Springfield - Good apartments, rental management companies? (Chicago, Peoria: 2011, apartment complex)

[heather the librarian]

I just got a job in Chatham, and now I need to move to Springfield. When asking for advice about what apartments I should look at, I hear a lot of negatives...don't rent in this area, don't rent from that management company. So I'm starting to wonder...where on earth CAN I live in Springfield?

I'd like to be as close to Chatham as possible (although I'm from Kansas City, so I gather what I consider to be a short commute would probably get me clear across town), since that's where I'm going to work, but (1) I don't have ALL that much money to spend on rent, and (2) I would prefer to live in a safer area of town, but all apartments I've seen/heard of in Chatham itself are just too expensive, with the exception of one complex that I've been told is a bit dicey.

So...does anyone know of a complex, landlord, or management company that they CAN recommend, keeping those requirements in mind? It's just going to be me, so a small one bedroom apartment would suit my needs fine, and I don't have to worry about whether the schools are any good, or any of that.

I've read some of these forums, so please--I don't need anyone to tell me not to move there, or how horrible Springfield is, or any of that. I needed a job. I got one in Springfield. Now I need to move there, but I also need some help. Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by heather the librarian

I just got a job in Chatham, and now I need to move to Springfield. When asking for advice about what apartments I should look at, I hear a lot of negatives...don't rent in this area, don't rent from that management company. So I'm starting to wonder...where on earth CAN I live in Springfield?

I'd like to be as close to Chatham as possible (although I'm from Kansas City, so I gather what I consider to be a short commute would probably get me clear across town), since that's where I'm going to work, but (1) I don't have ALL that much money to spend on rent, and (2) I would prefer to live in a safer area of town, but all apartments I've seen/heard of in Chatham itself are just too expensive, with the exception of one complex that I've been told is a bit dicey.

So...does anyone know of a complex, landlord, or management company that they CAN recommend, keeping those requirements in mind? It's just going to be me, so a small one bedroom apartment would suit my needs fine, and I don't have to worry about whether the schools are any good, or any of that.

I've read some of these forums, so please--I don't need anyone to tell me not to move there, or how horrible Springfield is, or any of that. I needed a job. I got one in Springfield. Now I need to move there, but I also need some help. Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions.

I had friends live in Chatham Hills on the far west side. They seemed pretty nice and would definitely be close to work for you.

Right by Chatham Hills there are a bunch of Apartments on Seven Pines Rd. I would avoid those, particularly Pinewood Apartments. While living there, our Apt got broken into (at 9:30 am while I was sleeping) and my roommates car was broken into. I also had issues with the Management company not wanting to give me my security deposit back.

[Maintainschaos]

I've heard Lincoln Square apartments are nice. They are in the center of the city, so the morning drive might be longer than you'd like, but if you found someone with which to car pool, that would be useful.

[mdand3boys]

An apartment complex in Chatham "dicey"? I still have relatives in Chatham and my grandparents owned most of the land in the South and West areas before selling to developers. It is a nice place to live and will save you the commute on Rt. 4. Car insurance (and renter's insurance) will also be cheaper in Chatham than Springfield.

[AnimalLover]

That's great that you have a job in Chatham! I live in the country just south of Chatham. We have some rental properties available from our office - I'll send you the list. What are you wanting to pay in rent?

[heather the librarian]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

An apartment complex in Chatham "dicey"? I still have relatives in Chatham and my grandparents owned most of the land in the South and West areas before selling to developers. It is a nice place to live and will save you the commute on Rt. 4. Car insurance (and renter's insurance) will also be cheaper in Chatham than Springfield.

I found that a little hard to believe myself, but the one person I know who lives in Springfield told me that. I'm not saying it's true--admittedly, everything I have to say on the subject is second- or third-hand at best.

[koolarchy]

Originally Posted by AnimalLover

That's great that you have a job in Chatham! I live in the country just south of Chatham. We have some rental properties available from our office - I'll send you the list. What are you wanting to pay in rent?

hello animalover,

We are interested in apartments in southside of the springfield. My wife is going to start her job in springfield and I have my job in st louis. I am going to commute daily from springfield to st louis and I would appreciate if you could suggest me some apartments at the southside of the springfield.

Thanks
Koolarchy

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by koolarchy

hello animalover,

We are interested in apartments in southside of the springfield. My wife is going to start her job in springfield and I have my job in st louis. I am going to commute daily from springfield to st louis and I would appreciate if you could suggest me some apartments at the southside of the springfield.

Thanks
Koolarchy

90 mile commute? YIKES!

[koolarchy]

we have no option...got a 10 month old baby...i know 90 miles is a lot..but its not impossible..i am trying to be optimitic here..

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by koolarchy

we have no option...got a 10 month old baby...i know 90 miles is a lot..but its not impossible..i am trying to be optimitic here..

90 miles is nothing. I commuted for 2 years, 3x a week from Peoria to Chicago, Loop. 161 miles one-way. I left at 4:30am and arrived in my office across from the Sears Tower at 7:30am and left at 3:00pm, arriving home each time around 6:00pm. If I ever missed my window going or coming, I could end up 1 hour late either way!