Slightly older female with large dog looking to rent (Chicago: apartment, rental) - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

eclecticlk · 03-04-2009, 04:29 PM

Greetings,
I am a slightly older (mid 40's) professional female in need help finding safe affordable rental areas that are pet friendly (I have a 7 year old 125 lb. shepherd mix). I work in the Streeterville area, own an older car but use public transportation the majority of the time, and net about 35K but am not able to buy at this time. I am needing to move from an apartment in the South Loop area that I shared with a now ex boyfriend in the early summer.
Can anyone suggest a safe, public transportation accessible,large pet friendly & affordable neighborhood? I really don't want to live, no offense meant, in a neighborhood of 20 year olds, been there, done that.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Also, I'm not the most knowledgable person of the Chicago neighborhoods since I've only lived in the city for 2 years and only in the south loop. I've checked Craigslist but am not finding too many large dog friendly areas and haven't a clue how safe the ones that I've found are.

surlycue · 03-04-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclecticlk

Greetings,
I am a slightly older (mid 40's) professional female in need help finding safe affordable rental areas that are pet friendly (I have a 7 year old 125 lb. shepherd mix). I work in the Streeterville area, own an older car but use public transportation the majority of the time, and net about 35K but am not able to buy at this time. I am needing to move from an apartment in the South Loop area that I shared with a now ex boyfriend in the early summer.
Can anyone suggest a safe, public transportation accessible,large pet friendly & affordable neighborhood? I really don't want to live, no offense meant, in a neighborhood of 20 year olds, been there, done that.
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.
Also, I'm not the most knowledgable person of the Chicago neighborhoods since I've only lived in the city for 2 years and only in the south loop. I've checked Craigslist but am not finding too many large dog friendly areas and haven't a clue how safe the ones that I've found are.

You can get a lot for your money and be in a safe area in Irving/Old Irving Park. It's close to the brown line and you should have no problem with a large dog as most of the two and three flats have backyards.

If you want a bit more in the way of nightlife and restaurants I would recommend North Center or Lincoln Square but they will be a bit more expensive and you may or may not get a backyard.

KANDICEKAY · 03-04-2009, 04:36 PM

I just recently rented - i'm in my late 20's but i was looking for a quiet place, not too small, and on a limited budget, due to the fact i'm paying a mortgage in Texas and rent in Chicago - Not pretty on the pocket book. I also have a do, not a big one luckly, but i struggled and struggled finding a place, and dealing with the bogus ads on Craigslist for weeks. Finally i broke down and went to an apartment locator - okay i went to 4 different ones, but one of them had me a place, photos emailed to me ( i was doing this sight unseen), and a lease within 48 hours.

now, I will actually be in the city next week, so i might be back on here bashing the locators since i still haven't seen the place, however, I honestly think they did me right. GOOD LUCK

jessiegirl_98 · 03-04-2009, 04:53 PM

West Lakeview is also a good place. There's a dog park in Hamlin Park and you can jump on the Belmont bus over to the Belmont el. It's cheaper and tends to be a bit older than the 20's crowd.

eclecticlk · 03-04-2009, 05:05 PM

Thanks...good advice so far~

Avengerfire · 03-04-2009, 08:59 PM

What is your space requirement and price range?

eclecticlk · 03-04-2009, 10:31 PM

I would ideally like to spend no more than 1400 on rent and most utilities so it depends on what is included in the "rent". Also, I would like a one bedroom or at least a convertible. My ideal locations would be the Streeterville, Gold Coast or Lakeview areas but there's not much grass for the dog, there's little or no parking and the units are smaller. That is why I am seeking neighborhood information here.
Thanks

cdc3217 · 03-05-2009, 07:34 AM

THere's a lot of dog owners in Lincoln Square. I havea friend in a similar situation to you - she's lived there for ages.

s0nginmyheart · 03-15-2009, 07:48 PM

Shoreline Park Condos in Uptown.

On Craigslist: Enjoy the city life available end of March (http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/1076123783.html - broken link)
General Search: classifieds - craigslist

1bd ranges from $950-$1200 or so, you can also find some that have all utilities included (save for Cable/Internet)... It's a dog-friendly building, management kinda stinks though. But across the street is a park (I think it's Lincoln Park) and Puptown Dog Park. Residents range from 20's-40's I'd say, with the occasional senior citizen. As far other dogs... anywhere from Chihuahuas to other German Shepards... Direct neighbors are a hit or miss on their niceness though. If your dog barks a lot, expect to get complaints (and you may get fined after a couple warnings by management).

Hope this helps.

Avengerfire · 03-15-2009, 08:15 PM

What in a yellow belly frog's name is up with this?:

"Shoreline Park is located in the popular Edgewater and Uptown neighborhoods of Chicago. In 2005 Details magazine named the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago as one of the ten hottest neighborhoods in the United States, declaring Uptown as “the new Lincoln Park.”"

Shoreline Park Condominiums - Home Page

*I edited my post to avoid pissing off our new poster.*