Where should a 24 yrd old live if commuting to Hoffman Estates? (Chicago: apartment, for rent)

[Jacksonblue02]

I know this question has been asked many times in many different ways, but each persons situation is different.

I am an outgoing 24 year old young professional guy that is relocating to the Chicago area from Cleveland, Ohio. Right now i live downtown Cleveland and go out 2+ nights a week. I was hoping to find a great/fun place where there are a bunch of bars, social hang outs, and places to meet young fun professionals such as myself in the Chicago area without killing myself on a 1.45 minute commute. I hear Lincoln Park is IDEAL, but would be a very long commute to Hoffman Estates. What are reccomendations for a person that wants to play hard on the weekends, meet people out and about, while still having less than an average 1 hour commute each way (working 7:00-6:00)

Rent prices under $800/mo.

Thanks for your advice, I know it will help me in my move in 4 weeks.

[chet everett]

The commute is the somewhat unavoidable -- there have been a handful of these questions recently and some of the suggestions are to see in a commuter might work, live out that way and have some flexibility, find buddies to commute/car pool with, move to the areas of the City somewhat closer to the expressway and/or a little bit of a commute into the real heart of the Lincoln Park/ Lake view because for the morning commute every minute really makes the drive more doable. Evening commute is less time dependent and somewhat more certain to be a huge crush...

There are suburbs with significant numbers of younger people, but none have the unique circumstances of the Chicago's LP...

[sgresident]

i don't think it is the commute that will get in your way! I think it is what you can afford for rent. Since I am now old, and don't need the night life like when I was 24, why not the schaumburg area. There seems to be tons of bars, etc in that entire area. I have no clue about rents, but I would expect rents everywhere to be $1000 or higher.

[Drover]

Live as far west along the CTA Blue Line as you can -- near the Harlem or Cumberland station. That way you live past most of the expressway backup so it's more or less free cruising all the way out to Hoffman, yet you can hop on the Blue Line train and be in a nightlife spot in 30 minutes or less. The neighborhoods out there aren't terribly exciting, but that's the best compromise between what you want and what is practical.

[summer22]

Originally Posted by Drover

Live as far west along the CTA Blue Line as you can -- near the Harlem or Cumberland station. That way you live past most of the expressway backup so it's more or less free cruising all the way out to Hoffman, yet you can hop on the Blue Line train and be in a nightlife spot in 30 minutes or less. The neighborhoods out there aren't terribly exciting, but that's the best compromise between what you want and what is practical.

That's pretty good advice from Drover and I agree.

The neighborhood you live in will be kind of staid (a lot of polish, NW side longtime residents in typical chicago bungalows and 2-flats), but its the best choice for you. You're less than 30 minutes to Lakeview and LP, and you won't be stressed on the commute to work. It's a really good compromise.

As far as the neighborhood, there will be some 20-somethings and 30-somethings who either still live at their family home to save up, or moved into a local apartment or garden apartment, so you won't be completely alone or lonely even at the local groceries/bars/etc. If anything those kinds of friends are more real, and more reliable. They'll be a great contrast to the nightlife you'll enjoy in the city. And Polish people are very outgoing and do know how to party.

Side note is that I know someone in his mid-twenties from Cleveland who did the same thing and chose that Cumberland/I-90 area too. He's very happy with it.

[samma]

I don't think you'd be able to get a very good place in Lake View for $800. My best friend lives down there and when she was looking for places everything for a 1 bedroom was over $1,000 and closer to $1,200. I just went shoping in the burbs(Schaumburg, Palatine, Hoffman Estates and Arlington Heights) and you can find a studio or one bedroom for around $800, but then you have utilities and all that. You may want to look for a roommate. That way you'd get a nicer places for less. Most peoples are asking $550-$750 with utilities.

[juicycouture21]

Hi! I also just got a job in Hoffman Estates and will be moving there this summer. Where are the best hang out places for young professionals?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by juicycouture21

Hi! I also just got a job in Hoffman Estates and will be moving there this summer. Where are the best hang out places for young professionals?

Chicago?

Try the bar at Entourage in Schaumburg for that. Other than that I really cannot tell you and I do not know enough places out there for that kind of scene...