Potential relocation advice for a young professional (Chicago, Berwyn: apartments, to rent)

[thewizard16]

First off: I'm sorry. ANOTHER thread asking for advice on Chicago neighborhoods. I have actually searched on your forum somewhat extensively and didn't find a recent thread that really fit my situation so... here we go:

I'm considering how aggressively to pursue a position in Chicago and quality of life would be a factor (as I'm currently very spoiled living in a cheap small city). With that in mind, if I relocate I'd be working at a hospital in Maywood but understand that area is kind of a food desert/not an ideal place to rent. I've heard about Oak Park and Forest Park but have no idea which parts of those areas to look in. I've also heard of Wicker Park, Old Town and such but am concerned about budget, so I throw myself on the mercy of you, wise CityData posters.

My needs:
-Budget of $1500 a month (or less, obviously)
-1 bedroom at least. Not interested in studios.
-Not a broom closet. I currently own a 3 bed/2 bath house and have it to myself so a 500sq ft place probably won't work for me. I'm aware my standard of housing will drop and am okay with that, I just want somewhere I can actually fit a couch and table.
-Safe area, ideally around other young professionals.
-Ability to obtain reliable parking within the budget.

Wants:
-Something reasonably nice, I'm not a fan of the 1960s bathroom/kitchen look.
-I'm single and would be living alone, but not a huge "go to the bars alone" person so an area that might make it easy to meet new people/socialize would be ideal.
-Reasonable commute. I'll go insane if I'm spending an hour each way in my car (work a lot so that extra time is precious), and there's no good CTA route to the hospital.

I'm aware that's asking a lot, but is there hope? What neighborhoods/areas should I be looking at?

Thanks in advance.

[chet everett]

If you want to be close to Maywood and have a short commute the top choices are Forest Park to the east and Brookfield to the west. Either is going to be a very short commute (less than 15 minutes). Your budget should get you a one bedroom in good condition in either area, there are some newer apartments that might work but many of the buildings are many decade old, and if you wanted a larger older space that is an option too.

There are probably more young professionals in those areas than most folks realize, but folks on these boards tend to be more focused on Oak Park which is more upscale, mostly due to the presence of higher income families with school aged children...

[Slats Grobnick]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If you want to be close to Maywood and have a short commute the top choices are Forest Park to the east and Brookfield to the west. Either is going to be a very short commute (less than 15 minutes). Your budget should get you a one bedroom in good condition in either area, there are some newer apartments that might work but many of the buildings are many decade old, and if you wanted a larger older space that is an option too.

There are probably more young professionals in those areas than most folks realize, but folks on these boards tend to be more focused on Oak Park which is more upscale, mostly due to the presence of higher income families with school aged children...

Suburbs like Forest park and Brookfield are not ideal for a single person meeting new people.

Not sure how old the OP is, but almost everyone I know who lives in those burbs is either married with kids or at least middle aged.

The reverse commute from Ukranian Village to Maywood on the 290 isn't that bad, probably around 30-40 minutes). If the OP really wants a short commute than I'd suggest Oak Park.

[chet everett]

There are almost certainly more singles in Forest Park than Oak Park -- Oak Park's schools drive prices and singles get more for their money.

Similarly my experience, having owned property in Brookfield, is that the various restaurants and such that can operate more inexpensively in Brookfield than more costly neighboring towns like Riverside or LaGrange mean that there are more singles there...

It would be foolish to claim a commute to Maywood from Ukrainian Village is other than overly long as well as dramatically increasing the costs of rent -- the additional miles spent in traffic on the Eisenhower and surface streets would also mean facing terrible parking in Ukrainian Village and one of the most inflated markets for apartments...

[ToriaT]

I suggest Forest Park, Oak Park, or maybe Berwyn or Brookfield. Rent for a year and if you really hate it and want the city then move but you will go with your eyes wide open. Forest Park is good, nice little town area with many restaurants. Oak Park is more expensive and I think more families. Berwyn is heavily Hispanic but some people moving in from the city and the transportation is good and the rents are cheaper. Brookfield is more suburban and probably more families.

[Backstrom]

$1500/mo will go a long ways in the near west suburbs, with the exception of Oak Park (which is much more wealthy family-oriented anyway). If the OP is a young professional, I would second a near west side / west loop location, like Ukrainian Village. The commute by car will suck since the Eisenhower always gets backed up outbound up until Oak Park. OP could take the Blue Line to Forest Park and transfer to a Pace bus to get to Maywood (assuming he is working at Hines VA or Loyola), but that will be a lengthy commute too.

[Alacran]

Loyola offers an hourly shuttle from the forest park blue line as of last month.

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by Backstrom

$1500/mo will go a long ways in the near west suburbs, with the exception of Oak Park (which is much more wealthy family-oriented anyway). If the OP is a young professional, I would second a near west side / west loop location, like Ukrainian Village. The commute by car will suck since the Eisenhower always gets backed up outbound up until Oak Park. OP could take the Blue Line to Forest Park and transfer to a Pace bus to get to Maywood (assuming he is working at Hines VA or Loyola), but that will be a lengthy commute too.

I second this. I would even recommend Pilsen.

[Slats Grobnick]

Ukranian Village and the western edge of West Loop is approximately 10 miles away. Even in bad traffic, 20 miles per hour, it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes to travel. Don't take my word for it, mapquest it for yourself.

If I was a young single person I would not want to live in the suburbs. Some people don't care about having an active social life and immerse themselves in their work or family or some are just homebodies. If that is your deal then the suburbs will be fine but you expressed interest in meeting people so I'd strongly suggest avoiding the burbs.

[Alacran]

Originally Posted by Slats Grobnick

Ukranian Village and the western edge of West Loop is approximately 10 miles away. Even in bad traffic, 20 miles per hour, it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes to travel. Don't take my word for it, mapquest it for yourself.

If I was a young single person I would not want to live in the suburbs. Some people don't care about having an active social life and immerse themselves in their work or family or some are just homebodies. If that is your deal then the suburbs will be fine but you expressed interest in meeting people so I'd strongly suggest avoiding the burbs.

Why do people say suburbs as if they're all the same?
Oak park is more poppin than clearing, or belmont craigin.
Don't rule out the near suburbs.