where to move for 24 yr old bachelor? (Chicago, Lincoln: appointed, how much)

[kevin728]

Where should I move in Chicago if I have to travel to Indy and Cleveland a lot for work?

From what I've heard, the northside is the place to be for twenty-somethings. how far south does this hold true, and how much do i really gain traffic-wise by staying further south (99% of my work is outside of the city, and 25% of the time its in IN and OH)?

A social scene with various live music venues is a plus.

[dragoro]

North side will mean very long commutes.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Chicago is on a grid, so the North Side is anything north of Madison Ave.

There are some neighborhoods on the South Side that are still what you might be looking for. South Loop. Maybe Hyde Park. I've never lived on the South side, admittedly.

When you work outside of the city (that 99%), is it all to the south and east? If it's all over, I'd say the North Side still may be feasible.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by kevin728

Where should I move in Chicago if I have to travel to Indy and Cleveland a lot for work?

From what I've heard, the northside is the place to be for twenty-somethings. how far south does this hold true, and how much do i really gain traffic-wise by staying further south (99% of my work is outside of the city, and 25% of the time its in IN and OH)?

A social scene with various live music venues is a plus.

You can live in the often stated areas of Lake View,Lincoln Park,Gold Coast,etc...Living a couple miles farther south from the northside does not really help the drive to IN or OH that much. You can take Lake Shore Drive to the Dan Ryan (after getting on 55 very briefly). When there is clear traffic it takes me about 40 minutes from Irving Park to the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. If you leave Chicago and arrive in Chicago at the right times, living on the Northside will not take very much longer than living farther south to get out of the city and state.

As far as where you work outside of the city that is not out of state, I would have to know where to give you a better estimate and picture. The times you leave and arrive are crucial also.

[OrangeAndBlue]

I assume you're not going to drive to Indianapolis or Ohio on a daily basis but stay out there during the week and come home on weekends, correct?
In that case, you might as well live in the northside because the extra 10-15 minute drive just once or twice a week (out of a couple of hours drive total) probably won't kill you.
Now, if you're planning to drive to northeast Indiana on a daily basis, you may want to consider something in the south side of the city, like the South Loop or Hyde Park.

BTW: I found that you can cut some good time off your drive by taking Lake Shore Drive all the way down to Stoney Island Ave and then onto the Chicago Skyway from there (and skip the Dan Ryan altogether).

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by OrangeAndBlue

I assume you're not going to drive to Indianapolis or Ohio on a daily basis but stay out there during the week and come home on weekends, correct?
In that case, you might as well live in the northside because the extra 10-15 minute drive just once or twice a week (out of a couple of hours drive total) probably won't kill you.
Now, if you're planning to drive to northeast Indiana on a daily basis, you may want to consider something in the south side of the city, like the South Loop or Hyde Park.

BTW: I found that you can cut some good time off your drive by taking Lake Shore Drive all the way down to Stoney Island Ave and then onto the Chicago Skyway from there (and skip the Dan Ryan altogether).

When's the last time you took the Ryan? Since construction wrapped, that puppy is a breeze.

[kevin728]

Thanks to all for your replies.
OrangeAndBlue... you make a good point. My out-of-state travel is limited to week-long trips so if there isn't that big a difference getting to the northside, it seems like the way to go. Thanks again.

As far as different social scenes are concerned.... do the neighborhoods in the north part of the city vary greatly in what they offer? I tend to enjoy pubs, live music, and places that provide environments where its actually possible to talk without screaming. I still enjoy a rowdy crowd, but I have to say I was disappointed last weekend when I went out to Shenanigans and Bar Chicago... they were too loud to talk and so crowded you couldn't move without pissing someone off.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by kevin728

Thanks to all for your replies.
OrangeAndBlue... you make a good point. My out-of-state travel is limited to week-long trips so if there isn't that big a difference getting to the northside, it seems like the way to go. Thanks again.

As far as different social scenes are concerned.... do the neighborhoods in the north part of the city vary greatly in what they offer? I tend to enjoy pubs, live music, and places that provide environments where its actually possible to talk without screaming. I still enjoy a rowdy crowd, but I have to say I was disappointed last weekend when I went out to Shenanigans and Bar Chicago... they were too loud to talk and so crowded you couldn't move without pissing someone off.

Shenanigans and Bar Chicago are not good representations of Chicago bars. They are usually filled with visitors and college kids. Then again many (but not a majority of) bars on the north side become somewhat similar on the weekend nights. There is a great variety of bars on the north side. It all depends on what you seek,what your budget is,and what kind of people you like to be around.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

Originally Posted by kevin728

I was disappointed last weekend when I went out to Shenanigans and Bar Chicago... they were too loud to talk and so crowded you couldn't move without pissing someone off.

After you live here for a while you'll realize how hilarious this statement is.

I haven't set foor in one of those stupid bars (or any like them) without being A) dragged (for fundraisers and such) or B) already wasted in years.

If you like pubs and live music, Chicago has tons to offer. The North Side is thick with 'em.

[jessiegirl_98]

Another good option for you is Wicker Park. Then you can jump right on 90/94 to make it to your out of town trips.
And no, those bars aren't a good indication of what Chicago has to offer :-)