Relocating from Naperville to Wrigleyville, work in Lisle (Chicago, Lincoln: fit in, crime)

[boiler164]

Been in Naperville the past year and I hate it. There's very few single people here and the area is just boring as hell in my opinion.

I found a nice place in downtown Chicago, at Wrigleyville/Lakeview - the place is at Kenmore and Grace.

My only concern is my commute time, basically let me break down my schedule like this:

On Monday - Thursday I'm supposed to be at work from 8AM to 6PM, and I always hit the gym right after work so I'll be ready for my reverse commute at 7-8PM. This is a guarantee, I never miss workouts.

On Friday I usually leave for the gym at 5PM so I'll usually be leaving for my commute at 6-7PM.

I'm well aware that the evening commute shouldn't be much of a problem, but I'm more concerned with the morning commute - if I wake up at 5AM everyday and am out the door by 6AM, will I be guaranteed to make it to work by 8?

I can live with the commute because I assume the social life is worth it - I don't want to live my prime years (I'm 25 this July) in the suburbs with nothing to do.

[HarmanFox]

Originally Posted by boiler164

Been in Naperville the past year and I hate it. There's very few single people here and the area is just boring as hell in my opinion.

I found a nice place in downtown Chicago, at Wrigleyville/Lakeview - the place is at Kenmore and Grace.

My only concern is my commute time, basically let me break down my schedule like this:

On Monday - Thursday I'm supposed to be at work from 8AM to 6PM, and I always hit the gym right after work so I'll be ready for my reverse commute at 7-8PM. This is a guarantee, I never miss workouts.

On Friday I usually leave for the gym at 5PM so I'll usually be leaving for my commute at 6-7PM.

I'm well aware that the evening commute shouldn't be much of a problem, but I'm more concerned with the morning commute - if I wake up at 5AM everyday and am out the door by 6AM, will I be guaranteed to make it to work by 8?

I can live with the commute because I assume the social life is worth it - I don't want to live my prime years (I'm 25 this July) in the suburbs with nothing to do.

The area is ok for the most part. As others will probably tell you, the crime consist of drunken college frats and angry minority flash mobs. BTW avoid advice from marothisu. Guy doesn't know much when it comes to crime.

[boiler164]

Originally Posted by HarmanFox

The area is ok for the most part. As others will probably tell you, the crime consist of drunken college frats and angry minority flash mobs. BTW avoid advice from marothisu. Guy doesn't know much when it comes to crime.

So this place is for frat boys and minorities?

I'm an Indian guy who grew up here since I was 3, basically a white guy in a brown guy's body lol. I dress classy and work out, don't know if I'd fit in here not that I care about other's opinions, but I noticed in Naperville that I stand out like a sore thumb being a well dressed minority who doesn't fit the typical Indian mold seen here

[HarmanFox]

Originally Posted by boiler164

So this place is for frat boys and minorities?

I'm an Indian guy who grew up here since I was 3, basically a white guy in a brown guy's body lol. I dress classy and work out, don't know if I'd fit in here not that I care about other's opinions, but I noticed in Naperville that I stand out like a sore thumb being a well dressed minority who doesn't fit the typical Indian mold seen here

There's actually a very nice Indian community along a stretch of Devon Ave on the northside. Many of the businesses are ethnic Indian and is a very thriving community.

[Chicagoist123]

Originally Posted by boiler164

So this place is for frat boys and minorities?

I'm an Indian guy who grew up here since I was 3, basically a white guy in a brown guy's body lol. I dress classy and work out, don't know if I'd fit in here not that I care about other's opinions, but I noticed in Naperville that I stand out like a sore thumb being a well dressed minority who doesn't fit the typical Indian mold seen here

Please don't listen to Harman's advice. Click on his name and look at all his posts and you will see why.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by boiler164

Been in Naperville the past year and I hate it. There's very few single people here and the area is just boring as hell in my opinion.

I found a nice place in downtown Chicago, at Wrigleyville/Lakeview - the place is at Kenmore and Grace.

