Moving to Chicago with Nowhere to Stay and No Proof of Income? (apartments, rent)

[aclesion]

Hi,

I've been saving up to move to Chicago for several years now, so I have quite a bit of money in the bank. The problem is, as the title says, I have nobody to stay with in the city and I imagine most landlords would want a proof of income or employment. So basically, I can't move unless I have a job, but I can't find a job unless I move. Or at least, I imagine it would be incredibly difficult to find a job unless I move, but I still intend to try anyway. So I have a few questions about my situation:

1. How likely is it that I'd be able to find a job here while moving roughly 6-8 hours away? I work in office administration, by the way.

2. I have enough money saved up to pay for about 1-2 years of rent. Would this convince many landlords to overlook the fact I have no job lined up? I hear that a lot of them won't, as it may violate state laws, but I don't know what the law in Illinois is.

3. If both of these fail, then what are my options? Chicago has been my dream city and I don't want to give up that easily. Could I perhaps try looking for roommates to stay with while I look for a job? I haven't looked yet, but I'd imagine most roommates would want some kind of proof of insurance as well. I've also looked into cheap motels or hostels I could stay at for a while, but all seem fairly expensive. Any alternative plans would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[jjjttt]

In the two different apartments I rented, both landlords happily accepted a view of the money I had in a bank account (and a credit check) in lieu of anything else. Hopefully it will be the same for you!

[aclesion]

Originally Posted by jjjttt

In the two different apartments I rented, both landlords happily accepted a view of the money I had in a bank account (and a credit check) in lieu of anything else. Hopefully it will be the same for you!

Thanks for the info, that's a big sigh of relief for me!

Any other anecdotes/words of advice from anyone else would be great.

[chet everett]

As a former landlord I agree that it is generally acceptable to provide proof of sufficient savings and a clean background check when relocating. That said, it certainly makes a whole lot of sense to make every effort to have a decent job lined up well before moving -- should you find out that your skills are insufficient to land any kind of employment that will pay you enough to survive your "dream city" will quickly become a nightmare that sees you demoralized and financially wiped out...

The Best Strategy to Land a Job in a Different City | Chron.com

[NealIRC]

Originally Posted by aclesion

1. How likely is it that I'd be able to find a job here while moving roughly 6-8 hours away?

6 to 8 hours away?

Originally Posted by aclesion

2. I have enough money saved up to pay for about 1-2 years of rent. Would this convince many landlords to overlook the fact I have no job lined up?

Depends on the landlord. Some landlords prefer cash. So they won't ever ask how much you have saved..

Originally Posted by aclesion

I hear that a lot of them won't, as it may violate state laws, but I don't know what the law in Illinois is.

No such law.

Originally Posted by aclesion

I've also looked into cheap motels or hostels I could stay at for a while, but all seem fairly expensive.

You meant hotels and not hostels? Hostels are by the day and usually limit to 14 days max.

Why do you want to move to Chicago?

You could live in a rooming house.

Or where I live in, a abandoned building. ;]

[xsboost]

My two tips would be:

1. Offer a larger deposit amount, with the extra portion refundable once you can prove steady income.
2. Look to move at the end of winter. No landlord wants to deal with a deadbeat tenant during the winter because they can't be evicted.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by jjjttt

In the two different apartments I rented, both landlords happily accepted a view of the money I had in a bank account (and a credit check) in lieu of anything else. Hopefully it will be the same for you!

Same here. And they were very nice places, too.

To the OP: I know of no state laws in Illinois that this would violate. It's up to the landlord's discretion.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by xsboost

1. Offer a larger deposit amount, with the extra portion refundable once you can prove steady income.

Or, in lieu of a larger deposit amount, offer several months' rent in advance. That's what I did at one place I rented.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by NealIRC

You could live in a rooming house.

What's the best way to go about finding rooming houses?

[aclesion]

Thank you everyone who took the time to help me out. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this!

Mod cut.