South loop living (Lincoln, Columbia: sublease, apartments, rentals)

[lizzy7bur]

hi, i am tryting to find a one bedroom in the south loop of chicago. i will be going to columbia college in the fall and my price limit is about $800 and I have a cat. I am having som trouble.. Can anyone help me?

[Avengerfire]

Well to find a 1 bedroom for $800 in the South Loop is going to be extremely difficult if not impossible. A huge amount of housing in the South Loop is new construction.

You are going to have to expand your list of neighborhoods that you are willing to live in or consider getting roommates.

Here is a decent place in Lincoln Park near the Brown Line for $925 with gas, heat, and internet included.

Lovely Lincoln Park 1beds w/ Gas, Water, Heat, & Internet INCLUDED

[samarnold]

Hi. Do a google search for Fornelli Hall - a student dorm.

I'd check on craigslist, also, to see if there are any studios or one bedroom condos you could sublease. There are a lot of desperate condo owners who would be glad to rent their places out.

[Mr Downtown]

A one bedroom in my South Loop building is posted for $1200/month. One at River City is posted for $1240. So $800 might be tough.

Look into the large studios in Printers Square. They're condos now, but some must be available for rent from investor owners.

[coldwine]

Colombia has extensive programs available to help students find housing. I can't remember off the top of my head what Colombia itself has in terms of dorms, but seriously... Don't rent if you don't have to. It's ridiculous to pay for things you could force your university to do

[eevee]

Originally Posted by coldwine

Colombia has extensive programs available to help students find housing. I can't remember off the top of my head what Colombia itself has in terms of dorms, but seriously... Don't rent if you don't have to. It's ridiculous to pay for things you could force your university to do

AFAIK, Columbia doesn't offer any dorms that are pet friendly, so the OP is out of luck in that area. I hear a lot about the Automatic Lofts, but I believe the price tag to share an apartment is around $900 w/o utilities. and they still may not accept pets (though they may be more lenient than traditional dorms). the OP can find cheaper, pet friendly room rentals elsewhere.

as for actual apartments, it's possible to find something for that price in Pilsen, though living there will require some common street sense and a high tolerance for a bit of grit. a lot of Columbia students live in Pilsen however

[lizzy7bur]

Is Pilsen not a very good neighborhood? I was looking into that also.. Do you know anything about lincoln park or wicker park?

[grapico]

I think you are looking in the 1100-1300 range...It isn't like you HAVE to live in the SL, but obviously it would be convenient for you. I think there are more happening neighbs for someone your age. I think you should be able to find a roommate in a 2br or mixed use studio loft paying 800 or less a month though. Also if you want to walk check out outskirts of the west loop in the 1000-1600 blocks.

[lizzy7bur]

Originally Posted by grapico

I think you are looking in the 1100-1300 range...It isn't like you HAVE to live in the SL, but obviously it would be convenient for you. I think there are more happening neighbs for someone your age. I think you should be able to find a roommate in a 2br or mixed use studio loft paying 800 or less a month though. Also if you want to walk check out outskirts of the west loop in the 1000-1600 blocks.

I have friends who live in the city, I just dont want to live with them. My boyfriend and I will be sharing the apartment, so a studio will be a bit too small =)

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by lizzy7bur

Is Pilsen not a very good neighborhood? I was looking into that also.. Do you know anything about lincoln park or wicker park?

If you use the "search this forum" button you will find TONS of threads and posts about all three.