Moving from Milwaukee to Chicago (I have some concerns) (2007)

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by michelle29

I am a 29 year old woman moving by myself to Chicago around April (March is too cold and the roads) and I have a couple of questions.

Since I'm moving by myself, could someone suggest a good neighborhood that's relatively safe.

I don't know many people in Chicago and I heard crime is kind of high but I want to rent an apartment in an new neighborhood where I can fend for myself better.

Also I make around 30000 a year, is there a safe, kind of inexpensive neighborhood that fits my profile?

Thank you for your responses.

Michelle

I saw your posting on the Milwaukee board. You were concerned about crime in Milwaukee. I've lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. For someone making 30k, I'd say stay in the east side of Milwaukee. Chicago is just too expensive. You won't be able to afford Lincoln Park, Lake View or Wrigleyville. Yes Milwaukee is slipping, but the East Side is Great. If you were making 70k, then I'd consider the move. But you're not.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Michelle

I saw your posting on the Milwaukee board. You were concerned about crime in Milwaukee. I've lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. For someone making 30k, I'd say stay in the east side of Milwaukee. Chicago is just too expensive. You won't be able to afford Lincoln Park, Lake View or Wrigleyville. Yes Milwaukee is slipping, but the East Side is Great. If you were making 70k, then I'd consider the move. But you're not.

I lived just fine in Chicago (Lincoln Square) when I was making 31K when I first moved here. It's plenty doable.

[Chicago60614]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Michelle

I saw your posting on the Milwaukee board. You were concerned about crime in Milwaukee. I've lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. For someone making 30k, I'd say stay in the east side of Milwaukee. Chicago is just too expensive. You won't be able to afford Lincoln Park, Lake View or Wrigleyville. Yes Milwaukee is slipping, but the East Side is Great. If you were making 70k, then I'd consider the move. But you're not.

I lived in Chicago on $39K for a few years and did FINE. I went out multiple times a week, had a car(which I finally ditched and saved a lot), took 5-6 trips a year via airplane that cost a ton.

$30K in Chicago is rough, but definitely doable if you just budget yourself and don't think you can go crazy with the going out and eating out.

[southwest1230]

Sounds like you might be moving out of the house for the first time.....that might be more of an issue than Chicago itself, re making new friends and being away from family and all. If thats the case, you certainly wont be too far away. And 30K might be a
tough nut to crack in any decent area in Chicago, depending on if you wanted to go out and do things on anything approaching a regular basis/go out to eat. You will save money by not driving, but now that they are jacking up the CTA prices, maybe not so much as before. Per 30K areas, that would exclude most of the north side, if you plan on not rooming with anyone. It's stil doable on the north side if you get a studio for like
600 a month or so, but you may feel bad not being able to do anything while so much is going on around you. Again, jogging is free, along with the parks. I recommend rooming with someone on craigslist, so you have a few bucks left to do a few things.

[michelle29]

Originally Posted by jessiegirl_98

You need to figure out what your budget is for rent. Exactly how much per month do you want to spend?

the most I will pay is 750 but it has to include rent

Originally Posted by quickdraw

Michelle

I saw your posting on the Milwaukee board. You were concerned about crime in Milwaukee. I've lived in Milwaukee and Chicago. For someone making 30k, I'd say stay in the east side of Milwaukee. Chicago is just too expensive. You won't be able to afford Lincoln Park, Lake View or Wrigleyville. Yes Milwaukee is slipping, but the East Side is Great. If you were making 70k, then I'd consider the move. But you're not.

I'm looking toward the south side after reading this board. I lived on the East Side of Milwaukee for 3 years and those were some of the best years of my life staying on that side of town but the rest of Milwaukee is turning into a gutter.

do you think it would be possible to live in Chicago while making 30k a year and go to school? I only need like one more year.

Also I make 30k here in Milwaukee but wouldn't that be more in Chicago because the cost of living is higher?

[michelle29]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBredChicagoan

I lived just fine in Chicago (Lincoln Square) when I was making 31K when I first moved here. It's plenty doable.

Thank gawd! I needed to see this post. As long as I see it's doable.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

You're looking to spend under 750 on everything? If you have a roommate, that's a snap. You can find studios for under 600 if you look in the right spot. I will say that living in Chicago, going to school, and getting by on under 30 grand would be REALLY tight without a roommate. Possible. Just tight.

After reading this board you're looking toward the South Side????

What posts did you read?

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by michelle29

I'm looking toward the south side after reading this board.

You're gonna wish you stayed on Milwaukee's east side if you head to Chicago's South side.

[Lookout Kid]

I moved to Chicago from Milwaukee's East Side when I was 28, and probably made about $36,000 at the time. It was tough, but I did find a roommate, and that helped considerably.

I would DEFINITELY avoid any South Side neighbohrood if you're a single girl. Edgewater and Rogers Park are a little bit rough in some spots, but much safer than 90% of the South Side. You could afford great appartments there. But the safest inexpensive neighborhoods are on the Northwest side. They're just a bit dull. If I were you, I'd find a roommate on Craigslist and live in Lakeview without a car. You'll have the most fun that way.

[Napoleon357]

Originally Posted by via chicago

come on, you're coming from milwaukee and you're worried about the crime in chicago?

lmao