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I'm looking to buy an apartment/condo facing the lake. A pool in the building is highly preferred, but not necessary. Is there a list of buildings/areas that I can look through and monitor? Or, may be you can post the buildings that you know of that meet the above criteria.
Any advice/help would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I'd like to add a little more detail since you guys have brought up some interesting points.
1) I'm looking for something under 250K. I should have clarified that, since it's an important factor.
2) Based on some of the price ranges mentioned, I think I may have to settle for a studio. That's ok.
3) It needs to be somewhat walking distance from night life AND the beach.
4) A high rise facing the beach/lake is okay. The sand doesn't exactly have to be at my doorstep
5) Something near an easy commute to Union Station is preferred. This (I think) eliminates Rogers Park.
6) The building itself doesn't have to be modern, but the apt/condo/studio needs to be nicely renovated OR have an option to allow me to renovate it.
In regards to the links that you guys have provided. I tried looking that way, but it gives me toooo many unlikely candidates. And since I'm not familiar with the city, I don't know how to narrow my search. Hence the question here.
I'd like to add a little more detail since you guys have brought up some interesting points.
1) I'm looking for something under 250K. I should have clarified that, since it's an important factor.
2) Based on some of the price ranges mentioned, I think I may have to settle for a studio. That's ok.
3) It needs to be somewhat walking distance from night life AND the beach.
4) A high rise facing the beach/lake is okay. The sand doesn't exactly have to be at my doorstep
5) Something near an easy commute to Union Station is preferred. This (I think) eliminates Rogers Park.
6) The building itself doesn't have to be modern, but the apt/condo/studio needs to be nicely renovated OR have an option to allow me to renovate it.
In regards to the links that you guys have provided. I tried looking that way, but it gives me toooo many unlikely candidates. And since I'm not familiar with the city, I don't know how to narrow my search. Hence the question here.
Not sure why you have seen too many unlikely candidates - these sites should have filtering options, or are you talking about finding a place that doesn't have a view of the lake? As far as nightlife goes - it depends on what you want. For example, the nightlife in Lincoln Park is different than the nightlife in Gold Coast.
What does "easy commute" to Union Station mean? Does that mean you only have to take a bus or train+bus, or does it mean within a certain amount of time, or both? If so, give an idea of what kind of time you're thinking of. Union Station isn't near the lake as it's over a mile from the nearest point of the lake (and this point doesn't have housing right on it or a beach). If you think you can get to Union Station from the nearest area you're looking for in under 15 minutes using public transit, you're probably in for a surprise. However, a cab is doable in that amount of time.
Not sure why you have seen too many unlikely candidates - these sites should have filtering options, or are you talking about finding a place that doesn't have a view of the lake? As far as nightlife goes - it depends on what you want. For example, the nightlife in Lincoln Park is different than the nightlife in Gold Coast.
What does "easy commute" to Union Station mean? Does that mean you only have to take a bus or train+bus, or does it mean within a certain amount of time, or both? If so, give an idea of what kind of time you're thinking of. Union Station isn't near the lake as it's over a mile from the nearest point of the lake (and this point doesn't have housing right on it or a beach). If you think you can get to Union Station from the nearest area you're looking for in under 15 minutes using public transit, you're probably in for a surprise. However, a cab is doable in that amount of time.
Maybe I'm filtering it wrong, but it seems like a lot of the hits I get are too far from the lake. Since price and zip code are my major filters, it gives me buildings too far away from the lake. Is there a way to draw in a boundary or something?
In regards to nightlife, I'm 28 and single, so an abundance of quality women to mingle with is preferred. I feel like Gold Coast is full of gold diggers, but maybe I'm just making up stuff in my head. I like a laid back crowd that likes good music and dancing wherever that may be.
Easy commute means "you only have to take a bus". Correct. Good point.
That place you gave a link to...nice! I love the whole glass wall/window thing! I'd love to find something like that facing the lake. Now I just need to find it for cheaper
I'd like to add a little more detail since you guys have brought up some interesting points.
1) I'm looking for something under 250K. I should have clarified that, since it's an important factor.
2) Based on some of the price ranges mentioned, I think I may have to settle for a studio. That's ok.
