Planning to move from out of state (Chicago, Lincoln: apartment, lease)

[JiveBomber]

Hi all!

I'm planning to move to Chicago in July of 2016, but I have no idea where to start looking and I would really appreciate some advice! Here are the details:

Me: I'm a 25 year old single female, seeking more job opportunities than are available in my current city. I have bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice.
Income: ~$25,000 a year (I know ).
Seeking: safe, affordable neighborhoods.
Housing: the most realistic option is a studio apartment (for now). No parking, as I don't have a car.
Currently: I pay $725 a month for a huge one bedroom loft where I live, but I know this isn't realistic in Chicago: Utilities included are cable and water. Electricity and Internet come out of pocket.
Utilities: are there generally any utilities included?

Any suggestions anybody might have will be much appreciated. I'm trying to stay as realistic as possible about this move, and once the move date gets closer, I'll start seeking employment, but I'm hoping that a year will be enough time to save up enough for the moving expenses and a deposit/first month's rent in a relatively cheap, safe neighborhood.

Thank you if you took the time to read all of this!

[chet everett]

What is your "current city"?

My guess is that unless you move someplace where a new prison in being opened you won't really have a whole lot more job opportunities based on your major(s)...

[JiveBomber]

I currently live in Richmond, Virginia.

Haha how do you figure that working in a prison is the only criminal justice job option for my majors? I'm hitting the job search now, but I'm most concerned with finding a neighborhood that is relatively cheap and safe.

[jtamay3]

Depends on where you work really.

[pete6032]

What is the value of moving somewhere before you have found a job in that place? Wouldn't it be easier to stay in Richmond and apply for jobs across the country and then move wherever you can find work? Your cost of living in Chicago will be much higher than in Richmond.

[bella84]

Originally Posted by pete6032

What is the value of moving somewhere before you have found a job in that place? Wouldn't it be easier to stay in Richmond and apply for jobs across the country and then move wherever you can find work? Your cost of living in Chicago will be much higher than in Richmond.

Not if you know you really want to live in a particular place... I made the decision to move back to Chicago before I found a job. I ended up finding a job before I actually made the move, but my job search was confined to the city.

Sounds like the OP knows what she wants, understands the downsides, and is willing to make it happen.

[bella84]

Honestly, that salary would be almost impossible to live on here, assuming you actually want to live in a safe, fun, urban area and have enough cash to not only survive but to also enjoy yourself. The good news is that salaries are generally higher in Chicago due to the cost of living being higher. So, if you're making $25,000 in Richmond, you'll likely make more than that for a comparable position when you move here. I was making only slightly more than that about nine years ago when I first moved here, living in a studio, and it was not sustainable. Costs are much higher these days...

If your salary is high enough, I'd suggest Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wicker Park as the areas most common for young people who first relocate to the city. However, if your salary prohibits that, you could look further north or northwest. Many studios run over $1000/month in those neighborhoods. You'll find that water is included in almost all rents. Gas is usually included if you live in a large apartment building, but you'll likely have to pay for it if you end up in two-flat type of building. Electric, cable, and internet are hardly ever included, in my experience.

[pete6032]

Originally Posted by bella84

Not if you know you really want to live in a particular place... I made the decision to move back to Chicago before I found a job. I ended up finding a job before I actually made the move, but my job search was confined to the city.

Sounds like the OP knows what she wants, understands the downsides, and is willing to make it happen.

I can see moving back without a job to a city which you have lived previously, but for me it seem peculiar to move to a city and then find a job. Surely there must be more than one city that the OP find's desirable to live in.

[bella84]

Originally Posted by pete6032

I can see moving back without a job to a city which you have lived previously, but for me it seem peculiar to move to a city and then find a job. Surely there must be more than one city that the OP find's desirable to live in.

True. Although I did the same the first time I moved to Chicago, as well. It was right after I graduated college. I knew I wanted to live in Chicago, so I only looked for jobs in Chicago. Sometimes people just know where they want to live.

[JiveBomber]

My current lease doesn't end for another year, so I feel like I have a good chance to save up. I finally dug myself out of credit card debt, so that should help. Once the time to move gets closer, I'll hit the job hunt harder, but so far, jobs in the field I currently work in (security) pay $3-4 more an hour.bik Chicago than Richmond. I started at my current job at $10.50/hour, and have a 1 bedroom that costs $725 a month. I had to pick up a second job to afford it. I'm planning on looking for a 2 bedroom to share with a roommate once I get there, the rent prices in Rogers Park/Lakeview aren't that much different than Richmond, really. I'm just not sure of which neighbhoods to avoid, which is my main concern.