Commute downtown to Oak Brook (Chicago, Hinsdale: leases, home, dorms)

[Ace Rothstein]

Are you going to have to pay for parking in the intern building downtown?

[intern99]

Yes ace there aren't any with parking

[4122]

You may also wanna consider just driving. I used to commute from the northern suburbs to the West Side of Chicago and it took me around 45 minutes on average. The commute from downtown to Oak Brook is 19 miles which is about 25 minutes without traffic, but during rush hour, it's going to be longer than that, especially since you have to take the Eisenhower. It totally beats having to take a 30 minute ride on the metra to Hinsdale, then on a bus or in an Uber taxi 10-15 minutes, then paying a lot of money for a longer commute.

[Ace Rothstein]

I'd probably just deal with the drive for the summer, it isn't like you are taking a permanent position out there.

[oakparkdude]

He says that he can't afford parking his car downtown.

[Ace Rothstein]

Are there any housing options in Chicago outside of downtown? Can you secure your own housing?

[NearWestSider]

Your best bet is to bike to Union Station, take the Metra BNSF to Hinsdale, and bike up to Oak Brook from there.

You also have the option of taking the Metra Northwest to Elmhurst and bike to Oak Brook from there.

Depending on where your office is, the ride from either train to Oak Brook will be 4.5-6 miles each way.

The main advantage of taking the BNSF is that there are a number of express trains going non-stop from Union Station to Hinsdale, which is a fifteen or seventeen minute ride, vs local westbound trains which take roughly a half hour.

You probably already know this, but in case you don't, Metra allows bikes on trains running opposite to rush hour.

On average, weather permits 4 bike rides per week during the summer, and you will not be allowed on train with your bike during Taste of Chicago or Lollapalooza.

On rainy days (or festival days), you have no alternative but to drive.

As long as you are on the expressway by 5:45-6:00 AM, the drive is about 30 minutes.

By 6:15 it is reliably 45 minutes, but 6:30 it takes an hour. So it definitely pays to get out early.

Oak Brook has a really good (and cheap) LA fitness, which is one way to kill time in the mornings. I'm sure you can find others.

Good luck.

[UC18]

One option would be to live in the Little Italy / University Village area if you're driving to work. The commute would be a little better than if you lived downtown (though it would still suck), the rent and parking would be cheaper (parking might even be free, actually), and you'd be living in an area with a lot of young people and close to downtown. It might be challenging to find a place to rent for just the summer, but maybe you could find a UIC student who is leaving for the summer and subletting their place.

[CatWarmer]

Another idea is a summer sublet in Oak Park if you can find one with parking included. It's a vibrant community with plenty of events happening in the summer and a lively night scene, so not like being out in Oak Brook. The commute shouldn't be nearly as bad as all the way from the city. And both Metra and the L go into the city for weekends. From what I've heard, there's a large college student population in the area so there should be some sublets.

[knitgirl]

Agree with UC18 and CatWarmer. Either would be better options than living further east. Oak Park is right next to River Forest where Dominican University is so there could definitely be summer sublets in those neighborhoods. Another thought which I haven't researched is to check and see if either university has summer student housing. I know years ago (they may still do it), International House at the University of Chicago offered it. I would also call the employer and ask them what their previous interns have done. I know you said they wouldn't hook you up with the other interns, but maybe there is some sort of housing option they're aware of.