Chi-town the right choice? (Chicago, Lincoln: apartments, homes, transfer to)

[alwayschels]

I’m 22 and looking for a school to transfer to with a two-year degree in Business and thinking about moving to Chicago. I was born and raised in Miami but went to Orlando for college and just want to see if there is another city with more to offer. I went to Chicago in May and had an amazing time (stayed with friends on the 90th floor of Hancock, amazing skyline) and my grandmother lives there now. Any opinions of if Chicago is a good town for a young college student? Nightlife is a huge factor.. I have always worked in the nightclub industry and being from Miami I am used to the party (flashy) scene. Just wondering about any insight into what to expect for a young woman moving to Chicago?

Also would 1600 enough for a small at least slightly remolded 1bedroom in the downtown (nightlife) area?
And I can’t even imagine the weather shock but I’ll just worry about that later.

[Avengerfire]

There is actually more nightlife (certainly late-late night nightlife) outside of downtown.

[j33]

If I were you, I'd consider the near-northside. I'm not much for nightclubs, but I suspect that Chicago's scene will be a bit less flashy than Miami's. Oh, we have nighclubs, and the whole deal, you will be perfectly able to stay out all night dancing, but by in large Miami and Chicago are culturally different, and Chicagoan's aren't as fashion/image conscious as Miamians, it will show when you go out (especially in January )

That being said, I always think it is a good idea for someone to get outside his or her comfort zone and move, at least for a short while, some place that is very different from what you grew up with, it is always an enlightening experience, even if you end up deciding it isn't for you.

[lincolnparker]

Having been to most of the bars in Lincoln Park, Gold Coast and Lakeview, I would tell you that Chicago's night scene is far from flashy. and they usually all close around 2am during the week. Forget about dancing all night or try to look like an A-lister ready to rock the red carpet. Most Chicagoans dont give a damn about it. What defines east coast cities such as NYC and Miami is vanity, ambition, and ego, and Chicago is quite the opposite.

[lincolnparker]

Just a side note. Most of the nightlife does not happen in downtown. downtown is literally dead after 7pm. Most of the businesses shut down at 7pm in the loop and N Michigan Ave.

Nightlife is found mostly in Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and the Viagra Triangle of Gold Coast.

And yes, $1600 will get you a one bedroom apt in any of the neighborhoods as long as you are not picky.

Originally Posted by alwayschels

I’m 22 and looking for a school to transfer to with a two-year degree in Business and thinking about moving to Chicago. I was born and raised in Miami but went to Orlando for college and just want to see if there is another city with more to offer. I went to Chicago in May and had an amazing time (stayed with friends on the 90th floor of Hancock, amazing skyline) and my grandmother lives there now. Any opinions of if Chicago is a good town for a young college student? Nightlife is a huge factor.. I have always worked in the nightclub industry and being from Miami I am used to the party (flashy) scene. Just wondering about any insight into what to expect for a young woman moving to Chicago?

Also would 1600 enough for a small at least slightly remolded 1bedroom in the downtown (nightlife) area?
And I can’t even imagine the weather shock but I’ll just worry about that later.

[hsw]

Originally Posted by lincolnparker

Having been to most of the bars in Lincoln Park, Gold Coast and Lakeview, I would tell you that Chicago's night scene is far from flashy. and they usually all close around 2am during the week. Forget about dancing all night or try to look like an A-lister ready to rock the red carpet. Most Chicagoans dont give a damn about it. What defines east coast cities such as NYC and Miami is vanity, ambition, and ego, and Chicago is quite the opposite.

Perhaps we should clarify NYC's vaunted nightlife...it's not all that different from Chicago's...

Doubt many young hedgies in Manhattan are at the alleged trendy bars very late; rather, it's usually the >40yo divorced hedgie w/the 20-something "model"...

Weeknights in Manhattan nightlife entail a mix of older hedgies and younger US/EU trust fund kids w/o real jobs...and perhaps a few substance abuse issues...

And, on Fri and Sat nts, it's a bunch of tacky people from somewhere in bridge&tunnel land in NJ/LI....who look as though they're from suburban Cleveland/Dallas/anywhere....

[JerichoHW]

It's true most of the nightlife is out of the downtown, but it is scattered in many places. I forgot who said it, but Chicago's downtown dosn't shut down at 7 maybe 1 or 2 but not 7. It is actually quite livley in many areas, based on my past experiences.

Here is a thing for new apartments I just found today, idk if it has any use to you but here it is:
AMLI 900 Apartments in Chicago, IL - AMLI Residential Luxury Apartment Homes

[j33]

hsw - what is your obsession with hedge fund managers?

I know one hedge fund manager, he's mostly into hanging out with his wife, drinking wine, smoking cigars, and attempting lure unsuspecting people into his complex web of discussions on classical philosophy (seriously, I once made the mistake casually referencing the stoic philosophers, a subject I know next to nothing about, and 1/2 and hour later, was still trying to figure out how to get away to refill my drink), and I can't imagine he'd be much fun in a nightclub. I imagine he is the exception, but you seem to to like to post about them a lot.