Chicago neighbourhood/area for young female professional? (Lincoln, Madison: apartment, rent)

[kma3125]

Hi everyone,

I am moving to Chicago from Toronto this fall and will be working in the Loop (Wacker and Madison). My company is assisting with the apartment search and therefore rent is not an issue.

I am a 25 year old female and was hoping for some recommendations for areas populated with other young professionals similar to myself. Work will be looking for places as close to work as possible, but did let me know I could provide my preferences. I don't mind a 30-45 minute commute (walk+subway) into work, if that means the neighbourhood will have better vibe/bars/restaurants/amenities.

I am used to living in areas with high-rises (not a preference over a low rise, however) with grocery stores, farmers markets, yoga studios, coffee shops, pubs etc. all within 10-15min walking distance with areas populated by 22-35 year old single professionals.

I was told River North and South Loop. I have also read Lincoln Park and Lakeview would be good options.

Thanks in advance for your input!!

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by kma3125

Hi everyone,

I am moving to Chicago from Toronto this fall and will be working in the Loop (Wacker and Madison). My company is assisting with the apartment search and therefore rent is not an issue.

I am a 25 year old female and was hoping for some recommendations for areas populated with other young professionals similar to myself. Work will be looking for places as close to work as possible, but did let me know I could provide my preferences. I don't mind a 30-45 minute commute (walk+subway) into work, if that means the neighbourhood will have better vibe/bars/restaurants/amenities.

I am used to living in areas with high-rises (not a preference over a low rise, however) with grocery stores, farmers markets, yoga studios, coffee shops, pubs etc. all within 10-15min walking distance with areas populated by 22-35 year old single professionals.

I was told River North and South Loop. I have also read Lincoln Park and Lakeview would be good options.

Thanks in advance for your input!!

In addition to what you've list I would absolutely include the Gold Coast, it is getting much younger and has all that you want!

[DougStark]

Chicago is a good place to start a career for a young person like yourself. Lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. But I wouldn't stay my whole life there. Lousy winters, crowded, bumpy streets, high property and income taxes.

[mt90945557]

I would also look into Edgewater. You have easy access to the Red Line there. It is a rather quiet neighborhood but not far removed from more happening areas of the city.

[sfcambridge]

What is your budget?

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

What is your budget?

...SKY IS THE LIMIT!!

Originally Posted by kma3125

Hi everyone,

I am moving to Chicago from Toronto this fall and will be working in the Loop (Wacker and Madison). My company is assisting with the apartment search and therefore rent is not an issue.

....

Now maybe, given that she is 25 and unlikely to be allowed to "live large" at the company expense she needs to readjust her parameters, but hey, YOLO...

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Chicago is a good place to start a career for a young person like yourself. Lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. But I wouldn't stay my whole life there. Lousy winters, crowded, bumpy streets, high property and income taxes.

What, so they should move to a sprawling megasuburb in a desert with a gerontological-leaning demographic? How's the weather in Phoenix right about now btw???

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by chet everett

In addition to what you've list I would absolutely include the Gold Coast, it is getting much younger and has all that you want!

Yep, I agree. She could also try Bucktown as that area has kind of turned into that for the most part. However, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview (both on the east sections of it) will be more her style IMO. Perks are that all three are near the lake while Bucktown isn't.

Gold Coast though, especially south of Division Street, has a fairly mixed age crowd. Pretty yuppie if that's her thing - a lot of women in their 20s and early 30s walking around with yoga mats.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yep, I agree. She could also try Bucktown as that area has kind of turned into that for the most part. However, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview (both on the east sections of it) will be more her style IMO. Perks are that all three are near the lake while Bucktown isn't.

Gold Coast though, especially south of Division Street, has a fairly mixed age crowd. Pretty yuppie if that's her thing - a lot of women in their 20s and early 30s walking around with yoga mats.

...the mats are cute. I've almost been tempted to take a yoga class to deal with my increasingly creaky (and probably repetitive motion worsened...) shoulders and wrists, but I don't want to look like dirty old b*st*rd with everyone in their leggings... I'll stick to places where the staff wears medical scrubs.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Yep, I agree. She could also try Bucktown as that area has kind of turned into that for the most part. However, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview (both on the east sections of it) will be more her style IMO. Perks are that all three are near the lake while Bucktown isn't.

Gold Coast though, especially south of Division Street, has a fairly mixed age crowd. Pretty yuppie if that's her thing - a lot of women in their 20s and early 30s walking around with yoga mats.

Single Women...yoga mats.....

I think I know where I would like to move.