Chicago Condos (Lincoln, Roscoe, Humboldt: safe neighborhood, to buy, new construction)

[toedrag]

I understand this is a very redundant topic but I have some questions.

I am looking to buy next year in Chicago I am moving from NY. I really like the feel of a small building like a small apt building or brownstone. I dont want to go over $400k.

As of now the areas I like are L-Park and Lakeview. I have been all over the city several times but have only seen apts in these 2 areas. I want to be close to train I like Roscoe Village but its too far from train.

It seems like you dont really want to be WEST of the highway is that true? Its me and my g-friend we want a safe neighborhood not an area that is up and coming and is not safe currently and has no stores and so in.

Is South Loop safe and are the neccessities in place. (restaurants, groceries, bars, etc)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I dont want to be too north where its a big production to go to the loop..

thanks

[aragx6]

Wicker park/Bucktown is west of the highway -directly west of Lincoln Park, and is a vibrant fun neighborhood full of brownstones where you could afford a nice 2 or even 3 bedroom gut rehab for under 400. You'll want to stay east of Western ave (they like to call this area West Wicker Park, but it's not- It's Humboldt Park and it's "transitional" to put it nicely), and for good el access you'll want to be north of Chicago Ave. The Ukrainian Village is directly south of WP, but you'll be riding the bus a lot more than the el.

It seems to me as I've been looking around Lincoln Park there are a lot of older condo mid and high rises unless you have big bucks to spend. There are some beautiful brownstones, but they are pretty darn expensive. A good realtor might find you some nice options.

The South loop is almost all new construction mid to high rise condos.

Both Wicker Park and the South Loop should be a good investment as they are growing. I wouldn't call them up and coming- they were up and coming say 5 years ago. Now they're well developed. The South Loop still doesn't have much of an active nightlife, but there are a lot of new restaurants and such opening up.