Suggestions on where to live in the City when working in Oak Brook (Oak Park: neighborhoods, university)

[jj2225]

I currently work in Oak Brook, and am looking to move into the city soon. I am there most of my nights and weekends anyway so I just figured it might be worth the move. I am looking for suggestions on what neighborhoods would be a good place to live as far as commute, safety, age, and things to do. I like to go out, but a whild bar scene is not essential. I am a 20-something female and looking to live in a diverse place. I understand that the commute (via public transportation or driving) will not be the best, but I would like to live in the city while I am single and without a family. Thank you in advance for your help!

[neonwattagelimit]

People more familiar with these areas than me can expand on this a bit but....look at it from the perspective of access to city v. commute.

If access to the city trumps commute, maybe Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, or somewhere else in that area. But your commute would suck. I don't know if you could take the Metra, or if you'd have to drive - but either one would not be fun (not that commuting is ever fun, but, eh...you get my drift).

If you want a shorter commute with reasonable city access, perhaps Oak Park. It's a close in, urban-ish suburb. You could also take the Blue Line into the city, which runs 24 hours a day, though it may take awhile.

Seeing as I live all the way on the other side of town, I unfortunately cannot go into too many specifics about these areas. However, I'm sure someone else can, and of course you can look into them yourself. Hope this helps!

[elikhom]

I'd say the best for you would be somewhere in the West Loop, so you have easy access to the highway and possibly close to the metra stations on Clinton St in case you want to change your commute from driving to train.

Edit: Thinking about it, I think there's not even a train that takes you to oak brook so you'll probably have to drive.

[aragx6]

Yeah you'll have to drive - Oak Brook is painfully underserved by public transit (even though many people work out there) There is talk of changing this, but talk is just that and nothing more.

290 as a highway sucks and it's far too narrow so traffic is stop and go all day pretty much, but as someone who recently traded convenience to work for a lively neighborhood, I definitely think that it can be done and can be worth it.

I think that Oak Park is a great idea honestly, as the farther west you start in the morning, the better off you'll be commute-wise. Oak Park itself is more urban-y suburbia (if that makes any sense) and there's a decent amount of stuff to do there, and as neon said, there is el service that can get you pretty easily to more hopping neighborhoods fairly easily.

[jj2225]

Thank you for the suggestions! I really appreciate it! I also think if I live somewhere near a Blue Line stop I can take that to Forest Park and then drive from there assuming I can by a sticker to park my car there over night. Thoughts?

[Lookout Kid]

I love Oak Park and think it's a great place for families, but it's a little boring for single 20-somethings who want night life. I think you could live anyhwere in the city that has good access to the Ike (I-290). Ukranian Village, the West Loop, and University Village come to mind. Tri-Taylor could also work out, though the "diversity" in that area seems pretty segregated and tense.

My pick for that situation would be the Ukranian Village, since you're going to be driving anyway and don't need "L" access. It's a cool neighborhood in it's own right, but you're also close enough to Wicker Park to enjoy that when you want to. And it's not hard to drive south from the UV to the Ike.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by jj2225

Thank you for the suggestions! I really appreciate it! I also think if I live somewhere near a Blue Line stop I can take that to Forest Park and then drive from there assuming I can by a sticker to park my car there over night. Thoughts?

I wouldn't suggest it. I'm not sure Forest Park allows overnight street parking (I know Oak Park doesn't without special permission). If you're going to be in your car anyway, you might as well just drive the whole way. Most of the Ike congestion happens right around Forest Park anyway. The outbound commute on the Ike isn't nearly as bad as the inbound on most days (though both directions generally suck).

[aragx6]

If you live in Ukie Village expect a 45 minute commute in the morning and about an hour in the evening if you're talking peak rush.

[jj2225]

Thanks so much for your help!

[David Hammond]

Originally Posted by elikhom

I'd say the best for you would be somewhere in the West Loop, so you have easy access to the highway.

Ditto. There's some cool housing in the West Loop.