Thinking about relocating to Chicago from CA. 27/male (Lincoln, Oregon: middle-class, salons)

[Kb8726]

Howdy and thanks for reading my post.

So a little bit about myself and reasons for wanting a change of scenery. Im a 27 year old gay male (not to hung up on the gay scene but maybe moving would change that) Im a hairstylist so I realize moving I will most likely have to have two jobs while settling into the area. Ive been in and out of California all my life. Have lived near lake tahoe, oregon and australia often moving places Ive never been and also gone alone. Im starting to think Chicago would be an interesting place to live… yes I have heard about the weather so we can avoid that topic.

I don't know anyone in Chicago which will make a move a little harder but I think I can make it work. I guess what Im wondering is which areas I should be looking into. I leased a car and have it for another 2 years so should I move just outside the city and take public transport? Can moving there be done on a budget? What do you love and not love about living in Chicago?

Im open to any and all advise on the topic of moving. Its a big change but again Im open to it. Thanks again

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Kb8726

Howdy and thanks for reading my post.

So a little bit about myself and reasons for wanting a change of scenery. Im a 27 year old gay male (not to hung up on the gay scene but maybe moving would change that) Im a hairstylist so I realize moving I will most likely have to have two jobs while settling into the area. Ive been in and out of California all my life. Have lived near lake tahoe, oregon and australia often moving places Ive never been and also gone alone. Im starting to think Chicago would be an interesting place to live… yes I have heard about the weather so we can avoid that topic.

I don't know anyone in Chicago which will make a move a little harder but I think I can make it work. I guess what Im wondering is which areas I should be looking into. I leased a car and have it for another 2 years so should I move just outside the city and take public transport? Can moving there be done on a budget? What do you love and not love about living in Chicago?

Im open to any and all advise on the topic of moving. Its a big change but again Im open to it. Thanks again

A lifestyle with a car will be different from not having a car. Having a car means your payments+insurance+parking+maintenance+gas expenses cannot be used for rent in a more urban area. I've written a number of other posts about how, in Chicago, having a car - especially a new car - while in the working or lower-middle-class basically means you're going to have to live in areas that are less expensive and not as urban or live with roommates or a tiny studio in order to support the cost of the car. Without the car you might be able to manage a better living situation in a more urban part of the area.

You don't mention what you think you'll target rent-wise, and what sort of budget you had in mind (I've seen people on here asking about making do in Chicago with monthly post-tax budgets ranging from $1,200 to $6,000, so that's why I ask), and how important feeling like you're part of the more vibrant parts of Chicago (the parts that define Chicago and differentiate it from other American cities) are to you.

I didn't think I knew anyone in Chicago when I first moved here (I grew up in Oregon and I'm gay), but did discover that I knew people here. You may have the same experience - social media didn't exist for the most part when I moved here, but exploring your social media networks might uncover peripheral friends who you didn't realize now live here.

[Kb8726]

Originally Posted by emathias

A lifestyle with a car will be different from not having a car. Having a car means your payments+insurance+parking+maintenance+gas expenses cannot be used for rent in a more urban area. I've written a number of other posts about how, in Chicago, having a car - especially a new car - while in the working or lower-middle-class basically means you're going to have to live in areas that are less expensive and not as urban or live with roommates or a tiny studio in order to support the cost of the car. Without the car you might be able to manage a better living situation in a more urban part of the area.

You don't mention what you think you'll target rent-wise, and what sort of budget you had in mind (I've seen people on here asking about making do in Chicago with monthly post-tax budgets ranging from $1,200 to $6,000, so that's why I ask), and how important feeling like you're part of the more vibrant parts of Chicago (the parts that define Chicago and differentiate it from other American cities) are to you.

I didn't think I knew anyone in Chicago when I first moved here (I grew up in Oregon and I'm gay), but did discover that I knew people here. You may have the same experience - social media didn't exist for the most part when I moved here, but exploring your social media networks might uncover peripheral friends who you didn't realize now live here.

The car part is not something I'm excited about so I'm weighing out options to get rid of my car.

I'm wanting to live somewhat close to the city or somewhere that's easily accessable to the city area. I've already don't a little research with salons that I like. Not that I have to be right next to them.

Living wise I was hoping to find a place with roommates as I won't really have enought to support myself in an apartment on my own starting over again clientele wise. It's been a little harder looking on Craigslist for rooms when Im not entirely sure what neighborhoods to be looking into. Price wise I'm thinking around 800-1000 for a room. That's about what it is here in Santa barbara for something decent.

The not knowing people doesn't scare me too much, I'm good at being social and making new friends. It's just taking that step.

Thanks for your reply. Anyother information will be much appreciated

[knitgirl]

Your budget is definitely doable, you could probably get by paying less with roommates, or get a studio or small 1-br, depending on which neighborhood you choose. I'd suggest East Lakeview, Edgewater, Andersonville (which is actually a subneighborhood of Edgewater), Rogers Park which are all on the red line and the closest northside neighborhoods to the lake. Lincoln Park is a possibility with roommates. Neighborhoods along the brown line are good too. I love Ravenswood/Lincoln Square. It's getting a little expensive for my budget, Albany Park is just to the west and is more affordable. Where are the salons that you might want to work at? It would probably be easiest at least your 1st year living along the same L line or a short bus ride away. You'll have a lot of adjusting to do with the weather. There are neighborhoods where parking your car wouldn't be that bad, I don't think you have to live in the burbs just to keep it. I'm not even sure I'd recommend getting rid of it at 1st - see how things go.

[Nikemikey]

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=boystown+chicago


Yeah I would lose the car. Chicago is to easy access all with out a car, plus you're more than likely to meet or know someone who does.

[Kb8726]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

Your budget is definitely doable, you could probably get by paying less with roommates, or get a studio or small 1-br, depending on which neighborhood you choose. I'd suggest East Lakeview, Edgewater, Andersonville (which is actually a subneighborhood of Edgewater), Rogers Park which are all on the red line and the closest northside neighborhoods to the lake. Lincoln Park is a possibility with roommates. Neighborhoods along the brown line are good too. I love Ravenswood/Lincoln Square. It's getting a little expensive for my budget, Albany Park is just to the west and is more affordable. Where are the salons that you might want to work at? It would probably be easiest at least your 1st year living along the same L line or a short bus ride away. You'll have a lot of adjusting to do with the weather. There are neighborhoods where parking your car wouldn't be that bad, I don't think you have to live in the burbs just to keep it. I'm not even sure I'd recommend getting rid of it at 1st - see how things go.

The Salons Im looking at are in Westtown and Ukrainian Village. Only two that I've really looking into, but clearly id be open to any party of town. Im looking for salons that carry a specific brand tho. I think I could get rid of my car, Im not attached to it in any ways as long as I'm able to get around without it and it would be nice to not have the extra payments every month.