Looking for cheap apartment in NW burbs or Elgin area (rental, crime)

[Lizita]

I'm trying to help a friend find an apartment or cheap rental house somewhere in the NW suburbs or in the Elgin area, preferably in DuPage county but he's not picky. He would like to find a one or two bedroom place that is no more than $700/month. He would prefer to find a place that is between $500-$600 if that's possible. He has cats so the place has to allow cats and it would be great if it has some kind of storage facilities.
Does anyone have any suggestions of any place that may fit this description, like an apartment complex that has low rent apartments? My friend isn't picky about the condition of the place or amenities. The only thing he really want to avoid is bad neighborhoods.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[chet everett]

Although I won't sugar the fact that Elgin is not the most desirable spot in the region the fact is that the bad rap it gets is more from perception and relative affluence of surrounding areas other than real crime / decay...

Even the parts of Elgin that oldest (near the river close to downtown) are not unsafe so much as just well past their peak that happened in the pre-WWII era when it was a "capital" of US watch making.

If your friend is willing to learn a Spanish he could probably fit an inexpensive unit in a "rooming house" type converted apartment.

More modern but still affordable spots are available closer to the highway too.