3) It needs to be somewhat walking distance from night life AND the beach.
4) A high rise facing the beach/lake is okay. The sand doesn't exactly have to be at my doorstep
5) Something near an easy commute to Union Station is preferred. This (I think) eliminates Rogers Park.
6) The building itself doesn't have to be modern, but the apt/condo/studio needs to be nicely renovated OR have an option to allow me to renovate it.
In regards to the links that you guys have provided. I tried looking that way, but it gives me toooo many unlikely candidates. And since I'm not familiar with the city, I don't know how to narrow my search. Hence the question here.
When looking at older highrises near the beach in Edgewater and Rogers Park and Uptown, keep in mind that the assessments (also called maintenance fees) can be very high, so you can end up with a huge apartment for sale for under $200k, but it's that cheap because the monthly assessments are over $1,000.
If you hadn't said you need nightlife, and were a bit adventuous, I'd point out that the South Shore has a fair number of properties looking over the beach between E 67th and E 79th. They'd be cheap, but may not have the level of night life you're seeking, and transit to Union Station would be less than ideal.
From Rogers Park getting to Union Station can be easy, it just takes a while.
Maybe I'm filtering it wrong, but it seems like a lot of the hits I get are too far from the lake. Since price and zip code are my major filters, it gives me buildings too far away from the lake. Is there a way to draw in a boundary or something?
In regards to nightlife, I'm 28 and single, so an abundance of quality women to mingle with is preferred. I feel like Gold Coast is full of gold diggers, but maybe I'm just making up stuff in my head. I like a laid back crowd that likes good music and dancing wherever that may be.
Easy commute means "you only have to take a bus". Correct. Good point.
That place you gave a link to...nice! I love the whole glass wall/window thing! I'd love to find something like that facing the lake. Now I just need to find it for cheaper
To be honest, I don't think you're going to find something facing the lake in your price range in areas that are semi easily within reach of Union Station, facing the lake, semi remodeled, and short walking distance within a beach with ample nightlife. That place is nice for sure and while it doesn't face the lake, it's basically right there and within a 5 minute walk of the beach. For the record, the 151 bus comes close to this place and its terminus is at Union Station. During busy hours it may not be the best option, but otherwise it's good and drops you off/picks you off right at Union Station. I did find one place near North Ave Beach that kind of faced the lake and in your price range, but first that's night right near a bunch of nightlife (it's close-ish but the other place is closer) and they didn't show any pictures of the units. The building looked older and I'm guessing the unit hasn't been remodeled in a long time (if ever).
What do you mean by quality women? Do you mean just "hot" or do you mean intelligent, open minded, etc, or both? I live in Gold Coast and wouldn't say that it's full of gold diggers necessarily - that's only true at Viagra Triangle and most of those women don't even live in the area. They come from the suburbs on weekends. For someone of your age, the nightlife options in River North are better, and this place is really not THAT far from River North. When it's nice out at least, it is not a big deal. Streeterville is closer, but Streeterville has newer buildings that will be more expensive.
When looking at older highrises near the beach in Edgewater and Rogers Park and Uptown, keep in mind that the assessments (also called maintenance fees) can be very high, so you can end up with a huge apartment for sale for under $200k, but it's that cheap because the monthly assessments are over $1,000.
If you hadn't said you need nightlife, and were a bit adventuous, I'd point out that the South Shore has a fair number of properties looking over the beach between E 67th and E 79th. They'd be cheap, but may not have the level of night life you're seeking, and transit to Union Station would be less than ideal.
From Rogers Park getting to Union Station can be easy, it just takes a while.
Very good point on the assessments. So is it typical for assessments to be high with older buildings? Is there a direct correlation there?
From the discussion so far, esp. with marothisu, it seems that I may have to sacrifice the nightlife for my price range and lake preference, which I'm okay with, but I absolutely need to be around a younger crowd. What kind of crowd resides in the properties "between E 67th and E 79th."?
In regards to commute from Roger Park to Union, how would you get there? Bus/train/both? Max transfers?
Very good point on the assessments. So is it typical for assessments to be high with older buildings? Is there a direct correlation there?
