Moving to Chicago - where to live? (Evanston, Oak Lawn: apartment, rentals)

[English_Rich]

Hello All.

I'm being transferred through work from London, UK to Chicago, and need some advice on where to live. Having lived in London for 8 years, I feel I don't need to be in the thick of inner-city life, so looking for a nice suburb, but one that has character and isn't just rows of residential properties with a mall a couple of miles away - a place with nice bars, restaurants, a community, and I won't feel like I'm about to get stabbed every time I step out after dark.

It needs to be on the South-side, as I will be making frequent trips to St Louis, and will need to be close to a metra link in to down town. Budget would be around $1,500/month rent - looking for somewhere nice rather than big.

I hope I'm not asking too much of your wonderful city. All ideas welcomed!

Thanks,

Rich

[chet everett]

No, it does NOT need to be on the "south side" as Metra service from ALL the 'burbs (north, west or south) pretty much goes to either Oglivie or Union Station, a few blocks apart, and from there you can take then take Amtrak to St. Louis or take the El to O'Hare or Midway for a flight.

I sorta understand your desire for a 'quieter' area, but that does not need to be a suburb -- plenty or fairly quite neighborhoods in Chicago itself, many of which also are a nice commute via Metra or CTA to the Loop. Further some of those City neighborhoods have a nice mix of bars, restaurants, and community. Very few places in Chicago will have you fearing for your safety...

If you do not have kids I would tend to steer you toward the City. If you do, and the currently or will soon need schools I would direct you to the suburbs, not just becuase of quality issues, but becuase the City does not make it easy to navigate the school process and the odds of getting into one the small number of highly desirable school in Chicago is difficult.

Really there are far nicer opportunities for a single or even childless couple in Chicago than pretty much any suburb.

[Avengerfire]

I hate to say it, but downtown Evanston might be perfect for this guy.

[ToriaT]

I agree Evanston would be a great place. Forget the south side.

[SloopyJ]

It's not clear if you'll be driving or riding a train to St. Louis, but if you will be driving you might be wise to consider somewhere with easier access to I-55 than Evanston or many north side neighborhoods would provide. The South Loop neighborhood in Chicago would be a good choice if you'd consider living in the city; if not, maybe La Grange.

Don't know how familiar you are with Chicago, but it doesn't approach the hustle and bustle of London. Even living downtown you would probably feel it a step down in pace from what you're used to.

[chet everett]

If the OP wants to DRIVE to St. Louis being close to I-55, as would be the case in many of the western and SW burbs, would be way more convenient than Evanston.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by English_Rich

Hello All.

I'm being transferred through work from London, UK to Chicago, and need some advice on where to live. Having lived in London for 8 years, I feel I don't need to be in the thick of inner-city life, so looking for a nice suburb, but one that has character and isn't just rows of residential properties with a mall a couple of miles away - a place with nice bars, restaurants, a community, and I won't feel like I'm about to get stabbed every time I step out after dark.

It needs to be on the South-side, as I will be making frequent trips to St Louis, and will need to be close to a metra link in to down town. Budget would be around $1,500/month rent - looking for somewhere nice rather than big.

I hope I'm not asking too much of your wonderful city. All ideas welcomed!

Thanks,

Rich

Don't let 'em spook 'ya about the south side. Beverly is a nice south side neighborhood and the Metra runs through it (Rock Island line with several stops between 91st and 107th). The inner-ring suburbs of Evergreen Park and Oak Lawn to the direct west of Beverly are also decent and worth a look.

If you want to be a little further north and closer to the Loop, the Metra's BNSF line runs right through Berwyn and Riverside. It's only a 15 or so minute ride to the Loop. Riverside isn't popularly known for rentals but, like Berwyn, there are plenty of nice vintage apartment buildings there right along the Metra line. These towns are also only a few minutes away from I-55, which will take you directly to St. Louis, whereas it would be a little more time consuming to get there from Beverly/Evergreen Park/Oak Lawn.

Here's the Metra system map.

Metra - Metra System Map

[bulldawg1594]

maybe like oak park. or joliet

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by chet everett

If the OP wants to DRIVE to St. Louis being close to I-55, as would be the case in many of the western and SW burbs, would be way more convenient than Evanston.

Chet L.S.D. to 55 is easy...

[Lookout Kid]

There are some nice burbs near I-55 as well, like La Grange, Western Springs, and Hinsdale. But if this guy wants more action, why not Oak Park? You can still get to I-55 pretty easily from there.

But yeah, the western suburbs along I-55 are more convenient to St. Louis than the southern suburbs--and are generally nicer places to live with a few notable exceptions. And anything near Lakeshore Drive (including much of the North Side of the city) gives easy access to I-55 as well--as Avengerfire mentioned.