighbourhoods. Can you offer any thoughts on those areas and any others we should be looking at?

Also, what is the best/easiest way to find an apartment in the US? I imagine it's quite different to the UK - we don't really have realtors over here!

Thanks!

Hey i am also from the uk planning to move there next year I'm guessing you have moved there by now... Can u tell me what the place is like and if it was a good choice also where a bouts have you moved...?

Many thanks