Considering relocating to Chicago from NYC, looking for Neighborhood info (Evanston: real estate, homes)

[lepoisson]

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

Personally, I'd rather live with 4 roommates in Lakeview than alone in Pilsen. Not sure I'd recommend Pilsen to the OP if he is interested in LP or LV.

Different strokes for different folks I guess. You couldn't pay me enough to live in any Whole Foods and Urban Outfitters style neighborhood. Pilsen has unique character that can't be found anywhere else.

I've always wondered why people pay high prices to live in trendy neighborhoods in the city. Most people who are no longer in college come straight home after work and just stay in, or maybe grab a bite to eat at a restaurant in their neighborhood. You can do that in almost any neighborhood in the city, so why pay high prices when you could live elsewhere and save a bunch of money and also have a better quality of life?

My 3br apartment here in Bridgeport is the cost of a studio apartment in Lincoln Park. Yeah, we don't have Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods here, but those stores are just a quick train ride away.

[PerseusVeil]

Originally Posted by lepoisson

Different strokes for different folks I guess. You couldn't pay me enough to live in any Whole Foods and Urban Outfitters style neighborhood. Pilsen has unique character that can't be found anywhere else.

I've always wondered why people pay high prices to live in trendy neighborhoods in the city. Most people who are no longer in college come straight home after work and just stay in, or maybe grab a bite to eat at a restaurant in their neighborhood. You can do that in almost any neighborhood in the city, so why pay high prices when you could live elsewhere and save a bunch of money and also have a better quality of life?

My 3br apartment here in Bridgeport is the cost of a studio apartment in Lincoln Park. Yeah, we don't have Urban Outfitters and Whole Foods here, but those stores are just a quick train ride away.

Because I prefer the bars, restaurants, and amenity access in my neighborhood to those in Pilsen. I did the whole cheap living thing in Rogers Park, and Rogers Park was frankly boring in the long run in comparison. Additionally, I think you might be underestimating how much Chicago drinks. All the bars on Halsted and Clark in Lakeview aren't just sitting there empty because it's not a Friday or Saturday night.

[Vlajos]

This discussion was a nice demonstration of why I love Chicago. Something for most tastes.

[khasan122]

Originally Posted by PerseusVeil

Just some more info on Lincoln Park & Lakeview:

Lincoln Park and Lakeview aren't necessarily like all of those neighborhoods. Both are overwhelmingly white (80% plus), and both have a mix of yuppie and bro personas. Lincoln Park is probably the yuppier of the two. Multimillion dollar homes on more than one city lot, higher average rents, etc. There are a lot of college students in Lincoln Park though thanks to DePaul, but this also means that a lot of the bars are going to be more so geared towards them. Lots of gut rehabs in Lincoln Park though, and the neighborhood has plenty of studio apartments. You'd be able to live there alone on your budget in a studio, but I'm less familiar with the apartments there as I am with Lakeview.

As for Lakeview, it certainly has its yuppie sections, but it's dominated by Wrigleyville (bros both in college and recent grads, think Murray Hill but broier) and Boystown (LGBT, skewing heavily towards the G). Everyone else is sort of on the periphery around those two areas. Lakeview is also going to have more bars overall, and rents are *slightly* cheaper than Lincoln Park. You could definitely live alone in a studio in Lakeview, although your budget for an upgraded unit might mean that it's going to be smallish.

Both neighborhoods are going to have plenty of access to gyms, restaurants, grocery stores, and the L. I'd give Lincoln Park the edge when it comes to park and lake access (it has far better access to Lincoln Park the actual park and North Ave beach is on its border), whereas Lakeview has no beaches and its lakefront area isn't nearly as impressive. It has the lakeshore path and some harbors. You have to go north or south for beaches. I'll give the nightlife edge to Lakeview though, which to me has always been the bigger deal.

As for some of the other neighborhoods mentioned, Wicker Park, for example, isn't nearly as hipster as it was a decade or two ago. It now has more in common with Lincoln Park, minus some of the establishments at the six corners intersection at Milwaukee, Damen, and North. Even most of those bars are going to have a lot of the same people you're going to run into in Lincoln Park and Lakeview though. They'll just think they're edgier for being there.



As I previously mentioned, you'll be renting a studio or having roommates in either of those neighborhoods on that budget. Additionally, you'll either want to plan your search around the L stations or the express bus stops along inner Lake Shore. I'm in the East Lakeview / Boystown section of Lakeview and I have a 15 minute walk to the L from my apartment. A stop for the 146 express bus is less than 5 minutes from me though.

This is really good to know. I'm going to wait until I actually move out there to figure out my "true" budget, but I know average salaries for my position in Finance, and after adjusting for the COL in Chicago, I believe my budget can range anywhere from $1000-$1500. If i'm able to shell out more for rent, i'll consider a 1 bedroom in either areas, but I won't really know until I visit both neighborhoods and find out what feels right to me.

Only reason i'm considering roommates are a) saving on rent and b) having a friend (given we get along) since I don't really know anyone in Chicago. But i'll have to make that decision down the line.

[jrs2]

If you like the east village, chelsea, and williamsburg, you will probably like logan square and wicker park far more then LP or lakeview. Also look into west town, bucktown, and potentially pilsen.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by nonnieparent

If you are in finance, you should move to Lincoln Park or Lakeview like the rest of the transplanted NEw Yorkers and bros. Wicker Park and Logan are all about the man buns, flannel, beards and need glasses - mostly graphic artists and computer geeks.

And Oak Park or Evanston if you are very liberal. We have a specific place for everyone here!

[khasan122]

Originally Posted by jrs2

If you like the east village, chelsea, and williamsburg, you will probably like logan square and wicker park far more then LP or lakeview. Also look into west town, bucktown, and potentially pilsen.

I'll definitely tour those neighborhoods next time i'm in Chicago forsure

Originally Posted by BRU67

And Oak Park or Evanston if you are very liberal. We have a specific place for everyone here!

And that's why Chicago is a great city and why i'm considering leaving NYC for it

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by khasan122

And that's why Chicago is a great city and why i'm considering leaving NYC for it

Yes, if you live in one of the well off Community Areas! Not so much if you don't though . In any case, I suspect you'll fit right into any of the neighborhoods being recommended.

[pureistheword]

Born and raised in NYC, moved to Chicago in March. One of the best decisions I ever made.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by jrs2

If you like the east village, chelsea, and williamsburg, you will probably like logan square and wicker park far more then LP or lakeview. Also look into west town, bucktown, and potentially pilsen.

THIS. Lakeview is definitely more Wicker Park. Linclon Park is like a cross between Brooklyn Heights and the central part of the Village (between, say, Broadway and 7th ave).