Middle age gay male moving to <somewhere> in Chicago (Berwyn: apartment, rent)

[djsj]

Interested in getting some other perspectives...

Heres the deal, I grew up in the Chicagoland area but during college and afterwords, have lived away from the area. I fell in love with Chicago when I was a kid and have always wanted to live there (i.e. downtown) except maybe for the cold winters!. I always pictured myself living there in a high rise with a lake view or maybe somewhere around Lincoln Park or the Lakeview area/boystown area. I still enjoy the nightlife once in a while and would like to socialize more, enjoy the food and culture and energy of Chicago in general.

Recently a couple of things are changing making it easier for me to relocate and instantly I thought I was a great time to do just that. Then it hit me, i'm almost 45 now...maybe i'm too old for the Lincoln Park/LakeView/Boystown area?

What do you think? If not those areas, what would be a better 'fit' (more age appropriate)?

[Bluefox]

Andersonville / Edgewater seems like it fits the bill.

[mjtinmemphis]

It depends on what your looking for.

Only reason I could see living in Lakeview as gay man is for the clubs. I personally don't like the area. Andersonville seems to be popular now a long with Irving Park and Edgewater. All recommendations are without the drunken mess called Lakeview.

If your looking for high rise type of community, check out some of the neighborhoods around downtown like South Loop, West Loop, River North and Gold Coast.

Perhaps if you could post information about price point, purchase or rent, type of amenities, commuting preferences and family status (moving with children).

[djsj]

Thanks and Thanks for the quick replies! Didn't expect that to be so quick.

MJ: Its still in an early planning stage, but I would be relocating with my partner (36)...no children. Price point (Assuming apartment for the 1st year of the move:
~1500/mon max.
- 2 bedroom/2 bath
- washer & dryer in the unit
- at least 1 garage spot
- modern, clean, quiet+++

Probably an unreasonable request but those are 'ideal' not required.

Thanks again!

[jwaiter]

Maybe consider Gold Coast, seems like a more mature crowd. Although I'm sure lake view has all age ranges, it does seem to be geared towards a younger crowd. Edge water? Not much help sorry!

[emathias]

Originally Posted by djsj

Thanks and Thanks for the quick replies! Didn't expect that to be so quick.

MJ: Its still in an early planning stage, but I would be relocating with my partner (36)...no children. Price point (Assuming apartment for the 1st year of the move:
~1500/mon max.
- 2 bedroom/2 bath
- washer & dryer in the unit
- at least 1 garage spot
- modern, clean, quiet+++

Probably an unreasonable request but those are 'ideal' not required.

Thanks again!

You might be able to find that in Berwyn, which is a first-ring suburb that has been increasingly popular with partnered gay couples. The price point is your biggest sticking point - you're simply not going to get all those things at that price in the more popular parts of the city. Certainly not in the Gold Coast, where some studios rent for more than $1,500 without parking.

Cutting the second bath, doing without the laundry in-unit, and being willing to park on the street might make the rest of your wish-list items at least plausible in the more popular parts of the lakefront, particularly in Edgewater.

[marothisu]

You may be able to find that in a few places in Lakeview (I've seen it), but the "modern" thing plus maybe washer and dryer at that price point not really. I was going to suggest Gold Coast - where I live now and I have a handful of gay friends who live here in their 30s and 40s, but the price point won't cut it. I'd probably look more towards Andersonville if I were you. It seems more mature and has more gay establishments than say Gold Coast (even if Gold Coast has a fair amount of gay people).

[ChicagoMeO]

I was going to a shop near Andersonville, and I went down Greenview just south of Foster. Wow such beautiful homes! And quiet. Check that area,, its really beautiful! I think that street reflects other such streets down that way.

[linicx]

djsj: You only live once. Follow your dreams. If Chicago is where you want to live and die, it''s where you should live. But there is a caveat. You're 30-years older, it isn't the same Chicago you remember, plus the COL can be a deal breaker.

Come visit for a week. Look realistically at how far your income can take you if you want to do certain things on a regular basis. Can you live without two cars?

[rparz]

I also recommend Andersonville as I know someone who fit the demographic of the OP and lived there and loved it.