Where to live in the City? Need help. (Chicago, Addison: apartments, house)

[outdoors123]

Hi, I will be moving soon to Chicago. I will be working around the water tower area. I need advice on where to live. I'm 38, single, enjoy running- so being near the lake for the trails would be good. I also like a neighborhood feel, such as some places to walk to to eat, have a drink, a few stores etc. I don't want a suburb. Also don't want to drive to work, so would prefer to take the train. Any suggestions, and what the area is like that is being recommended would be great. Looking to not spend more than 1300 is possible for a 1 br.

[dragoro]

I'd say gold coast. Lincoln park is nice but mostly filled with kids in early 20s.

[aragx6]

Yeah Gold Coast isn't a bad option, but you won't get much for $1300 a month. I would look at Lincoln Park as well- it's more neighborhoody and doesn't have as many high rises. Also look at Wicker Park because it has all the things you want and $1300 will go farther.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by dragoro

I'd say gold coast. Lincoln park is nice but mostly filled with kids in early 20s.

The "early 20s" element falls off pretty sharply right by the lake. But $1300 may not get much by the lake in LP anyway.

I'd say given the criteria presented, the best area to consider is Buena Park and/or northeastern Lakeview. You can get a pretty decent 1br up there starting at about $900 or so.

[outdoors123]

thanks, I appreciate the replies. What is buena park or northeast lakeview like?

[soulful]

I live in East Lakeview and have for the past 20 years with a brief break to live in NYC/DC.

Lakeviews southern boundry is Diversey and the northern is Irving Park Rd. It is bounded on the east by Lake Michigan and the Park. Lakeview is just north of the Lincoln Park neighborhood.

You could get an apartment at Lincoln Plaza which is a fabulous location in the 600 block of West Diversey and be only 2 blocks from the Park to run up and down the lakefront. Also, there is a Borders and Barnes and Noble within one block of the place and millions of shops and restaurants in all directions on Broadway/Clark/Diversey.

Or, you could try Hawthorne House Apartments at 3450 N Lake Shore Dr which is a great place right across from the Park/Lake and you are within 3 or 4 blocks of 3 great groceries including the Treasure Island on Broadway at Cornelia and the Whole Foods on Halsted just north of Addison and the big Jewel on Broadway just south of Addison. Lake Shore Dr is residential but you walk one block west and Broadway runs parallel to it and Broadway has the stores/shops/restaurants.

There are tunnels every few blocks that go "under" the Lake Shore Drive expressway so you can get into the park and to the lakefront. You can also take express buses on LakeShore Drive right down to Michigan Ave and the heart of downtown/Loop. Several express choices. Or, you can take the train from the Addison or Belmont stops (the red line) or the Brown Line from the Diversey stop.

The zip code for Lakeview is 60657. You can find other good apts on the Chicago Reader spacefinder website (it is a free newspaper) or on Craigslist.

The two choices I mentioned are highrises full of professionals.

Take care.

[soulful]

I forgot to mention, Buena Park is a little more downmarket. You don't have the shops and restaurants and same degree of safety. But it isn't bad by any means. Just different. Personally, i like being able to walk to everything and it is about 5 blocks out of the way in my opinion.

[outdoors123]

thanks, that is helpful to get an insight on the areas, and for getting me some details on where to look.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by dsimicata

...Or, you can take the train from the Addison or Belmont stops (the red line) or the Brown Line from the Diversey stop.

The zip code for Lakeview is 60657...

Fairly good assessment of E. Lake View but with some corrections.
I will add:
Lake View also carries the zip code 60613.
The other Red Line stop in E. Lake View is Sheridan.
More Brown Line stops in Lake View are Wellington,Southport,Addison and Paulina.-Those are in W. Lake View however with the exception of Wellington.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by dsimicata

I forgot to mention, Buena Park is a little more downmarket. You don't have the shops and restaurants and same degree of safety. But it isn't bad by any means. Just different. Personally, i like being able to walk to everything and it is about 5 blocks out of the way in my opinion.

Buena Park basically is very similar to the eastern part of Lake View between Addison and Irving Park-the Lake and Clark. Lookoutboy can break it down very well. I will defer to him.