My only concern is my commute time, basically let me break down my schedule like this:

On Monday - Thursday I'm supposed to be at work from 8AM to 6PM, and I always hit the gym right after work so I'll be ready for my reverse commute at 7-8PM. This is a guarantee, I never miss workouts.

On Friday I usually leave for the gym at 5PM so I'll usually be leaving for my commute at 6-7PM.

I'm well aware that the evening commute shouldn't be much of a problem, but I'm more concerned with the morning commute - if I wake up at 5AM everyday and am out the door by 6AM, will I be guaranteed to make it to work by 8?

I can live with the commute because I assume the social life is worth it - I don't want to live my prime years (I'm 25 this July) in the suburbs with nothing to do.

As long as your expectations are accurately set, yes you can do this.

You can probably leave by 6:30 am and be okay for 8 am. Just take Lake Shore to lower wacker to the Ike.

[boiler164]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

As long as your expectations are accurately set, yes you can do this.

You can probably leave by 6:30 am and be okay for 8 am. Just take Lake Shore to lower wacker to the Ike.

Do you have any idea how bad my gas mileage would be doing this? Typically my 2009 Camry gives 280 miles per tank in Naperville and 550-600 miles per tank when I'm only on the highway with minimal stops.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by boiler164

Do you have any idea how bad my gas mileage would be doing this? Typically my 2009 Camry gives 280 miles per tank in Naperville and 550-600 miles per tank when I'm only on the highway with minimal stops.

There's a best western on Broadway in East Lakeview, near to where you are looking. Maybe it would be worth it to stay there one night to get an idea of travel times in the morning or evening.

Otherwise, I would definitely recommend the West Loop. It will shave 20-40 minutes off your commute, while also giving you the social/nightlife aspects of the city that you are looking for.

[boiler164]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

There's a best western on Broadway in East Lakeview, near to where you are looking. Maybe it would be worth it to stay there one night to get an idea of travel times in the morning or evening.

Otherwise, I would definitely recommend the West Loop. It will shave 20-40 minutes off your commute, while also giving you the social/nightlife aspects of the city that you are looking for.

Sorry aboit my last post, worded it wrong and it sounds a bit harsh, not what I meant to convey.

That said, I'm not finding many places to live in the west loop on craigslist. I wonder if its more expensive because of its convenience factor.

[marothisu]

Kenmore/Grace is a good location for your in Chicago stuff IMO. It's near the Sheridan red line stop. A few years ago there used to be a gang-run club near there I think, but now I believe it's gone. Going west there onto Clark you have a bunch of bars of course since this is the very top part of Wrigleyville (there's a decent one at the corner of Irving Park and Sheridan called Holiday Club. Different feel than the Wrigleyville bars, but it's laid back there. They serve food too).

It's a long haul to Lisle from there, but at 6am or 6:30am, the roads and interstate is pretty clear. I'd say if you get to the freeway from there by 6:30am you should still be fine. Depending on how fast you go, I bet your average time to Lisle in clear traffic is around 40-45 minutes.


If you do want a more convenient location if you do think it'll be a problem, then West Loop as someone else suggested is okay. I would also maybe suggest Wicker Park. There is a lot going on there of all sorts, big time night life too. If you want to get to Lincoln Park or Wrigleyville/Lakeview from there via public transit, you can take a bus easterly to a red line station at either North Avenue or Division and then it's a few stops to Lincoln Park or Lakeview from there.


Overall though, I think if you do leave by 6am, you'll be fine, especially since you go to the gym in Lisle and come back at 7pm or 8pm most nights. The only thing I would be "worried" about is the parking in these areas. It's mainly zone parking on the street, so it can be a little competitive in areas. I'm not sure how the Kenmore/Grace area is about parking, but I'd imagine it's competitive. At 7pm or 8pm, I'll bet there's not much left, but I don't know 100%. I would look into private space parking if the building you go to has it. It might be an extra $100-$200 though (unless you get lucky and they include it with your rent).