Graduate student new to Chicago in August (Nashville, Campus: apartment, to rent)

[eddymc2]

I'll start grad school at Loyola (Lake Shore campus) in August and I don't know a lot about Chicago, besides the stereotypical stuff; I've never actually been to Chicago. I was wondering if anyone could suggest a relatively safe, cheap (for a student, so cheaper if possible) area to live that is close enough to the campus.

[marothisu]

The area the campus is in is not cheap...what is your definition of cheap?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by marothisu

The area the campus is in is not cheap...what is your definition of cheap?

Lakeshore campus is in Rogers Park...

[eddymc2]

Originally Posted by marothisu

The area the campus is in is not cheap...what is your definition of cheap?

Wishful thinking maybe, but $500 a month wouldn't be bad at all.

[eddymc2]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Lakeshore campus is in Rogers Park...

I've heard only frightening things about Rogers Park and violent crime[s].

[knitgirl]

Originally Posted by eddymc2

I've heard only frightening things about Rogers Park and violent crime[s].

OMG. What on earth do you think is going to happen to you?! If you're going to be a grad student then use those skills and do some real research and not just listen to word of mouth. http://www.census.gov/compendia/stat...es/12s0309.pdf. Murder, robbery and assault rates in Memphis were higher than in Chicago in 2009. Murder and robery were lower in Nashville, but assault was higher. Rapes were not included for Chicago because the data collection methodology does not comply with the guidelines used.

Rogers Park isn't the best part of the city, but it's far from the worst. The Chicago Police Department generally has a pretty good presence around university campuses.

[jgardener]

The Loyola Campus and the parts of Rogers Park and Edgewater are relatively safe. Police prescence is high as mentioned by knitgirl, accompanied by significant numbers of Loyola Security and emergency call boxes located throughout the campus and surrounding neighborhood.

Besides the large number of students in the areas around the area, there are plenty of white collar professionals and retired people who choose to live in Edgewater and Rogers Park. You should be able to rent a studio apartment nearby in the $600-$750 range; size and condition will alter the price. Do a google search of any potential apartment address and property management company to check for bed bug infestations. Over the last few years, they've become more of a problem in Edgewater and Rogers Park (buy a bed bug cover for your mattress ).

Overall, it is a pretty decent area: good lake access, a good selection of restaurants and shops, and close to public transportation. Good Luck!

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Lakeshore campus is in Rogers Park...

Whoops...thought it said "Lake Shore Drive" campus. LOL. Nevermind. Yes, Rogers Park area is not expensive.

OP look into Edgewater maybe. $500 is pretty low for a normal part of Chicago to be living on your own, so you'll basically need roommates if you want to keep it at that and close to Loyola..

And Rogers Park "frightening?" No. There's crime there in parts for sure, but it's far from frightening or the worst part of town. Just watch your back like you would in any part of any big city in the world, don't join a gang, and if you're a drug user...be careful with whom you associate with... Most violent crime in Chicago is gang on gang or drug trade related.

[eddymc2]

Thanks all. To knitgirl, this is part of that research. I figured I'd ask people who lived there.

[eddymc2]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Just watch your back like you would in any part of any big city in the world...

Haha, thanks! I grew up in Lagos, Nigeria so I start to get the feeling I'll be alright.