Finding an apartment (Chicago, Lincoln: apartments, rental, homes)

[guyfromak]

I am planning on moving to Chicago at the end of the month and am having a difficult time of figuring out finding an apartment. My budget is 800 for a studio and I am looking in: Lincoln Park, Lake View, Buena Park, Uptown, Edgewater, and Andersonville. I have been surfing craigslist and a few other apartment web sites and I am noticing that a vast majority of apartments are listed by the same small group of management companies and rental agencies. I have heard many horror stories about many of these groups and so I am concerned about knowing whether an apartment I am interested in is legit. I will be getting into Chicago on the 26th and would like to find an apartment for the month of July. I would sign a lease for an apartment prior to moving, but I don't want to show up and find out there is no hot water or the fridge is broken. Can I realistically find a decent place in such short amount of time or would I be better off finding a place prior to arriving.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by guyfromak

I am planning on moving to Chicago at the end of the month and am having a difficult time of figuring out finding an apartment. My budget is 800 for a studio and I am looking in: Lincoln Park, Lake View, Buena Park, Uptown, Edgewater, and Andersonville. I have been surfing craigslist and a few other apartment web sites and I am noticing that a vast majority of apartments are listed by the same small group of management companies and rental agencies. I have heard many horror stories about many of these groups and so I am concerned about knowing whether an apartment I am interested in is legit. I will be getting into Chicago on the 26th and would like to find an apartment for the month of July. I would sign a lease for an apartment prior to moving, but I don't want to show up and find out there is no hot water or the fridge is broken. Can I realistically find a decent place in such short amount of time or would I be better off finding a place prior to arriving.

As far as the apartment finding services, I ended up going through 'Apartment People' and had no issues.

[UICJohn]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

As far as the apartment finding services, I ended up going through 'Apartment People' and had no issues.

I'll second that. As a matter of fact, I have known several people who have used their service and it's worked out quite well.

[aragx6]

The first year you should use an apartment rental service (they're free too you, but they do charge the landlord, so you might end up paying a couple extra dollars a month); next year you can take your time and wander around the neighborhood looking for those orange and black for rent signs -- that's how you get the best deals from the owner/occupied units.

[jessiegirl_98]

Ditto the apartment search services. I personally hate using the Apartment People as I've had really bad experiences (long waits, not listening to what you want), but they have a large selection. Also try the apartment guys, apartment finders, homestead group...there are a ton. Search on craigslist and on the reader and you can double check addresses here.

800 for a studio is very low in some of those areas just FYI.