Safe affordable neighborhood near Lincoln Park (Avon: apartment, to rent, safe neighborhood)

[crazydogperson]

Hello.
I work in Lincoln Park and have rented in Wicker Park/Bucktown for over 15 years before those were cool and hip places to live. Over the years the rents have steadily increased until I'm at the point where I can't afford to live there.
So here's my question.
What are some safe affordable neighborhoods to rent near Lincoln Park?
I don't drive but don't mind spending time commuting.
I'm looking for a dog friendly two bedroom apartment under $1100 hopefully with little to no stairs for my two dogs with arthritis/knee issues, someplace that's safe to walk at 2-4am one dog has to go out often.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Vlajos]

Edgewater, Lincoln Square, Avondale

[chet everett]

It is going to be hard to find anyplace with TWO bedrooms, is >$1100, allows TWO dogs and has no stairs...

[crazydogperson]

I know Chet Everett, believe me I know but that's all I can afford. I could probably do $1200 and I can always carry my 80lb and 68lb dogs up a couple flight of stairs I wouldn't want to but I would.
Thanks Vlajos I'll look around but a quick search on Avondale was way out of my budget.

[Slanderous]

I know Craigslist can be unreliable, but something like this might be a decent option:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/5095558913.html

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Slanderous

I know Craigslist can be unreliable, but something like this might be a decent option:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/apa/5095558913.html

Sounds great, EXCEPT for the "top floor" part. I love dogs but I would have a hard time toting them up & down...

Really tough situation... Even if you get a building with an elevator they are probably not set up for a 158 lbs of dog riding up and with you...

You might need to look quite a bit off the beaten path, maybe a basement apartment in Dunning or something.

[Vlajos]

Sorry I missed that you are looking for a 2 bedroom. I thought it was 1.

[jsk1983]

A few years ago I found a 2 bedroom in Lincoln Square under 1000. They did allow dogs. Probably weren't the best of landlords though.

[crazydogperson]

Thanks for all the input. I found a couple of places that are not so bad and I could afford but none of them would accept dogs over 20 pounds. The reason why I can't afford to pay more are the incredibly high vet bills I'm incurring almost monthly with two older dogs. I really don't mind moving farther away as long as is doable to commute to work in Lincoln Park. Any relatively safe neighborhood would be ok by me. I'm in a bit of a panic since I'm looking at a rent increase in couple of months.

[via chicago]

i would look at edgewater/rogers park. those are going to be the only north side hoods with those rents and easily accessible to lincoln park (red line).