apt for under $800 (Chicago, Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect: apartment, rental market, home)

[ssll96]

Does anyone know of nice apts for under $800 in the northern suburbs? I would like to be near the metra and possibly in the Mount Prospect or Arlington Heights area. I am also looking for something that includes at least some utilities. Thanks.

[HOWELL_STREET]

Dear Friends:

Since no one else has attempted to answer your question, then I will give it a try. I don't expect you will find what you are seeking. For an apartment that also includes paid utilities and at $800 - - probably does not exist in the Chicago area. Rental prices are all related to desirability, safety, good or bad neighborhood, condition of the apartment and where it is located.
It is possible that you might find such an apartment far, far away from Chicago. However, then you would have trouble with transportation to Chicago. It is also possible that you might find such an apartment in Maywood, Illinois but then you might get you or your family killed through neighborhood ILLEGAL firearms and gang bangers.
Only you and your family know your goals as to why you wish to move to the Chicago area. So as a suggestion, look at the grass surrounding your current home locale where ever that may be. Perhaps the grass where you are now located is greener than what you might THINK is available in the Chicago area? The Chicago area is over congested with everything. And that also reflects very high prices for everthing except one's employment remuneration. And the remuneration of employment is now decreasing everyway in the U.S. of America.
Sorry that I have to be somewhat negative. However, I try to help people with Chicago area caveats so they don't lose their financial shirt.

Best Regards,

Carter Glass

[dieschweiz]

Colonial Village Apts in Itasca charges just under 800 for one bedroom. Its got metra.

[oakparkdude]

I just feel compelled to respond to Mr. Glass's post. I know nothing about the rental market in the northern suburbs. I do know, however, that it is possible to rent a one bedroom vintage apartment in the desirable (safest) part of Oak Park or Forest Park for $800/month or (slightly) less. I would imagine rental rates in (less desirable) Maywood are even lower.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by ssll96

Does anyone know of nice apts for under $800 in the northern suburbs? I would like to be near the metra and possibly in the Mount Prospect or Arlington Heights area. I am also looking for something that includes at least some utilities. Thanks.

For the life of me, I have no idea where you would find such a deal in the northern burbs, but you may want to check out south side towns such as Tinley Park, Orland Park, Oak Forest, Crestwood, Palos Heights, Worth, Chicago Ridge, Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Stickney, and in Chicago try Garfield Ridge, Clearing, or Midway neighborhoods. All of those towns have trains that run to downtown. Here is a link to better help you find what you are looking for. :: Classifieds ::

[xxJoyfulxx]

What size of an apartment are you looking for? Like others have said, it MAY be possible to find something, but it will most likely be a studio or a 1 bedroom.

I lived about 45 miles from the city of Chicago - in the NW suburb of Cary - in a 1 bedroom apartment for $735 including all utilities. It was a really nice apartment - and Cary is a great town - also literally across the street from the Metra train and I use to commute to the city. It is a somewhat lengthy ride of up to 90 minutes to get downtown, but I loved the town of Cary and the rental housing is affordable.
After moving out of my 1 bedroom, I moved down a few streets to a 2 bedroom larger apartment with a washer/dryer for $810/mo., but it did not include all of my utilities.

So if you're looking for a 1 bedroom (and sometimes you can find a 2 bedroom) in the northern burbs and you don't mind a commute to the city, I would check out Cary & Crystal Lake. They are both along the Metra line and you can find a rental for under $800.

Good luck!

[xxJoyfulxx]

Oh and 2 years ago when I was living in Cary, I was a single woman in my late twenties and I use to walk everywhere - to the train, to eat, etc. It is a very safe area also.