Young and recently move to chicago?? (Lincoln, Roscoe: apartments, neighborhood, live in)

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by grapico

that is what i was thinking, you could live it up with roommates on 25K and up quite easily...you won't be putting away a lot of money but surely you can live here...

Back in the 90s, I was a grad student living on less than 14k/year in Hyde Park. I had a cheap car, a studio apartment, and a great night life. Granted, my car was paid off, parents covered auto insurance, and rents were lower back then, but still, entry level jobs for college grads will pay at least double if not triple what I was living on.

[stephei2000]

Originally Posted by srs46

Hi, If you are young (Early 20's) and have recently moved to chicago, what have been your experiences adjusting????... Im from Buffalo, and soon to be moving to the windy city and I am extremely curious as to what New Chicagoians thoughts are... Have you had a hard time meeting new friends, or finding new dates?? Hows the night life, food, people, city, etc, etc., what is your observations?? General views??? Thanks in advance....

If your white and yuppie. It will be great if not good luck otherwise

[urza216]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

but still, entry level jobs for college grads will pay at least double if not triple what I was living on.

Huh? I know college grads who work at grocery stores and fast food restaurants.. Times have gotten harder not easier.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by chicago103

I don't know why so many people on this forum think it takes tons and tons of money to do anything in the city. I mean people on here talk as if a single person making $40K a year makes you a bum slacker that will be forced to live in a cardboard box under Wacker Drive, I mean come on. In this economy making that kind of money as a young person is quite good actually.

True, for that kind of money he should be able to afford a cardboard box under Michigan Avenue.

[srs46]

Is chicago really expensive??

[chitown85]

It is much more reasonably priced than the NE cities like NYC, Boston, DC, and then SF. If you live in a penthouse apartment downtown, it's expensive. But the same type of apartment in NYC costs a lot less in Chicago.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by srs46

Is chicago really expensive??

Compared to where?

[aragx6]

I agree that living in the city is better if you're poor than the suburbs, but there are much cheaper cities too than Chicago. For $400-500/month you could get a totally decent apartment of your own in the smaller midwestern cities.

[bostonguy1960]

Can't answer your topic question, but as far as rents, a glance on Craigslist in recent years has me salivating at Chicago's "cheap " rents vs. Boston's.

Basic studios seem to abound from $550 (parts of Rogers Park?) to $750 in cooler areas. Of course, luxury studios are higher. In Boston, it's $975+ at least for an older studio downtown (not the hippest area, either, but student ghettos).

[grapico]

Originally Posted by bostonguy1960

Can't answer your topic question, but as far as rents, a glance on Craigslist in recent years has me salivating at Chicago's "cheap " rents vs. Boston's.

Basic studios seem to abound from $550 (parts of Rogers Park?) to $750 in cooler areas. Of course, luxury studios are higher. In Boston, it's $975+ at least for an older studio downtown (not the hippest area, either, but student ghettos).

You don't want those 550 studios... they are in a "ghetto" area also. Not a student ghetto, more like a Black P Stone ghetto. Expect to pay about 700 for a "decent" studio, 900 for a 1br and 1200 for a 2br. These will not get you into say Gold Coast/Lincoln Park/Lake view either. Possibly more like Lincoln Square/Bucktown, Ukranian Village. The better areas of Rogers Park around Loyola and near Sheridan aren't priced *that* much lower I would be extremely skeptical about a 550 studio.