Lincoln Square to Evanston on CTA? (Chicago, Union: apartments, to rent, condos)

[dirice87]

I looked through a couple of threads, and have read that it is possible to take the purple line from LS to Evanston. But I also read that LS only has a Brown line stop, and the Ravenswood purple line stop is closed. Even if that isn't the case, will the purple line stop at LS at rush hour/express times? I'm asking because I'd rather not buy a metra pass, and stick with a CTA unlimited as I'll be traveling around the Loop as well. Thanks!

EDIT: Also, do you guys recommend an apartment finder service, or do something like look up property management reviews on Yelp? If any LS or Ravenswood people would like to shoot a landlord recommendation, I'm all ears.

[MannheimMadman]

You could always hop on the brown line at Western/Rockwell and transfer to the red/purple at belmont.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by dirice87

I looked through a couple of threads, and have read that it is possible to take the purple line from LS to Evanston. But I also read that LS only has a Brown line stop, and the Ravenswood purple line stop is closed. Even if that isn't the case, will the purple line stop at LS at rush hour/express times? I'm asking because I'd rather not buy a metra pass, and stick with a CTA unlimited as I'll be traveling around the Loop as well. Thanks!

EDIT: Also, do you guys recommend an apartment finder service, or do something like look up property management reviews on Yelp? If any LS or Ravenswood people would like to shoot a landlord recommendation, I'm all ears.

I don't mean to be rude, but try looking at a map next time before you post so that you at least have some idea of how absurd your statements are.

Lincoln PARK has several Purple Line Express stops. Lincoln SQUARE has zero Purple Line Express stops (never has, as the Purple Line tracks don't even come close to the Lincoln SQUARE area).

Also, the Purple Line Express is a weekday rush hour only line - the last train south from Evanston leaves before 7pm. When the Express doesn't run, the non-express Purple Line ends at Howard where you can transfer to the Red Line to continue south.

So figure out what neighborhood you're actually talking about, then look at a map (or several), THEN make another post there if you still have questions.

[SJaye]

Depending on where in Lincoln Square you live and where in Evanston you are commuting to, CTA #93 (California/ Dodge) may take you where you need to go, but I can't picture it being all that fast. IF you live near the Brown line, during rush hour your best bet is the brown line to Belmont/ Purple line express. Other times of day, you are better off taking either the Foster or Lawrence bus (depending on where you live) to the red line- purple line. To be honest, a lot depends on where you live/ what time of day you do your commuting.

As much of a pain as it is, I would buy a METRA pass and convert CTA pass to pay-per ride (unless your job is nowhere near the three Evanston METRA stations). The commute to Evanston from the Ravenswood stop is only 10 minutes on METRA. Any of the routes listed above would easily take you 30. It's just simply the best way to get from Ravenswood/LS to Evanston. You can economize METRA by buying a 10-ride, which would only cost $20 from Zone B to Zone C ($2 per ride).

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by MannheimMadman

You could always hop on the brown line at Western/Rockwell and transfer to the red/purple at belmont.

That is the best way-especially when it is snowing out.

[SonySegaTendo617]

If you're talking about this sort of commute, why don't you just take the #81 Lawrence bus east to the Ravenswood Metra stop, then take a Union Pacific North train to any of Evanston's 3 stops? It's a lot fregging quicker than doing a Brown to Purple Line/Evanston Express commute, that's for sure.

And of course, get the appropriate Metra pass(whether it's a 10 ride, monthly, etc.) for however often you'll do this commute from Lincoln Square. As for the #93 California/Dodge, it usually runs pretty well when you can catch it running. I've taken it before to go north into Evanston(and also once, when I wanted a quick way to go to West Ridge from downtown Evanston), and've never had any probs using the #93. Just remember that #93 service ends at something like 9pm-9:30 on weekdays, something like 7:00-7:30pm on Saturdays, and that there's NO SERVICE at all on Sundays/Holidays. And obviously, won't be as fast as the #81 to Metra, but what could beat this fast commute anyway?

[dirice87]

Also, do you guys recommend an apartment finder service, or do something like look up property management reviews on Yelp? If any LS or Ravenswood people would like to shoot a landlord recommendation, I'm all ears.

[slow_nerve_action]

Originally Posted by dirice87

Also, do you guys recommend an apartment finder service, or do something like look up property management reviews on Yelp? If any LS or Ravenswood people would like to shoot a landlord recommendation, I'm all ears.

To tell you the truth, right now the Chicago Reader is the best place to start. The quality of apartments on there seems a bit better than Craigslist.

You will find with the apartment finder services, they are often staffed with kids that really don't know the Lincoln Square area...and in the case of one service, will try to tell you how bad it is up there, and you should look at this place they have just on the west edge of Logan Square.

And, due to the nature of the Lincoln Square neighborhood, just walk around, and start calling numbers. Some epople like the Square, others want the more quiet neighborhoods a couple blocks away. Lots of little landlords, and people looking to rent out their condos, and aren't going through services. From my daily travels, there seems to be a lot available.