Carfree--Working in Tri-Taylor. Which Neighborhood to Live? (Ogden: apartments, for rent)

[chitown2pa]

I would appreciate your help with this one. I just decided a couple days ago that I am going to sell my car and move into the city. The good news is, I have a buyer for my car already! The tough decision now: where to live?

I'll be working in Tri-Taylor, off of Ogden (on Bowler). Here's what I'm looking for:

- A commute 30 mins or less to Tri-Taylor neighborhood, using CTA or walking. I also have a bike, which is a POS.

- Walkability in the neighborhood. Corner grocers, neighborhood pubs, etc. Maybe a small movie theater or playhouse? You know, things that make a neighborhood walkable.

- Low rents. I cannot emphasize this enough.

There you have it. Is it possible to get all of these things in one neighborhood? Where should I live?!

[chet everett]

Almost without exception lower rents = less safe. That lack of safety is kind of a chicken & egg, not sure which comes first, but they go together.

Similarly if want corner grocery, playhouse, pubs and other "walk to" features the odds of those happening in a high rent / safe neighbor vs inexpensive / unsafe neighborhood are 100,000 :1.

I suppose if you are used to POS bicycle you could track down a POS apartment in a nice neighborhood -- there are places literally in the basement of bars / restaurants that are noisy, damp and generally gross that are cheap. Your call. Believe that is FAR better than a whole neighborhood of low rent apartments...

[long101]

well what do you consider a low rent...?

[chitown2pa]

Thanks for the input Chet and Long. I'll have around $500/month avail. for rent. I have been talking with another guy about being roommates, so that will bring rents down. The main things I'm looking for are: walkable neighborhood, somewhat-comfortable residence (cleanliness over size, for sure), and rent under $500.

[Avengerfire]

Man it is going to be really hard to find a place without having a roommate or two for $500. It is not impossible, but you have to get really lucky.

[jdiddy]

You need a roommate.

[long101]

you might want to give the UIC area a shot since youll be working right there. That would prolly be one of the easier places to find a few roommates. I have a few buddy who rents a townhouse with 3 other guys around Taylor and Loomis and pays around 500 otd for everything.

[chitown2pa]

Originally Posted by long101

you might want to give the UIC area a shot since youll be working right there. That would prolly be one of the easier places to find a few roommates. I have a few buddy who rents a townhouse with 3 other guys around Taylor and Loomis and pays around 500 otd for everything.

Nice, that is great. UIC seems to be the place. Believe it or not, but there are some extremely cheap places in Bucktown and Wicker Park still, too. They aren't bad either. Exposed brick, 3rd floor balconies, etc.

[chitown2pa]

Is UIC neighborhood very walkable? Anybody know from experience? I can look it up on Get Your Walk Score - A Walkability Score For Any Address, but personal experience trumps sites like that any day.