Relocating to Chicago very soon and need lots of help. (Lincoln: apartment, rentals)

[MaddieClaire]

Any information to share on Sargent & Lundy on Monroe Street, Chicago?
I'm offered a job at this company and pretty sure I'll take it.
I know nothing about Chicago, other than I've always wanted to live there.

I have no idea where to start looking for rentals and would appreciate any help you folks can give.

2 adults, no children or pets. A 2 bedroom 2 bath would be perfect for us. We prefer walking to work instead of driving, and I'm told the L train stops in the same block at Sargent and Lundy offices, so I guess we could basically live anywhere the L train runs??

We would like a comfortable neighborhood within walking distance of restaurants and some shopping if possible. We're basically easy to please and our main "wants" are a nice place to live where we feel safe having family come to visit.

I don't even know where to begin my search and sure could use your help!

Many thanks,
Maddie Claire

[knitgirl]

Budget?

[MaddieClaire]

I would really like to keep the budget around $2,000 per month.
Parking would be necessary.

Thanks so much!

I think one of the main things for us to consider is getting to and from work without driving. The office is located on E. Monroe St.

[Aleking]

Monroe cuts through the heart of the loop, so that opens up neighborhoods off any transit line, the popular recs. will be off the blue/red lines and included Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lake View, etc.

Parking will run 120-200 month which leaves a solid 1,800. For a 2/2, that will probably push you up to Lake View, go down to 2/1 and you can get something further south.

[MaddieClaire]

I can raise my rental budget to $2,500. if necessary. It would be nice living in an area with great views and things to do within walking distance.
We don't want to drive to work.

If you had your choice which area would you choose to live?

[Aleking]

Originally Posted by MaddieClaire

I can raise my rental budget to $2,500. if necessary. It would be nice living in an area with great views and things to do within walking distance.
We don't want to drive to work.

If you had your choice which area would you choose to live?

you won't have to walk to work.

Views to me means high-rise, options run from Lake View down through Lincoln Park, River North, Gold Cost, Streeterville.

If I had a 2500 a month budget, I'd rent a beautiful vintage apartment in the Lakewood Balmoral Historic District.

For you, look around River North.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by MaddieClaire

I can raise my rental budget to $2,500. if necessary. It would be nice living in an area with great views and things to do within walking distance.
We don't want to drive to work.

If you had your choice which area would you choose to live?

Pretty much with that budget, you can live anywhere in the City. There are a few buildings that would charge more than $2,500 for a 2bed/2bath+parking, but you'd be able to find something suitable in any neighborhood in the city for that price.

So, other than being able to take the "L" to work, what do you want out of a neighborhood? Artsy and eclectic? International in the fresh-off-the-boat working-class immigrant sense? International in the French diplomat and Swiss banker sense? Lots of trees and quiet streets? Highrises? Single family homes? Something in between? What kind of food do you like? What do you anticipate using your car for?

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by emathias

Pretty much with that budget, you can live anywhere in the City. There are a few buildings that would charge more than $2,500 for a 2bed/2bath+parking, but you'd be able to find something suitable in any neighborhood in the city for that price.

So, other than being able to take the "L" to work, what do you want out of a neighborhood? Artsy and eclectic? International in the fresh-off-the-boat working-class immigrant sense? International in the French diplomat and Swiss banker sense? Lots of trees and quiet streets? Highrises? Single family homes? Something in between? What kind of food do you like? What do you anticipate using your car for?

I agree. With 2500 yoiu can live anywhere in the City. I personally would pay less and live near public transit. But I don't like spending a lot on rent.

[MaddieClaire]

What we really want is a nice area where we don't have to worry so much about safety.
Being able to get to and from shopping, restaurants, museums, ball parks, parks and recreation, the zoo, and just all the nice things the city has to offer. We love to walk.

We would basically use our car for grocery shopping (if necessary) and traveling over to Indiana and Ohio to visit family.

Getting to and from work on Monroe St. will be a big factor - whether it's city transit, walking, or cabs, it's high on our list.
We're not use to snow and ice, and (trust me) you won't want us driving in your city. LOL

We love sports, theatre, and all kinds of food. We're in our early 40's.

Right now we live in Uptown Charlotte NC in a highrise. The football stadium is right behind us and the arts district beside us.
My office is 3 blocks away.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by MaddieClaire

What we really want is a nice area where we don't have to worry so much about safety.
Being able to get to and from shopping, restaurants, museums, ball parks, parks and recreation, the zoo, and just all the nice things the city has to offer. We love to walk.

We would basically use our car for grocery shopping (if necessary) and traveling over to Indiana and Ohio to visit family.

Getting to and from work on Monroe St. will be a big factor - whether it's city transit, walking, or cabs, it's high on our list.
We're not use to snow and ice, and (trust me) you won't want us driving in your city. LOL

We love sports, theatre, and all kinds of food. We're in our early 40's.

Right now we live in Uptown Charlotte NC in a highrise. The football stadium is right behind us and the arts district beside us.
My office is 3 blocks away.

I say start in Lincoln Park near an express bus or the L. Safe, nice, walkable, restaurants, bars, etc. It's a good starting place for an intro to Chicago.