31 year-old female with a budget-where to live? (Chicago, Elgin: credit, real estate)

[bettedavis9]

Ok, so long story short: I am finally leaving my horrible husband after 8 years of mental abuse and am running to my family in the Chicago area. My bro lives in St. Charles and my parents and sis live WAY out in Sycamore.

I love L.A. but can't be alone way out here, and also can't afford it. I am a writer at a magazine (also work in public relations) and hope that I can find something similar in Chicago, quickly.

I have to live with my parents (I know, I know, but worth it to get away from this loser) until I can get my crap together again and find an apt, so I will be in a big hurry to do so. I am fairly young (31) and am looking for something safe - all with a budget of $750-800 a month. I am fine with a small studio. Can I afford something in Andersonville or like Wicker Park or Bucktown?? I need help because I am scared I will NEVER be able to be independant again, or be able to restart a nice life alone.

I also have horrible credit - my husband left me a few years ago in Miami and the apt. was in my name - so I have a broken lease on my record. I think I can get a co-signer, though. Is this the kiss of death in Chicago?? I am so scared right now and am devastated to leave CA and FL behind - I live for oceans, palm trees, warm weather -- but all these things are no fun when you are completely alone. Will I hate Chicago area? I grew up in IL and found the cold weather to be awful. Thanks in advance!

[Lookout Kid]

There aren't many studios in Andersonville, Wicker Park, or Bucktown. Most of the housing stock in these areas is made up of houses, two-flats, and three-flats. But for a little more money you could get a one-bedroom, at least in Andersonville. Also, the eastern half of Edgewater (just east of Andersonville) has LOTS of studios available. But most safe studio apartments are definitely concentrated along the lakefront from the Loop to Montrose. They get sketchy fast north of Montrose, and then get a bit safer again in Edgewater depending on the buidling. Then Rogers Park is a bit sketchy again, but it changes block by block and has many safe areas to the east.

If you love L.A., Chicago may be a bit of a shocker for you. It's much more of a "city" with density, extensive public transit, and taller buildings. Chicago definitely has a "scene", but it's nothing compared to what you'll find in L.A. in terms of pretentiousness and materialism. You'll hate the weather from December through March, but you'll just have to decide if it's something you can cope with.

[bettedavis9]

Thanks! What is considered the Loop? If I was looking on Craigslist or something, what area should I type in? Also, would the suburbs (St. Charles, etc) be out of my range money-wise?

I am terrified to leave L.A. for Chicago but have no other choice. This is not a city you can live alone in, especially when you don't make much money!

[Lookout Kid]

The Loop is often used as an umbrella word for "downtown", but the real "Loop" is from Van Buren to Lake St., and from Michigan Ave. to Wells St.

I would think that the suburbs would be pretty cheap by comparison. Especially St. Charles, which is really pretty far from the city.

[Lookout Kid]

In terms of the Lakefront, the neighborhoods from the Loop north to Montrose are:

1. Loop
2. Streeterville
3. Gold Coast
4. Lincoln Park
5. Lakeview (also includes Wrigleyville and Boystown)
6. Buena Park

Then North of Montrose:

7. Uptown
8. Edgewater (which includes Andersonville on it's western edge)
9. Rogers Park

And then you are out of the city in Evanston, which also would have a lot of studios and one-bedrooms.

[Lookout Kid]

By the way, Old Town is sort of sandwiched between the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, and could have some really nice studios as well. But you have to be careful searching "Old Town" because you could end up very close to the Cabrini Green projects.

Also, you might as well see what you can find in Bucktown and Wicker Park.

[Drover]

St. Charles is fairly expensive, especially for as far away from the city as it is. There's a lot of money floating around in St. Charles and its school district is quite reputable, so that pushes real estate prices up a bit. Plus the areas in St. Charles where there are a lot of apartment buildings tend to be a little scuzzy, and in the couple years I lived in the apartment-heavy area of STC I watched it get rapidly scuzzier.

Nearby alternatives where you'll have a better chance to find something in your price range are Elgin and Batavia. Elgin can be a little iffy near downtown, but once you get a few blocks out of the downtown area you'll be fine. This presumes you're not bringing any children with you.

But the bottom line is, if you're trying to get back into the publishing industry, move to Chicago proper once you're ready to leave the nest again. You'll be closer to where the publication and PR jobs are. This presumes you don't need to be with your family on a daily basis for support -- getting to them on weekdays could be a PITA but getting to them on a weekend will be manageable. It also presumes, again, that children aren't involved and schools don't matter.

[bettedavis9]

Thank you guys! Wow, this is great! No, kids aren't a factor. Yes, I figured I should be closer to Chicago due to the industry that I work in, and I would be fine being alone during the week. My family won't be far away on weekends. I have a lot to research now, thanks so much!