Reasonably Priced Rentals in Arlington Heights/Schaumburg/Rolling Meadows area (Chicago: apartments, condos)

[drivn]

The boyfriend and I are looking to move in Feb (I know its kind of early). But we're wondering if y'all have suggestions on great rentals in the Schaumburg/Rolling Meadows/Arlington Heights area. He works in Rolling Meadows area so will need to think about that commute and I will be working from home mostly with some airport travel (extreme proximity to O'Hare is not a requirement).

I will be moving from OOS and he lives in the city at the moment. Neither of us is too familiar with the Chicago NW suburbs. Browsing the web for now and it seems like there are a ton of apartments/apartment homes/condos etc in these areas but not sure which ones current residents would suggest.

Looking for 2bedrooms with 1.5 to 2 bath. Budget less than $1500 a month and have heat included (since Chicago winters are legendary). Looking for a safe neighborhood (since I will be at home most of the day). We are in our mid to late twenties and "upwardly mobile" so looking for similar neighbors in a "fun" neighborhood but not so "fun" that it gets overly loud/rowdy.

Any suggestions? Reviews of your current apartment? Specific parts of the area that we should check out or avoid? Your advice is appreciated!

[chet everett]

Well, the "fun for twenty somethings" crowd is not huge in any of the burbs, but you might start by looking in downtown Alrington Heights. There are some newer buildings (and condos) that are more upscale. In buildings with clueless landlords they might ask for premium prices, but the demand is not there.

In several parts of the NW BURBS I am sure your budget range certainly has some units available for rent, though you need to be selective in scouting out complexes that are not geared to the transient families working long hours and leaving kids unsupervised if you want a quiet / fun experience...
The corridors along Rand/Dundee/ and Lake Cook Rd are kind of notorious for bad experiences.


If you can stretch your budget it might be wise to not put too much empahsis on included utilities as newer complexes rarely through in heat or anything else.

[cubssoxfan]

Avalon in downtown AH.

[drivn]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Well, the "fun for twenty somethings" crowd is not huge in any of the burbs, but you might start by looking in downtown Alrington Heights. There are some newer buildings (and condos) that are more upscale. In buildings with clueless landlords they might ask for premium prices, but the demand is not there.

In several parts of the NW BURBS I am sure your budget range certainly has some units available for rent, though you need to be selective in scouting out complexes that are not geared to the transient families working long hours and leaving kids unsupervised if you want a quiet / fun experience...
The corridors along Rand/Dundee/ and Lake Cook Rd are kind of notorious for bad experiences.


If you can stretch your budget it might be wise to not put too much empahsis on included utilities as newer complexes rarely through in heat or anything else.

Thanks! I have noticed that many apartments, especially newer ones like you mentioned, do not include utilities. Seen a few listed in the $1300's with no utilities. I guess it then becomes a question of the cost of heat/electricity/cooking gas/maybe water in the winter vs. summer. Any thoughts?

Thanks for mentioning places to avoid. I also like Arlington Heights so far from what I have heard and read. We're not expecting a city-like experience for twenty somethings. Having a grocery store, movie theater, mall, a "downtown" area, and proximity to the metra for city travel is quite enough. We just don't want to be stuck where we have to drive a fair distance just to grab dinner and a movie.

[drivn]

Originally Posted by cubssoxfan

Avalon in downtown AH.

Thanks! I saw this apartment, and it is on our list. Not sure about availability though as I was told they may not have anything for our expected move date.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by drivn

Thanks! I saw this apartment, and it is on our list. Not sure about availability though as I was told they may not have anything for our expected move date.

There are some smaller 6 flats and 2&3 flats in area as well. Some have for rent signs posted. Been so long since I rented, I don't know if newspaper classifieds are still relevant way to find rentals.

[drivn]

After some research I think we are going to focus on Arlington Heights, specifically the downtown area. So far I have Avalon Arlington Heights, and Dunton Towers on the list. Also heard about a bldg called Campbell Court? but not sure about openings. Does anyone have thoughts on these buildings or other buildings in Downtown Arlington Heights?

Or maybe a link to a posting discussing the downtown area?

Your help is appreciated!