Help Please : Moving to Chicago from Florida (Naperville, Arlington Heights: apartments, renters)

[lillykaruturi]

Hi all,

My husband got a job in chicago and we are planning to move from florida.
His work is in Downtown chicago (North chicago Avenue).
We are searching for an apt in areas where we have indian community and closest metra station for commute.
Through some research i heard Mount prospect in and around is good place.
Can someone please tell me some decent apartments in areas like mount prospect ,arlington heights and schaumburg which are close to metra(walkable distance to metra will be great)..

Thanks in advance..

[Vlajos]

How old are you? What besides Indians are you looking for? Why are you exclusively looking at suburbs?

If your husband is working on North Avenue, it may be difficult to get there from a metra ride.

[lillykaruturi]

Hi Vlajos

Downtown areas look expensive so i am looking at suburbs like Schaumburg,Naperville,Palatine apts closer to metra to commute..

[soulful]

Hi Lilly,

I don't know if you are aware there is a "Chicago Suburbs" forum. You have posted within the city of Chicago forum and I think you will receive better information about the suburban apartments if you post in the other forum. Good luck to you.

[Garfieldian]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

How old are you? What besides Indians are you looking for? Why are you exclusively looking at suburbs?

If your husband is working on North Avenue, it may be difficult to get there from a metra ride.

It looks like they are actually on North Chicago avenue. Which doesn't make sense, b/c Chicago Ave runs East/West... as does North Ave. I'm assuming she means Chicago Ave, as I don't really consider North ave Downtown... Actually Chicago ave is debatable whether it is downtown or not also... :P

If he is on North Ave, depending on location they could take UP-N line and a matching North Shore burb to North Clybourn. Or similar then just catch a taxi from Ogilsvie from other lines. If he is making big bucks then another 6 dollar cab ride isn't going to hurt him too much. Or a 20 minute walk from Ogilsvie. It can certainly be done and still save money over driving ya know.

[JBVirtuoso]

I think we need to straighten out a few things.

1. Is your husband working on North Avenue, or Chicago Avenue?

2. Are you looking to live in the city or the suburbs? There are a lot of city neighborhoods (not downtown) that are affordable and exciting places to live. Some of the suburbs you've mentioned can be just as expensive for renters as city neighborhoods.

3. Do you have children, or will schools be an issue in the future?

4. Why is the Metra all that necessary? It's really for commuting from the suburbs. The L will serve you well if you decide to live in the city. In fact, unless your husband is working in the Loop (from your description, I don't think he is), the Metra probably isn't going to get him there.

There is a sizable Indian community in West Ridge, a neighborhood on the far north side of the city. I believe some of the northern suburbs (Skokie, Morton Grove, etc.) also have Indian communities, but I have no personal knowledge of these.

[Garfieldian]

Originally Posted by JBVirtuoso

Some of the suburbs you've mentioned can be just as expensive for renters as city neighborhoods.

.

This is something often overlooked. Sure you can get *houses* cheaper in the suburbs, but renting a 1 or 2br apartment??? I've helped friends plenty of time looking for places and many.. MANY of the suburbs are significantly more expensive than even prime neighborhoods in Chicago. Probably just lack of availability.

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by Garfieldian

This is something often overlooked. Sure you can get *houses* cheaper in the suburbs, but renting a 1 or 2br apartment??? I've helped friends plenty of time looking for places and many.. MANY of the suburbs are significantly more expensive than even prime neighborhoods in Chicago. Probably just lack of availability.

Especially if you add commuting costs to the equation.

[Garfieldian]

Originally Posted by oakparkdude

Especially if you add commuting costs to the equation.

No doubt. Price any apartments in the North Shore burbs, or places like Schaumburg, Naperville, Wheaton, DG, Elk Grove, Arlington Heights, etc...They are usually just as or more expensive as working in Chicago. Virtually all of your West/Northwest and NorthShore burbs are going to be priced like that from what I have seen. When you save money is pricing say a 4br house out there. I think some of the south suburbs are priced reasonably, but then again you could probably downsize your place and lose the car into the city for more savings.

[mas23]

Originally Posted by soulful

Hi Lilly,

I don't know if you are aware there is a "Chicago Suburbs" forum. You have posted within the city of Chicago forum and I think you will receive better information about the suburban apartments if you post in the other forum. Good luck to you.

Agree, but the Suburbs forum is basically made up of the same posters in the City forum also...