Moving back to Chicago, need neighborhood advice (Lincoln, Irving: apartments, for rent)

[Mr Ambitious]

Greetings everyone. I am from the area, lived on south side for a while, but spent majority of my years in the south suburbs. I now live in the twin cities and I will be moving back to get my finance masters degree from UIC (possibly DePaul, but most likely UIC). I work for US Bank and I have several positions that I can transfer to in Chicago, plus connections at BMO and Chase banks, so I will apply to those companies as well. As for now, I am moving alone for the first year and I will eventually move my fiance and two children here after the first year. I am initially looking for a one bedroom or studio, and I will move into something larger when I move my family here. We had two cars, but I sold one and my fiance is going to keep it here in Minnesota with her, so I'll be car less for the first year. I really want to be near public transit.

In a perfect world, I would prefer Lincoln Park/Wicker Park/Bucktown. But this is reality, so the neighborhoods I am high on are Logan Square, Uptown, and possibly the outer fringes of Lakeview. Other neighborhoods I am considering but don't know too much about them are Pilsen, Avondale, Edgewater, Irving Park, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, and University Village. If I stay with US Bank I will be working downtown and I am aiming for something for $1000 a month, but am willing to go up to $1200. I want to be in a walkable area, near transit and stores/restauarants/shops. I am also seeking easy access to the loop and UIC. I'm an African American male in my late 20's if that helps. I am really excited to move back to the gratest city on earth!

[green apple]

Logan Square isn't affordable anymore. You'd have to go further out to Avondale, things should still be pretty cheap there. You'll be able to find something in all of those hoods for 1200. (Just obviously really small the trendier the neighborhood.)

For needing to be close to the loop I think you could also look at Old Town or UK Village. If you look north of the loop I would say stay close to Lake Shore Drive for the best transit options for rent prices. The southern edge of Uptown would probably be best for you.

[MarianRavenwood]

You really need to narrow your focus if you want any real advice (and I'm not sure what you're asking..there's no question in your post). You've targeted half of the city for work, study, and living.

Assuming you are asking for recommendations on neighborhoods, honestly rents under $1000 are very hard to come by--anywhere. Probably you could find something in Bronzeville, but that neighborhood isn't what most of us call 'walkable'. Everywhere else, even Pilsen and Avondale, rents are above $1000.

I do find that neighborhoods like Lakeview and Lincoln Park have smaller units, so you may actually have an easier time finding something there. In areas like Wicker Park and Bucktown, the rents are cheaper per square foot but the units are larger so the bottom line ends up the same.

Logan Square and Avondale are more family neighborhoods, so one-bedrooms and especially studios are hard to find.

It's not that easy to transfer between Blue and Brown lines, so I suggest you decide which school you are going to, first. That will help narrow down the neighborhoods. Hyde Park is cool but it's not that easy to get to the rest of the city from there. There are Metra trains and buses, but you would need to transfer downtown to get to either school.

[OyCrumbler]

How about Tri-Taylor?

[Mr Ambitious]

Thanks for the replies. What I am really looking for is a relatively safe, affordable neigborhood. I want to be near transit and not too far from downtown. If I have to choose between easy access to the loop vs easy access to UIC, I would prefer easy access to the loop since I'll be at work more than I'll be at school. Safety is a large factor, although I grew up in a crime ridden town and I can tolerate a little sketchiness. I want to be in a place where I can walk to stores and restaurants. Once again, I'm not expecting much given my $1000-$1200 range, but I would at least like to be reasonably close to the core.

[Mr Ambitious]

Originally Posted by green apple

Logan Square isn't affordable anymore. You'd have to go further out to Avondale, things should still be pretty cheap there. You'll be able to find something in all of those hoods for 1200. (Just obviously really small the trendier the neighborhood.)

For needing to be close to the loop I think you could also look at Old Town or UK Village. If you look north of the loop I would say stay close to Lake Shore Drive for the best transit options for rent prices. The southern edge of Uptown would probably be best for you.

I am very interested in UK village, but Old Town is a little out my range, right? I'll be visiting the city in two weeks to do a campus tour of UIC and to visit some of the neighborhoods to get a feel for them. I do not plan on renting a car to get a feel for how the CTA functions, although I'll ocassionally use Uber if need be.

[CA-CHI-CO]

Check out Ukrainian Village. If you could find something in Logan Square you could take a bus to DePaul if you end up there?

[Mr Ambitious]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

How about Tri-Taylor?

I haven't done much research on Tri-Taylor, but the location seems perfect. I can walk to school and take the blue line right into the loop. There are a few restaurants and stores along Taylor and Western, but the neighborhood does border some areas that I believe are a little rough (north lawndale and east garfield park) which makes me a little skeptical. From Google street view its looks ok on some blocks, but I will be sure to visit it in person, especially since I will be in the immediate area during my school visit.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Mr Ambitious

Thanks for the replies. What I am really looking for is a relatively safe, affordable neigborhood. I want to be near transit and not too far from downtown. If I have to choose between easy access to the loop vs easy access to UIC, I would prefer easy access to the loop since I'll be at work more than I'll be at school. Safety is a large factor, although I grew up in a crime ridden town and I can tolerate a little sketchiness. I want to be in a place where I can walk to stores and restaurants. Once again, I'm not expecting much given my $1000-$1200 range, but I would at least like to be reasonably close to the core.

I would suggest looking in Irving Park, somewhere close to one of the Blue Line stops. A quick look at craigslist showed that there are a number of apartments in your price range, and even slightly below it. And the Blue Line can take you directly to both the Loop and UIC.

Area is relatively safe, maybe a little gang activity in spots but not too daunting, not a lot of interest going on there (nightlife, etc.) but there are a number of good ethnic restaurants.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by Mr Ambitious

I haven't done much research on Tri-Taylor, but the location seems perfect. I can walk to school and take the blue line right into the loop. There are a few restaurants and stores along Taylor and Western, but the neighborhood does border some areas that I believe are a little rough (north lawndale and east garfield park) which makes me a little skeptical. From Google street view its looks ok on some blocks, but I will be sure to visit it in person, especially since I will be in the immediate area during my school visit.

I think the basic rule of the thumb is to stay east of Western and it's generally fine with the parts of Tri-Taylor west of Western looking rougher than it actually is. It's by no means a perfect neighborhood, but it's pretty safe with a decent amount of amenities and walkability that's well-located for what you've said and is in your price range. Maybe do a search of the forum for Tri-Taylor and see if that turns up more information.