Moving from NYC to Chicago (Lincoln, Manhattan: sales, apartments, job market)

[Tribeca]

My wife and I are possibly moving to Chicago from NYC within the next few months and I was hoping for some help. I've never spent time in Chicago and would be looking for a great neighborhood with many bars and restaurants nearby. We're both in our mid-30's and make good salaries. We're also not huge fans of the cold weather so would like to be somewhere we can get around in the winter months with good place nearby. Can someone suggest neighborhoods that fit that description?

Also, we currently live in a luxury building in NYC. Can you get a 2 bedroom / 2 bath for $1,500 to $2,000? Does anyone know a website with a list of luxury buildings in Chicago.

What % of taxes get taken out in Chicago? Sorry, I've got a million questions. Any help would be much appreciated.

[oakparkdude]

Illinois has a flat 3% income tax. Chicago sales tax is 9%. No city income tax. In the MOST expensive part of town, a 2 bed/2 bath will cost you around 2K. Its easy to get a 2 bed/2 bath less than 2K in other (still nice) neighborhoods.

No neighborhood in Chicago approaches the population density of Manhattan. That being said, the highest population density is along the north lakefront. Rents decrease the further away from downtown (the loop).

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

No neighborhood in Chicago approaches the population density of Manhattan.

Im pretty sure there are some areas on the north side that are even denser than manhattan in terms of residential (i.e. lakeshore east, streeterville). as a whole manhattan obviously wins.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Tribeca

We're also not huge fans of the cold weather so would like to be somewhere we can get around in the winter months with good place nearby.

If you can survive NYC's winters, youll get along here just fine.

[desibear]

Don't know of a website that lists only luxury buildings but the neighborhoods that sound like they may work for you are southern section of Gold Coast and eastern half of River North. Zip codes to begin your search for are 60610 and 60611. A 2/2 in these locales in a highrise could easily go past $2500 per month and parking might be additional but you'd have a host of amenities, such as a gym, heated pool, dry cleaners, theater room, doormen, valets, etc., etc.

[jessiegirl_98]

Gold coast is a good place to start. You can search on this forum, as well as general searches. I lived at 1 W Superior and it was really nice, but 2000 is a little low for 2 bed/2 bath in the Gold Coast. Also look in Lincoln Park, Lakeview. You can get a really nice place for that amount and there is a lot in walking distance. Where will you be working?

[Tribeca]

Thanks for the replies. I'll be working in the 60611 area code (is that Gold Coast?).

[jessiegirl_98]

That is more Lincoln Park than the Gold Coast. There are a lot of nice high rises on the lake, if high rises are what you want. You can get really nice apartments for that amount that aren't in high rises, if you dont' care about amenities.

[elaopari]

Hi everyone,
i have a question about moving to Chicago from NYC. I want to move to Chicago in the next two to three months, and I was wondering if any of you could give me some advise on the job market? How are the salaries compared to NY salaries? are they the same or they tend to go lower?

[doublesuited77]

Originally Posted by elaopari

Hi everyone,
i have a question about moving to Chicago from NYC. I want to move to Chicago in the next two to three months, and I was wondering if any of you could give me some advise on the job market? How are the salaries compared to NY salaries? are they the same or they tend to go lower?

what industry are you in?