Any advice on how to help a friend find a place to live in the city of Chicago? (Lincoln: rent, neighborhoods)

[prhill]

Originally Posted by beaniemac

that's shocking. but 300 sq ft, is EXTREMELY tight.

I know all the places I have found so far are so small!

[MassVt]

Craigslist would be a logical place to start, but your friend would have to secure a job, or at least some interviews, or have some money on hand, to secure even a bedroom in someone's apartment. Could you put him up for a short time, while he makes these kinds of contacts? It's more difficult to do all of this from a thousand miles away, so some planning is in order. If he wants to come that badly ( and I don't blame him, as I think very highly of Chicago), then he'll make the effort...

[prhill]

Originally Posted by MassVt

Craigslist would be a logical place to start, but your friend would have to secure a job, or at least some interviews, or have some money on hand, to secure even a bedroom in someone's apartment. Could you put him up for a short time, while he makes these kinds of contacts? It's more difficult to do all of this from a thousand miles away, so some planning is in order. If he wants to come that badly ( and I don't blame him, as I think very highly of Chicago), then he'll make the effort...

He is planning on visiting at some point for a while and look for a job and a place to live before coming up here permanently. Yes you are right he was looking to move to New York City and he and his parents and sister went there a year ago. But then he was curious about Chicago so they came even though the sister was concerned due to the reputation Chicago has thanks to the media but they all were blown away by Chicago and did not want to leave. So he changed his mind about New York city and wants badly to move too Chicago instead . Even the sister is thinking about it now.

[compactspace]

Originally Posted by prhill

He is planning on visiting at some point for a while and look for a job and a place to live before coming up here permanently. Yes you are right he was looking to move to New York City and he and his parents and sister went there a year ago. But then he was curious about Chicago so they came even though the sister was concerned due to the reputation Chicago has thanks to the media but they all were blown away by Chicago and did not want to leave. So he changed his mind about New York city and wants badly to move too Chicago instead . Even the sister is thinking about it now.

Well this is really good news. If he wants the most central neighborhoods then he might need roommates, as others have said. Did he expect to find anything in NYC for that sort of money? I've heard of people paying literally ten times that for a (largeish) one bedroom place in Soho.

[prhill]

Originally Posted by compactspace

Well this is really good news. If he wants the most central neighborhoods then he might need roommates, as others have said. Did he expect to find anything in NYC for that sort of money? I've heard of people paying literally ten times that for a (largeish) one bedroom place in Soho.

I think he got a bit turned off by NYC after visiting. He said Chicago is so much more beautiful and has better archetcture and he said it is so much cleaner here and the people here are much friendlier and some other things. Oh and the food here he said is the best in the world. Yeah he has mentioned that the roommate thing as a possible option

[ChicagoMeO]

You might get a small apartment in that location, but it might be cheap for a reason - run down, bugs, old fashioned, unsafe, etc. He'd be better off moving just on the outskirts of the Gold Coast and get something better. He can take a bus or Uber and get to his fave Gold Coast spots quickly but not have to suffer with such a tiny apartment just to live IN the Gold Coast.

[prhill]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

You might get a small apartment in that location, but it might be cheap for a reason - run down, bugs, old fashioned, unsafe, etc. He'd be better off moving just on the outskirts of the Gold Coast and get something better. He can take a bus or Uber and get to his fave Gold Coast spots quickly but not have to suffer with such a tiny apartment just to live IN the Gold Coast.

I know that is why he is thinking of Lincoln Park or lakeview instead. I even mentioned the near west side which is right outside of Downtown and some what affordable

[lepoisson]

I've seen plenty of places in Bridgeport or Bronzeville in the $800-900 range for a 1br. They aren't super fancy, but they are in safe areas.

[prhill]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

I've seen plenty of places in Bridgeport or Bronzeville in the $800-900 range for a 1br. They aren't super fancy, but they are in safe areas.

I will mention that to him thanks

[beaniemac]

Originally Posted by prhill

I know all the places I have found so far are so small!

as well they should be. you're lucky you found anything in that price range for those neighborhoods.