From the discussion so far, esp. with marothisu, it seems that I may have to sacrifice the nightlife for my price range and lake preference, which I'm okay with, but I absolutely need to be around a younger crowd. What kind of crowd resides in the properties "between E 67th and E 79th."?
In regards to commute from Roger Park to Union, how would you get there? Bus/train/both? Max transfers?
South Shore in that area is not going to be a younger crowd. The area is OK, but there's not a ton of options for a younger person who likes to go out and socialize. Yes, there's some, but not a lot and frankly I doubt that many young people are going to be attracted to what little scene there is there. If you didn't go out, cooked at home, and kept to yourself or were older with a familiy, that area might be attractive, otherwise I wouldn't recommend it. There's also some very dangerous areas of South Shore and some nice areas - but it's the type of area that can go from nice to bad while walking, very quickly.
If I were you, I'd honestly sacrifice the lake view if you can't find it for something just close to the lake and near a beach, and nightlife. About the commute to Union Station - are we talking about everyday or once a week type of thing? If it's once a week, then looking up in Edgewater might be OK, but if it's a once a day thing then that commute is going to get old.
If by nice women you mean hot and fashionable, then you're going to want to sacrifice your price or what you want and be located in Gold Coast or Streeterville. If not and you don't mind a 50+ minute commute to Union Station every morning (and 50+ minutes back), then an area like Edgewater or Rogers Park is completely fine.
To be honest, I don't think you're going to find something facing the lake in your price range in areas that are semi easily within reach of Union Station, facing the lake, semi remodeled, and short walking distance within a beach with ample nightlife. That place is nice for sure and while it doesn't face the lake, it's basically right there and within a 5 minute walk of the beach. For the record, the 151 bus comes close to this place and its terminus is at Union Station. During busy hours it may not be the best option, but otherwise it's good and drops you off/picks you off right at Union Station. I did find one place near North Ave Beach that kind of faced the lake and in your price range, but first that's night right near a bunch of nightlife (it's close-ish but the other place is closer) and they didn't show any pictures of the units. The building looked older and I'm guessing the unit hasn't been remodeled in a long time (if ever).
What do you mean by quality women? Do you mean just "hot" or do you mean intelligent, open minded, etc, or both? I live in Gold Coast and wouldn't say that it's full of gold diggers necessarily - that's only true at Viagra Triangle and most of those women don't even live in the area. They come from the suburbs on weekends. For someone of your age, the nightlife options in River North are better, and this place is really not THAT far from River North. When it's nice out at least, it is not a big deal. Streeterville is closer, but Streeterville has newer buildings that will be more expensive.
The price and view of lake is most important. Then comes the nightlife. Then comes the commute.
For the view of lake, I'm willing to sacrifice it as long as the beach is walking distance and the price is lower than $200K.
For the nightlife, I am willing to completely sacrifice it, if the unit falls in location with a younger crowd.
By quality I mean, personality over looks. Open-minded, intelligent, good sense of humor, not completely brainwashed by conventional thinking, etc.
emathias made a good point about assessments. That's something I will be keeping in mind as well.
However, even with the sacrifices, you may be right, $250k may be too low for what I want.
Very good point on the assessments. So is it typical for assessments to be high with older buildings? Is there a direct correlation there?
From the discussion so far, esp. with marothisu, it seems that I may have to sacrifice the nightlife for my price range and lake preference, which I'm okay with, but I absolutely need to be around a younger crowd. What kind of crowd resides in the properties "between E 67th and E 79th."?
In regards to commute from Roger Park to Union, how would you get there? Bus/train/both? Max transfers?
If speed isn't an issue, you could do it with zero transfers and close to zero walking from Rogers Park depending on exactly where you ended up. If you want a little speed, you can still make it from, say, Sheridan Rd and Jarvis St in under and hour with one transfer.
Older highrises have higher assessments because their mechanicals start to wear out and need to be replaced. The two things that this most often applies to are the elevators and the windows or the "skin" of the building, although sometimes it will be due to something like sprinkler installation or plumbing issues.
The crowd in South Shore is more blue collar and the area can be sketchy.
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