Single Woman Moving to Chicago (Skokie, Des Plaines: apartment, rental, house)

[amyewat]

It looks likely I will be relocating to Chicago for work. I am a single 40ish female. I am looking for suggestions on areas to rent (or where not to).
A few details:
- I will be home officed, so daily commute is not an issue.
- I will, however, be traveling to hospitals both in Chicago and in a broader regional area both by car and by plane, so reasonable distance from airport and parking, because I have to have a car, are necessary
- Yard (even small one) is ideal (but I could compromise on this if necessary, my dog just won't like it)
- Open to 'burbs, but not so 'burbs that there is not easy access to diverse restaurants, etc and not ALL families.
- Safety is number one factor, want to feel safe walking alone, within reason
- Near parks, cycling lanes, arts, good cuisine is bonus!
- Looking to stay around $1000 a month if at all possible, but could go up to $1400 if needed (especially if it means yard). (I know the $1000 may be ambitious, relocating from Dallas/Fort Worth where I rent a 3/1 house with yard and covered parking - a girl can dream.)

Suggestions on area to look and which ones to steer clear of are appreciated.

[Drover]

Based on your criteria I would recommend areas in the mid- to far northwest side and some of the near-north suburbs. City neighborhoods to consider would be Irving Park, Mayfair, Jefferson Park, Oriole Park, Norwood Park, Forest Glen, Edison Park; suburbs to consider would be Norridge, Harwood Heights, Des Plaines, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie.

Realistically, you'll need to make some compromises somewhere. You are extremely unlikely to find a house and a yard in your rental budget; $1,000/mo is just above the minimum buy-in price for a decent 2-bedroom apartment in a safe area that is convenient to the airport. That said, you should be able to find a 2- or 3-flat with a (very) small yard that you would share with the other unit(s). Additionally, places with ample street parking and yard space are going to tip more toward the "family" side of the "family/singles" balance. Even so, they won't be completely devoid of singles, and most of the suggestions listed above wouldn't be more than a 10 to 15 minute drive or so during non-rush-hour traffic to more singles-oriented areas with the type of restaurants and arts scene and what-not that you're looking for.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Drover

Based on your criteria I would recommend areas in the mid- to far northwest side and some of the near-north suburbs. City neighborhoods to consider would be Irving Park, Mayfair, Jefferson Park, Oriole Park, Norwood Park, Forest Glen, Edison Park; suburbs to consider would be Norridge, Harwood Heights, Des Plaines, Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie.

Realistically, you'll need to make some compromises somewhere. You are extremely unlikely to find a house and a yard in your rental budget; $1,000/mo is just above the minimum buy-in price for a decent 2-bedroom apartment in a safe area that is convenient to the airport. That said, you should be able to find a 2- or 3-flat with a (very) small yard that you would share with the other unit(s). Additionally, places with ample street parking and yard space are going to tip more toward the "family" side of the "family/singles" balance. Even so, they won't be completely devoid of singles, and most of the suggestions listed above wouldn't be more than a 10 to 15 minute drive or so during non-rush-hour traffic to more singles-oriented areas with the type of restaurants and arts scene and what-not that you're looking for.

I agree with this. Of course, for the city I would even extend that to Ravenswood or Lincoln Square area too if you want even more around you type of thing. Any one of the ones listed above should work though IMO and would be easier to get to O'hare from Irving Park, Jefferson Park, etc easily

[Drover]

Of course yard space and parking are in much shorter supply in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood than the mid- to outer NW side neighborhoods. And they're not terribly convenient to the airport. Plus they'll strain the upper end of your rental budget unless you're prepared to live in a one-bedroom. But they have a lot more of the other things you're looking for in the way of singles/arts-type scene, cuisine options, and the like. It's really a matter of which of your priorities are going to give.

Best way to determine if you'll have issues parking at a prospective apartment is to drive by it at midnight and see if there are any spaces nearby. Or, be prepared to shell out an extra $100 to $200/mo for off-street parking.

[marothisu]

It's true but IMO finding yard space by just renting an apartment in the city is going to be tough. Have to find a private house (2 flat, 3 flat, etc) for that or consider a courtyard your yard..I think in most of the NW places, parking will not be as much of a problem as in other areas of the city, but can still present a problem sometimes finding a space on the street.

[Lorielicious]

Originally Posted by marothisu

I agree with this. Of course, for the city I would even extend that to Ravenswood or Lincoln Square area too if you want even more around you type of thing

How did I know someone was going to recommend neighborhoods like these? Ignore this. You're not going to find anything nice and with a yard for $1,000 in Lincoln Square, and these places aren't easily accessible to any airport. The answer is any of the neighborhoods Drover said. My personal recommendation is Jefferson Park. When I was apt searching a little under two years ago, the most bang for my buck was a place I found there. It was flippin' huge, had a dining room, deck, a yard, and reasonable parking. Plus it was half a second from the freeway, two halves of a second from O'hare (or a second, I suppose). I have personally bicycled through Jeff Park zillions of times, so I know it's good for bike lanes, and pretty much everywhere in Chicago has a boatload of parks, so you're good there too. Not really sure about the cuisine front, as I don't really hang out and eat there, but as far as everything else you're looking for, Jeff Park works great.

[Just1Fan]

Single Women? In Chicago? Nothing better.

[iheartlisbon]

If the OP is still checking this, I'm curious what she's found!