Its too overwhelming! Apartment/UIC/Compromising Help! (Chicago, Blue Island: fit in, apartments)

[mag48]

Okay so I'm just waiting on the acceptance letter from UIC and then I am set for Fall 2010. I don't really want to dorm with someone, or share a room and so I am looking for an affordable studio apartment or single dorm style living cheaper than what UIC has. (I want to be able to come home to privacy) I know there are lots of topics on here, and I have searched and read through many of them, but when you have never lived in the city its really difficult to understand. So I'm looking for a place that is small and I don't car a whole lot about appearance.
I do have common sense but I don't want to be living in a too bad of an area, but don't need the best in the city either. I'm looking to spend 500-600$ a month for just a small studio. I saw a place in Pilsen that was dorm style living for like $350. Where you got a room, shared a bathroom and a kitchen with each floor. The things that I have read about Pilsen are pretty mixed though. Does anyone know any other types of dorm style living besides in Pilsen that would be affordable and where I could have my own private room? Area suggestions would be much appreciated to, if there are any in my budget. I did see Wrigleyville but I think that may be quite a commute to UIC and wouldn't want more than 30 minute commute.

Thanks in advance

[eevee]

I don't quite understand, what's the different between "dorm style living" and simply renting out a room in an apartment?

[surlycue]

And how do you come home to privacy if all common areas are shared?

East Pilsen should be fine, just stay east of Blue Island or Ashland. You can probably find a place in your budget in East Village or the Near West Side areas north of Fulton (for these places you'll want to be on the blue line or near enough to Ashland to take a bus and then either walk to campus or take the shuttle). Logan Square should also meet your needs but I wouldn't go further north than that to keep your commute under control. Bridgeport is another option and you can take the Halsted bus up to campus.

[mag48]

By privacy i mean that I have my own room, where no one else can come into and I can study quietly or be up all night if I wanted to. I know that having roommates can give you this, but it really depends on what kind of roommates you get. After I become familiar with things I may do that in future years. However for this year I want a place that is "mine". I don't mind having to go to the end of the hallway and leaving my room for the bathroom and to cook a meal, just sleeping and studying I want my own place. I will look right now on apartments.com and chicagoapartmentfinders.com =(I have heard they are really good.) If I can get a studio or efficiency for a little more than the dorm style living thing, I probably would opt for the efficiency.

[surlycue]

I wouldn't bother with apartments.com at all. Craigslist and driving around (which you are unable to do obviously) are the best ways to find good deals. You are way too early to begin an actual search though. I wouldn't start seriously looking until June 1st.

[mag48]

I'm hoping to move in around June 1st as I would like to get a part time job that I could fit in with school. And also to get settled, instead of being thrown into everything at once. What are some good jobs, not in food service, that are relatively obtainable, and if possible higher than minimum wage? Also in the chance that I didn't get accepted to UIC how is Truman College as far as a two year school? If I move to Chicago 30 days prior to starting the semester I get the in-district rate which sounded good.

[It'sAutomatic]

The parts of Pilsen within walking distance of UIC are fine.