55+ moving to Chicago, looking for apartment (Lincoln, Chester: for sale, real estate, apartments)

[Mark and Marty]

My husband has been transfered to Chicago and we are overwhelmed with apartment advertisements and picturesque descriptions.

We are looking to live downtown possibly Gold Coast, or Near North Side. We want the dynamics of downtown, a wonderful apartment experience (leaving a 4 bedroom+ home in Texas), but no cookie cutter apartment ~ looking for a community atmosphere that excepts our third roomate KittyPie.

Need your help in our apartment search.

[dragoro]

Craigslist and apartment search compaines are good tools. I highly recommend apartment guys as a apt search company.

[KateL]

I would suggest for a nicer place in the gold coast or streeterville, contact a real estate company and rent a condo. There are some nice apartment buildings in both neighborhoods, but the interiors will be cookie cutter. You'd be better off renting a condo from a private owner. You'll have a better quality of life in owner occupied buildings. I highly recommend streeterville for a downtown feeling while being able to walk to everything. More so than in gold coast. Also there are tons of people your age. try the condo buildings on McClurg between grand and the river. There's also a real estate office on Grand off lake shore that handles some rentals. I have used them before. If you do want a building of all apartments, try the streeter. Good luck! by the way, I don't think you'll have any problemswith your kitty. I never did.

[soulful]

The Chicago Reader is a free newspaper with wide circulation (available for pickup) all over the northside and downtown. It not only has art/entertainment sections, but also a large apartment rental section. Their online website feature called "spacefinder" lets you put in a zip code to narrow your search. You might also want to check out 60614 which is the zip for Lincoln Park, just north of the Gold Coast. Great neighborhood.

[Mark and Marty]

Originally Posted by KateL

I would suggest for a nicer place in the gold coast or streeterville, contact a real estate company and rent a condo. There are some nice apartment buildings in both neighborhoods, but the interiors will be cookie cutter. You'd be better off renting a condo from a private owner. You'll have a better quality of life in owner occupied buildings. I highly recommend streeterville for a downtown feeling while being able to walk to everything. More so than in gold coast. Also there are tons of people your age. try the condo buildings on McClurg between grand and the river. There's also a real estate office on Grand off lake shore that handles some rentals. I have used them before. If you do want a building of all apartments, try the streeter. Good luck! by the way, I don't think you'll have any problemswith your kitty. I never did.

Your response has been really helpful, thanks for taking the time. We are going to be in Chicago the month of May and I think having an agency will really help us out ~ Chicago has been a little overwhelming! You mentioned a real estate office that deals in apartment rentals on Grand, would you mind sending me then name of the company and if there is a charge for their service. I love using someone's recommendation in stead of just hoping you pick the right agency. Thanks again!

[manchesterUnited]

I'm also searching for an apt in chicago, and have found map-based search sites useful.

Here's two I like the best:

1. Chicago Rental Housing Search Tools - cribQ
It's a nice mashup that combines craigslist and google maps. There's no option to search by the number of beds, but other than that it's very nice.

2. HotPads.com - Chicago, IL Real Estate, Apartments, Homes for Rent and for Sale (http://hotpads.com/map/cities/IL/Chicago.htm - broken link)
Similar to number 1, except a more intuitive interface and it's not craigslist.

[Ron.]

ManChester,


To find good places in Chicago check out

chicagoreader.com


chicago.craigslist.org


Best Wishes!

[Lookout Kid]

OP, what's your price range? How man bedrooms and baths?

If you're interested in Downtown, Gold Coast, and the like--and can afford those prices--I would also suggest the eastern edge of Lincoln Park. It's dense, walkable, but has more of a neighborhood feel (sort of like the Upper West Side of Manhattan). If you can get right on Lincoln Park West or Lakeview Terrace, you will be right across the street from the park with it's zoo, picturesque lagoons, cafes, and recreational space. I think this is one of the nicest "high-end" parts of the city, and feel it has more to offer than the Gold Coast.

[Mark and Marty]

The links are a terrific help, I don't think I would have ever found them...I am passing them on to another couple that is having trouble finding a place near downtown..

Originally Posted by manchesterUnited

I'm also searching for an apt in chicago, and have found map-based search sites useful.

Here's two I like the best:

1. Chicago Rental Housing Search Tools - cribQ
It's a nice mashup that combines craigslist and google maps. There's no option to search by the number of beds, but other than that it's very nice.

2. HotPads.com - Chicago, IL Real Estate, Apartments, Homes for Rent and for Sale (http://hotpads.com/map/cities/IL/Chicago.htm - broken link)
Similar to number 1, except a more intuitive interface and it's not craigslist.

[manchesterUnited]

Glad to help! Let me know where you end up, as I'm still looking hard.