From TX to Chicago (Evanston, Worth: low income, real estate, houses)

[ldenison]

I have been reading a bit online about the different sections of Chicago. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for me?

I am a 24 year old musician. I am planning on moving with 3 other people, all males(I am a female), all artists and musicians. We are not sure yet if we will all room together, or how we want to work that out. But, we will have very low incomes, and aren't sure the best way to swing a transition like this.

We figure we'll come for a visit, scope things out, and then return with our belongings after securing our living space. But, there's a lot of ground to cover, and we can't afford to waste time.

To give you an idea of what we are looking for...we all have been living in the Fairmount District of Ft. Worth, TX. All the homes are old, mid 1800's to early 1900's. This area has changed a lot over the past 10 years. There was more crime, much vagrancy(less now, but there are facilities nearby that aid the homeless, so they are around), and things were pretty run down. Now, about half of the homes in this area have been renovated, in keeping with the old style, and look very nice. Some are owned, some are rented as whole houses, or have been converted into duplexes. Some areas seem segregated, some feel safer than others. What we pay for square footage in this area is so far below what we would pay in Chicago, it's hard to imagine how we will adjust to the limited space. We don't want the suburbs. We want to sell our cars and use public transport.

We don't want to be terrified to walk down the street at night, but we also don't need to be sheltered from real life(we are not afraid of homeless people...although crack addicts banging on the door, waving guns around, demanding $2 is a little off putting. Yes, that has happened in this area.). We are used to, enjoy and prefer cultural/ethnic diversity. We love being surrounded by other artists, and have participated in the various art/music/film cooperatives in our area. We also have no idea where we will work, or if wages there reflect the cost of living.

So:

1. Affordable rent
2. Reasonable safety
3. Easy access to public transportation
4. A place to worship and have fellowship with the Body of Christ.
5. Easy access to food markets and thrift/resale shops would be nice, but I imagine it is not difficult to get around to these places, as well as a place of worship.

We are very excited. I am much more green than any of these guys I'm moving with. I have never lived anywhere besides TX in my life, and have not been to Chicago. So, while I look forward to it, I feel a bit overwhelmed.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you.

[ChristopherBearkat]

Ha! Another Texan making the jump. I'm down in Huntsville right now, but I'll be moving to Chicago in June after college.

[Ankhharu]

Dallas, TX right here, moving to Chicago in August. Must be something in the water, lol.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by ldenison

I have been reading a bit online about the different sections of Chicago. I wonder if anyone has any suggestions for me?

I am a 24 year old musician. I am planning on moving with 3 other people, all males(I am a female), all artists and musicians. We are not sure yet if we will all room together, or how we want to work that out. But, we will have very low incomes, and aren't sure the best way to swing a transition like this.

We figure we'll come for a visit, scope things out, and then return with our belongings after securing our living space. But, there's a lot of ground to cover, and we can't afford to waste time.

To give you an idea of what we are looking for...we all have been living in the Fairmount District of Ft. Worth, TX. All the homes are old, mid 1800's to early 1900's. This area has changed a lot over the past 10 years. There was more crime, much vagrancy(less now, but there are facilities nearby that aid the homeless, so they are around), and things were pretty run down. Now, about half of the homes in this area have been renovated, in keeping with the old style, and look very nice. Some are owned, some are rented as whole houses, or have been converted into duplexes. Some areas seem segregated, some feel safer than others. What we pay for square footage in this area is so far below what we would pay in Chicago, it's hard to imagine how we will adjust to the limited space. We don't want the suburbs. We want to sell our cars and use public transport.

We don't want to be terrified to walk down the street at night, but we also don't need to be sheltered from real life(we are not afraid of homeless people...although crack addicts banging on the door, waving guns around, demanding $2 is a little off putting. Yes, that has happened in this area.). We are used to, enjoy and prefer cultural/ethnic diversity. We love being surrounded by other artists, and have participated in the various art/music/film cooperatives in our area. We also have no idea where we will work, or if wages there reflect the cost of living.

So:

1. Affordable rent
2. Reasonable safety
3. Easy access to public transportation
4. A place to worship and have fellowship with the Body of Christ.
5. Easy access to food markets and thrift/resale shops would be nice, but I imagine it is not difficult to get around to these places, as well as a place of worship.

We are very excited. I am much more green than any of these guys I'm moving with. I have never lived anywhere besides TX in my life, and have not been to Chicago. So, while I look forward to it, I feel a bit overwhelmed.

I appreciate any suggestions.

Thank you.

You might want to look in Wicker Park or Ukranian Village. Both are hipster artist central at this point in time. UV is cheaper, but has worse access to the "L" (though there are still many buses). Wicker Park is getting ritzier by the day, but still has that funky artsy flavor.

Um, not sure about your fellowship thing... You'll notice northerners are much less enthusiastic about discussing religion publicly than southerners. In fact, it really turns a lot of people off--even those who are regular church goers. Most churches in the city are Catholic or mainline Protestant. Most of the evangelical churches are African-American Baptist Churches, though I'm sure you could probably find whatever you wanted. This is a HUGE city, after all.

[aragx6]

I think lookout Kid's suggestions are good ones. Ukrainian Village is definitely cheaper because it's farther from the el, but there are a lot of buses.

I gotta say- this is an expensive city and I while I wish you luck it's hard to eke it out here on a non-professional existence. Even people working salaried jobs have it kind of rough at first.

if you guys are close, maybe you could split a 2 bedroom, that would help keep costs down.

As far as a church, I'd agree with Lookout kid that I have no idea how to help you except to say that I'm sure what you are looking for exists in this city, you'll just have to seek it out.

[ldenison]

Thanks everyone for responding. All helpful information. My best to those of you moving to Chicago! According to the Chi-town vets, it looks like we have our work cut out for us!

-Lindsey

[brenty]

You could try Evanston. In Evanston there is a housing dedicated to struggling Musicians, Actors, and Artists. Evanston has a nice arts scene. Mainly because of Northwestern University. You should take a look.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

It wouldn't be the easiest place in the world, but it's definitely possible. Lots of places are as or more expensive and people make it work. I know actors and musicians who live very cheaply here. As in 250-300 bucks a person a month in rent. You can make it work.
Making the arts work for you takes a little discomfort, but it's totally possible. I've seen it happen.

[wickedripeplum]

You could try the East Village, Logan Square, Albany Park, Uptown, Rogers Park, Pilsen. Safetywise several of those places can be touch and go, so I'd recommend you check them out. It doesn't sound like your sensibilities are too tender that way.

As for churchs I've got nothing unless you're Catholic, sorry.

[desibear]

Around the office the joke is that the easiest way to get a 30% pay bump is to move to Dallas. Same salary, extremely low cost of living (factoring in real estate).