Decent Neighborhoods Southside (Chicago, Blue Island, Bridgeport: cheap apartments, for rent, university)

[diskmaster23]

Ok...I've decided that I want to move to Chicago. I currently live in Griffith, Indiana (Northwest Indiana) and I work in Portage, Indiana. However, since I work in Portage, Indiana and there is not any forseeable change in the economy I am going to stay where I am at. But I would like to live in the city and have access to all the great things. Because Northwest Indiana just doesn't do it for a single guy. I am currently 26 and single and I have a steady job.

I would like to live on the Southside where I have easy access to I-90/94 to get to work, but I don't want to live in a terrible neighborhood.

I've been examing such places as Hyde Park, Bridgeport, near Southside, and other neighborhood in those areas. However, I am looking for something around $500 per month for a one bedroom or $1000 for a two bedroom with free heat. Does anybody have some suggestions for a person in my situation?

Thanks!

[ajolotl]

I think the key question is how urban a lifestyle you want? If you are young and single and want a little street vibe and perhaps a little night life the answer will be different than if you're happier with a quiet, more family oriented neighborhood.

Originally Posted by diskmaster23

Ok...I've decided that I want to move to Chicago. I currently live in Griffith, Indiana (Northwest Indiana) and I work in Portage, Indiana. However, since I work in Portage, Indiana and there is not any forseeable change in the economy I am going to stay where I am at. But I would like to live in the city and have access to all the great things. Because Northwest Indiana just doesn't do it for a single guy. I am currently 26 and single and I have a steady job.

I would like to live on the Southside where I have easy access to I-90/94 to get to work, but I don't want to live in a terrible neighborhood.

I've been examing such places as Hyde Park, Bridgeport, near Southside, and other neighborhood in those areas. However, I am looking for something around $500 per month for a one bedroom or $1000 for a two bedroom with free heat. Does anybody have some suggestions for a person in my situation?

Thanks!

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by diskmaster23

Ok...I've decided that I want to move to Chicago. I currently live in Griffith, Indiana (Northwest Indiana) and I work in Portage, Indiana. However, since I work in Portage, Indiana and there is not any forseeable change in the economy I am going to stay where I am at. But I would like to live in the city and have access to all the great things. Because Northwest Indiana just doesn't do it for a single guy. I am currently 26 and single and I have a steady job.

I would like to live on the Southside where I have easy access to I-90/94 to get to work, but I don't want to live in a terrible neighborhood.

I've been examing such places as Hyde Park, Bridgeport, near Southside, and other neighborhood in those areas. However, I am looking for something around $500 per month for a one bedroom or $1000 for a two bedroom with free heat. Does anybody have some suggestions for a person in my situation?

Thanks!

Im not too familiar with the southside. But if your looking for a good area I would think 500 per month for a one bedroom is going to be extremely difficult.

[diskmaster23]

I am looking for a little nightlife, but nothing like wrigleyville. Does that help?

[skyeINIL]

How about Pullman (the south end)? It's right by I-90/94. There's no nightlife to speak of, but being so close to the x-way, you can be downtown very quickly.

Here are a few from Craigslist:

Unique Quiet Neighborhood in Historic Pullman

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/940471578.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/939471132.html

[ajolotl]

Originally Posted by diskmaster23

I am looking for a little nightlife, but nothing like wrigleyville. Does that help?

I don't know. As a young single person I probably wouldn't live on the south side, other than maybe the south loop or university village (your two-bedroom price will only get you a one bedroom, though). Hyde Park is great if you're part of the UofC world but otherwise it will appear dull (unless you had kids). Beverly is also beautiful and would be a good commute for you but it is more of a family neighborhood (even though there are some good restaurants, bars, and cafes it is missing the sort of 20-30 year-old single people to make them feel right). Personally, if I were you I would live in blue Island. It has a little action and feels kind of interesting and is very cheap, easy transport to city, etc. You might want to check it out.

[diskmaster23]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

I don't know. As a young single person I probably wouldn't live on the south side, other than maybe the south loop or university village (your two-bedroom price will only get you a one bedroom, though). Hyde Park is great if you're part of the UofC world but otherwise it will appear dull (unless you had kids). Beverly is also beautiful and would be a good commute for you but it is more of a family neighborhood (even though there are some good restaurants, bars, and cafes it is missing the sort of 20-30 year-old single people to make them feel right). Personally, if I were you I would live in blue Island. It has a little action and feels kind of interesting and is very cheap, easy transport to city, etc. You might want to check it out.

So, what I am hearing is, if you want nightlife, you move to a area other than the Southside, like Lakeview/Wrigleywillve. So, basically where I was looking is as good as it is going to get? I mean, I am already bored and live where there is no nightlife to speak of, I am just wanting to live closer without all the traffic where I-94/90 and I-290 come together. I'd prefer to stay off the Metra because they don't run as frequently as the CTA.

[ajolotl]

Basically, but as I said you can check out South Loop, University Village, and parts of Pilsen also. I don't think you would be bored there.

Metra from Blue Island is better than you might think (it is a hub), and commute to Indiana will be much easier.

Originally Posted by diskmaster23

So, what I am hearing is, if you want nightlife, you move to a area other than the Southside, like Lakeview/Wrigleywillve. So, basically where I was looking is as good as it is going to get? I mean, I am already bored and live where there is no nightlife to speak of, I am just wanting to live closer without all the traffic where I-94/90 and I-290 come together. I'd prefer to stay off the Metra because they don't run as frequently as the CTA.

[cdc3217]

Check out Beverly. At 95th you can hop right on the Calumet for work and IMO there's more culture/nightlife in this neighborhood than anywhere else on the far south side. Rent is going to be hard - I am not current on this but its going to be hard to find something in your price range.

You could probably rent a one bedroom in Blue Island for $500 or close to it. Go to the BI library and get the local paper, THe Forum, and there's always a couple cheap apartments for rent listed there. I have no idea of their quality. Olde Western Avenue has some nightlife, but the big draw would be readily available transit into the City.

[noid_1985]

Hyde Park- you can get a studio for $550+