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02-09-2009, 07:31 AM
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2009
12 posts, read 10,684 times
Reputation: 10
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Budget enough for living in Chicago ?
Hello everyone,
I plan on coming to Chicago in Spring for 2-3 months of stay. I will be attending a language center. The reason why I still could not decide for certain depends on the rents and the cost of living, so I want to hear your opinions on whether I should choose Chicago or another city in a different state.
My monthly budget will be $ 1235. I won't worry about tuition, student fees or health insurance for they will be automatically paid by a sponsor. I don't smoke and I plan on using public transportation. I am dance instructor and I have lived a social life so far here in my hometown in Turkey. I frequently went out with my friends, drank, went to dance parties and such activities without spending too much and I don't want to live a life in Chicago that will be composed of only going to school and back to home just to survive.
Based on the information I gave above, I have questions for you :
1) Do you think it will be convenient for me to choose Chicago ? Can I live a life that won't force me to get stuck at home just to survive with a monthly budget of $1235 ? And Do I have a chance to find a place to live as a roommate that will be suitable for my budget considering the deposit I will pay (and considering the fact that I will be staying there for 2-3 months) ?
2) Do I have a chance of using my dancing ability to give dance lessons ? Do they require a certificate to do that ?
3) If you have other recommendations for cities to live, which ones would they be in my case ?
Thank you in advance.
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02-09-2009, 09:55 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Chicago
2,988 posts, read 1,769,569 times
Reputation: 732
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That's doable for a few months. Look on craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums under the rooms/shared section. You can probably find someone looking to rent out a room for 400-450 in a decent area. You might even find a place that won't require a deposit. |
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02-10-2009, 10:11 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Mar 2008
1,175 posts, read 772,418 times
Reputation: 498
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If you get a small place with a roommate, you should be able to find a decent rent. However, it will be more difficult since you are only looking for a couple months. As far as teaching dance, again it will be difficult to find a place that will hire you for only a couple months. As far as going out, it just depends on what types of places you want to go to and what your other expenses are. Some clubs get really expensive with cover, drinks, etc. Others are cheap.
If I were you I would make sure to spend no more than $450 a month on rent.
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02-10-2009, 08:07 PM
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The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Chicago
10,718 posts, read 6,947,581 times
Reputation: 1030
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You could try to get a room at the YMCA. They rarely are above $500 a month.
Some of these locations require a year lease, others offer short term stays as well.
YMCA - Map of Locations
The Evanston YMCA allows short terms stays.
http://www.mcgawymca.org/index.cfm?fa=men.home |
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