Where's a very decent 1 br for around $1500/mo. total in the city? (Chicago: apartment complexes, rental)

[Caldus]

I'm letting my lease run out on my current place in Lakeview. I work downtown in the Merchandise Mart. Where can I find a really decent 1 bedroom for around $1500/mo (this includes everything -- rent, utilities, other monthly fees that might be tacked on, etc.)? Features I'm looking for:

- Close to work.
- Close to groceries, CVS, maybe a few restaurants and bars (don't need to be in the middle of the action)
- Modern kitchen (granite counter tops should be expected if you're paying this much $ in my opinion), dishwasher
- Central AC/heat
- Private balcony or rooftop deck with awesome city view
- Modern bathroom
- Fitness center in building
- Laundry room in building
- No dealing with pressuring/dishonesty with the rental agent (probably wishful thinking!)
- I'm in my mid-20's so don't want to live with a bunch of older people (no offense!)

I was looking around in River North initially (because that's the area I work in) and kept dealing with very sleazy and dishonest rental agents pressuring me to sign leases for some mid-rise or high-rise apartment. Then I considered other areas I would not have considered before such as River West, West Loop, South Loop, Old Town, etc. Everything I find is too pricey for what it offers. Am I still being too unrealistic in finding what I want for this price range? Anyone recommend any particular mid-rise/high-rise or other apartment complexes?

[sydbarrett]

Haven't you made a thread like this before?

[Aleking]

If you want a fully loaded apartment like that plus utilities $1,500 won't cut it unless you push out further from downtown.

[Jandur]

West Loop/River West should fall within that price rang.

[Caldus]

Originally Posted by sydbarrett

Haven't you made a thread like this before?

Yes, but this time I'm looking for suggestions for particular apartment/high-rise complexes.

Originally Posted by Jandur

West Loop/River West should fall within that price rang.

Any particular places in that area?

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by Caldus

Yes, but this time I'm looking for suggestions for particular apartment/high-rise complexes.



Any particular places in that area?

I don't really known any building names. Craigslist has a decent amount of listings though.

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by Jandur

I don't really known any building names. Craigslist has a decent amount of listings though.

Craigslist is useless for finding apartments now and is loaded with spam from the type of shady characters (rental agents) he's trying to avoid.

[Jandur]

Originally Posted by Aleking

Craigslist is useless for finding apartments now and is loaded with spam from the type of shady characters (rental agents) he's trying to avoid.

To a degree. But if you aren't using CL, Chicago Reader or some equivalent it's going to be difficult. You just need to sort through the crap and find the good stuff. I found my place on CL without much of an issue.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Jandur

To a degree. But if you aren't using CL, Chicago Reader or some equivalent it's going to be difficult. You just need to sort through the crap and find the good stuff. I found my place on CL without much of an issue.

I agree with this. Finding a place on craigslist takes more work now than it used to, but it's still very doable. And the "spam" on that site is pretty easy to spot most of the time.

[soulful]

You can find this in East Lakeview if you rent a condo. I've seen some at 3550 LSD for 1200 to 1300. Often listed on craigslist or even realtor.com through MLS.
They have a great fitness center and great rooftop deck. There are other highrise condo buildings in the area that you may find listed also.