Help please (Chicago, Lincoln, Phoenix: rent, student loans, neighborhoods)

[SouthCity085]

Hi, I have to make a decision soon on a job. I've been out of college for almost 2 years now, currently working in Missouri. I got interview for a job in Chicago, starting at $55,000...im 24 and would like to live in a area with people that are my age (21-30)....can i do that on 55k a year? and if yes, any suggestions on where to look?

thanks

[Avengerfire]

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...tart-here.html

[chitown85]

You will survive quite well on $55K a year in Chicago as a 24 year old. If you work in the Loop or downtown, you have the most choices to live amongst people your age. The neighborhoods to look at are Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Bucktown, Wicker Park, the West Loop, and the South Loop. One bedrooms in these neighborhoods range from $900- $1800 per month, with most on the cheaper end of things. Studios can be even less. Parking is generally extra, but still affordable. Where are you working?

[Jandur]

Yes you can. I know plenty of single people that live pretty comfortably on less. 55k/yr is about 3k a month takehome. If you rent for for 1k, pay misc bills, student loans etc, you can still have an extra 1000-1500 a month to pocket/spend. It's more than enough.

[SouthCity085]

Originally Posted by chitown85

You will survive quite well on $55K a year in Chicago as a 24 year old. If you work in the Loop or downtown, you have the most choices to live amongst people your age. The neighborhoods to look at are Wrigleyville, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Old Town, Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Bucktown, Wicker Park, the West Loop, and the South Loop. One bedrooms in these neighborhoods range from $900- $1800 per month, with most on the cheaper end of things. Studios can be even less. Parking is generally extra, but still affordable. Where are you working?

Work is at Sears Tower ( i know its Willis now but whatever ) Ive been to Chicago a lot, mostly for the Cards vs Cubs yes i am a Cardinals fan, so i like the Wrigleyville area...

Would you guys recommended living a car behind?

[SouthCity085]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

//www.city-data.com/forum/chica...tart-here.html

i apologize, should have looked around before i posted.
thats a great thread, a lot of information, thanks!

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by SouthCity085

i apologize, should have looked around before i posted.
thats a great thread, a lot of information, thanks!

It is ok.I was just pointing it out to you. I know there are a few threads in it that will help you right now. The thread is not done yet,but in the future it will have much more info.

[SouthCity085]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

It is ok.I was just pointing it out to you. I know there are a few threads in it that will help you right now. The thread is not done yet,but in the future it will have much more info.

maybe something on fitness? gyms? running/biking trails?

[chitown85]

$55K a year is closer to $3500 a month take home, which is even better for you. If you like Wrigleyville, nice one bedrooms can be found for $900 a month. Parking might be $50 extra a month, or if you live on a quiet street, just park on the street with a city sticker. I would recommend taking the vehicle to Chicago. If you need to head out to a shopping mall like Old Orchard in the suburbs, the car makes things easier. If you need to buy a ton of groceries, the car makes it easier. Plus if you need to go to another neighborhood that isn't on the L line near where you live, why go into the Loop to head back out to Wicker Park or Portage Park.

Plenty of gyms in Wrigleyville, all have specials. In the warmer months, people run outside or on the Lake at various points. Not sure of biking trails in the city, but there are a few Forest Preserves both in and just outside the city. Chicago isn't a huge outdoorsy city like Denver and Phoenix.

[Drover]

Parking $50 a month in Wrigleyville? Triple that and you're in the ballpark (pardon the pun).

Also, Old Town, Gold Coast, River North and Streeterville aren't the best places to find 20-somethings. Residents in these places tend to be older, 30s to 50s.