Where should I live around Chicago (Lincoln, Roscoe: to rent, condo, home)

[sjellens]

We are a married couple in our late twenties and are thinking of moving to Chicago. We have one 17 month old child. I work and my wife is a stay at home mom. We are looking to rent a place for up to around 1600 a month. We would like to be located near beaches, shopping, dining, activities for kids, and most importantly in a safe area to raise our child. We will need parking for at least one vehicle, possibly 2, so prefer reasonable rates for parking. Prefer to be short walking distance from some sort of transportation.

Any suggestions?

[tr0uble]

Originally Posted by sjellens

We are a married couple in our late twenties and are thinking of moving to Chicago. We have one 17 month old child. I work and my wife is a stay at home mom. We are looking to rent a place for up to around 1600 a month. We would like to be located near beaches, shopping, dining, activities for kids, and most importantly in a safe area to raise our child. We will need parking for at least one vehicle, possibly 2, so prefer reasonable rates for parking. Prefer to be short walking distance from some sort of transportation.

Any suggestions?

Define "near beaches."

If you want waterfront property, then you're looking at areas slightly less conducive to raising a family. But, everywhere is close to the beach, here, really.

However, I would suggest West Lakeview, Roscoe Village, St. Ben's, Lincoln Square, for areas nearer the lake. Don't be duped into Lincoln Park, where you'll pay very high rent for a marginal place.

You'd love my neighborhood, Roscoe Village, as it's a very small neighborhood, has plenty to do, and is a very nice place to raise a fam.

[Phl_Gd]

Good neighborhood to rent in near the lake with parking...hmm...for your rent price range. Tough proposition because parking availability and lakefront units on the Northside are inversly related. I would look at Rogers Park for your price range. EAST Rogers park.

[sjellens]

Thanks. I actually read some good things about those areas over the weekend. Someone also suggested the South Loop?

[sjellens]

If we lived in Rogers Park Area, how far of a commute is it into "downtown" say just south of the river. What is the easiest transportation down there? Our friends live on the south side of the river right at the lake, I guess it used to be a golf course where their condo now stands. We would likely be going down there often.

[dragoro]

To downtown from rodgers park on the red line is about a half hour. Rodgers park isn't the greatest neighborhood to live in. Its just me but if I had a kid I wouldn't live there. Your kid is only 1 so it won't matter now but not a place I'd wanna let my kid play outside less I was right there with them.

If you live in the city almost always easier to take public transportation.

[sjellens]

Thanks. How long would it take to commute from St. Bens or Roscoe Village?

[dragoro]

Probably 20 to.30 mins but its a much better nieghborhood.

[sjellens]

St Bens/Roscoe Village is a nicer neighborhood than Rogers Park? Or the other way around?

[dragoro]

Roscoe is nicer than rogers