Trying to decide whether to live near city center or not?

[jonnynonos]

Originally Posted by kittsa

Thank you everyone so far for your input, it's been really helpful! Chet brought up some good points I hadn't considered before.

We can easily afford $1700 rent but the appeal of living 'downtown' is such that it would take significant savings to sway us to live farther away, if that makes sense.

Basically we're willing to do the 20+ min commute if rent is cheap & the community is nice. To clarify, the $1k budget is for rent straight up, utilities not included. I'm secretly hoping to find a gem out there with great amenities in that price range

Thanks again for the ideas!

I'd do it for a year. It's fun!

Plus, factor in other things: If you can walk to work, you will save about $100 apiece on commuting costs. A lot of apartments downtown include heat, cable, internet, and a gym. It can add up and get to relatively even pretty quick.

You can always move to a neighborhood when you are more familiar with the city.

There is a reason the rents are high.

In terms of "real Chicagoans," on the contrary, you are at least if not more likely to be in contact with old Chicago people in a downtown highrise than the majority of gentrified neighborhoods.

Also, I disagree with Chett. Downtown you have Trader Joe's, Jewel, Whole Foods (which actually has a lot of affordable stuff under the 365 brand.) You have a Target on Division if you want. Don't have to own a car.

The only thing downtown is missing in terms of affordability is nice ethnic/less expensive restaurants. There are a few jewels here and there, but generally you are looking at stuff that is really expensive or kind of divey ol' sandwich/gyro shops etc.

That being said, there is still a fair amount of affordable Thai food, Irish pubs, Middle Eastern and stuff, once you get situated. You just kind of have to know where to find it, and it takes a while.

[sarimo]

where is the best place to live in chicago ?
thanks

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by sarimo

where is the best place to live in chicago ?
thanks

Even assuming that you are working in the the Loop there are many basic questions -- What is more important to you:

Walk to the office OR have lots of nice spots to go to after work / on weekends?

Need good schools that are close by OR have no kids ?

Like space for dog to play OR fine with having nothing but paving around?


If work is OUTSIDE the Loop the questions are even more numerous:

Do you want to live someplace where you can have parking in building OR someplace more affordable?

Would you prefer having a commute of 30 minutes or less OR is being stuck in bumper to bumper every morning and evening OK?

Are you a member of racial / ethnic minority commonly identified? Is it imporatant to you that there are lots of people of your visible racial / ethnic background are around OR you ok with fitting in a place where the majority is more common?

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Even assuming that you are working in the the Loop there are many basic questions -- What is more important to you:

Walk to the office OR have lots of nice spots to go to after work / on weekends?

Need good schools that are close by OR have no kids ?

Like space for dog to play OR fine with having nothing but paving around?


If work is OUTSIDE the Loop the questions are even more numerous:

Do you want to live someplace where you can have parking in building OR someplace more affordable?

Would you prefer having a commute of 30 minutes or less OR is being stuck in bumper to bumper every morning and evening OK?

Are you a member of racial / ethnic minority commonly identified? Is it imporatant to you that there are lots of people of your visible racial / ethnic background are around OR you ok with fitting in a place where the majority is more common?

Oh and budget. That is sometimes a factor.

[emathias]

I've lived in River North, a 10 minute walk west of Michigan Avenue for over 11 years. I like it, but it is an expensive area even beyond rent. As others have mentioned, it has very few inexpensive restaurants, and even the ones that are relatively inexpensive for the area are more expensive than equivalent places in neighborhoods that aren't central. $1,700 for a 1-bedroom near Michigan Ave probably won't come with a lot of amenities. You can definitely find stuff at that price, but the real luxury places cost about 50% more than that. A new construction luxury apartment building behind my place has 1-bedrooms for $2,700 a month, for example.

[beaniemac]

when the threadstarter mentioned a budget of $1000/month for a 1BR apartment downtown, with that kinda budget, living in that area doesn't really seem feasable. he will have to move quite a ways from downtown if he wants to pay that kinda rent.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by sarimo

where is the best place to live in chicago ?
thanks

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016...ca-2016-report