Safe CTA stops to live close to for a newcomer (Chicago: sublet, apartment)

[heartchicago]

Hi, my wife and I will be moving to chicago late this summer. I am looking for an apt, preferably in the suburbs (a quiet, safe neighborhood) within a very short walking distance to any of the cta lines (red, blue first preferance, green, brown, purple, orange okay too) that will get me to school in the loop within 20 minutes. Any suggestions on what are the quiet and safe neighborhoods, or what areas to definitely avoid? We'll be cramped in a studio, but that is all we are going to be able to afford.

Thanks

[skipcromer]

The only suburbs that have access to the L are Oak Park and Evanston I believe (Rosemont as well I suppose.) None of which are getting you downtown in 20 minutes.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

The only suburbs that have access to the L are Oak Park and Evanston I believe (Rosemont as well I suppose.) None of which are getting you downtown in 20 minutes.

(to the OP)
and (Rosemont),Skokie,Park Ridge,Cicero,Forest Park. And if you are count suburbs that have buses that go to CTA rail lines the number is many dozens.

The only train that comes close to getting to the Loop in 20 minutes is the Purple line Express (if taken from Howard.)

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by heartchicago

Hi, my wife and I will be moving to chicago late this summer. I am looking for an apt, preferably in the suburbs (a quiet, safe neighborhood) within a very short walking distance to any of the cta lines (red, blue first preferance, green, brown, purple, orange okay too) that will get me to school in the loop within 20 minutes. Any suggestions on what are the quiet and safe neighborhoods, or what areas to definitely avoid? We'll be cramped in a studio, but that is all we are going to be able to afford.

Thanks

You're not really looking for suburbs. Read the sticky thread about Chicago neighborhoods.

Edgewater will probably have the most affordable studios with easy CTA access, while still being a little bit safer. Rogers Park does as well, but you have to do a little more research to make sure you're not on a bad block.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

(to the OP)
and (Rosemont),Skokie,Park Ridge,Cicero,Forest Park. And if you are count suburbs that have buses that go to CTA rail lines the number is many dozens.

The only train that comes close to getting to the Loop in 20 minutes is the Purple line Express (if taken from Howard.)

Your still not getting to the loop in 20 minutes from Howard.

[skipcromer]

Which line hits park ridge?

Edit: I see the blue line does.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

Your still not getting to the loop in 20 minutes from Howard.

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

(to the OP)
and (Rosemont),Skokie,Park Ridge,Cicero,Forest Park. And if you are count suburbs that have buses that go to CTA rail lines the number is many dozens.

The only train that comes close to getting to the Loop in 20 minutes is the Purple line Express (if taken from Howard.)

No kidding. That is why I said IT COMES CLOSE.

It usually takes about 30 minutes to get from Howard to the Merchandise Mart on the Purple Line.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Ravenswood might be a good option. You could take the Metra from Ravenswood and be downtown in 15 minutes.

[Percy82]

Uptown, where I do live, is a nice area. $750 for a 1/1 apartment with water and gas.

I'm moving to San Diego in three weeks... if you wanna sublet my apartment, you are welcome :lol:

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Percy82

Uptown, where I do live, is a nice area. $750 for a 1/1 apartment with water and gas.

I'm moving to San Diego in three weeks... if you wanna sublet my apartment, you are welcome :lol:

I too live in Uptown, and think it's a bit misleading to call the entire neighborhood a "nice area". Uptown has nice areas, and some really pretty crappy areas. Really crappy.