Moving to Chicago, I work downtown, Husband works in Merrillville (Rock Island: renting, condos)

[alaskagrown]

My husband and I will be moving to the Chicago area soon for his job. He will be working in Merrillville, IN, but I will be working at a large firm in downtown Chicago. We are trying to figure out where to live. He'll have a vehicle assigned to him by his job and his gas will be paid for. From what I hear, it might be easier for him to drive to Merrillville from the city than for me to commute downtown from Merrillville each day. I am thinking of living as close to my job as possible (close to public transportation with a 30 minute commute or less), since he'll have to commute anyway. Does that sound like a good idea? Are there any better option for us? It's not such a great arrangement, I know. Are there any neighborhoods south of the loop that would be easy for me to commute from and also make his commute a little less painful? We would prefer a neighborhood with a city feel and things to do, but that is also very safe. I am in my late 20s; he is in his early 30s. Thanks a lot for any advice you can give!!

[NSH]

If your husband is ok with commuting to Indiana then the easiest commutes will be the reverse commutes if you do stay south of the loop. Some of the more popular neighborhoods on the south side are:

South Loop: Lots of highrises, new construction, great access to lakefront, museums, and summer festivals. Price $$$$$. Access to skyway via lake shore drive or Dan Ryan
University Village/Little Italy: New construction townhomes and condos pretty good access to lakefront, museums and summer festivals. Closer to popular bars and taverns more nightlife than south loop. Price $$$$. Access to skyway via a few neighborhood streets and lake shore drive or Dan Ryan
Hyde Park: Vintage condos and homes, neighborhood closest to University of Chicago, much quieter as far as nightlife, but if you like tranquility a good book, and you are not a big drinker you'll find many with similar interests. Price $$$$$. Access to skyway via lake shore drive
Bridgeport: Typical urban "old school" european ethinic Chicago neighborhood. You can still get a beer for a buck at the local tavern and get all the neighborhood gossip while you're at it. Home to the Chicago White Sox and an emerging artists sceen. Price $$$$. Access to skyway via Dan Ryan
Pilsen: Same feel as Bridgeport except more latino ethinic Chicago Neighborhood. Home to some of the best Mexican food and art in the city. Price $$$. ccess to skyway via Dan Ryan.
Beverly/Morgan Park: Largest historical district in the country, mostly all single family homes, more small town feel than big city. Perfect for families with good schools both public and private. Made famous for its large neighborhood St Patricks Day Parade. Although not exclusively irish catholic, you will find it to be mostly irish catholic depending on what part of the neighborhood you live in. Prices range from $$-$$$$$. Access to Indiana via Bishop Ford.

My 2 cents hope it helps!

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by NSH

If your husband is ok with commuting to Indiana then the easiest commutes will be the reverse commutes if you do stay south of the loop. Some of the more popular neighborhoods on the south side are:

South Loop: Lots of highrises, new construction, great access to lakefront, museums, and summer festivals. Price $$$$$. Access to skyway via lake shore drive or Dan Ryan
University Village/Little Italy: New construction townhomes and condos pretty good access to lakefront, museums and summer festivals. Closer to popular bars and taverns more nightlife than south loop. Price $$$$. Access to skyway via a few neighborhood streets and lake shore drive or Dan Ryan
Hyde Park: Vintage condos and homes, neighborhood closest to University of Chicago, much quieter as far as nightlife, but if you like tranquility a good book, and you are not a big drinker you'll find many with similar interests. Price $$$$$. Access to skyway via lake shore drive
Bridgeport: Typical urban "old school" european ethinic Chicago neighborhood. You can still get a beer for a buck at the local tavern and get all the neighborhood gossip while you're at it. Home to the Chicago White Sox and an emerging artists sceen. Price $$$$. Access to skyway via Dan Ryan
Pilsen: Same feel as Bridgeport except more latino ethinic Chicago Neighborhood. Home to some of the best Mexican food and art in the city. Price $$$. ccess to skyway via Dan Ryan.
Beverly/Morgan Park: Largest historical district in the country, mostly all single family homes, more small town feel than big city. Perfect for families with good schools both public and private. Made famous for its large neighborhood St Patricks Day Parade. Although not exclusively irish catholic, you will find it to be mostly irish catholic depending on what part of the neighborhood you live in. Prices range from $$-$$$$$. Access to Indiana via Bishop Ford.

My 2 cents hope it helps!

That's a good summary, although I'd add that if you are renting, Bridgeport is much more affordable than the South loop or Hyde Park.

[cdc3217]

I'd recommend Beverly/Morgan Park as well.

I think the Irish Catholic factor might be slightly overstated in a previous post, but its definitely a significant demographic. There's lots to do -Beverly Arts Center, Borders Books, new retail development along 95th Street, bars (West side of Western), restaurants and the Metra Rock Island Line gets you to the LaSalle Street station downtown in about 30 minutes.

Beverly is directly north or Morgan Park (north of 111th is Beverly/south is M.P.), and is more of the epicenter for the area. Search on zip code 60643

You could also look at Mount Greenwood, which is a far south side family friendly neighborhood centered around Western - Kedzie & 107th, but its farther from the highways and public transit. Generally considered very safe for a city neighborhood. Search zip code 60655

[alaskagrown]

Thanks a lot! That was EXACTLY the information I was looking for!

[mel2000]

Those new to the city should avoid Hyde Park and Beverly/Morgan Park. Those neighborhoods are surrounded by high crime areas and your hubby could end up in big trouble if your car breaks down along the way. It's best that you live close to your downtown job and let him commute south to Indiana since he will be commuting away from the direction of the busiest traffic. Overall, I recommend the South Loop, and no farther south than Cermak Road. All those other neighborhoods will force your hubby to commute thru more high crime areas.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by mel2000

Those new to the city should avoid Hyde Park and Beverly/Morgan Park. Those neighborhoods are surrounded by high crime areas and your hubby could end up in big trouble if your car breaks down along the way.

I'm sorry, but this is silly. Hundreds of thousands of people commute through these areas every day without incident. Especially in Beverly and Morgan Park, he'll be on the expressway before he ever gets to a bad neighborhood. From Hyde Park it's, what, a mile of questionable neighborhood before you hit the expressway? What are the chances of breaking down in that one mile during your 50 mile commute? How do suppose the people who live in these neighborhoods ever get into or out of them every day? Give me a break.

[skyeINIL]

Originally Posted by Drover

I'm sorry, but this is silly. Hundreds of thousands of people commute through these areas every day without incident. Especially in Beverly and Morgan Park, he'll be on the expressway before he ever gets to a bad neighborhood. From Hyde Park it's, what, a mile of questionable neighborhood before you hit the expressway? What are the chances of breaking down in that one mile during your 50 mile commute? How do suppose the people who live in these neighborhoods ever get into or out of them every day? Give me a break.

I agree. While I know that these surrounding neighborhoods aren't the best, one doesn't automatically encounter danger upon entering. In fact, if someone were to break down chances are he or she will get help from someone before they get robbed.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by NEN0

If interested i have a beautiful gut rehabbed home in beverly/morgan pk please respond if interested

This thread is a year old. I would say it is safe to assume the OP made a decision already.

[Oildog]

I lived in the South Loop a few years ago, and its even more gentrified today. The revese commute for the hubby is the way to go. You can take a short bus ride or cab to work cheaper than parking a car.