Another "where to live" thread... Sorry! :-/

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Stillers

Thanks to all that have replied. When I say $600 for rent, it won't be a studio or 1 bedroom. I meant $600 per person in a 2 or 3 bedroom (so $1200 - $1800). I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I've been checking out ads, and I just don't know enough about the city yet to know where to zone in on.

It makes a difference. Living on your own is more expensive than with roommates. Some areas also have more multi bedroom places available too, such as a Pilsen, UK Village, etc.

From everything that I've read, and places that I've been, I think I'll focus on:

I'd also look at East Village and Noble Square, which are just east of UK Village. Very similar areas.. I'd also look at Albany Park close to the Brown Line. Not night life central, but the area is diverse and the rent is cheaper.

I'll check out Lakeview since I'm there so much as it is. I probably got the wrong idea about it since I've only seen Lakeview in the daylight once, haha.

I would focus on the eastern portion of it - north of Diversey and East of Halsted. Halsted is the LGBT center and east of that on Broadway has a really nice diversity of business (as does Halsted - it's not all gay bars/clubs). The area is kind of similar to Andersonville in a way. Your budget might be tight for the area, but you can find a few. Here's some examples:

* 651 W Aldine Ave # 1, Chicago, IL 60657 is For Rent - Zillow
* View 7 photos of this $1,655/m... Chicago, IL 60657 is For Rent - Zillow

I'd also look just north of that in Buena Park (Uptown) which is between Irving Park Rd and Montrose Ave. The area is decent and has even cheaper rent. Semi close to a red line stop (Sheridan) and a few major bus routes (36). There can be some shady people hanging around on Montrose.

* Chicago Apartments | 921 W CULLOM AVE #3rd | Domu Chicago
* Chicago Apartments | Buena Shores | Domu Chicago

[It'sAutomatic]

Originally Posted by marothisu

It's not 24/7, but the Pink Line runs through Pilsen and will get you to the Loop in around 15 minutes.

The trains can be a waste of time depending on what trip you're trying to take. If it's not rush hour, you're better off taking North-South bus lines to get to Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, etc. Trains are fun but it's almost always faster to take one bus vs. 2-3 trains.



By the way OP, biking is a great way to get around here and it's probably easier than you think.

[marothisu]

I agree, usually, that one bus is faster than 2-3 trains. With the case of Pilsen, taking the Ashland bus will definitely be faster than taking a few trains there especially when there's not much traffic. In the case of Loop, River North, Gold Coast, etc..taking the train might be faster.

Speaking of the #9 bus, the late night service that runs between 95th and North/Clark, does that make all the normal stops between Pilsen and there? i.e. 18th and Ashland?

[mjtinmemphis]

Edgewater is one of the most affordable communities that fits your profile.

Buena Park is another good option in uptown. Both are close to the train and have awesome amenities. Plus you will not die of boredom like the Loop.

What type of nightlife are you looking to live around. Dance clubs, bars, jazz/blues clubs or sports bars. What type of events are you wanting to see in your neighborhood like burger fest, caribean fest, wine fest type or do you prefer jumping up and down to Lady gaga. The reason I ask is there are so many options available for everyone taste in Chicago but choosing the wrong neighborhood can ruin it. Especially during the summer.

[Stillers]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Edgewater is one of the most affordable communities that fits your profile.

Buena Park is another good option in uptown. Both are close to the train and have awesome amenities. Plus you will not die of boredom like the Loop.

What type of nightlife are you looking to live around. Dance clubs, bars, jazz/blues clubs or sports bars. What type of events are you wanting to see in your neighborhood like burger fest, caribean fest, wine fest type or do you prefer jumping up and down to Lady gaga. The reason I ask is there are so many options available for everyone taste in Chicago but choosing the wrong neighborhood can ruin it. Especially during the summer.

I get the feeling that as long as I'm close to a bus or train line, I can get to most of the summer festivals (though I may be wrong, because I know little about all of the different "fests"). Unfortunately, I've left my Lady Gaga days in the past .

As far as nightlife, I only do dance clubs once in awhile, and I don't necessarily need to live by any. Sports bars and local joints are more my speed. When it comes to nightlife, I don't mind not being in the heart of everything, as long as I don't have to travel half-way around the city, you know? That's one of the reasons I want to be close to one of the train lines, as they tend to run later than the buses.

Sorry I'm being a bit vague. The place I lived before Chicago had a few local pubs within walking distance where the bartenders knew everyone and the beer was cheap. A 15 minute cab ride away (no transit system), and I was in the heart of "nightlife". And that setup was perfectly fine with me.

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Clybourn Corridor, Lincoln Square, Roscoe Village, St Bens (North Center), and Ashland and Fullerton are about the least gritty, and dare I say whitest, neighborhoods in the city. They're beautiful areas, but I think the OP was looking for something quite different.

Thats interesting. I was not aware that it was like that. I was thinking of the buiding / architecture and in fact the area around Ashland seems grittier to me than some parts of the city.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

Thats interesting. I was not aware that it was like that. I was thinking of the buiding / architecture and in fact the area around Ashland seems grittier to me than some parts of the city.

Where have you been? The area around North/Clybourn and all around is full of stuff like Apple, Crate and Barrel, Container Store, Land of the Nod, REI, etc. There are a few pretty new high rises there and they're currently building a new high rise with more "elevated" retail right near there ("New City" development). If you go north on Clybourn after a little bit there's some eh but i wouldn't call it "gritty." Just a few left over warehouse types of things.

Ashland and Fullerton is in the middle and there's a few newish condo/apartment buildings right near there.

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Where have you been? The area around North/Clybourn and all around is full of stuff like Apple, Crate and Barrel, Container Store, Land of the Nod, REI, etc. There are a few pretty new high rises there and they're currently building a new high rise with more "elevated" retail right near there ("New City" development). If you go north on Clybourn after a little bit there's some eh but i wouldn't call it "gritty." Just a few left over warehouse types of things.

Ashland and Fullerton is in the middle and there's a few newish condo/apartment buildings right near there.

I'm going to have to take a trip up there when the weather warms. I didn't know it was improved.. i drive thru there sometimes coming from North Ave shopping and I am going to have to take another look.

Maybe "my" idea of gritty is different than yours?

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

I'm going to have to take a trip up there when the weather warms. I didn't know it was improved.. i drive thru there sometimes coming from North Ave shopping and I am going to have to take another look.

Maybe "my" idea of gritty is different than yours?

It's been like that for a little while. I think Apple has been there for at least 3 years and they actually funded the remodel of the above ground depot for the red line next door. The area close to the river definitely has "gritty" areas and as you go north, but brand new buildings that house Apple, Crate & Barrel, etc are not my idea of gritty exactly. Northwestern Medical also has a fairly new building over there as is the British School basically next door. Then I already mentioned New City being built (http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs...c/newcity4.jpg)

A view of the high rises there:
http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs...st4-Curbed.jpg

Stuff like this:
http://d16wm5mxkuw2qn.cloudfront.net/images/7401.jpeg
http://images.apple.com/retail/linco...npark_hero.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WA_MzIEqg2...incolnPark.JPG
http://www.chicagonow.com/eclectic-e...hole-foods.jpg