Southern gals looking to move to the city (Chicago, Lincoln: credit, how much)

[yenthi]

Hi All -

My little sister and I are planning to move to Chicago by mid 2008. I've only been to the city once, but planning to go there again in March to check it out with my little sister (she's never been there before). We're hoping to find a decent place close to the city aka happening areas. We're in our 20's and we're looking for more urban type areas with cool shops and restaurants...somewhere with a good transportation system so we don't have to drive on the weekends. Where are some of the areas we should start looking at?

We appreciate any feedbacks!

Thanks,
Yennie

[Steve-o]

How close to the city do you want to be? How much do you have to spend on a place? Do you want to have a car, or live w/o one? If you could answer some of those questions it would help narrow down some choices. There are literally hundreds of suburbs in the area, as well as tons of neighborhoods in Chicago proper.

[yenthi]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

How close to the city do you want to be? How much do you have to spend on a place? Do you want to have a car, or live w/o one? If you could answer some of those questions it would help narrow down some choices. There are literally hundreds of suburbs in the area, as well as tons of neighborhoods in Chicago proper.

As close as $1000-$1300 (preferably 2 bedrooms) will allow us to be closest to the city. I'm not sure that I want to live in the suburbs, but if there is a nice one close to the "fun and trendy" areas than I don't mind. We will have our cars, but if parking becomes a problem we'll end up with just one. The only problem right now is I'm not sure where I'll be working, but I'll worry about that later. My little sister will probably attend a community college for a year (any suggestions there too??).

The whole purpose of moving away from the slow South is to experience the faster lifestyle a big city like Chicago has to offer. So it defeats the purpose of living too far from the city when we want to be IN the city.

Thanks, Steve-o!

Yennie

P.S. I read some posts you wrote defending the city of Chicago..hehe..you sound very passionate about your city. You make me want to move there NOW!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by yenthi

As close as $1000-$1300 (preferably 2 bedrooms) will allow us to be closest to the city. I'm not sure that I want to live in the suburbs, but if there is a nice one close to the "fun and trendy" areas than I don't mind. We will have our cars, but if parking becomes a problem we'll end up with just one. The only problem right now is I'm not sure where I'll be working, but I'll worry about that later. My little sister will probably attend a community college for a year (any suggestions there too??).

The whole purpose of moving away from the slow South is to experience the faster lifestyle a big city like Chicago has to offer. So it defeats the purpose of living too far from the city when we want to be IN the city.

Thanks, Steve-o!

Yennie

P.S. I read some posts you wrote defending the city of Chicago..hehe..you sound very passionate about your city. You make me want to move there NOW!

Once you establish residency in the city, the city colleges are cheap. Around $71 a credit hour. I would go with Washington,Wright, then Truman.

Message me for more help if needed.

$1000 to $1300 without utilities or with? You should have no problem finding a place in the city if you can spend that kind of money.

[Gtownoe]

I moved to Chicago from the South (KY) to get away from the slow lifestyle of the South and have never looked back. I initially had planned on working in the city for the summer and then moving to Los Angeles the following May to live with my sister...

It's gonna be a long damn time before I move out of the city. You can't beat the nightlife, cultural events, and energy of the city. All of the Southern cities generally have the same feel in my opinion. Whenever I go back down South things just seem to move sooo slow.

Some neighborhoods I would recommend (haven't been in the city too long so I don't know the entire city) would be Lincoln Park, Ukranian Village, South Loop, Wicker Park and Lakeview.

Since both of you like to party and are young I think Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview (Wrigley area) would be my top choices.

[KevK]

Originally Posted by Gtownoe

I moved to Chicago from the South (KY) to get away from the slow lifestyle of the South and have never looked back. I initially had planned on working in the city for the summer and then moving to Los Angeles the following May to live with my sister...

It's gonna be a long damn time before I move out of the city. You can't beat the nightlife, cultural events, and energy of the city. All of the Southern cities generally have the same feel in my opinion. Whenever I go back down South things just seem to move sooo slow.

Some neighborhoods I would recommend (haven't been in the city too long so I don't know the entire city) would be Lincoln Park, Ukranian Village, South Loop, Wicker Park and Lakeview.

Since both of you like to party and are young I think Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview (Wrigley area) would be my top choices.

Then you have never been to Atlanta. We are not "slow" here.

[jimbo13]

i moved here from florida eight years ago and could never move south again. i've lived in streeterville, oldtown, lincoln park, wrigley and now, east lakeview. i would recommend that you two look into lakeview if you are looking for urban living with minimal driving. parking is a bear, so be prepared to pay for a spot. but, everything you need is right outside your door. for sure don't even think about a 'burb, you might as well stay down soth where it's warm in that case... if you're moving here in june/july, you are in for a good time. the party scene here is INSANE.

[yenthi]

Originally Posted by KevK

Then you have never been to Atlanta. We are not "slow" here.

I don't know, KevK. I visited ATL for the first time a month ago and it was pretty slow to me. Maybe I wasn't in the right area, but isn't Buckhead THE place to be???

[jimbo13]

atlanta is a morgue compared to chicago...

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by yenthi

Hi All -

My little sister and I are planning to move to Chicago by mid 2008. I've only been to the city once, but planning to go there again in March to check it out with my little sister (she's never been there before). We're hoping to find a decent place close to the city aka happening areas. We're in our 20's and we're looking for more urban type areas with cool shops and restaurants...somewhere with a good transportation system so we don't have to drive on the weekends. Where are some of the areas we should start looking at?

We appreciate any feedbacks!

Thanks,
Yennie

Where are you moving from?