Working in Niles IL, 23 yrs old, looking for cheap but trendy neighborhoods/suburbs.

[Drover]

So Angelika, if I may be nosy, how'd you end up in Lincoln? School? Job? I once had a bloke from California of all places tell me that I should go visit Lincoln because it's a cool town. Not "cool" in the cosmopolitan sense like Chicago, but with nice neighborhoods and a proper university area and what-not... what do you think, should I take a spin out there some day and check it out?

[AngelikaV]

Originally Posted by Drover

So Angelika, if I may be nosy, how'd you end up in Lincoln? School? Job? I once had a bloke from California of all places tell me that I should go visit Lincoln because it's a cool town. Not "cool" in the cosmopolitan sense like Chicago, but with nice neighborhoods and a proper university area and what-not... what do you think, should I take a spin out there some day and check it out?

How I wound up stuck out here on the edge of the prairie is a long story. Hubby was a research scientist/engineer at IITRI who went into business with some guys in Lincoln to manufacture a gizmo he invented. They sell it to a BUNCH of 3-letter agencies of the gov'mint that shall remain nameless. For 10 years he commuted to Lincoln on Monday morning and back home to Chicago on Friday evening while I had a high-falootin' career downtown. The 70-80 hr. work weeks might be fine when you're in your 20s and 30s, but when you're in your 40s it gets OLD, as do you. The job d*** near killed me. Ended up in the ER 3 times with angina. It was the stress -- not just the long hours and the sadistic boss, but makin' decisions in million dollar increments daily and knowing it wasn't monopoly money I was playing with. So I chucked it all and moved to Lincoln to do my Martha Stewart imitation. What a big MISTAKE -- not quitting the job, but moving.

I can't imagine what anyone from CA would see in Lincoln. It pretty much sucks! Go check out my Lincoln posts on the Nebraska forum. Now Madison is a GREAT university town. But Lincoln? No way! Its a closed-minded, culturally and politically atrophied, UGLY town with a horrible summer climate. People say it's a good place to raise kids, but then I'd say Madison, WI is a better place to raise kids, plus it's more progressive, more attractive, and more fun for the adults. Heck, I'd much rather live in Des Moines than in Lincoln. But that's just my opinion.

[Drover]

I'll take it all under advisement and write it off as the California guy being a little drunk or something.

[XtremeBiker278]

Many of you will think I am crazy, but I will recommend my neighborhood: quiet, middle class Gladstone Park. Barely known by many (people still believe it doesn't exist, just an extenstion of Jefferson Park), this extremely Northwest neighborhood is as untrendy as it gets. However, I offer my advice for some good reasons:

Gladstone Park, As well as Jefferson Park, Edison Park, among other neighborhoods, are literally a stone's throw away from the burbs. Niles and Skokie are specially closeby (not even 15 mins away). This would be great considering that you work in Niles. The commute, even during rush hour, is not too bad by street, which will be all you need if you live in that area.

The rent is also not bad as well for apartments. Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, and Edison park offer safe areas and affordable apartments (think 650 to 800, the first being Gladstone and Jeff, and the second being Edison).

Even though the aforementioned neighborhoods are not the most trendy in Chicago, they still have a lot to offer. Lots of stores, restaraunts, and plenty of bars within walking distance. Many can be found on Milwaukee Avenue alone, which is also the main street you can take to work! In addition, 4 malls can be found in nearby sububs, each taking no longer than 20 mins to get to by car or bus (Village Crossing, Lincolnwood Town Center, Golf Mill in Niles, and Harlem and Irving plaza).

And lastly, the location is incredible. From where I live, I am literally 5 mins away from 90/94, and no more than a 10 min walk to Jefferson Park Station (buses that can take you anywhere, plus the Blue Line, which has Red and Brown Line Transfer stations... they can take you to most popular neighborhoods). By car, trips to trendier places such as Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, and so on, take only 20-30 mins by car. And that is only because there are so many freggin stop signs and lights lol.

All in all, Gladstone Park is in my opinion, a great start until you have enough money saved up to relocate. The affordability, safety, amount of things to do, and the closeness to all things transportational more than makes up for the lack of closeness to trendier neighborhoods. I myself travel to those neighborhoods because I have a lot of friends there, and the commute is deinitley worth staying back here in Gladstone in my opinion. Good luck with your search! Chicago is an amazing city!